by Emma Nichols
call. She ground more coffee beans and waited.
He knocked as he opened the door and entered the villa. “I tried your phone. Is everything okay, Donna Maria?”
“I was just about to call you back. I needed to train.”
“There’s been an incident.”
She took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. “Alessandro?”
“The Riverside just received a delivery.”
Maria clenched her jaw. Was Alessandro working on his own or did this have Patrina’s blessing? “Go on.”
“A hundred cases of wine. Antonio refused it, and they shot him.”
“Shit. Is he okay?”
“Shoulder wound. He’s being treated at the hospital.”
Maria paced the kitchen. “Send him a get well gift. Make sure his family know we are looking after them.”
“I will take care of it… We are to expect twelve-hundred bottles of wine every week, Donna Maria. They are invoicing at six euros a bottle.”
“Fucking hell. There’s no way we are selling that crap.” She ran her fingers through her hair and rubbed at her forehead. “The bastard is trying to bring us down.”
“That’s just the beginning. The driver said to expect tobacco in next week’s delivery. At five euros a pack, that’s double the cost price.”
Maria slammed her fist down on the breakfast bar. She took a deep breath and looked at Giovanni. “I have to meet Patrina at the penthouse suite this afternoon.”
“Is that wise?”
She winced.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to question.”
She lifted her chin and sighed. “No. You are right. This meeting was arranged yesterday, but the reason for it has just changed. I need to go.
Patrina is losing control of the Amato business, Giovanni. Alessandro doesn’t know the rules. We need to get rid of this merchandise. Send it back to him and invoice him double.”
Giovanni nodded. “Alessandro will be very unhappy.”
Maria’s thoughts shifted to Simone, and a dull ache weighed heavily in her chest. “I’m concerned about Roberto’s sister. Roberto is our family now, and we need to make sure she is taken care of too.” In truth, there was more to her reasoning, but she hadn’t the time to label her thoughts and
feelings about Simone. Her urge to protect Simone was too compelling to ignore, and she trusted her instincts.
Giovanni looked at her quizzically.
“Should we send a stronger message to Alessandro?”
If they did that, and Don Stefano traced his death back to them, it would start an outright war that would never end. She shook her head.
“That is not our way, Giovanni. If we retaliate like that, things will escalate quickly. Alessandro is a street fighter, not a warrior. And we need our house in order.”
“We need to protect our business, Maria. The men will want to.”
“Yes. And I need time to think and to plan the consequences.”
Giovanni held her gaze. “You know permission for the Amato casino was given?”
Maria looked away. “Yes. The mayor mentioned it to Patrina at the opera.”
The Amato’s acquisition of the development site didn’t sit right either. Her father had put in a bid to construct the tech park on the same ground and had been all but assured his application would be accepted. But that was before he died. Had she dropped a ball, not appreciating the gravitas the Amato’s plans had managed to leverage? Money must have changed hands at the top of the chain on this one. Digging deeper would need to wait.
“Amato are taking care of construction themselves and will be increasing consignments through the port.”
“Yes, I know.”
“This is a threat to business, Donna Maria, a grave threat.”
“I know, Giovanni.” Maria’s head was spinning. None of what he was saying came as a surprise. And she was sure her mother would also have something to say on the matter. But she needed to prioritise. Decision making would be a lot easier if Simone hadn’t entered the picture. How had Simone become a priority?
“What do you want me to do, Donna Maria?”
“Make sure Simone is safe. I will go and talk to Patrina. Then I will decide what action we take next.”
Giovanni waited.
Maria poured two coffees and passed a cup to him across the breakfast bar. The casino would be an economic threat to the Riverside,
which was currently the largest restaurant and casino in Palermo. However, it would take months to build, and the timescales could be significantly delayed if they could slow down the transit of materials through the port.
And then, she would get the planning quashed and her father’s plans reinstated.
“Donna Maria?”
“Yes.”
