by Sienna Mynx
"I'm here. Tell me where you are," Giovanni asked as if he didn't know.
"Pelle Montegro," Federico said.
"And who's with you?"
"Ah, the dead girl, and her hooker friend, two of my security detail outside of the villa. No one else."
"Send the security detail away. I'll need them gone when my men arrive. And shut that woman up in the background. She is to stay with you. Do you understand? Don't let her leave."
"Gio. Grazie! Tante grazie, Gio! I can't tell you how grateful I am."
"I'm sending The Butcher," Giovanni said and then hung up.
The door to the room he claimed as his office was flung open. "What is going on up here? I can hear my babies screaming from downstairs. Are they okay?" Mirabella asked.
Gianni threw the train aside and began to wail. He scrambled to his feet and ran to his mother to hug her knees. She picked him up and kissed his face. She shot Giovanni a curious look. "What happened to him? It's okay, sweetie. Mama's here."
Gino got up and started crying. He too wanted to be comforted by his mother. Mirabella did her best to hold both boys. Giovanni stared at his wife and sons with the side of his face resting between his thumb and his finger. In seconds they were reduced to babies from one touch from her. Even his tough boy Gino clung to her and whimpered.
"Did they hurt themselves?" she asked. "Were you paying attention? Gio, answer me!"
"They'll be fine," Giovanni said.
"Well don't just let them cry, for goodness sake," she turned to leave.
"Send for Carlo, and Lorenzo if he has returned. I need to speak with them."
She left without acknowledging his request. Giovanni sighed. He closed his eyes and rubbed his left temple. He suffered headaches now. They were slight but persistent. He knew it was stress. So he endured. But today the ache to his skull felt never ending. The only real remedy would be a glass of something strong, wine or whiskey, didn't matter. He squeezed his eyes shut and resisted the urge. Then a knock on the door forced him out of his isolated thoughts. He expected to see Carlo. When the door opened he locked eyes with Renaldo instead.
"Boss, excusimi, can I have a moment?" Renaldo asked.
A concerned Giovanni sat upright. " Entra."
Renaldo entered and closed the door behind him. "I wanted to speak with you. Uh, I wouldn't normally, but this is important."
Giovanni nodded.
"Kyra's pregnant. The doctors have her on bed rest. She isn't going to Paris with Catalina; she has to stay home until the baby is born."
"I've heard she has had some problems with the pregnancy. Is there something you need? A doctor? A specialist?"
Giovanni owed the man before him his life. Not many could have taken as many bullets to the chest as he did and survived. It was a debt he hadn't forgotten.
Renaldo ran his hand back over his head. He looked flushed and uncertain of his words. Not a trait common with his top enforcer. His cool demeanor never wavered on the job. He never hesitated about a risk. But he was a married man now. And soon to be a father--again. Some thought that kind of change made him a better man. It was possible. But it also made him vulnerable. And Giovanni knew from personal experience how that vulnerability could weaken you in the life they lived.
"Boss." There was a pause. Renaldo exhaled a deep breath. "I need to ask for some time off."
"How much time?" Giovanni frowned.
"At least a month. I am making arrangements for one of her sisters to come for a visit. Kyra, she's not good with the stress. It's been several weeks since I've been home and I've only come on the weekends. I need to be there."
"This is a bad time for us, Renaldo. It'll have to wait until after the clan bosses meet here. Another few days. And the most I could give you would be a week off."
"I understand. I wouldn't ask this if it weren't important. In fact, I'm out of time. I need to be home no later than tomorrow. For my wife and my child’s sake. And to be honest, Boss, I need to be there for me. I'm not a hundred percent when she... when I know she's in pain."
The time he requested was out of the question. Tomorrow was out of the question. Every man in his organization was a chess piece on the master board of life. He was poised to take down all of his enemies and destroy that bitch, Isabella. But he could not do it without Renaldo. He was one of the few men left he trusted.
