“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 summerhere 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.
