Next in Line (Monarch of the Kohler Mafia) Book 5 of the Köhler Series

𝕆𝕟𝕖 ℍ𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕋𝕨𝕠

"How are you feeling now? Did that help the swelling?" The lady from that morning asked Melody. She had helped her off the floor and back into the bedroom, only for Valentino to run her out just for them to have sex. Mel thinks that was his way of saying I'm sorry.

"Who are you? And where is my son?" Melody asked, making the lady stopping whatever she was doing, turning to her fully with a small smile.

"Valentina... Valentino's mother. King is with his father. He safe, but I think you know that," She said, making Mel nod. Valentino was great with King and never show violence in front of him until today.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, my son wasn't raised to be like this. It that damn Antonio getting in his head. I told that boy he wasn't any Amico (friend). Ever since my caro (dear) Matteo died, he's been in his ear. I tell you what. I will not stand by watching my son beat a woman when his father never in his life laid a finger on me." Valentina said.

"One more thing, you Tesoro need a backbone. I know damn well Luca and Adele Kohler didn't raise their daughter to be a coward. Fight his fucking ass beat it like you would do your brothers or someone messing with your family. Bella, you are a mafia princess, not one of these scary-ass zappe (hoes)." She finished making Melody stared at her like she was crazy. Valentino was her father's size and probably just as strong.

"Thank you, and it did help Mrs. Bianchi," Mel said, seeing that her face wasn't swollen anymore, but the big purple bruise remained.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything Tesoro," She said, making Melody smile. No one there would talk to her, so this made her feel more relaxed.

"Why did Valentino want to marry me out of all the single women in our home? I mean, there were some older than me and didn't have baggage." Mel said, making the older woman stare at her then shook her head.

"That is something you have to ask my son. All I know is he handpicked you... between you and me, I think your big sister suggested it, but I could be wrong."

"Talia would never do that, and neither would Dominick. Xerxes only agreed to keep the peace between our families...."

"Are you talking about me while I'm not present?" Val asked, walking into the room. Melody stood quickly, and his mother sits there shaking her head.

"No one was talking about you, Val. Mel was just asking a question that I told her to talk to you about. Problem?" She said, making her son shake his head before kissing his mother's cheek. He seemed like a different person with her in the room. Melody wanted to cry seeing Valentina leave the room, and Valentino turned to her.

"Valentino, I promise you I wasn't talking about you to your mother...."

"Didn't ask," He said, closing the gap between them. Melody flinched as his hand came up, touching her face as his thumb rubbed across her bruised cheek.

"Sei bello. Un vero gioiello. (You are beautiful. A real gem.) What was your question?"

"A-are going to hit me if I ask?" Melody had to ask. She was tired of getting beat on. "No, Bella, if that were so, I wouldn't have asked." He said.

"Who suggested me to you and why?"

Valentino stepped back, and so did Melody. She was in clear view of the door. Today she was going to run. Val's hand went to his head-scratching, then shaking it.

"It doesn't matter...."

"It does to me. Please, I want to know. I need to know... was it my sister or brother-in-law?"