Renaldo stepped forward. "Boss, I know my problems aren't yours. I take my oath to you seriously. When I saw that gun raised and pointed at you, I stepped in front of it. I didn't hesitate. That's my oath. But when I was shot and nearly lost my life, the sacrifice I made told my wife and my son that your life meant more to me than my own. And now they don't trust me. It's not something she says, Boss. It's her fear. It's the way she doubts my intentions. She's vulnerable now, and I have to protect her. I have to earn the trust back. She's young. She's my heart. And she needs me."
"And if I say I need you more?" Giovanni asked.
"Then it will be a difficult decision. One I wouldn't want to make. But this time I will have to choose my wife," Renaldo said.
Not surprised Giovanni pushed back in his seat and stood. He walked over to Renaldo. They stood nearly the same height. Renaldo had been with him for many years. He'd been a good friend for even more. Giovanni grabbed his enforcer by the face. He kissed him on the left and the right cheeks and then pulled him into a brotherly hug. "Take as long as you need, brother. Go to her. Be there for her. And don't return until you make me a Godfather."
"Grazie, Gio!" Renaldo said with a deep sigh of relief and hugged Giovanni tightly. "Grazie!"
Giovanni let him go as Carlo and Lorenzo entered the room. The men frowned over the embrace they witnessed. Renaldo turned and left without a second glance back.
"What was that about?" Lorenzo chuckled.
"Salve!" Giovanni gestured at Carlo. He opened his arms to him. "Viene qua!"
Carlo hesitated a moment. It wasn't the welcoming he expected. Gio gave him a stern look, and he walked over to embrace his Don properly. Giovanni slapped Carlo's cheek and grabbed his shoulders to get a good look at him.
"Six weeks? You go to America for six weeks and no word to your Don?"
"I needed the visit. The trip went longer than I intended."
"So I've heard," Giovanni chuckled. "How is she? The pink lady?"
Carlo looked back at Lorenzo and then to Giovanni. "It's over between us."
"Yes, I've heard this before," Giovanni said and walked away.
"Shae and I are done. My head is clear, Boss. Let me prove it," Carlo said.
Giovanni cast his gaze back to Carlo. He gave him a forgiving nod. "Prove it to me tonight. He went to the desk and wrote down the address to the villa. He turned and extended the paper to Carlo. "We have a Delilah."
Carlo’s brows shot up. Delilah was a code word for a special kind of job Giovanni wanted. Carlo hadn't had one of these assignments in a long time. He used to like them. Giovanni couldn't tell how Carlo felt now or if America had softened his capu. Carlo moved the toothpick around in his mouth and smiled.
"Be discreet and leave no witnesses."
"If we have a female? What should I do with her," Carlo asked? The rule was no harm to women or children. No trafficking of women. They were strict codes enforced after the Calderone war.
"Let me know the circumstances."
"I'll handle it. Renaldo and I..." Carlo began.
"Renaldo is on an extended vacation," Giovanni announced to them both. "For a month or longer with pay. Make sure of it, Lorenzo. Carlo, take Umberto."
"Wait? Since when does Renaldo take a vacation? Gio, I have him working on Isabella. He can't take off!" Lorenzo protested.
"It's done. Carlo, make this timely," said Giovanni.
Carlo nodded and walked out. He closed the door behind him. Lorenzo groaned and slapped his forehead. "Aye, it's the baby. He left because of Kyra and the baby."
"The man has greater priorities. I think we both can unde
rstand why" Giovanni said.
"True. I guess we can. What is this Delilah? Who's the target?"
"Senator Banfi," Giovanni said.
"I heard he was at Catalina's birthday party. Some of the men saw him cozy up to Armando."
Giovanni grimaced. "He put his hands on Mirabella?"
"What?" Lorenzo asked.
Giovanni waved off his comment. He had intended to punish Banfi, humble him. But when he saw him touch his wife, even briefly that plan was accelerated. The senator was lucky Giovanni hadn't smashed a bottle and used the glass to cut his throat. "It's time we deal with the senator. Have a seat." Giovanni instructed. He sat near the window in a smoking chair. Lorenzo joined him. There was a knock at the door. Mirabella stuck her head in. He nodded that she could enter, and she did. Giovanni reclined back and took a long look at his wife. He did like the changes. The hair cut with the bangs, but straight and long at the sides of her face. She wore a bright orange summer dress that tied at the back of her neck and was slimming to her beautiful curves. Making love to her had been on his mind every day. He longed for the days he could take her anywhere he chose and fucked her until the lust in him subsided.
