by Sienna Mynx
“I think you and I are long overdue for a talk,” he said.
Lorenzo glared at the chair. His leg had healed a bit. But the kick and stomp to it that Ignacio delivered crushed all progress. It felt dead, numb with never ending pain. The act of dragging it to the toilet to take a piss or shit brought tears to his eyes.
“It seems we got off on the wrong foot,” Lorenzo replied.
Armando chuckled. “Looks to me you can only stand on one foot. Consider this a peace offering. Your isolation, seclusion, it has been lifted. Per Catalina’s request.”
“And you like making Catalina happy?” Lorenzo asked.
“We make each other happy,” Armando said. “In fact, she and my sister have convinced me to take them to the funeral. They want to see Mirabella. Did you know this?”
Lorenzo did not bother to respond. He knew Armando had all the answers before he arrived. Nothing he said could be done in absolute secrecy with the cameras trained on them.
“You know the answer, why ask the question,” Lorenzo glanced over to the camera in the corner of the room.
Armando glanced up. “Oh that? Yeah, awkward.”
“Are you paranoid Armando, or do you just get off on listening to me and my wife’s private conversations?”
“It’s my house. Nothing here is private from me. But I am curious. You think you can go back and take Gio’s throne. After everything?”
“You know I can. Giovanni is never going to be the same. And the Camorristi won’t sit back and wait for him to heal. The family needs me.”
“The family has a hit out on your head.”
“Hmmm... I can deal with that.”
Armando smiled. “I’m sure you can. So, I considered the offer I made to your wife. Having all assets returned to me. But it’s only a start. Giovanni created a complication between me and the Dons. You and I need to fix that.”
“Help me and I help you,” Lorenzo said.
“More like you help me and I won’t feed you to the wolves. You aren’t in control. I am. Capisce?”
Lorenzo gave him a sly nod.
“Good. Now, let me collect the women. It’s show time.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Day of the Dead
Bagheria, Sicily
Among the hills that stretched to cliffs, that dropped toward the sea, Bagheria was known for it’s magnificent villas. It was and is a township of prestige. Tomosino and his brother had inherited land, and on it they built an estate that looked like something from a medieval picture book. Vito was the only brother left to hold tight to their tradition and history. Now he was dead, and with him went the foundation of who the Battaglias were, in a region of the world untouched and untainted by progressive change.
“Giovanni should be here,” Zia said as she dabbed her tears with her black handkerchief.
Mirabella chose to ignore the statement. Her suffering was shielded by her sunglasses as they travelled into Sicily, but her voice would easily reveal her torment.
“I think it’s good we brought the kids,” Zia said and gave a toy to Gianni who sat in his car seat between them. Eve and Gino travelled with Nico and Cecilia in the car ahead. It was easier to keep her son calm during trips if she held him or he could see her. She glanced over to Gianni who sucked on his pacifier and played with a truck. Being with him did lessen some of her anxiety.
“Are we late?” Zia asked.
Mirabella glanced up. They arrived at the cathedral, and were greeted by a traffic blockade. The winding road was flanked with mourners on either side, who parked elsewhere and decided to make the walk.
“Well look at this, Rocco,” Zia said. “Everyone in Palermo is here. Hundreds of people.”
“I see. Vito is loved,” Rocco said from the front seat in a stiff voice.
“Mi-Ma!” Gianni said and hit at his mother. Mirabella reached over and gave him her hand. Gianni settled back in his car seat holding her hand, and touching the diamonds on her wedding ring.
Leo was the driver this evening. Renaldo remained at Melanzana to ensure Giovanni was safe and protected. Still she felt bare, now that she knew the depths of her sister’s deception.
“I would have preferred that the kids didn’t attend the funeral. They are too young.”
“It’s family. The kids have to be here to pay their respects. We are burying two of our own today,” Zia said.
“Of course. Let’s just make sure we keep them close.”
The car drove up the sloping drive to the foothills of the cathedral. Mirabella let go of Gianni’s hand and reached in her purse for a tissue. She said a silent prayer for temperance over her anger before she entered the church. Suppressing her anger grew harder and harder for her.
It was unbearable. The women arrived to stares and hushed disdain. Most of the people who knew Catalina were disgusted that during the two-day vigil at the Battaglia estate, where Zio Vito and Rosetta’s bodies were placed on display, she never made an appearance.
People Catalina grew up with, even family, cut her down with a few hard glares. For strength and courage, she held Marietta’s hand. They walked shoulder to shoulder with Armando taking the lead and his men behind them. This too was an insult to her family. But what could she do?
Armando was greeted with respect. The chapel was only a few miles outside of Palermo. Bagheria was under siege by la Cosa Nostra, Armando refused to relinquish control. His appearance today was in direct defiance, and that worried Catalina.
But she couldn’t be focused on that worry. She had to focus on the burial of her uncle, and the sins she’d committed against her cousin. Though no one welcomed them, no one turned them away. They were given a seat, not with the family in the sanctuary, but several rows to the back. Catalina stared at the coffins, unable to look away. Armando sat next to her. He wore dark sunglasses, but she could sense him cutting her sideways glances.
