Chapter Two
1415 Words
~Valentina~
The gates opened as I approached it and I drove in.
There was a slight tremor in my bones as I parked my car in the garage. I sat still for a moment, willing my mind to be still. Trying to find my composure.
Deep down I knew a devasting news awaited me. I couldn't explain how I knew it, but I did. It was like a gut feeling.
I felt it the day Adriano went missing.
I felt it the day my father died.
My attempt at finding my composure crumbled as the worst scenarios flooded my thoughts.
Before I would think of reversing out of this place, I jumped out of my car and grimaced at the weird looks the security guards gave me. Mother would have had my head on a platter if she saw that. I awkwardly smiled at them and strolled in, faking the composure I left at the coffee shop.
I kept my head straight and marched towards my brother's study and greeted my many cousins that were stationed on my way.
I didn't stop until I barged into the office—before all my courage evaded me.
Luca was seated behind his desk.
As his eyes shot up to the door, his hand went to his gun. He let go when he saw it was me, but glared nonetheless.
"Was that necessary?", he asked, as he got up from his chair.
I kept quiet and watched him, arms crossed over my chest, as he made his way towards the couch and gestured that I should follow suit.
My eyes narrowed in on the papers in his hand as I made my way to sit beside him.
"How are you doing?", he asked, earning himself a raised brow from me. He couldn't really be trying to make small talk after how long I've waited.
"Cut the chase, Luca. I've spent the last 5 minutes imagining the worst. What was so important that you interrupted my time with Mia?", I asked.
He let out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and wrinkles between his brows. He looked like he'd aged ten years. My heart clenched at the sight.
"I'm sorry, Val, but I've failed you", he started.
My heart sank.
"Is Mom okay?", I asked, uncertainty thick in my voice, " Is it Uncle? Did something happen—".
"Nothing happened to anyone", he cut in. "Everyone one is fine".
My heartbeat calmed down a notch. Now that my greatest fear had been put to rest, breathing had become a lot easier. What news could be worse than that?
" So what's wrong?", I asked, now confused.
"You are very much aware of how many attacks we've had in the past month?", he asked.
"Yes I am", I replied, not knowing where this was going to. He nods his head in approval.
"It hasn't gotten better. In fact they've been quite bold these days. They blew up La vita two nights ago".
"s**t", I cursed.
La vita was one of our biggest casinos. As one of our legal businesses, it assisted in getting the cops off our backs. A hit like this would shake the Las Vegas syndicate.
"That's bad. But... where exactly are you going with all this. If you think I'll feel you've failed me because our family's legacy is crumbling, then you don't know me at all", I said, reaching for his hand and squeezing it gently.
He takes my hand in his and clasps it between his two hands.
" There's more", he began and I stiffen.
" I reached out to the Bratva. Asking for a truce", he blurted out.
"You did what?!", I gasped and attempted to retract my hand but he held on tight.
"Hear me out, Val", he said, his thumb rubbed the back of my hand.
The action which would have usually soothed me, filled me with uneasiness. I thought I had finally had a grasp of where this conversation was going but I really didn't.
"We need them, Val. As viscous as the Pakhan is, he is still a very reasonable man. He's better to have as an ally than an enemy".
"But the Italians have never worked amicably with the Russians before. The last time was a perfect example. It was a freaking m******e", I all but yelled.
"I know that but my hands are tied. We are better off with them than without them".
He was still holding my hand, as if he knew I was ready to bolt any minute from now.
"So what did he want in exchange for their support", I asked.
He looked away but not before I caught a glimpse of resignation in his eyes.
"He asked for your hand in marriage", he said, tightening his grip on my hand when I tried to pull away.
"Let my hand go, Luca", I said, my head turned away from him, my anger bubbling in my veins.
" It had to be done, Val", he said, anguish seeped through his words, "I would never have agreed if there was another way. I promised I would never make you marry someone you didn't love. I promised I wouldn't let this life stop your dreams of going to college. But our first promise is to the greater good of the Cosa Nostra, our father's legacy. I failed to keep my promises to you, Val, but please don't make me fail to keep my promise to the Cosa Nostra".
"I said let. My. Hand. Go, Luca", I said, my voice low but menacing. I'm afraid of what I would do if I didn't leave this room now.
As if sensing the storm brewing in me, Luca released my hand.
"Val, ple—"
Before he could continue, I shot up from my chair and left his study.
♣♣♣
Once my room door shut behind me, I crumbled to the ground, relentless tears streaming down my face.
My chest felt tight. I desperately gasped for air but my efforts were Sisyphean. I felt choked on my dreams that would never be fulfilled. On my hope of escape that had been violently snatched away.
Did I really think I would ever escape this life.
Did I really think I would ever marry a man not born into this life
I felt so stupid. I felt like slapping my self so hard.
I heard a knock on my door, but I couldn't answer. I couldn't answer because I couldn't breath. I hit my chest forcing my body to work. But just like everything else, it chose to fail me.
I felt my door being pushed open and soon warm arms engulfed me.
"Breath, Bambina mia", I heard my mom's voice whisper in my ear, as I felt her pull me into a sitting position.
"Breath, my love. It's all in your head, Val. Breath".
Her voice was firm and strong, and I held on to the strength in it for dear life.
Slowly, air began to fill my lungs and I caught a whiff of my mom's perfume. It was like a balm to my aching soul.
"You're doing great, Bambina. I'm so proud of you".
Her words nearly caused a fresh batch of tears to fall.
She continued whispering words of encouragement until I finally felt better.
Once my breathing had normalized, she pulled me into a hug.
"Mom..."
"Hush, my dear, it's going to be fine", she said as she rubbed my back. Emotions clogged my throat.
"What would I do without you, mom?", I sniffled into her shirt. She let out a small chuckle.
" You would, and can, do everything", she answered, cupping my cheeks, "Life has thrown a curve ball at you, but it really isn't the end of the world. You can't change the past, my love, but you have the power to control your future. And you should never forget that".
She placed a kiss on my forehead and stood up. She was heading for the door, when she turned back to me.
"The Pakhan might be as bad as the rumors say, but you aren't just becoming his wife. As he is the king of the Russian Mafia, you will also be the queen. And as queens, even kings must bow to us".
And with that she walked out, and left me with something I needed more than I realized.
Hope.
- Writer