"You two haven't had lunch, I have something for you," Mirabella said.
She delivered a tray of sliced cheese, prosciutto, olive spread, and bread. She'd also brought a decanter of wine, glasses, and a glass of water. It was the wine that caught him by surprise. His wife encouraged him to drink less. She put the tray down on the coffee table. Before she turned to leave, he reached for her hand. Mirabella cast her large brown eyes down at him. He pulled her toward him. He didn't care if Lorenzo observed. He wanted to smell her skin. Have her say she loved him above all else. He wanted to feel like she was still his. Mirabella smiled for him. She leaned in. His gaze was eye level with her breasts. He forced himself to look into her eyes. She kissed him. He was right. One taste of her and he could feel his second wind of strength return.
"I love you, Giovanni," she whispered. She kissed his brow and her hand left his. She stared at him for a moment before giving him a wink and then turning and leaving. Lorenzo began to stuff his face.
"Let's make this quick. I haven't eaten today," Lorenzo said.
When Mirabella was gone, Giovanni sat forward and reached for some of the food. After chewing and swallowing several bites, the headache he had lessened. He ignored the wine and picked up the glass of water. Lorenzo frowned at his choice but didn't question it.
"Where's Dominic? Have you spoken to him?"
"No. How could I? I just got in from Sicilia. I came straight here," Lorenzo said while chewing on a mouthful of food.
Giovanni frowned. Dominic was to meet with Mirabella's doctor. And then return to tell him if the appointment should be kept for tomorrow. His not being there felt wrong.
"How did Armando react to your visit?" Giovanni asked.
"Just as you expected. He can't pay. He wants war. Blah, blah, blah."
"The family?"
"Already done. I paid Vito a visit. We are moving him to an ospedale in Roma. Armando won't dare make a move too soon. Trust me. He's thinking of a counter offer."
Giovanni sipped his water. Losing Renaldo will cost him. He'd now have to trust Lorenzo more, and he wasn't quite ready to do so. He had to also rethink his strategy with Lorenzo and Armando. Lorenzo often underestimated his enemies. Giovanni did not. Armando was not thinking of a counter offer. Armando didn't want a public war with the clans of Camorra. Armando needed to strike, and it would have to be a decisive blow. When he buried that bastard, he didn't want his wife weeping over her so called brother's grave. He would need to expose Armando for who he was. He intended to put all his enemies in their place. That also meant severing any blood ties with the Mancinis. All he needed now was for Armando to give him the reason.
"We need Renaldo," Lorenzo grunted. "We are down so many good men. I'm ready for whatever comes our way, Gio, but we need our strongest at our side. Give him a few days with his wife and then order him to come back."
"It's done, move on."
Lorenzo finished gorging on the food plate.
"Fuck! Where is my wife? I'm still hungry," Lorenzo grunted.
Giovanni had to admit the sample his wife left wasn't enough. He stared at the decanter of wine knowing it was his preferred appetite suppressant. He dropped back in his seat and exhaled. Again it irked him that he hadn't heard from Dominic. He was anxious to know about this new doctor. Bella's recovery was always at the front of his mind.
"Let's get this over with," Giovanni said and stood. "There's plenty we need to discuss."
***
"I don't understand. Where are you going?" Rosetta asked.
Catalina struggled to find a plausible explanation. They were under siege. If the Mafiosi had declared war on the Camorra everyone in Mondello was in danger. She needed to head to the woods to meet secretly with the most ruthless man in Sicilia? How could she explain that? The mere thought of defying her brother and Dominic by accepting an invitation to meet with Armando Mancini made her stomach queasy. She tried to call Marietta. She could always count on Marietta to talk her through a reckless decision. But she couldn't reach her. There was no time. She had to act.
"The men think I'm in my room lying down. I've told them I don't want to be disturbed." She crept down the back stairs that led to a rear entrance she could take down to the beach. "Dominic said he should get to Palermo around eight. I'll be back before he gets here."
