by Sienna Mynx
“He can be pretty stubborn,” Adara agreed.
“It’s up to him. Melanzana may be a tough sell. I've spoken to my men to make sure one of Carlo's boys is paid to do all errands and any of the shopping you need.”
“Grazie. There’s no need. His boys, are already on the task,” said Adara.
“He takes care of them. It’s only natural that they want to take care of him.” Mirabella glanced at Carlo who continued to snore. “Give him my love. I'll try to see him again before he leaves. Nice to meet you, Arielle."
“The same, Donna Mirabella,” Arielle said.
The man at the door opened it and held it. Mirabella walked out and he followed, but not before casting another look of suspicion at Adara.
“What are you doing here?” Adara said through clenched teeth.
Arielle put a finger to her lips to warn her to be silent. She walked over to the door and peered out of it. When the Donna and her guard were gone she went to the bathroom. She opened the door and held it open. Angry, and confused Adara approached with respectful obedience and went inside the bathroom. Arielle closed the door.
“What are you doing here! Do you know what kind of trouble this could bring me if the Battaglias ever discover who I am?”
Arielle chuckled. “Do I know? I've been protecting you from trouble for the past five years.”
“Not funny. How do I explain this?”
“To who? Her? Mirabella? You think she cares about you or me? Trust me, she doesn’t.”
“Not her! Carlo! You said you were a friend. That's a lie,” Adara whispered.
“You don't know all my friends,” Arielle replied.
“Are you serious? You know him? Personally?”
Arielle sighed. “How can you be some kind of special agent and this dense?”
“You need to leave!”
“Be quiet child. Stop with your paranoia. I know what I’m doing. Men like Carlo meet so many women they don’t bother knowing all their names. If I am questioned I’ll spin a story of my son finding refuge with him and that band of misfits that tag along. He’ll believe it.”
Adara sat on the commode and put her face in her hands. Arielle leaned against the door.
“How is he?”
“He has a concussion and he was vomiting... I was so scared after he blacked out I called the paramedics to come...”
“Not Carlo. Gio! Was she telling the truth? Is he recovering?”
Adara looked at her with disgust. “Why? He can die for all I care!”
Before the final words parted her lips, Arielle grabbed Adara by the shirt and forced her to stand, then shoved her hard into the door. Adara's head connected with the wood surface. “I know you don't know better. But I have never allowed you to disrespect him. You won't do it now.”
“He killed my family,” Adara shouted. “You said we couldn’t discuss him. You never said a damn thing about respect!”
“Giuseppe got your family killed. You know that now!”
“Yes!” Adara shoved Arielle off. Not hard, but hard enough to put some space between them. “I know Giuseppe and Lorenzo started the war, but Giovanni was our executioner! How could I ever forgive or forget that?”
“Shut up!” Arielle said. "I saved your life. And it took a lot more than me and Tacchini to do it.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m saying that it was Giovanni who came to me and asked that I protect the lives of what was left of your family. He is the one who showed mercy and made sure none of the children were killed.”
“That’s a lie!”
“It’s the truth!” Arielle hissed.
A confused Adara refused to accept the truth. She struggled with all the reasons she knew weren’t lies. The answers she was discovering in a small bathroom were kept from her since her father and mother were killed. She glanced up to Arielle with renewed horror. "That's why you came here? Not to see me? Not for Carlo? For him?”
“Yes.”
“Why now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why now? I don't understand! If what you are saying is true, then why tell me now?”
Arielle wiped away her tears. “You weren't ready before. I don't know if you will ever be. But if Giovanni dies, then so does everything, and every one!”
“Ready? I’ve been groomed to be ready by you and Tacchini from the very start. For revenge.”
“Not revenge. You’ve been groomed for service.”
