by Sienna Mynx
Zia blinked at him in shock. She then gave a slow nod of obedience. Giovanni offered her no further comforting before he turned and left.
Sorrento, Italy
THE MOON WAS SUPER-sized in the sky that evening. There wasn’t much need for her to turn on the lanterns upon her terrace, though she lit a few. The children were still up. Maybe they sensed like she did that Giovanni would be home from Sicily soon. Mirabella massaged a cramp in her neck while she kept her other hand to her tummy. Her baby delivered some powerful kicks through dinner when she sampled the spices from Ana’s kitchen.
“Mama?” Eve said. “Look!”
Eve opened her hand. The firefly flew out and back toward the gardens. In the distance they saw the tiny insect twinkle.
“See! See! I made the fly do that! I made fire.”
Mirabella chuckled. “Yes, you did, sweetie. That’s why papa named you lucciola. You’re his little fire-maker.”
“I like fire,” Eve said in a wistful tone.
“I can make it any time I want.” Eve beamed with pride. Mirabella frowned at the comment but then smiled at how playful and happy her baby-girl seem to be. Lately Mirabella had taken the time to care for Eve’s needs over the other children. She sensed her daughter needed more attention. But with the newborn in her care and another baby in her belly Mirabella tired easily.
“What’s wrong?” Eve asked.
“Nothing. Mama is just tired.”
“Come!” Eve took her hand. She walked her mother over to the most comfortable chair on the terrace. It was often where Giovanni preferred to sit. She pushed at Mirabella’s knees to make her comply.
“Thank you, Eve,” Mirabella said and sat down.
“Can I tell you a story?” Eve said as she climbed up on her lap. There wasn’t much room thanks to Mirabella’s tummy, but Eve found a comfortable arrangement.
“Yes, tell me a story,” Mirabella said.
“Once upon a time there was a princess named Eve. She lived in a castle and had a little dog named Boo-Boo.” Eve held a serious face to match her tone. “Then one day the King told her she would have to get a new horse for competitions since she has done so well with her lessons.”
“Yes, the princess has done well with her lessons,” Mirabella agreed.
“I’m not finished mama. The King said the princess would need to give up her doggy for the horse. But Princess Eve loved Boo-Boo. So she told the King to give her another doggy instead of horse. It made sense. Right? And so, the King granted the princess wish. He got rid of all the horses and she had two doggies. And she lived happily ever after.” Eve clapped her hands together to signal the end.
Mirabella chuckled.
“You like the story mama?”
“Princess Eve wants another dog instead of a horse? Is it a story, or is it you?” She poked her in the side. Eve giggled. She fell over on her mother’s round belly and laughed.
“I promise to be really good. And two dogs will be so much fun. Please, mama! Pleaseeeee! A girl and a boy.”
Mirabella rubbed her daughters back. She would give her the world, but another dog was a bit much to ask. “How about a bird?”
“A bird?” Eve eyes stretched.
“Yes. A little parakeet that you can keep in your new room.”
“Yes, mommie! Yes! Oh, I want it so bad. Yes!”
“Then you have to be a good girl.”
“I will. I promise.” Eve hugged Mirabella’s belly and got off her lap to run and tell whomever she encountered first inside the house the news. Mirabella relaxed in the chair and looked up to the moon. The sounds of her babies’ happiness was music to her heart. She glanced at her sons who ran off the terrace steps through the grass. Gino jumped on Gianni and the boys tussled and rolled around. It was the way they played lately. She wasn’t too keen on it and thought to stop them when a girl on her staff approached with a phone.
“Donna, you have a call.”
“Grazie,” Mirabella accepted the call. “Ciao? This is Donna Mirabella.”
“Mirabella, it’s me. Zia.”
“How are you? Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Yes. I’m fine. I’m here in Palermo with Catalina.”
Mirabella smiled.
“Giovanni told me. How is she? The baby?”
“She’s doing well. I hear we have more babies to come?” Zia asked.
