Page 32 of Veil of Vengeance

“Don’t I get a choice?” Valentina speaks up.

“No,” I say as Ma also says, “Of course, you do.”

Ma sends me a glare, and then smiles gently at Valentina.

“I don’t want to stay in his wing. I’d rather go back to the cell.”

My ma’s smile falls as she tries to understand why Valentina is reluctant to stay in a comfortable bed and room.

“Valentina, are you sure?” Ma tentatively reaches her hand and grabs Valentina’s. Valentina looks at me, but then quickly averts her eyes to look at my ma again.

“Yes, I’m sure.” Her voice is soft and low. Where was this attitude when she’s with me?

“She’ll stay in my wing, then.” Ma’s head snaps in my direction as she declares her solution. I shake my head again, amused at her insistence to get Valentina out of the cells.

“She will not.” My tone makes my decision clear, and my Mom’s face crumbles, her eyes appearing glassy as she sniffles. Great, I’ve upset my Mom. I rub my temple, feeling a migraine coming on.

“Fine, but there will be a guard staying in front of her door. And if she tries anything, she’ll be hanging in the cells by her feet.” I say the last part while looking into Valentina’s eyes. She just wrinkles her nose and sends a scowl my way.

Ma rushes in my direction and wraps her arms around my midsection. I return her hug while sending a glare at Valentina over Ma’s head.

“Thank you, Eli.”

“Anything for you, Ma, anything,” I mutter into her hair.

I have a feeling I’ll be regretting this decision.

CHAPTER 9

VALENTINA

Emiliano sends a final warning glare my way before he and Romiro leave the living room. Their steps ring out down the hallway, and once we can no longer hear them, Mariana, Emiliano’s Mom, heads to one of the couches.

“I can’t believe that boy had the heart to tell me no to begin with.” Mariana sighs as she sits on one of the Persian couches. The living room is spacious and has various art pieces on the walls. One of the walls is just a floor-to-ceiling window with a glass door that leads to what I assume is the garden.

“I don’t understand your insistence on me being out of the cell. Don’t you want revenge for whatever my family did?” I voice my confusion at Mariana’s behavior, and her face turns solemn as she looks at me.

“No, I don’t want revenge on your family through you. You’re innocent and had nothing to do with the Outfit’s plans. But I can’t do a lot. My son is Capo, and I cannot undermine his plans.”

I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I mull over her words.

“Sit down, girls. We have a couple of things to talk about,” she says. I let out a breath and take a seat on the opposite couch while Alessia takes a seat on the armchair.

“Alessia, tell me, how is medical school going?” Mariana must have seen the apprehension on my face at the thought of her asking me to share anything first. Alessia leans back into her seat and releases a sigh.

“Honestly, Aunt Mari, I hate it. I’m exhausted with the amount of work we have to do. Between the rotations and studying, I barely have any time to myself. I went into medicine because I love it, but this is all very stressful.” Alessia rubs her temple. I wanted to go to college and get a degree, but Dad said I could only do a course from home. I had to choose between a psychology or a beauty program.

“I mean, you did it because you love it, but do you regret it?” I ask her. She gives me a small smile and shakes her head.

“I still love it, but I don’t love the mental load it has put on me, you know. And to top it off, I have to deal with balancing my schoolwork and family functions.”

I nod, understanding the pressure of being a woman in the mafia world.

“What about you, Valentina, did you study anything?” Mariana asks me.

I shake my head and tell her, “No, I wasn't allowed to go to college. Dad wanted us to stay home after we finished with our high school studies.”

Her eyes widen, a look of bewilderment on her face.

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