The truth hit Adara in the gut. The word service had an ominous meaning. She knew that word. Had taken vows under that word. Arielle touched the red side of Adara's face with a regretful sadness. “Your life was spared. The lives of your brother, cousins, aunts, all spared. But that doesn’t mean your life belongs to you. It has always belonged to Giovanni. You are his gem. Right now your brother is in Sicily. He works for the Mancinis. He listens, he learns, and he waits for instructions. Just like you are supposed to wait for instructions.”
“I’ll never do it. I’ll never serve Giovanni Battaglia! Never!” she yelled.
Arielle slapped her. Adara’s hand went up to the sting in her jaw.
“Who are you?” Adara asked.
“Giovanni is not evil, he’s not good, he’s Giovanni. And you still have a family to protect. If he doesn’t live, I don’t know what Tacchini will do. I don’t know how many secrets will be exposed. But that woman he married will not save this family. She doesn’t know how. You must choose what side of the lie you want to be on.”
“You lied to me. You used me!”
“We’re all used. All of us. Even her.”
“Forget Mirabella Battaglia. I’m talking about me and you!”
“I’m telling you the truth now. Giovanni never wanted to kill your family. There was a mutual respect between the Battaglias and the Calderones. In fact, he was trying to do business in the triangle, not start a war. Lorenzo dragged him into that ungodliness when he convinced him that the black American princess he loved had died. So he did what any man like him would do. He retaliated. But what he didn’t do was kill you or the others.”
“My father! My mother! They are dead!”
“But you live!”
“For his own selfish reasons, not because he’s a savior!”
“He saved your life. And like his father, like your father, and grandfather, when a life is spared, there is a debt to be paid. We all pay it, Adara. No one is exempt. Giovanni is paying it right now. So grow the fuck up and hear what I’m saying.”
“I can’t do this. I can’t.”
Arielle stepped closer. Adara felt as if she needed to prepare to defend herself. But she could never raise a hand to the woman she considered her mother. Not even now.
“Like I said, you have no choice. If you don’t, then your brother dies. The alliance we have forged with Tacchini is broken. Your family will be forced out of Turkey. And worst of all, Carlo...”
“Carlo? What about him?”
“Giovanni is the only person who knows who you are. If I tell Dominic, if anyone tells Dominic you are an agent, they will kill him.”
“But he...”
“He has brought an agent into the family. It’s a big sin for him. The moment you chose him, you doomed him. Giovanni’s forgiveness is the only way to keep the other men in this family from killing him.”
Stunned by the hard truths, she couldn’t speak. She couldn’t breathe. She just stood there stupefied.
Arielle smiled.
“What do I do? Wait to be useful? Let everyone decide my fate but me?” Adara asked.
Arielle nodded. “For now pray for Giovanni’s recovery, and make the Carabinieri believe you are an asset and not a liability.”
“What about you? The Carabinieri know about you too.”
“I can take care of myself.”
Arielle kissed her and then gave her another tight hug. She turned to leave. “Wait! Please, wait!” Adara grabbed her arm. “You've protected all of us
. I thought you did it because you wanted justice for my family. To save us from Giovanni. That’s not true, is it?”
Arielle didn’t respond.
“You’re in love with him? Are you his... comare—mistress?”
“I’m nothing to Giovanni. But, yes, he is everything to me. I’m no saint. And he’s no devil,” she said and kissed Adara before she could ask any further questions. And just as silently as she came she left, with her scarf over her hair and sunglasses to her face.
Chapter Fifteen
The Ties that Bind
Palermo, Sicily
“Signora, your blood pressure is of concern. What medications were you on?” the doctor asked.
Marietta told the doctor what she knew of her condition. She also shared that over the past few days she’s been without medication. Catalina sat in a chair and her heart raced to hear Marietta express her struggles. She was grateful Armando chose to stay outside of the doctor’s office. She didn’t want Marietta further agitated. It was the only reason why she didn't find a gun in the house and go after Lorenzo for what he'd done to them all.
“The baby is positioned far too low. The child will come early. How early depends on you, Signora. You need rest. You need to be off your feet and calm. Do you understand? If you do not heed my advice, we will be having a different conversation soon.”