“I know. It must be in the drinking water, because everyone is pregnant. I think Cecilia will be next.”
“That would make Nico happy.”
The women fell into a comfortable silence before Zia spoke again. “Mirabella, in Bagheria I said things—.”
“I understand.”
“No. You can’t understand. This is my issue. I am ashamed of my behavior. I’m ashamed of making you feel that any of this was your fault. It’s not. It’s mine, it’s Rocco’s, it’s the past.”
“Don’t apologize Zia,” Mirabella confessed. “As much as Giovanni wants to make this about me, it’s about you and him. He loves you. I love you, Zia.”
“I love you too, and I miss you.”
“Thank you for calling. I really wanted to hear from you. To talk to you and Catalina.”
“Maybe we will see each other soon.”
“I hope so. Good night.”
“Goodbye.”
Mirabella ended the call on her cordless phone. One of the children cried out in laughter. She saw Nico carrying them both back up the steps and admonishing them for their mischief. She looked back to the moon. Zia’s call wasn’t that surprising to her. She felt it in the night. Things were changing to prepare them.
CHAPTER FIVE
The Pink Lady
Sorrento, Italy
“WHERE ARE YOU?” CARLO fired up his cigarillo with the flick of his lighter. He took a long drag from it and let the smoke fill his lungs. He was good now. There were no more cravings for opium clawing from the inside of his chest. A little weed and tobacco mixed in with his alcohol had gotten him through it. Though he knew his addiction would never be cured, he had a strong mind. And in his mind he had to persevere. He listened to the phone tucked between his shoulder and his ear for a response.
“Via del Rione Sirignano,” Renaldo answered.
Carlo frowned. He flicked the ash from his cigarillo. “Why there? Isn’t that a little fancy for you?”
“Very funny,” Renaldo said.
Via del Rione Sirignano was where the expensive apartments in Naples protected the rich. Giovanni owned two. But enforcers like them weren’t allowed to have such extravagance. It would draw the attention of the authorities and make them vulnerable to their many enemies. They lived in the shadows. And by default, so did their families.
“Seriously? Why are you in Naples instead of Sicily?” he asked his friend.
“The boss took Umberto and his crew. He sent me here to deal with our politician friend who hasn’t kept his promises about the upcoming vote.”
“Umberto?”
“Yes. Umberto,” Renaldo confirmed.
“Interessante. He’s at Giovanni side a lot now? Eh?” Carlo asked.
“He thinks he’s you,” Renaldo teased. “He’s really taken to the job. Handles all the new recruits.”
“I might need to remind him that he’s not me.”
“I have to go deal with this business. What did you want?”
Carlo liked the ease of talking to his friend on the mobile phones they now used. Advice was always a phone call away. “It’s Adara.”
“Yes, Kyra told me that you two have reconnected. She’s your lady again? What happened to ‘I’ll kill the bitch and spit on her Calderone grave’?” he mocked Carlo’s mean voice.
Carlo chuckled.
“Yeah, things change. And I never said... never mind what I said before.”
“It’s forgotten. What else do you need?” Renaldo asked.
Carlo shook his head. “I need to do this right. I went and visited Veno my jeweler.” Carlo put out the cigarillo and r
emoved the ring he kept in a small black box in his pocket while smoke exhaled from his nostrils. “I don’t want my kid born a bastard. I’m going to marry her.”
“Are you sure?”
“Why wouldn’t I be sure? She’s pregnant. She’s back and—.”
“She’s not the Pink Lady.”
Carlo nostrils flared. His jaw clenched. “Why mention her to me?”
“Because I know what Shae has done to you. And I know that Adara can’t replace her. Even if she is pregnant.”
“So, you know Adara’s pregnant?”
“I’ve heard. Quite pregnant.”
“Shae, my Pink Lady, is gone. I’ve made peace with that.”
“Have you?”
