I believe that in that moment my eyes nearly leave their sockets. Never, under any circumstances, has anyone from outside called me that. Never has anyone from outside mentioned the existence of the Mafia so openly.
My breathing quickens and fear takes me. I do not know if I let something slip, but that woman is absolutely intelligent, and she frightens me. I am terrified.
She does not only read my eyes.
She knows.
“What…” I stammer. “You do not… Jesus.” I gasp as if I need to recover my breath.
“Calm down.”
“You know,” I state, still holding my breath. She has no idea how dangerous it is. Messing with the Mafia. Knowing its secrets.
“You still have not understood. Valentina, I do not merely know…”
“You are one of us,” I interrupt her and conclude, completely shocked, while remembe
