Victor pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “We’ll see.”
The phone rang a few times before someone picked up.
“She agreed,” Victor directly announced, and I heard a man laugh.
“Good! I knew she would. Have her meet me at 9 p.m. at the old warehouse on Riverside.”
Victor hung up and turned to me. “Pack up, Valentina. Leave the Mafia house. You’re meeting him at 9 p.m.”
“What do I tell the others?”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll handle it,” Victor said reassuringly.
I went to my room and started packing. Clothes, essentials, a few mementos. Each item in my bag felt like shedding an old skin. But I was ready.
Before leaving, I went back to Victor’s office with my bags.
“Victor,” I called. “I just wanted to say goodbye. And thank you for everything.”
He looked up. “You'll be alright, Valentina. You’ve always been stronger than you give yourself credit for.”
I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. “I hope so. This... this is a big step.”
“It is,” he agreed, standing up and walking around his desk to stand in front of me. “But you’re ready for it. If anyone can do this, it’s you.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I won’t let you down.”