Marietta sat on the other side of her, stone cold silent. She could feel her hand trembling in hers. She shouldn’t worry. It’s Lorenzo who the family hunts. Not her. She’s the innocent one between the three of them.
“Where is Mirabella? The rest of the family? Are we sure she’s coming?” Catalina whispered to Armando.
“She’ll be here.”
“And the meeting? The one with us and her? Did you get her consent?”
He glanced to her. “I will keep my promise to you.”
The sounds of a wailing woman filled the church. Everyone stood. Catalina and Marietta were close enough to the aisle to see Zia Josefina being helped inside by the aid of her sisters. Rosetta’s brothers and their wives came in behind her. And the cousins Catalina hadn’t seen in months followed. Before long, Catalina wept too. Her heart overflowed with regretful sorrow. And then came Zia and Rocco. They walked together. Rocco with his cane. Marietta grabbed Catalina’s arm at the sight of them. They both knew who would follow. Mirabella entered the sanctuary. She wore dark sunglasses and a black business suit with black gloves. She held one of the twins in her arms. Catalina strained to see who. But when she saw the little boy sucking his pacifier, she knew who it was. It was her baby Gianni. She smiled.
Dominic carried in Gino. He wore dark sunglasses. The sight of him sent flutters into her belly, and Catalina’s breath caught. So many emotions flooded her she almost missed Eve. The little girl was in the arms of Nico. Eve looked around at everyone. And she saw Catalina first. She yelled out her name. Then she yelled for Marietta. They both waved to Eve, and nearly wept when she was taken from sight. Marietta pulled Catalina into an embrace. Those who knew she and Marietta were to the back of the church, slipped glances over in their direction. The entire church was instructed to sit after the family did so.
***
Mirabella did a quick eye check for her children. Each child sat in the arms of the family member they felt most comfortable. Eve however was the only one of the three that seemed to be in-tuned to the weeping and moaning of her aunts and cousins. Her daughter had a loo
k of distress and clung to Nico’s broad chest. Every now and then, she’d sit up and look over to a cousin who wailed loudly.
“Take Gianni,” Mirabella said to Zia who was to her right. Zia reached for the boy, and he went to her willingly. “Have Nico send Eve down to me,” she whispered to Dominic. He passed the request down to Nico, and Eve was handed to her. By the time she reached her mother she was in full tears.
“It’s okay, lucciola, Mama has you.” Mirabella said, and held her to her breast. She closed her eyes and prayed this was the last funeral her children would ever have to attend for a very long time.
***
The procession of cousins, sons, and uncles carrying the caskets while the family walked behind, was respected by everyone. Catalina worried that Marietta would have a difficult time with the burial walk. So she kept her hand tightly in hers as they followed with Armando at their side. She’d lost sight of the family. She could however hear the wails of her aunts as they got near the graves. The grief continued to escalate and spread through the mourners. Many were crying and praying by the time she arrived.
“We’re being asked to give respect,” Armando stopped her.
“What? Respect?” Catalina glanced up. Mirabella and the children were under the tent. Dominic, who wore sunglasses, was staring directly at her. He’d seen her. And he’d told his men to keep her back. From her own uncle and cousin’s burial!
“That’s crazy! That’s my family! He can’t force us to stay out here like fucking spectators!” she shouted.
“Do you wish me to make an issue of it? I can,” Armando said.
Catalina looked to Marietta who shook her head no. She glanced over to Dominic. Even in the distance, she was chilled by the way he stared at her. No expression. Still and silent as Mt. Vesuvius, with anger boiling hotter than lava just below the surface. And then she felt another stare. Mirabella looked in her direction.
“She sees us,” Catalina whispered to Marietta as her heart started to beat faster and faster. For a brief moment Mirabella stared at them. And then her head turned, and they were dismissed.
“Are they going to meet with us?” Catalina asked.
“I had the message delivered. I suggested villa Mare Blu. Let’s head there now and wait.”
“But...” Catalina glanced toward her family once more. They were so far she couldn’t call out to them, but they were so close it was hard to leave them.
“Come on, Catalina. When we get to speak to Mirabella we can change this. All of it.” Marietta assured her. “All we need to do is talk to her.”
Catalina felt reassured.
***
Dominic watched Catalina walk away with Armando’s hand to her hip. If he had his gun he would have unloaded it on them both. The more he believed he could live with her betrayal, the more he realized he was dead inside from the weight of it.
“Boss,” Leo said.
He glanced over and passed a folded note. He accepted it. He opened the letter to read a request for a meeting. Catalina and Marietta wanted to talk with Mirabella.
“What is it?” Mirabella asked.
Her cool demeanor was not missed by Dominic. She hadn’t spoken more than a word or two to him, or anyone in the family, since they arrived. And he half expected her to run over to Catalina and Marietta when he saw them. But she didn’t. She glanced their way, and then never looked back again. He handed her the letter. “The bastardo has the nerve to request a meeting at our villa in Mondello.”
“We’ll take the meeting.”
“Perché?” Dominic whispered.
