Page 5 of Czar
I blink my eyes, trying to be strong, but it hurts. Mama doesn’t love me and doesn’t care what Papa and Don Elio do to me. Yeah, they don’t abuse me, but I’m treated like an object.
Mama looks up at me, lowering her eyelids and pursing her lips tight.
“I don’t know why you’re such a crybaby. I’ve told you not to take everything to heart; it only makes you weak. It doesn’t matter; it’s your destiny to be the Costa Nostra, Conti Mafia Principessa. So, hurry up, the Soldier will be here soon to pick you up,” Mama says, waving her hand.
I run to my room, walk into the closet, and grab the bat. I pack up all of my favorite things and clothes. I chew my lip, looking around my room for anything else that I need to take with me.
The door knock causes my stomach to twist; it’s time to go.
“Come in,”
The door opens and my cousin Valentina walks inside, closing the door.
I run over and hug her, crying.,
“Hey, don’t cry. It’s going to be good. Are you ready,” Valentina asks in a low voice.
She grabs my shoulders and pulls me away, staring at me.
“Vee, yes, I’m ready.”
“Good, let’s go,” Valentina says, nodding.
We grab my bags and walk out of my room, down the hall, and out of the house. I don’t look back. I pray that I don’t return for a long time.
Five years later.
“Vee, what did Don Elio say,” I ask in a low, gruff voice, chewing my lower lip.
Valentina just kicked the Senator’s daughter's Ester’s ass. The biatch has always been talking smack, but today the biatch slapped Vee. Of course, Vee was not letting her get away with it; she grabbed her by the hair and smacked her a few times until she was pulled off her. The headmistress contacted Don Elio, our Zio. I’m so afraid for her.
“Mia, calm down. Don Elio didn’t say much. He said that I needed to stay out of trouble because he didn’t have time for this nonsense. But I swear, Mia, I think that he wanted to smile when I told him that I’m a Conti and not taking any bullshit from anyone. But maybe I just imagined it. What fucking ever. He didn’t look too upset since he has the Senator in his pocket, so that means that he’s not squeaky clean like Ester and the headmistress thinks. Too bad I can’t fucking rub it in Ester’s ugly mug. Then he reminded me that we’re going to be out soon, and he was looking for our husbands,” Valentina huffs, crossing her arms.
“Wow, of course he is. It’s sort of a relief that he didn’t say much. I was so scared for you. You never know what Don Elio would do if he’s pissed off at us,” I utter in a low voice, looking around the room.
“Mia, stop your dramatics. Nobody is listening, and we’re good. I think that we should get to the crocheting, it’s almost time for us to drop off the scarves to the church for the homeless.”
“Yeah, we have a few more to make,” I say, nodding.
“I’m glad because it’s relaxing, and I don’t want to go out into the yard because I’ll fucking kill the biatch if she comes near me,” Valentina huffs, grabbing the crocheting bag.
“Well, let’s stay in our rooms. We can order some pizza and watch a movie.”
“Yes, we can see all of our favorite movies,” Valentina says, grabbing her needle and yarn.
A year later.
“Mia, you need to hurry up. We need to get out of here and wait for the Soldier to pick us up,” Valentina hums, walking out of our room.
“Geeze, you can slow down.”
“You’re so damn dramatic! I’m only walking, so hurry up,” Valentina says, looking over her shoulder.
“Vee, you’re such a biatch.”
“Yes, I am. But Don Elio will be pissed off if we’re late. He sends Faro to pick us up,” Valentina says, walking out of the building.
An hour later, we arrive at Don Elio’s mansion. Mama is on one of her many trips, so I’m going to stay here.