“Adara is here,” his voice rose above Renaldo’s question. “She’s always been here for me. She understands me. I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
“What do you need? My blessing? Do it.”
“Eh? I need a place for us, for her. I can’t have her sitting out here in my shit shack in the woods. I need a real place for my son. I’m thinking of asking Giovanni to run the Naples operation with the Tacchini’s. Getting permission to live in his villa in Via del Rione Sirignano.”
“He won’t allow that. Too visible,” Renaldo advised.
“I’ll take the legitimate business, step back. Umberto is his golden boy now. I’m thinking of just being an earner.”
Renaldo fell silent. Carlo understood his friend’s response to the news. Neither of them believed Carlo could ever survive retirement. He just wasn’t wired that way. But he’d try anything to protect his son.
“Say something,” Carlo said.
“It’s different here now, Carlo. We got the Russians and the Santoro’s. The Camorristi is different. Adara is probably safer in Sorrento. I wouldn’t move Kyra and the kids out here no matter how much I miss her.”
“I need Adara near me. After we’re married I’m moving her. I got to think of my son. Fuck. Look at what I did to my brothers. This has to be the better way.”
“My goose has just flown into the nest. I got to go.”
“Call me when the job is done. I need to know more about the Santoro’s and the Puglia clan. What Giovanni’s been up too?”
“Sure, but you’d get better answers from Domi. Gio tells us very little lately.”
“Ciao.” Carlo got up from the step he sat on and put the flip phone into his pocket. He went inside his home. “Adara?”
“In here!” she said.
Adara rinsed the razor in the sink. Shaving her armpits became harder and harder with her growing belly. She had all but given up on trimming the hair to her private area. Though last night Carlo had started touching her between her thighs while she slept. She prayed he didn’t want to have sex. She was uncomfortable in her skin and ashamed of her body. He walked around with an erection every morning, so she knew the temptation was there.
“Where are you?”
“I said in here,” she called out again.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Each day that passed the tension she felt between them thawed. He was hers again. He stood at the bathroom door watching her.
“I’m getting dressed. Do you mind?”
He looked her over and then snatched her towel away.
“Carlo!”
“You look nice,” he chuckled at her panicked state.
“Give it back.” She yanked on the towel and covered herself the best she could.
“What’s the fussing about?” he frowned. “I want to see my woman. It’s not a crime.”
“I look fat.”
“I like a fatty,” He tried to reach her sex, but she swatted his hand away.
“Come here,” he forced her to move in closer. She felt a tingle below over the wicked look of his dark desires in his eyes. Adara dropped her inhibitions and hugged him. The towel drifted to her feet below. She pressed her naked body to his and wished her belly didn’t keep her pelvis from brushing his groin.
“You smell nice,” he groaned.
“I just had a shower. You smell like smoke. Wish we could have shared one together.”
He laughed. She let him go. To see him smiling was a rare thing. She missed his humor. “You really are excited about the baby, aren’t you?”
“I told you. It’s the best gift any woman has ever given me,” Carlo confessed.
“You can thank me after we have late night feedings and you change your first nappie.” She tried to reach her robe behind the door. He took it off the hook and handed it to her. “Thank you,” she smiled. “Mirabella called. She’s been nice to me. She offered to refer her doctor to me, to make sure everything is okay with the baby.” Adara glanced back over her shoulder at him as she struggled to get her arm behind her and into the sleeve of her robe. “She suggested we do a tour of the hospital wing. There is a private nursing area that Mirabella said is preferred by most mothers.”
He stood there with a hand extended and the other behind his back. “What? What are you doing?”
“Waiting,” he said.
“For what?” she asked.
“For you to let me help you.”
Adara realized how silly she looked. She panted a bit out of breath and blushed. He took her sleeve and guided it to her arm. She slipped it inside and tied her robe. “Thank you.”
He walked her out of the bathroom, through his room to the front area of the villa. Young boys were just leaving after arriving and setting up vases of flowers. He had about six red roses for her. Carlo gave the kids some money. They smiled at Adara and left.
