My Tragic Mafia Life | ✔️

45

"We could use someone like you. Someone on the inside with that bastard." Raquel made sure the bathroom door was shut, so no one could listen in on their conversation. "Someone who believes in Sergio's true children. Cordelia—" Raquel loosened a shuddering breath of panic, and Josephine was confused as ever—"Cordelia has lost her senses. Everything had been going badly. First with Hugo, and now Dante. You are right: women must lead, but not overpower. She has made a"—Josephine didn't quite understand the word, but it sounded awfully similar to mockery, so she went with that—"the Valencios."

Josephine had quieted, drowned in thoughts. Cordelia and Sergio. She hadn't the faintest idea who they were and how they were connected to the Valencios. Least of all Raquel, this pudgy woman who worked at the desk of a brothel.

Misunderstanding her silence as an act of compliance, Raquel crossed the distance between them. She held Josephine's hands, tight. "I'm sure the Russos would love having Dante overthrown. You are friends with Camillo Russo. Use him. Hugo has died, the time is now. We must act together, if not, Cordelia will continue," Again that foreign word, "the Valencios. El sol negro begins now. For the true child to come."

Josephine was about to slip her hand away. Just how much of that pipe did she smoke? She had no idea what stupidity she was talking about, and didn't want to be involved. She went to push her away—

"Beatriz Valencio," Raquel whispered. Josephine stilled.

She had never... Beatriz called herself Costala, and Josephine never once heard the word Valencio tied to her name. Ever. She and Houston were half-siblings. But how did a half-sibling go on being called as the true child? Wasn't it Hugo, then Dante? Where did she step ahead into that line, overcoming Dante?

Raquel slowly released her hold, stepping away. "It's your decision, miss." Another step, uneven. Silent. "You can join us. Tell the Russos. Tell Camillo."

Josephine hadn't noticed when she left, but looking around in a daze she realized she was all alone. To contemplate her offer, not even knowing what her offer was. Several minutes had passed.

Furious, she finished her self-viewing and strode outside the bathroom. She shouldn't be involved. She shouldn't know anything. And yet, trouble came knocking when she didn't want it. It was only two names and she felt like her skin was on fire.

It was one thing to seduce heirs, it was another to be involved in politics.

If she was a flame, she would be sure that her footsteps would burn through the ground. Her golden hair whipped with the movement, until she found herself back in the dressing room with the dozen full of girls. There were less of them this time. She didn't care.

"Where is Raquel?" She demanded to one dressed in faux fur. The girl hesitated, not knowing whether to answer or guide her. The name was like a plague. Josephine was on edge as it is. "Where did she go?"

There was enough wrath cutting through her voice for the girl to point down another hallway, frantic but passive. Josephine hadn't the time to watch the girl's reaction before she was sashaying down the corridors, a heaving glare to compliment her sour mood.

She hated mafias. She hated everyone, everything. She wanted nothing, nothing to do with these mobsters and their disgusting brothels. She didn't ask for this, and yet, this was her life. And she didn't even know where Camillo was.

A wooden door the color of copper appeared near the end of the hallway the girl had directed her to. Josephine slammed it open, her patience already at its wits end. Inside held a very surprised Camillo, a fawning Valentina who stopped mid-way to seethe at the intruder, an awkward Luca, and a slouching Lucia. Raquel blinked, unaware of her sudden arrival. Then she pulled the corners of her mouth like stitches and smiled.