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Valentina

Eleven years old.

“Valentina, today is my last day here. I’m leaving,” Ms. Hill says, raising her brow.

“Oh no, I don’t want you to go.”

“I’m sorry, Valentina, my contract is over.”

“Why? Didn’t Zio Elio make a new contract,” I say, sitting still at my desk, staring at her.

“I’m sorry, it’s not possible. I hope you like your new teacher,” Ms. Hill says, gathering her books.

Ms. Hill has been my teacher since first grade, and I don’t want her to stop teaching me. She’s so nice to me and the only person in this house that gives me any attention.

I chew my lower lip to stop from crying because if she leaves, I will be all alone. Yes, Zio and my cousins live here, but they don’t pay any attention to me. They tell me to go and play with my dolls.

The door opens, and Zio Elio walks into the room that we use as a classroom. It has a blackboard and two desks. He looks at Ms. Hill and lifts his chin in greeting.

“Ciao, thank you for your work.”

“You’re welcome,” Ms. Hill says, nods, and walks out of the room.

I blink my eyes, trying hard not to cry because Zio Elio hates it. I have to be a big girl, and big girls don’t cry. I look at him, keeping my hands clasped on my lap.

“Valentina, I see that you’re upset but you will get over that. Now that you’re older, you are ready to attend boarding school along with Mia. You two will live in the dorms and attend classes,” Zio Elio says, looking at me.

“Zio Elio, can’t I get another teacher and stay here?”

“No, you can’t. You’re getting older, and I don’t want you around here. I have too much to worry about, and I don’t need to worry about you.

Your cousins Massimo, Andrea, and Enzo are attending boarding schools, and so will you.

I’m not going to discuss this any longer. I don’t want you to get abused like your Mamma Maria experienced and go through another tragedy.

I want you to be away from here; I don’t want to worry about your safety. Then, when you return, you will be older. By then, you will be ready to marry, and I will find you a husband. Remember that you will marry; it’s your duty for the Conti Famiglia, Cosa Nostra. Valentina, it’s your duty.

I need you to remain pure for your husband, so be careful and stay safe at the boarding school. The school has been highly recommended. It is an all-girl school, so it’s perfect for a Mafia Principessa. You will learn how to cook, any area of the Arts that you would like, and sports. I’m sure that you will like it, and you will grow into an educated Principessa.

I need you to pack your bags because you will be leaving early in the morning with your cousin Mia.”

Hell, hairy balls!

I hate it when Zio Elio talks about my Mamma Maria, especially since I don’t know her. I only have one photo of Mamma before she was attacked and when she was a happy girl.

Zio Elio never located the Mostro that attacked Mamma; well, that’s what he says. Zio Elio’s wife, Orsa, I never knew because the Cosa Nostra enemy killed her.

I do look like Mamma, except for my eyes, they’re crystal blue. I think that my eyes are the color of the rapist. Maybe that’s why Mamma took her life a few months after I was born; it must be after she looked at my eyes.

All I can think about is that she didn’t want me because I reminded her of the rapist. It’s evident that Mamma didn’t care about me because she left me behind in a world full of men, mean, scary men. Zio Elio is a twin, so I have Zio Elmo. So, I have two Zio’s that look alike and it’s awful. Zio Elmo is hardly ever here to talk to me, which is okay with me. One scary Zio is all I can handle.

I blink and nod, looking at Zio Elio. He looks so mean, always so serious, and he never smiles. Maybe he’s right; it’s for the best that I leave this house.

“Okay, Zio Elio.”

Six years later.

Hell, hairy balls.

I watch the tall skinny-ass blonde biatch, Ester, stopping in front of me, smirking, pressing her lips. It’s a fucking condescending, satisfied smug smirk. She tosses her long hair over her shoulder, rests her hand on her hip, and stares at me with her brown eyes full of hate.

Of course, I stare at her; she’s fucking stupid and thinks that her father, a Senator is all that and a bag of chips. She needs me to kick her ass because this constant bullying is getting old. Today is not a good day since I don’t feel full of sunshine and unicorns.

“What do you want,” I hum, lowering my eyelids, keeping my face emotionless.

