by Sienna Mynx
Marietta wept harder than she ever had. She cried and cried over her daughter. Carlo knew the answer. Even if she didn’t say it.
“Then maybe being a mother doesn’t change you at all.” He stood.
“He saved me! I know you don’t understand, but he did. I don’t exist without Lorenzo. I can’t raise my baby without him. I don’t even know how to love myself without him. Carlo! You could help me. You could tell Giovanni we escaped. Tell Lorenzo to come get us! I want a family too. I want them both! Don’t make me choose—”
Carlo left her pleading.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Nuova Realtà - New Reality
Sorrento, Italy
GIOVANNI KNEW HER BODY so well, even pregnant he sensed her limits. After loving her expanding curves and sucking her nipples, he turned her to her side. His hand ran a slow caress along her thigh. All the while he pressed gentle kisses on her neck, then cheek.
“You smell like cinnamon,” he whispered against her ear.
“I was baking... earlier.”
“Mmmm,” he groaned. She turned her face and their lips greeted each other with a slow moving kiss. Giovanni traced hers and the inner rim of her lips as he thrust his cock past the cushion of her buttocks between her silky thighs into her hot wet core. He pinned her into position by dropping his thigh over hers and drilled in and out of her. The cinching hot tightness of her vaginal channel tore at his resistance to stay the course. There was nothing better than making love to his woman while pregnant. The lips of her pussy were swollen petals and she was so hot and creamy. Mirabella absorbed every powerful thrust with mind melding pleasure. He could feel her approaching the edge of completion and grew desperate for her to ride the tide longer with him. He begged her patience as he worked his hips and squeezed her breast.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he said. “That’s right piccola mia, give me more!” he said.
Mirabella kept her eyes tightly shut. Her clitoris quivered with distress. But it was not the physical pleasure that sustained her. Every shudder, every whimper, every moan drove adrenaline, passion, unbridled lust and small doses of fear of losing him through her nervous system. He touched her round tummy to remind her and himself of the child they created. The fragile life between them was the very purest form of their love. Giovanni’s pace became faster and harder and she suffered seizures of pleasure with him. And joined him in release that had her gasping and choking on his name.
Giovanni withdrew. She whimpered just a bit by his sudden movement and then turned into his arms and softened all over for him.
“I missed you too,” she sighed. She kissed his chest.
Giovanni lifted his head and looked down at her.
“You’re home,” she smiled.
There was a knock at their bedroom door. Did the person arrive sooner and hear their passion and wait for this moment to dare disturb them?
Giovanni lifted his head again. “Who the fuck is it?” he barked.
“You know if they are knocking then it’s—.”
The phone in the room rang and another knock came to his door. It wasn’t good news if Giovanni received them both at the same time.
“Get the phone I will get the door,” he said a few curse words and got up from the bed. He found his robe and pulled it on. Giovanni opened the door prepared to murder anyone who disturbed him without proper cause.
“Scusi, Boss. You and the Donna must come downstairs.”
“It’s two in the morning? What the fuck is the reason?”
“A visitor. She says she needs to speak to you both.... She’s... she’s—”
“What Umberto? Say it?”
“It’s Adara. Carlo’s woman. She’s pregnant,” Umberto said. “She’s here.”
Mirabella appeared at his side. Umberto looked as if he’d seen a ghost himself. The news wasn’t that shocking that Adara was pregnant, but for her to come to him in the middle of the night did give him pause.
“Okay, we’ll be downstairs.” He slammed the door in Umberto’s face. “Who was on the phone?”
“She’s pregnant? Is it from Carlo?” Mirabella asked.
“Who was on the phone?”
“Carlo,” Mirabella looked back at the phone as if he were in the room. “He told me to tell you that Lorenzo is in Africa. Is Marietta in Africa? Is that where you sent her?”
“Let’s see what the girl downstairs wants first. Then I’ll answer your questions,” he said and went to the bathroom to drain his dick. He glanced back once to see Mirabella staring after him—but she didn’t question his offer of compromise.
