by Sienna Mynx
It was a blessing that he arrived at the late hour. He did not want to see her in the casket. Carlo approached the open grave where her mahogany coffin hovered on bars to be lowered. A silence fell over the crowd. It felt like more than a hundred were present. Carlo wasn’t sure if he knew a hundred people. His life was very simple before he gave his heart to his wife. Death never scared or surprised him when he buried his brothers. That was until now.
The sun wasn’t in the sky. Grey clouds had covered it. Storms that had once swept Sicily were now descending all over Italy. He could feel the humid damp heat of one brewing.
“Forgive me, cara, for I have sinned.”
He held his breath as the rest of his confession chilled him to his bones. He did so silently and in prayer.
“I will make sure our boy escapes this. I will find a way to protect him, even from me.”
Carlo placed the rose on the casket. He stood there as the last rites were read and the casket was lowered into the ground. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Renaldo leaned in. “You must pay respect to your Don.”
Another chill of anger went through him colder than his grief. Again he had to suppress it. Renaldo was right. There was enough blame to spread through their organization but no one person can shoulder the burden. It was his fault that so much pain had been his life. He glanced back to see Giovanni seated. The boss wore dark sunglasses, but Carlo knew his eyes were on him. The others stood behind him. Only Mirabella, her small baby, and Arielle were seated at his side. There was an empty chair left for him.
He walked over to Giovanni. He kissed Arielle first, and then Mirabella. He gave a nod of respect to Giovanni who gave a nod in return.
“Where is he?” Carlo asked Arielle.
“He’s with the family, Adara’s family. They have a place here that once belonged to Don Calderone. It’s where they are all staying.” Mirabella spoke for Arielle who was so grief stricken she’d become catatonic.
He nodded.
“Grazie,” he said and then looked back at the others approaching wanting to comfort him. Carlo turned and walked away from the condolences. Renaldo didn’t follow. None of his men did. He preferred it that way. He waited in the car until it was over.
Houston, Texas - Two days later
“MS. DENNIS, THANK YOU for coming.” An older man with clear grey eyes greeted her. His office smelled of leather and cigar smoke. He held the door for her as she entered and then gesture toward the chair before his desk. “Please have a seat.”
The chair was plush and welcoming, but there was something formal and unwelcoming about the opulence before her. She took a seat. In no way could she relax. She didn’t tell Doris about the hand delivered letter that invited her to this meeting in downtown Houston. She didn’t want to scare her. But Shae was scared. The Battaglias had more power than she could reasonably believe, and they were crawling through her life.
“Well, I know this meeting comes as a surprise.”
“I’ve learned not to be too surprised with the Battaglias.”
The gentlemen smiled. “I’m Arthur Gordon. I’m a partner in Cambria Law out of New York. We have many offices. I run the Houston location.”
“Okay?”
“We’ve represented clients, domestic and globally for several decades. One of our most prominent clients is Mirabella and Giovanni Battaglia. We were informed of a recent family tragedy with the Battaglias.”
“Carlo. His wife died,” Shae said.
“Very good. Well, I won’t beat around the bush. The Battaglias need you to return to Italy as soon as possible. Have you considered it?”
Shae stared at him. She clenched her fist. “I have a question, only one.”
“Go ahead,” the attorney said with his cool detached manner.
“Does Carlo know that they’ve asked me to come?”
The attorney smiled. “Does it matter?”
“I’d like an answer please.”
“Let me explain the details of your return. It might indeed answer your questions. You will arrive in Naples Italy and be brought to Sorrento by driver and escort. Your entire visit will be under the supervision of a personal escort. All accommodations for you will be personally handled by my office. A woman by the name of... hmmm...” the lawyer frowned at the notation on the document before him. “I only have a first name. It is Arielle. She will care for your children and help facilitate the meeting with Carlo.”
“And?”
“That is all.”
“I’m sure the Battaglias want something. What is it?”
“I told you. They want you to see him. What you decide from there is totally up to you.”
“This is crazy. Do they know Marietta Battaglia contacted me?”
The lawyer didn’t blink.
“She tried to lure me to Spain. She said Carlo was in danger.”
“I assure you Marietta Battaglia has nothing to do with this request. However, if you’d like to meet with her that too can be arranged. Last I heard she is relocating to America.”
“She is?” Shae frowned.
The lawyer smiled. “She may even be relocating to Houston. If you wish.”
“I wish? Why would that be a wish of mine?”
“You’re friends? I’m told she needs one now.”
Shae waved off the comment. “Can I have a number to reach Carlo? Something? I need to speak with him.”
“I’m sorry. This must be a face to face meeting. The Battaglias are very clear on this.”
“And if I refuse? If I want nothing to do with them, then what?”
“It’s a free country. You are not obligated to anything.”
Shae rolled her eyes.
“However, I know you run a non-profit called ‘New Beginnings.’ Correct?”
“So?”