"And if you're not?" Rosetta challenged her.
"If I'm not, tell him I went for a walk on the beach," Catalina said.
Rosetta’s brows lifted as if to call her a liar. Catalina narrowed her eyes on her. "Or you can mind your own fucking business and stay out of it. You decide. Remember the Donna is leaving it up to me to tell her whether or not you have changed."
She didn't wait for a response. The window of opportunity was short. When the rest of the men that were supportive of her brother arrived, the place would be on a secure lockdown. She would not be able to escape the villa. Just as she reached for the doorknob, Rosetta grabbed her arm.
"I don't know what you're doing, and I won't ask. I just want you to know that you can trust me, Catalina. I'll help you, in every way I can."
The gesture felt hollow, but Catalina didn't dwell on it. The conversation was over. Catalina had left before another word passed between the two of them. The path she had to take went straight through trees and was hard to find. She knew it by heart. However, she couldn't hurry, and had to be careful of her steps. There was very little moonlight to guide her. It made her ascension into the darkness easier. As a girl, she could do the same path in her sleep. And often at midnight, Giovanni would take her from her bed and down to the beach cabin, letting her swim near the shore. It was a special brother and sister time. He'd even collect little sand crabs to make them race each other for her. She smiled and let the memory fuel her courage. She was devoted to her brother and Dominic. She could face anything if it saved them. As she went further into the forest, she knocked branches out of her face. Though this was just another prison for her mother, she felt Mama and Giovanni were both happiest in Mondello. If there would be a war between the families, then she would lose her beloved island. Be forced to stay away from her sweet Madre's grave. She pushed trees and limbs from her face and arrived at the garden. The place always felt like magic at night. The moon made the roses bloom. And tonight of all nights, the clouds had parted to allow moonlight to pour over the tombstone.
Her eyes welled with tears. "Madre," she said softly and closed her eyes to the memory of the soft feel of her mother. How wonderful it felt to have her brush her hair and tell her stories of Ireland when she was a child.
"It's lovely, the garden." Armando stood behind her. "I knew she was buried here, but not like this. With these roses."
Catalina closed her eyes and steeled herself to be strong and not reveal her pain. "Say what you came to say. This
proof you have. Whatever it is about Patri. Say it and the get hell out of here."
"Are you sure you want the truth?" he asked.
She turned with fire in her heart. She wanted to scratch his eyes out, rip out his tongue, and kick in his gut. "Am I sure? What the hell does that matter to you? You told me my family would be destroyed by this so called evidence. Why care now if I can handle it or not?"
"I'm not sure why I care. Maybe I'm having second thoughts, piccoletta. Maybe this is a game best left for us men."
"So, you admit it's a game?" she asked.
"I admit I have motives I haven't shared," he smiled.
She shivered. It wasn't from the wind. It was coming from inside. Though he was handsome and charming, that undeniable hatred he had for her kind made him as venomous as a snake. She feared being close. She feared being friendly. Men like him took closeness and friendliness as a sign of weakness. "Say it or leave."
"I don't have to say it, Catalina. I'll let you hear the confession for yourself."
Armando removed the tape player from his pocket. A little small one with a tiny cassette inside. He pressed play and handed it to her. The very first voice she heard was one she knew. It was Lorenzo.
Chapter Fourteen
Adara and the Dead Girl
Firenze, Italy –
It was Adara who found herself trapped and alone with the unconscious girl. She thought she felt a pulse the last time she checked for any sign of life. But the senator was so distraught and hysterical she couldn't be sure. What she felt sure of was that the girl was overdosing, and if she didn't get medical attention soon, she would die. The conundrum she faced could cost her the deep cover assignment. What was she to do? Time ticked on minute by minute, and Adara paced, uncertain of one decision over the next. Help the dying girl. No, see it to the end no matter the consequence. Time was up. Adara glanced to the girl's naked body sprawled on the bed and then to the phone. She had to decide. The decision was dredged from a place beyond logic and reason. Adara would not, no matter how bad things turned for her and the dying girl, blow her cover.