“Should we arrange a family dinner to celebrate your sister’s good news?”
Maria groaned. Shit. Catena’s pregnancy had completely slipped her mind. It would be entirely appropriate for the family to celebrate and incumbent on her to arrange the party. “Yes. Let’s arrange an evening at the Riverside. Invite our cousins and their families and our closest friends this coming Friday.”
“Leave it with me, Donna Maria.”
“And don’t serve that fucking shit Alessandro is trying to pass off as wine. Just send it back to him. No. Actually, send it to his clients as a gift.
They will be very happy, and they won’t need any stock from him for a while. Alessandro will find his business grinding to a halt very quickly.
We’re not paying any invoice.” She smiled.
Giovanni grinned. “Consider it done.”
Maria sipped her coffee. “Roberto wants more responsibility. Use him. But keep it low key. He still has a lot to learn.”
“Very good, Donna Maria. As you wish.” Giovanni placed his empty cup on the breakfast bar, turned, and walked towards the door.
“Giovanni?” She waited until he turned back to her. “Thank you.”
“I will be close by.”
Maria smiled through thin lips. Giovanni closed the door behind him. She watched the CCTV camera and his car approaching the gate. As it closed behind him, she became acutely aware of the deep, rhythmical pounding in her chest. She looked down. Her hands were trembling. Patrina was out of control, that much was clear, but she was feeling equally threatened by the swift escalation of events. She might want to avoid violence, but this feud was only heading in one direction. Men like Alessandro didn’t know when to stop battling and start talking. It always ended in annihilation. What I wouldn’t give to run the hell away from here
and never come back. The image of Simone came to her. A scream boiled inside her, tried to be heard, and she swallowed hard to stifle its voice.
She gritted her teeth, picked up her phone, and sent a message to Rocca to meet at the Riverside. Monday at noon.
The confirmation came quickly.
*
It looked as though Patrina had gone to a lot of effort providing a luscious spread of fresh caviar, king prawns, ricotta-filled arancini, and aubergine caponata accompanied by the vintage wine from her personal collection. She needn’t have bothered. The delicate aromas from the freshly prepared food would have excited Maria’s senses under normal circumstances, but the veiled act of manipulation had already filled Maria’s stomach with a vile quality that stripped her of her appetite. Either Patrina was clearly oblivious to Alessandro’s attack on the Riverside or she was playing games. With Patrina it was never clear. Either the pretence had to stop, or Patrina needed to admit she was no longer in control.
“Bedda, come eat.”
The smile on Patrina’s face turned Maria’s stomach sour. If Patrina wanted games, she would give her fucking games. The edginess that had stalled Maria outside the room had lifted. The power Maria experienced looking at Patrina, she didn’t recognize. An intense thrill laced with absolute determination. She walked to the table as she removed her jacket, making no effort to conceal the weapon ho
lstered at her side nor to remove it. She had seen Patrina note the fact too, and Maria smiled internally. She plucked a prawn from the plate and ate it, then picked up the crystal glass and swirled the wine before taking a sip. “Tastes good.” She smiled.
Patrina let her robe slide open at the front and reveal her naked body. Maria dismissed the visual intrusion that curdled the contents of her stomach. She rested her hands on her hips and looked around the room.
“We had some good times here, didn’t we?”
Patrina sipped her drink and smiled. “We can have those times back again, bedda. I’ve been thinking.”
Maria lifted the Moorish head sculpture she always admired and ran her finger across its glazed surface. She couldn’t connect with the piece and
put it back. She turned to face Patrina. “I am here to repay a debt, Patrina. I want to settle this problem with Alessandro once and for all.”
“Let’s eat first. I ran a bath.”
Patrina closed the space between them and the perfumed scent from Patrina’s body intensified. Maria smiled, pleased to feel unmoved by the sensual offering being laid on a plate for her to dine from. She had feasted from Patrina’s menu for the last time. There was nothing of interest to her.