“You rely heavily on state funding for your group home. And I see you have a petition before the courts to adopt one of your wards.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m offering my services. If you do as the Battaglias ask, then I can help you in ways you haven’t even considered. My service along with the attorneys in my office can be extended to the troubled girls you have under your care. Imagine real representation instead of state appointed attorneys? The good it would do for your cause. Is it really too much to ask to see this Carlo person?”
The attorney had no idea the layers of heartache and regret she shared with Carlo. What could she possibly say to him? Tell him that she made a mistake and she should have never chased him out of her life. How does she explain her daughter after telling him countless times she couldn’t conceive? Carlo had trust issues. She was the last person on earth that he trusted.
“I can’t just go.”
“All expenses are handled by my office. And the Battaglias wished for the child to come as well. They, however, did not make it a requirement.”
“I also have a young girl, I’m her guardian. She doesn’t have a passport.”
“We’ll help expedite it for her.”
“I don’t have any money to just up and leave—”
“Ms. Dennis. There is no reason to refuse this offer. Everything you need will be provided.”
“There has to be a catch. I don’t know much about the Battaglias, but they do nothing for free. What do they want?”
“A small thing, but a very important one.”
Shae braced for the information. She would not let Giovanni Battaglia and his wife use her to control Carlo. She wouldn’t betray him that way.
The attorney slid a piece of paper across his desk to her. He placed a pen on top of it.
“What is that?”
“A non-disclosure. On the record this document states that what you learn of the Battaglias and Carlo’s personal and business affairs will remain confidential. You will never speak of it to the press or anyone outside of the law.”
“And off the record. What does this mean?”
The attorney smirked. “Yo
u will never meet with the American authorities, Interpol or the Italian authorities. If you do, you will say and confess to knowing as much as you do today. Your silence is permanent. The Italians have a name for it. I’ve heard them call it Omertá.”
“If I break his agreement off the record. You plan to do what to me?”
“Absolutely nothing. However, you do have children, friends, people you care about that are not part of this agreement. We know who they are. Your silence also guarantees their safety.”
Shae shook her head. “It was the Battaglias that sent me away. That kept me from him. Now you want to force me back into his life. This is why he’s crazy. Why he can’t stay sane.”
“Sign the agreement and you can be of help to him. And everyone else you care about.”
Shae stood. She walked over to the desk and picked up the pen. She signed the agreement and used his invisible ink pad to press her thumb against. She left her thumbprint under the signature.
“Do you want blood, too?”
The attorney chuckled. “I assure you, all of this is legal.”
“Until it’s not.”
He nodded. “Until it’s not.”
She turned and picked up her purse.
“Ms. Dennis, you will need to bring your children here to have them photographed. We will start on getting their passports expedited.”
“I will bring them tomorrow.”
“It was a pleasure,” he said and stood. He walked around the desk and clasped her hand. “I assure you nothing nefarious will happen. Your safety and security are a priority of my office. The Battaglias insist on your compensation.”
“I don’t want their fucking money!” She snatched her hand. “I’m not doing this for money.”
“Of course. But by signing that agreement you have it and much more. Nine tomorrow. Will that be okay?”
“Do you need their names and information?”
“I already have it. You have a good day.”
Shae was escorted out of the office to the elevator by the attorney. He watched her board and waited until the doors closed before turning away. Shae put a hand to her heart. She steadied her nerves and tried to digest everything she had learned. Underneath her worry and fear she felt a big wave of relief. Not that Adara was dead. Not over the money and promises from the Battaglias. She wanted another chance with Carlo, any chance. Hell, she prayed for it all through her pregnancy. She wanted to see him again and introduce him to their miracle baby. She only hoped that she would get there before it was too late.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Death Sentence
Sorrento, Italy
“RENALDO? IS THAT YOU?”
Kyra closed the door to her daughter’s room. Her son was with Renaldo’s mother. She didn’t expect him home at all. She walked to the front of their villa and found him seated. He didn’t bother to take off his blazer.
“You’re late.”
“Get dressed. And the baby,” he said.
“Why?”
“We have to go to the Battaglias.”
“Renaldo? No. Tonight should be us. I am so tired of being at their beck and call. I’ve spent months away from our home and almost every night away from you. When does it end?”
“It has ended.” Renaldo sat forward. He put his in his hands. The past few months her husband had been a brick of strength. But she knew better. This was taking a toll on him. How much of his life was he supposed to give? What would be left for her and their children? She walked over to Renaldo. The moment she reached him he pulled her closer. His hands to her ass, his face to her pelvis, he released the burden. She stroked his head and gave him the time needed in silence. In marriage she learned about the needs of her husband.
After a long pause she dared to ask the first question. “Lorenzo?”
“He’s dead,” Renaldo choked out and broke into tears.
“Marietta?” she asked.
“Gone,” he said.
“I didn’t think Giovanni would do it. I really thought Mirabella would save them. I’m so sorry baby.”
“It’s done,” Renaldo sucked down his weakness and held back his grief for a friend he’s loved for years. He had no regrets over what had become of Lorenzo but it cut him to his core.