Mia stands next to me, ready to jump in, but I got this. Ester likes to think that she’s special since her father is a Senator, but that’s bullshit.

“Valentina, I knew that you were Italian trash since the first day of school. I heard my Dad talking to Mom. Dad said that your uncle is the mafia boss. So that means that you’re a mafia slut,” Ester hisses and slaps me.

Her words hurt, but the fucking slap bursts my bottled-up sunshine.

“Oh, hell no! I’m not your biatch to slap around!”

I don’t fuck around, and I grab her hair, twisting it in my left hand, holding on tight, and fist my right hand. I throw back my arm and smack her face hard. I enjoy seeing her lips burst and the blood spatter around us.

“Stop, you fucking slut,” Ester yells, trying to get away.

But I have a good hold of her hair, and I keep her close.

“Now, this is your fucking warning! Don’t fuck with me,” I hiss, smacking her face again.

“Valentina, stop! You’re going to kill her,” Mia yells, grabbing my free arm.

“No! She needs to learn to listen. All of these biatches need to stay the fuck away from us!”

I pull my arm away from Mia’s hand and throw Ester on the ground kicking her on her side, loving to hear the biatch howl in pain.

“It’s enough, young lady,” Ms. Mary says, wrapping her arm around my waist and pulling me back.

Ms. Beth helps Ester from the ground, shaking her head.

“Are you okay, Ester? Let’s go to the nurse,” Ms. Beth says, holding Ester’s arm.

They walk by, and Ester spits at me. My blood boils, and I pull my arm with all intention of kicking her ass, but Ms. Mary holds my arm tight.

“No, stop,” Ms. Mary yells, pulling me back.

“That biatch just spit on me! That’s not right,” I hiss, pulling my arm.

“Stop right now and tell me what happened,” Ms. Mary asks, looking at me.

I refuse to say a word.

“Nothing,” I say, pressing my lips tight.

“Fine. Let’s go to the headmistress Reed,” Ms. Mary says, pulling me along.

“I’m coming with you,” Mia says, walking next to me.

“Mia, you can’t come, wait out here,” Ms. Mary says, shaking her head.

Mia stares at her and looks at me.

“It’s all good,” I say, lifting.

Mia nods and walks away. I know that she’s texting Don Elio before the headmistress contacts him. I know that he’s going to be pissed off.

A few minutes later, I’m standing in front of the headmistress Reed. She’s a tall, thin older lady with gray hair. She doesn’t have any curves, and she wears thick glasses. I look at her nose twitch and her lips purse tight as she glares at me.

I stare at her, refusing to cower; it’s not happening. I don’t mess with anyone, but if they have the guts to mess with me, they will feel my anger. I’m a fucking Conti!

“Ms. Conti, what’s the meaning of your attack,” Ms. Reed asks, crossing her arms.

“I didn’t attack Ester; she did,” I hiss, resting my hands on my waist.

“I expected better from you, Valentina. You’re an excellent student, and you have never attacked anyone in all these years. I’m disappointed that you did so in your last year here,” She says, raising her brow.

“Ms. Reed, I did not attack Ester; she attacked me. I’m not going to allow her to continue to bully me. When it was just her snarky, bullying remarks, I ignored it! But she dared to slap me! I’m not allowing her to hit me and get away with it,” I hiss, bobbing my head.

Ms. Reed's eyes widened and lifts her chin in the air, all snotty. The stupid biatch is also snubbing me, and that’s fucking bullshit.

“Ester’s father is Senator Lewis; therefore, we can’t allow you to strike Ester without any consequences. I’m going to expel you. I’ll contact Mr. Conti,” Ms. Ester says, pressing her lips tight.

“Do whatever you want,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. I stare at her as she walks over to her desk. She grabs her keys and walks to the door.

“Valentina, follow me. You’re going to wait in the conference room until Mr. Conti arrives. Please reflect on your actions,” Ms. Reed says.

I don’t fucking say a word and follow her to the conference room. She locks me inside, and I wait.

An hour later.

I stand in front of Don Elio, and it’s been a couple of years since I saw him. Mia and I decided to spend the holidays and summer here at the school. It’s not like Don Elio or Mia’s Mamma cared. At least we have our friends versus being at home with strangers.