GIOVANNI CAME DOWN the stairs a few minutes after his wife. She had dressed and left the room before he could request that she wait for him. Was she pissed? It wouldn’t surprise him if she were. Other than late night raids of her bed, he gave her very little information lately.
He stepped off the stairs and went into the parlor. Adara stood in front of Mirabella. His wife moved and Giovanni’s brows lowered.
“I don’t think you two have ever formerly met. This is Adara Calderone,” Mirabella said.
“Ciao, Don Giovanni,” Adara said. Giovanni nodded at her.
When he didn’t speak Mirabella cleared her throat.
Adara took the lead. “Arielle tells me that you helped her with my release.” She ran her hand down her swollen belly.
“Yes, that was months ago.”
“I guess thank you is late. But I’m also unemployed thanks to you. I won’t be able to practice or work for law enforcement again.”
“My apologies,” Giovanni smirked. He ignored his wife’s disapproving frown.
“I have no interest in that type of work any longer.”
“What are your interests?” Giovanni asked.
Adara glanced to Mirabella. She didn’t seem comfortable with either of them. His wife being the gracious hostess she had offered her something to drink. When Adara said yes Mirabella suggested she sit and be comfortable. Giovanni sat in the chair closest to the sofa. He watched as Mirabella excused herself to get them something to drink.
“It’s strange being here. I debated whether or not I should come for a face to face meeting,” Adara informed him.
“Arielle convinced you to meet with me?” he asked.
“No. This was my idea. I came on my own. Time is running short on my pregnancy, it’s important that we talk.”
“How far along are you?” he asked.
“Seven months,” Adara said. “And yes, it’s Carlo’s. He’s the only man I’ve been with since my first boyfriend when I was sixteen.”
“That’s news to me. Are you telling me you were in jail, pregnant and Arielle didn’t know?”
“I went to jail pregnant. I kept it a secret from all of you. Arielle is too loyal to you.”
Giovanni nodded. “So where have you been?”
“I went home. Or what became home after you destroyed my family in Turin. I went back to Turkey, to the people that loved me. And I had a long story to share with them about Arielle, our Godmother and her relationship with you.”
Mirabella returned with a staff member pushing a drink cart. She walked over and sat on the sofa next to their guest. She showed no reaction to the reference of his connection to Arielle but Giovanni knew she heard it clearly.
“What changed your mind? About me?” Giovanni asked.
“Who said I changed my mind?”
“You’re in my home.”
“True. And I know what coming here means. To answer your question ‘nothing’. I changed my mind about Carlo.”
“Carlo has trust issues. If the baby is his, he’ll need proof,” Mirabella said.
“I know. That’s why I knew it was time that I came to you, Giovanni. Arielle told me the truth about what happened with my family and what you did for us.”
“Is that the truth you shared with the Generale?” Giovanni asked.
“He already knew my history. And he knows that the strings pulled wit
h his bosses to have me released were somehow connected to you.”
“Why lie? Earlier you said—.” Giovanni began.
“My family is scattered or dead what’s left of them I can’t hold together. Because of a war that was never really their fault. I have no home. My baby has no home, but with Carlo.”
“If you’re looking for an apology—.”
“Don’t worry Don Giovanni. I’m not. Men like you don’t apologize,” Adara said in disgust. “What I want is Carlo. I want him to give me another chance. I want to give him the family he’s never had. I know it will be hard to convince him to trust me again. Unless you help us.”
“How?” Mirabella asked.
“Don Giovanni knows how. Carlo lives to serve him.” Adara pointed at him. “He’s always been loyal to your family first. Where is he now?” she asked. “Off doing whatever your husband wants. No matter the cost to him. I need him and so does our baby. I want you to give him to me.”
Giovanni chuckled. “He’s not a pet.”