“We understand, Doctor. I’ll make sure she gets the rest she needs,” Catalina said.
“As for her diet, lets keep it low in sodium and salt. But she must eat. Three meals a day. You make sure of it, okay?”
“Understood,” Catalina agreed.
The doctor nodded and left. Marietta dismissed the doctor’s prognosis with the roll of her eyes. “I’m not having my baby early,” she mumbled.
“Did you hear what he had to say? Stress can hurt the baby,” Catalina warned.
“This is Lorenzo’s child. My little girl is too stubborn for an early delivery. She's a survivor.”
“She? She? You don’t know what the kid is.”
“Trust me I know.”
“I’m serious!” Catalina said. “You need to be careful. Here, let me put on your shoes for you.”
After Catalina made sure Marietta was dressed and strong enough to stand without her help, they walked out of the exam room arm in arm. A nurse gave her the prescriptions for Marietta and advised them both in a stern voice on the dosage. Too much or too little could harm both Marietta and the baby. The women agreed to follow the doctor’s orders.
“You could blame me for all of this. But you’re not,” Marietta said.
“We’re family. And family sticks together. No matter what,” Catalina said.
“Do we? Stick together I mean? Giovanni was shot and you came here. How together are we?”
“It doesn't mean that even for one day I will forget I am Battaglia, or any of the things my brother taught me. Not one single day. And my suggestion to you for the sake of your baby, you do the same.”
“The boss gave orders. You come now.” A man said to them both. Marietta and Catalina exchanged a look. He had to be the runt of the litter. Instead of being imposing and intimidating he was short, thin, with too much facial hair and worn over clothes.
“Orders? We need her prescription filled. Take us to a pharmacy and then to the market,” Catalina insisted.
Ignacio strolled down the hall. Catalina’s gaze switched to him and watched his approach. His arrival changed things. He would do nothing to help them. In fact, she feared for them both under his hateful glare. Ignacio snatched the prescription paper from her and scanned the list of medicine. He barked orders to the runt. And then dismissed the matter entirely.
“Andiamo!” he turned and walked away.
Catalina held her tongue. She helped Marietta walk without issue, and they followed him. They got inside of the car. Ignacio rode in the passenger seat aside of the driver. Catalina scooted in close and put her hand to Marietta’s stomach. She wanted to comfort Marietta, and it was the only way she knew how. “Does the baby move often?”
“Yes, lots, she is really hyper now. Press here,” Marietta pushed Catalina’s hand. They both smiled at the little kicks they received in response.
“She is definitely Lorenzo’s child.” Catalina said. “A little troublemaker.”
“He’s so happy to have her, to be a father.”
“That’s hard for me to believe,” Catalina said.
“You're angry at him.”
“Yes, I’m angry.” Catalina pulled her hand away.
“That's why I don't want you to see him now. I know he's got a lot to answer for. But let him get better first before you go on the attack.” Marietta pleaded.
“Attack? It’s not about me attacking him... it’s about...” Catalina looked up and knew the men to the front of the car were listening. She pinched Marietta to remind her as well. The conversation needed to end.
“It’s about mistakes, and forgiveness,” Marietta whispered. “I’m telling you Lorenzo needs this time to heal.”
“And what about my brother? What chance did he give Giovanni to heal? To even accept the fact that he betrayed us and Patri?” Catalina said despite the audience.
“He never wanted that to happen.”
“Let's agree not to talk about him.”
“Fine. Then don't mention it again,” Marietta mumbled the last part of her statement under her breath. The car ride required the silence the girls needed. The car wove through the congested city streets at a moderate speed. Vespas and food wagons mixed in with passenger vans and cars, all forced to share the same road. Some people dashed in and out of traffic. Catalina hadn’t realized she was holding Marietta’s hand until she felt her squeeze hers in return. They were both afraid and hurt. Neither of them said it, but they missed Mirabella's soothing presence.