“The boys are back?”
“Is that okay?” Carlo asked. “It’s my thing. You know.”
She smiled. “I love those kids. I was sad when I came here and they were gone.” She looked again to the flowers. “What’s this?”
“Stand there,” he said and then he took a step back. Carlo got down on one knee. Adara’s heart couldn’t compete with her brain in that moment. She held her breath and watched as Carlo revealed a ring box from his pocket. Her heart nearly exploded in her chest with joy.
Carlo said something she didn’t hear. She didn’t hear anything but her own heartbeat. She’d never felt so much love and wonder in one moment. Marriage was the last thing she’d expected from him.
“Yes! Yes!” Adara shouted before he asked the question.
“I want to know...”
“I said yes!” she went to her knees with him. “Yes!”
Carlo shook his head in frustration. “Let me ask.”
“Go on. Ask!” Adara giggled.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she said. He laughed and put the ring on her finger. He helped her get to her feet.
“Good! We do it Friday. It’s all arranged.”
“Friday? That’s in two days?”
“Yes.”
“Carlo?”
He stared at her.
“I can’t... I don’t have anything... I don’t know what to wear and what—”
“It will be handed.” Carlo took her hand and put the ring on her finger. She stared down at the jewel.
“My son will be born legitimate.” He kissed her knuckles. “I swear to you cara, you will never regret this day. I will be the very best husband, because... I care, uh, deep... love, I love you.”
“You love me.”
Carlo nodded.
The profession didn’t come with the emotion that would normally follow. But when she looked into his eyes she knew there was truth there. Carlo did love her. She believed him. “I love you too Carlo.”
Adara went into his arms and embraced him. “I love you so much.”
“I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW beautiful it is. How could you make this dress so fast? So perfect?”
Mirabella ran the zipper up Adara’s backside. Two days after she began the special project she finished. She smoothed her hands down the imported silk she’d used as fabric. The last time she worked fast on a
dress was for Catalina’s wedding to Franco. She was very proud of her craftiness
“Carlo called me and explained that he wanted a proper wedding, a real one for you and his baby. I had enough time to prepare. I just finished the last touches this morning. I’m so lucky that it fits on the first try,” Mirabella replied.
“Lucky? This isn’t luck. You are blessed with a gift.”
Mirabella chuckled.
“Thank you Adara. I’ve made a few wedding dresses for the women in the family, so I’ve had practice.”
“But my size? How did you know?”
“One of his boys brought me a dress of yours for the correct size. And here you have it.”
“I never imagined a dress for me that could fit me at this stage in my pregnancy.”
“Fashion should be all about flattering curves, at least my fashion is.” Mirabella stepped back. It was then that Adara turned and looked at the Donna’s pregnant belly.
“How soon will it be before your baby comes?”
“A month.”
“It’s your fourth? Did you always want four kids?” Adara asked.
“My husband wants ten.” Mirabella laughed. “This is my miracle baby and our last. The doctors weren’t sure I could conceive again.” Mirabella winked. “Enough about me, I need to see you move in the dress. Walk for me.”
Adara stepped away from the mirror and walked across the room for Mirabella. The dress was very modest in design. A classic representation of Mirabella’s work. She’d chosen pearl white fabric that was as heavy as satin but soft and flattering like silk. The overlay of Chantilly lace added that touch of bridal elegance the dress needed. Mirabella made the bust line snug without exact measurements and gave the dress lowered sleeves that draped down and revealed a hint of Adara’s shoulders. Mirabella used pearls to add a trimmed band high above her waistline just under the crease of her breast. This caused the fabric to smoothly complement Adara’s belly. The dress went snug on Adara’s hips but spread out at the knee to a short train behind her.
“Donna Mirabella, can I ask you one more personal question?”
“Yes.”
“Don Giovanni... he um, well, has being a father changed him. For the better?”