I look at Don Elio, taking in the fact that he aged. He’s older and doesn’t look as fierce as before. His temples are gray, and he has a few wrinkles. Geeze, the Don is getting old.

“Valentina, you’re damn lucky that I have Senator Lewis on my payroll. The school was appeased with a generous donation. This is your last year, so try to behave,” Don Elio hisses, lowering his eyelids as he glares at me.

I cross my arms and raise my brow, shaking my head. Well, his glares don’t scare me anymore. I don’t fear him as I did when I was a child, and I’m tired of the bullshit.

“I didn’t start it, Don Elio. That biatch called me a Mafioso slut, and she struck me first. What did you want me to do? Let her hit me. Not happening, I’m a Conti, and I don’t take shit from anyone!”

Don Elio stares at me; his upper lip twitches, and then he inhales, shaking his head. I can’t believe that I got a glimpse of any emotion. But then, I could be wrong.

“Molto bene. I’ll talk to Senator Lewis and have him rein in his diavola. I don’t have time for this nonsense. I need you to stay out of trouble, Valentina. Capisci?”

“Capisco.”

“Va bene. I’m glad that we took care of this little problema. Keep Mia out of trouble.”

“Va bene.”

“Ciao,” Don Elio says, lifting his chin, pivots, and walks out of the conference room.

A year later.

“Valentina, wait for me,” Mia yells as I walk out of the dorm room.

“Hurry up, I want to get out of here.”

I’m so excited that we’re finally leaving because I’ve been here for far too long. I’m glad that I don’t have to see Ester’s resting biatch face ever again. After our little up-close and fuzzy encounter, she stopped speaking to me.

That’s all good with me, right?

Geeze, boarding school is okay, and I have good friends, plus Mia, but I want to go home. I want to live. Right as if Don Elio will allow me to fly. I’m a Cosa Nostra Principessa in a golden cage.

I slide my black sunglasses up my nose and pull my large black leather rolling luggage down the hall.

“Vee, you’re being a biatch.”

“Yeah, I am but that Soldier Faro is waiting for us. Don Elio will be pissed if we don’t arrive on time.”

We walk out of the dorm, down the steps, and stand at the curb. I look at the cars lined up, picking up the girls. I chew my lip, looking around for an Italian man.

“I don’t see any Soldier,” Mia hums, tossing her long dark hair over her shoulder.

“Well, we have to wait until they show.”

“Right,” Mia huffs, crossing her arms.

An hour later, we enter the huge mansion, our home. The long black marble floor shines, and I notice that the walls have new paintings. Everything else looks the same. We walk down the hallway to our rooms. As always, Mia stays with me since her Mamma is on vacation.

I unpack the few things that I need and then walk over to Mia’s room. I enter the room and sit on the bed, crossing my legs.

“Do you think that Don Elio will talk to us?” Mia hums, unpacking in her room—the guest room, but it might as well be her room since she always stays there whenever we’re home.

“I’m sure that Don Elio will talk to us when he has something to say. We need to enjoy these free moments.”

“We will always have free moments. Do you think that we could go out and have some fun?”

“We can try, but I know that he won’t approve.”

I look at my fingers and toenails and nod.

“I want to get my nails done.”

Mia looks at me, raising her brow and holding her perfume in her hand.

“Oh yeah, that sounds great. I want to get my hair styled and go shopping.”

“Yes! I also want to get highlights. I’ll ask Don Elio,” I hum, pulling my cell phone from my black leather jacket side pocket.

“Awesome,” Mia squeals.

I slide my fingers over the screen and send him a text.

Valentina ~ Hi. We’re home. Could we go shopping and get our hair done?

Don Elio ~ Yes. The Soldiers will take you.

Valentina ~ Thank you.

“Don Elio approved our outing. But the Soldiers assigned to us will take us. It’s better than not going. We have to get used to them.”

“Hell, yes! I’m so excited! I don’t mind the Soldiers; I feel protected.”

“Great! Get ready because I know that the Soldiers are waiting,” I say, pushing off the bed.