“Carlo? How bad is it?”
“He’s done, Kyra. There’s not much left to him.”
“That’s not your fault. Renaldo?” Kyra went to her knees. She took her husband’s tear stained face in her hands. “You’ve been a good friend to him. Carlo has always been complicated. This is just part of what he is.”
“What is he?” Renaldo asked. “Because when I look at him I see me. I lost a wife, I nearly lost my family too when she died. I had nothing until I found you. Nothing but this life. When did Carlo catch a break? He is no different than me Kyra. We all have our limits. What will be mine? I almost died once, will I again? And then what?”
“I know, sweetie. I don’t have the answers you need to hear. I’m married to you, not Carlo, not Giovanni, not the Camorra, only you. And I am only in this world because I love you. The day you’ve had enough we will be at your side. I pray every night that the day comes soon. Because I can’t live without you. I can’t.”
He leaned in and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. He held her close. And then came out of the chair to the floor with her. Renaldo kissed her neck and shoulder blade, he squeezed her breast and parted her thighs. His lips found hers again. She pulled her dress up and then helped unbuckle his belt. She wanted him so desperately in that moment it was a physical ache. And she prayed her daughter slept long enough for her to have him.
MARIETTA WOKE. SHE felt so much fatigue from her grief it was hard to lift her head. She rubbed her eyes and tried to adjust them to the dark. It had only been a few weeks since the nightmare of her life began. Still she felt time less and less.
She looked over to her left. Her baby girl slept in nothing but a diaper.
A smile was on her face. Marietta leaned in to be sure. Did babies smile in their sleep? She had never seen such peace and beauty in a child before.
“You would do that as a baby,” her mother spoke.
Marietta looked over to the corner of her room. Her mother stepped from the shadow and smiled at her.
“I know I’m crazy, every time I see you.”
“You’re not crazy sweetheart. You’re in pain. And you need me.”
“You never came to me when I needed you before.”
Her mother nodded. “But I wanted too.”
Marietta stopped speaking with the apparition and returned her attention to Lorenza. Her daughter had stopped smiling. But she lay on her back resting. Marietta slipped down on her pillow and stared at her. “How do I get revenge for you sweet girl? Make them pay for what they took from you.”
“Marietta. That cannot be the answer. After everything.”
She ignored her mother and caressed Lorenza little belly. She leaned in and kissed her.
“You need to start over. Do what Lorenzo asked you. Leave here and not look back.”
“I can’t,” Marietta whispered. “I can’t just forget what was done to him.”
“She has to be your priority. Just as you were mind. I made so many mistakes. Don’t risk anything that would separate you from her again. Don’t.”
“I love her mama; I will do anything for her.”
Mirabella relaxed on her pillow staring at her daughter. She felt some calmness just by having her again. But nothing, not even her mother returning from the dead as her conscious, could settle her heart over her loss. Lorenzo would be avenged. She wasn’t sure how, but she believed it would be as soon as she was capable.
Solntsevo, Russia – Solntsevskaya Brotherhood
LORENZO HEARD VOICES. Several. He tried to open his eyes and at first found that he could not. So, he lay still and listened. There was a discussion being had between two men. And the discussion was in Russian. He wasn
’t sure if he were frowning but his confusion was deep. Was hell in Russia?
Then the fragments of his memory began to surface. Giovanni fired his weapon into the bottom of the boat instead of landing bullets in Lorenzo’s chest. Frozen with shock Lorenzo wasn’t sure what the next death blow between them would be. Three Russians came below and seized him. He yelled for his cousin to explain. A black bag was put over his head and he was taken. Either he was drugged or knocked unconscious because he remembered nothing after that.
“Battaglia!” A man barked.
Lorenzo didn’t respond. He lay perfectly still.
“The doctor says you should be wake. I know you are. But if you wish to pretend I don’t mind. I do the talking, because I own you.”
The man heaved a sigh.
“Your Don has sentenced you to me. And though your sentence isn’t as long as I would like, it will give me more than enough time to make you regret ever challenging the brotherhood.”
The man made no sense. And his Italian was so pitiful Lorenzo struggled to keep up with his little speech.
“They sent you with broken ribs, a fractured jaw, and crushed eye socket. We could not save your left eye. However, we will fix you. There is no fun in making you a cripple.”
Lorenzo realized then that his face was wired shut and his eyes bandaged. It was why he couldn’t wake. And though he felt drugged and numbed, he did feel the ache of his missing eye. After the beating in Greece from the Russians he was never able to open his eye.
“Two years, your Don was specific. Two years and our time ends. It will be the longest two years of your life.” The man chuckled. “Rest my friend. I’ll be waiting.”
If Lorenzo could smile, he would. Giovanni hadn’t taken everything from him. And no matter the Russians did, he would get out of this place. He would have his family again. And he’d never give up until he did.
“MARIETTA BATTAGLIA?”
“I told you not to call me that, my last name is not Battaglia. It is Alzaro. I am Signora Alzaro.”