“He’s your pet!” Adara snapped. “You two know what I mean. He’ll never stop being what this life made him. Never. But at least I can make him happy if you give him your blessing. Tell him you did this, made me this way... that I’m a spy because of you.”
“Yes,” Mirabella said. “Right, Gio? She has your blessing.”
“The Polizia di Stato are not done with you. They didn’t let you walk away with nothing to gain from your release. They are watching you. They know that baby belongs to the Butcher. You’re more useful to them now that you are free. Carlo will be taking a significant risk by accepting you in his life. A risk that could send him to jail for the rest of his.”
“He takes a risk every day. Doesn’t he?” Adara countered.
“Gio? Tell her she has your blessing.”
“Bella, I’m not opposed to what she’s asking. I believe we owe this young woman a life. The one of her choosing. But as Carlo’s Don I can’t put her needs above the family. We all have our role to play. She’s played hers. She’s free to go. Carlo is important to the family, as he’s—broken.”
“Broken? What does that mean?” Mirabella asked.
“She thinks that baby will calm him. It may do the opposite. He’s back on Opium.”
“What?” Mirabella said. “How? Are you sure?”
Giovanni turned his gaze to Adara. “You helped him when he was hurting. But he’s not the man you remember.”
“Carlo is family, Gio,” Mirabella interjected.
Adara spoke up. “If he’s taking drugs then he’s doing it to hide his pain.”
“I agree,” said Mirabella. “He deserves to be the one to make this decision. I can’t stop you from being who you are as the Don of this family, but I can tell you this one shouldn’t be your call. Hasn’t Carlo earned the right to make his own choices now?”
“There’s something else I want.” Adara cleared her throat.
Mirabella and Giovanni attention returned to her. Adara focused on Giovanni. “My brother. Like I said earlier there is nothing left of my family. You have him working for the Mancini’s. I want him to come home to me. If Lorenzo ever finds out he spies for you he’ll kill him. He’s only seventeen. I want him freed too.”
Giovanni glanced to Mirabella and saw the plea in her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to be the hero now. Especially to his wife. But there were many risks to consider.
“I’ll give my blessing,” he said.
Adara sighed with relief.
Giovanni continued. “Carlo should be home by the end of the week. He’ll stop here first before he comes home to you.”
“No. Not that way. Let me tell him about the pregnancy first.” Adara pleaded.
“Not sure that’s a good idea.” Giovanni warned. “You need to let me prepare him. He won’t be in a good state of mind when he returns. It may not be safe for you or the baby if I don’t intervene.”
“You may not trust the good in him, but I always have,” Adara said. “I want to show him our future before you put your spin on it. And then we’ll come to you for your blessing.”
“Well, Bella? What’s your answer? Because this one doesn’t listen well to me.”
“I say let her do it her way, Gio,” Mirabella smiled. “No one will ever believe the power my love has over you.”
“Very funny.” Giovanni narrowed his sight on Adara. “You need to be careful. Carlo is not the same man you left. Do you understand?”
“He won’t hurt me.”
“It’s done. We’ll do whatever we can to help him and you,” Mirabella interjected.
Adara tried to stand. Giovanni stood and went over to offer his hand. She looked up at him as if to refuse. And then she decided to allow the gesture. She took his hand and was pulled from the chair.
“Congratulations, Adara,” Giovanni kissed her hand. He could see Mirabella smiling from his peripheral view. Adara stared up into his eyes. She looked younger at that moment. Fragile. “I wish you happiness. And when you and Carlo decide on the future I want you to be married here. To be welcomed into the family. Because you are family now. He belongs to me, and if you want him that means you will too. Do you understand?”
She nodded. “Si, Don Giovanni. I understand.”
Giovanni let her hand go. Mirabella walked over and gave her a hug. The women shared a whispered conversation and then Adara left without another word to them both.
“Where is she going?” Giovanni asked his wife.
“To stay at Carlo’s. Until he returns home.”
“Ah?”