“I need an assurance, Patrina.”
“I have control of Alessandro, bedda. You can rest assured.” Patrina pressed her body into Maria and breathed into her neck. “You can trust me, bedda. I have always had your best interests at heart,” she whispered. She kissed Maria’s neck and then her cheek.
Maria pulled back. Liar. “I know you have, Patrina and I thank you for everything you have done for me. Those bad things happened a long time ago. We needed each other then.” She wasn’t going to let Patrina bring up the past and use that against her. She wouldn’t be blackmailed.
Patrina’s eyes narrowed, and she stared at Maria through a veil of darkness. Her demeanour had shifted, becoming instantly unrecognisable, and then there was another swing, and she smiled affectionately. “We could go to Paris, or Sydney, or Los Angeles and live together, bedda. We could be happy together. Just imagine, away from this world that you detest.”
Maria had imagined that world, but for a long time now, Patrina hadn’t been at her side in that picture. Maria had been alone and happy.
Patrina allowed the robe to slip from her shoulders and stood naked.
Maria averted her eyes and turned away.
Patrina lunged for Maria and pawed at her. “Please, bedda. I need you.”
Maria lifted her arm sharply, her clenched fist catching Patrina squarely on the nose. Patrina fell to the floor, and Maria stared at her.
Pathetic. “You think you have control, Patrina. You don’t.”
Patrina lay on the floor, dazed and bleeding. Maria moved to stand over her and watched Patrina wipe the blood that seeped from her nose.
Maria had crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed. The look on Patrina’s face confirmed the fact that she had effectively signed her own death warrant. Maria had never seen such darkness, such pure evil, emanate so effortlessly from any living being. Even Don Stefano had been seen to demonstrate something akin to compassion. It was obvious Patrina didn’t
know the meaning of the word. Patrina cared about no one other than herself.
“You are history, Patrina.” Alessandro was calling the shots now, and other than having Patrina baying for her head, what could be worse?
Patrina cupped her trembling hand to her face and shook her head.
“You know nothing, bedda,” she whispered. “Nothing.”
“I know that Don Stefano would be very interested in your extramarital activities these past years, Patrina.”
Patrina spat blood up at her. “He will have you killed.”
Maria put her foot on Patrina’s chest and pressed her firmly to the ground. “Maybe it would be a price worth paying. I’ll see you in hell.” It was an idle threat but sufficient for Patrina to know that she would do whatever was necessary to protect her family and the business and end their toxic relationship. Maria would wager Patrina feared Stefano more than she did.
“Fuck you, Maria. You’re nothing but a fucking whore.”
Maria stamped her heel hard into the soft flesh just below Patrina’s ribs, winding her badly. Patrina curled up on the floor. She looked a pitiful mess, choking blood and cursing Maria, and then Patrina started sobbing.
“You think I won’t resurrect your past for those who would be interested to know?”
Maria crouched down and whispered, “I pity you.” She stood silently and picked up her jacket. The threat of blackmail fell from Maria like water off a duck’s back. She had nothing to lose that she wasn’t willing to give. She smiled at Patrina and walked out of the penthouse suite for the last time.
10.
Maria wound down the window of the Maserati, keyed in the code on the security pad, and waited for the garage gates below the Riverside to open. She drove into the underground garage, parked up, and headed for the ground floor restaurant. Antonio, his arm in a sling, came to greet her.
“Antonio, what are you doing at work?” She put her hand on his good arm.
“It is just a graze, Donna Maria. Nothing to be concerned about,” he said, brushing off the severity of the situation with a casual air. “Please, I have your table ready.”
She smiled warmly, then followed him to her private table in the back corner of the expansive restaurant. A life size statue of Archimedes at one side and a large rubber plant at the other made it all but impossible to see into, or out of, the space.
“Thank you, Antonio.” She took her usual seat with the most advantageous view over the dining area. Antonio bowed his head and excused himself to return to the bar. She watched him continue with his duties.