“Do you think we should call her?” Marietta whispered so softly Catalina barely heard her. Catalina blinked away her tears. It took a moment for her to the swallow the emotion congealing in her throat.
“I almost did. Twice. I need to talk to her so bad.”
“Me too,” Marietta confessed. “I miss her. Maybe a letter. We can write?”
“Not yet. We have to figure some things out first,” Catalina whispered and nodded toward the men. Marietta’s bravado broke. She began to cry. It was shocking. Catalina could barely recall the moments she’d seen Marietta so vulnerable. She tried to comfort her by stroking her hand.
“She's going to hate me.” Marietta wailed loud enough for everyone in the car to hear. Ignacio looked back at them. Catalina narrowed her eyes on him and he turned around.
“Remember what the doctor said. Aye! Stop it, Marietta. You can't be upset. Please.”
“But she’s going to hate me,” Marietta wept harder and this time Catalina had to put her arm around her to comfort her. “I’ve done things, been a shitty person, sister, everything. She’ll find out and hate me.”
“Mirabella doesn’t hate anyone. It’s not who she is. She's better than you and me. We both know it. Besides you’ve only tried to protect Lorenzo. He’s the one that’s guilty. Not you. She’ll understand things, and she'll help us all, eventually.”
Marietta shook her head. “I had no choice, Catalina. I know she will think it’s a choice, but for me it’s not. Lorenzo is the only man I’ve ever loved. The only man to ever love me. He’s my soul. Like Giovanni is her soul. How could I choose?”
“What are you talking about? Lorenzo forced this on you. He did this before he ever met you. None of this is your fault. Everyone knows that.”
Marietta wept softly against Catalina’s breast.
“Listen to me,” Catalina did her best to keep her voice low. “I know my family. Right now, everyone is focused on Giovanni. And when he’s better, we’ll find a way to heal. Rocco will step in and Domi... he doesn’t want war. Right now we can help them.”
“How?” Marietta asked.
“I’m not sure. But we’ll figur
e it out. Just trust me. Staying away, keeping our distance, it might be the best thing we can do for them and ourselves now. Okay?”
Marietta nodded. “You’re the only person left I can trust.”
The car veered off the road. It came to a stop. Armando greeted them on the sidewalk. He smiled. “Ready to do some shopping ladies?”
“In our own store? How clever,” Catalina scoffed.
Armando unlocked the deadbolt chain, and then unlocked the door. He tossed it open and stepped aside. They ignored his mocking gestures and went in. It was dark so Catalina flipped on the lights. Francesca had done some remodeling. She was impressed.
“Never understood who this store was supposed to be for,” Armando tossed the keys up in the air and caught them as he stepped inside. Ignacio remained at the door. “Before Giovanni married Mirabella, Francesca was just a seamstress. Now she’s got all these fancy clothes not many ladies in Palermo can afford.”
“Our prices are much lower here,” Marietta reasoned. “And this store does very well.”
Armando smiled. “Only because my men buy these clothes as treats for their whores.”
“Silenzio!” Catalina said before she walked away. She flipped through the hanging garments looking for something modest to wear. There was everything from pants, dresses, jeans, shoes, to undergarments. Marietta didn’t have much luck. The store wasn’t fit for maternity wear. Instead she and Marietta found fabric that could be used to make sarong type dresses. And some larger sized skirts and blouses. When they were done they bagged the garments up themselves. Catalina was set to follow Marietta out to the car, but Armando stepped in front of her. “Take out something nice to wear and change for dinner. I'll wait.”
“Dinner? Where?”
“Does it matter? Do you have another appointment?”
“I can’t. I need to be with Marietta. She needs me.”
“I’ve called Bionca and her sisters to come back. They will take care of her.”
Who was Bionca? Who cared if he called her? None of it sounded appealing to Catalina. She would prefer to be near her family. Even time spent with Lorenzo was more preferable.