“Do you know what’s strange?”
“Tell me?”
“Shae called looking for Carlo, several weeks ago. I think I have her number. I was going to give it to him when he returned. And then Adara shows up.” Mirabella wrapped her arm around his waist.
“Hmmm,” he said and nothing more.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked.
“For being the man, I love.”
He kissed her and held his opinion back. The girl had a fifty-fifty chance at best to win Carlo’s trust and love. And even lower chance at finding happiness with him if she did get him down the aisle. Men like Carlo rarely changed. But when he held Mirabella to his heart and felt the bump of life between them he had to believe that maybe he was wrong.
CATALINA SAT IN THE kitchen smiling. She had confessed everything. From the first day she showed up at Armando’s door, to her captivity in Spain. She left nothing out. Zia said very little. She rolled, cut, and hung pasta. The kitchen smelled like Zia’s home within an hour.
“Any questions for me?”
“You haven’t asked me about him,” Zia glanced back at Catalina.
“Gio? It’s too hard to think about him now.” Catalina picked up her tea and took a sip.
“Not Gio. Domi.”
Catalina lowered the teacup. The fact that she hadn’t thought about Domi in months hadn’t even been much of a loss to her. Zia turned with a plate of sliced raw veggies, prosciutto and cheese. She set it on the table and then took a seat. Behind her pasta boiled and meat cooked in pots. But she sat and stared at Catalina.
“Domi... and I are over, Zia.”
“Do you think of him?”
Catalina kept her gaze lowered when she answered. “A little, less now that I’m... married.”
“You’re a widow,” Zia corrected her.
“I’m married.” Catalina looked up at her. “If Gio and Lo hadn’t interfered with Franco being my fake husband Armando would have been my true love. He was my destiny.”
“Catalina?”
“No. Domi and I are over. Armando may be dead but I’m carrying his child and my life is here now. I’m the Donna of Palermo. I’m at home.”
Zia nodded.
Bionca listened at the door. She hadn’t entered the kitchen because she knew the women wouldn’t speak freely. And now she had heard enough. Though part of her hated Dominic for h
is invasion in her life, over the past two months she could hear in his voice how deeply he cared for Catalina. He wanted updates on everything including her happiness.
How would Dominic like hearing her latest update on his piccoletta?
Adui Mpende
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Adui Mpende (SWAHILI) - Enemies Love Him
Three Days Later - Tanzania, Africa
“THERE YOU GO, YOU’RE doing well.” Dhakyia said.
The baby latched on to Marietta’s nipple with pursed lips and gums. She felt the tug and suck as a tightness squeezed her breast. It was followed by a tingling sensation that she wasn’t comfortable with but adjusted to all the same. Especially while holding her daughter.
“She’s so small and hairy,” Marietta smiled. She traced the long sideburns and the hair over her brow. “Just like Lorenzo. Hairy.”
“Have you given her a name?” Dhakyia asked.
“Yes. The moment they told me we had a girl I knew her name. I want to call her Lorenza.”
Dhakyia smiled. “That’s after your husband?”
“Yes. Because... I can’t have a son for him.” Marietta sniffed back her tears. “At least I think so. I may never see him again; she may never meet him.”
Dhakyia stopped folding the cloth nappies she had bought in the room and stared at Marietta. The comment wasn’t said to shock or offend. It was a fact. Her time with Carlo had all led to this point. Soon he’d do what he came here to do. It had been a long time since she talked to Lorenzo. If he knew how to find her he would have by now.
“I hear the men talking. The guards,” Dhakyia said.
Marietta looked up. “About me and my baby?”
“No. Your husband.”
“What about my husband?”
“He’s near. You did it. He’s in Tanzania.”
If it weren’t for her daughter suckling she might have gone into cardiac arrest. “He’s here?Are you sure?”
“I’m not one hundred percent sure. But yes, I think so. The men. They said they will move you and the baby soon. Carlo is preparing them with guns.”