A young waiter appeared with a carafe of red wine, two cut-crystal glasses, and a sterling silver basket loaded with freshly baked chunks of bread. He placed the items on the table, bowed his head, and retreated back to the kitchen. A man and woman entered the restaurant and were shown to their seat. A second group of four men entered and took a table at the front of the restaurant. The place would be full within another thirty minutes.
Maria looked around the room that honoured her father’s commitment to the city of Palermo. It had been one of his first construction projects, built before she was born, and was the flagship of what later became his construction enterprise. He had insisted on maintaining the traditional Sicilian Baroque style architecture, and the inside walls were lavishly decorated with coloured marble and mosaic inlays. Vivid colours complimented the soft textured stone walls and pillars. A modern ventilation system kept the air at the perfect temperature, fresh and clean. It was also one of only a few smoke-free restaurants in the city and had been since the day her father had opened it. Both the architecture and the restaurant’s three Michelin star status resulted in an air of exclusivity. To eat
at Maria’s prestigious restaurant meant a wait of three months. Above the restaurant, refreshments and entertainment in the form of the casino with bar and dance acts by invitation only, kept the hosted business meetings companionable. The Riverside was a relaxed and informal venue, and that was the way Maria wanted to keep it. She looked at her watch. Noon.
She watched Rocca enter the restaurant, nod to Antonio, and walk towards her. She made no effort to hide the bulk protruding from her side.
Firearms were not permitted inside the building, unless of course you were the police, in which case the rules didn’t apply. Or to Maria herself, who had a holster and loaded Smith and Wesson permanently fixed to the underside of her private table which never seated anyone else.
Maria stood to greet her. They air-kissed on both cheeks.
“Donna Maria, it is good to see you looking so well.”
“Please, take a seat.” Maria looked the capitano over with a view to returning the compliment, but she sported dark shadows under heavy lids that pulled her eyes almost closed. �
�You look jaded, my friend. You are working too hard.”
Rocca smiled. “Never a dull moment in the city of Palermo.”
Maria indicated to the bread. She poured them both a small glass of wine. Rocca broke off a crust and took a bite. Maria did the same.
“The best bread in the city,” Rocca said.
“The best wine too.”
“I heard you have a new supplier.”
Maria shook her head. “You heard incorrectly. We were approached with an offer, but the wine wasn’t of the standard we expect.”
“That’s reassuring to know. Has Antonio had an accident in the kitchen?”
How the hell he would injure his shoulder in the kitchen wasn’t in question. “Yes. He fell and landed awkwardly. He is strong. He will heal.”
“That’s good.”
Maria watched her dip the bread in her wine.
Rocca looked up at her and smiled. “You know there are new friendships being formed with the mainland.”
Maria had heard. She picked up the glass, sipped the wine, and waited to find out what Rocca knew.
“The ‘Ndrangheta business is growing, and they are looking to form strategic partnerships.”
Maria inhaled slowly and deeply. Everyone was aware that the
‘Ndrangheta were becoming the most powerful crime syndicate in mainland Italy. She knew Alessandro was forging relationships with them to help secure his transit of merchandise into Sicily. There was no way she would involve Lombardo business in anything the ‘Ndrangheta had to offer. That would be akin to siding with the Devil himself. Clearly Rocca didn’t know everything that was going on. “That isn’t good for our economy.”
Rocca shook her head. Maria leaned across the table. “I need a favour,” she whispered.
“Whatever you need, Donna Maria.”
“We need customs controls to scale up. I want them to double the number of searches and slow the transit of materials through the port. Can you see to this?” She waited until Rocca nodded. “The increase in cost for the additional staff will be adequately compensated. I will ensure funds are transferred this afternoon.”
Rocca looked at the bread she was dipping into the wine, turning it to absorb as much fluid as she could before lifting it into her mouth and chewing slowly. “Everything will be put in place by the morning.”