“Just do it,” Mirabella said. She reached for one of her crying children, and accepted two roses from a family member before she stepped forward. She placed one on the casket of Vito, and then stopped to pay her respects to Rosetta before returning to her position next to him. Dominic looked for Catalina once more and she was gone.
He had hoped it was a rumor, her being with Armando. He prayed that she’d gone to America instead, or hid out in Spain. But the cold hard reality smacked him in the face over and over.
“Damn it,” he muttered.
***
Mirabella could not believe her eyes when she saw Catalina with Armando, but the moment she saw her sister it made sense to her. Marietta corrupted anyone she came near. While she transferred one child to a relative, to accept another one in need of her, she struggled again with her anger. It was as if it were the only feeling she could summon. Grief had given way to anger. Loneliness for her husband had given way to anger. Hurt had given way to anger. Even her love for her children and this complicated family she married into, made her angry.
Then her eyes lifted across the sea of faces and connected with another. Don Tacchini stood among the mourners. And he was watching her closely. He gave her a nod of respect, and she returned the gesture in his direction. The last rites were delivered and the internment ceremony concluded. A wave of family and friends to the Battaglias swallowed her. She tried to keep sight of the Don, but the last she saw of him was his walking away with his men.
“Mama! I want to go home,” Eve whined.
“Soon, baby, soon.”
“We should leave,” Rocco said.
Mirabella agreed. She was led through the mourners to their waiting car. She glanced around again for a sight of the Don, but he was nowhere to be seen.
No one spoke during the drive out from Bagheria to Mondello. The children remained behind with the family, being spoiled and showered with love. Children were a good way to heal those in mourning and her children were all so sweet tempered. Mirabella actually saw Josefina smile when Gino danced for a cookie.
Rocco rode in the front seat, and this time Dominic rode in the back with her, while Leo drove along the cliff side roads in the darkest time of the night.
“I have a request, for you both, and I don’t want it questioned,” Mirabella began.
“You want to bring them home,” Dominic blurted.
“No. I want to bring Marietta back home with me,” she said.
Dominic frowned. “Marietta? What about Catalina?”
“What about her? She’s made her choice.”
“Catalina comes home!” Rocco snapped.
“I’ve made my decision, Rocco. You and Dominic will honor it. Catalina is not welcomed home. She killed her cousin, and then turned to Armando for comfort. She’s as guilty as Lorenzo in my eyes.”
Dominic punched the side console of the car. Mirabella ignored the flash of anger.
“As for Marietta, she’s pregnant. We have doctors at Melanzana to care for her.”
“So, you want to toss Catalina out, and accept Marietta? How does that make sense?”
“Who says I’m accepting her. I have plans for my sister. And bringing her back with me will send the right message to Lorenzo.” She cut her gaze over to Dominic. “Whether you like it or not this is my call. For now, until Giovanni gets out of that bed and says differently.”
Rocco and Dominic fell silent. Satisfied, Mirabella returned her gaze back to the window and stared out at the starless night.
***
“Would you stop pacing?”
Catalina glanced over to Marietta. She couldn’t believe how calm she was. “They should have been here by now. Oh god I feel sick.”
“They sent a message that they are coming,” Marietta said.
“Do you think Mirabella is mad? She didn’t look mad. Did she?” Catalina asked. “She looked good. The moment I see her I’m going to hug her. I miss her so much. And the babies. Did you see Gianni clapping when they took out the caskets? I didn’t want to laugh. But he is so sweet. I miss him. I miss all of them. The first night I’m home, I’m putting them all in the bed with me. I can’t wait. Mirabella looked okay. What do you think? Is she okay?”
“I know my sister, she’s in shock. A lot has happened, but none of it will change her. She’s probably happy to hear that we want to meet with her. Hell, she’ll probably be begging for us
to come home with her.”
“Maybe, yeah, probably. This has to be stressful for her. She needs us.” Catalina rubbed her hands down her sides. She paced back and forth. “Maybe we should have waited outside. Armando? I think should go...?”
Headlights shone through the windows. Catalina tensed. “They’re here.”
“If you think I should give you some privacy, I can wait with my men outside,” Armando offered.
“Too late. Let’s not change direction now. She saw us with you, so let her meet with us now. Just relax. I’ll do the talking,” Marietta said.
Catalina glanced to Armando. He watched them both as he leaned against the window sill. He didn’t seem bothered by the tension. She hoped that was a good sign.
The door opened. There were only two lamplights turned on in the parlor. The rest of villa Mare Blu was dark. The first person to appear was Rocco, and in came Mirabella and Dominic next. Rocco paused and looked at Armando. The rage that flashed over his face could not be missed. Catalina’s heart lodged in her throat.
Mirabella stepped ahead of the men and glanced to her sister first.
No one spoke. Catalina didn’t have the courage to look at Dominic. She ignored him the best she could, and kept her eyes trained on Mirabella. And to her relief, Mirabella opened her arms to them. Catalina rushed her first. She hugged her tightly and broke into tears. Mirabella caressed her back and stroked her hair while she tried to soothe her.
“How is he?” Catalina asked. “How is Gio?”
“He’s home. We’re taking care of him,” Mirabella said.
Catalina refused to let her go. But the news soon settled in, and she loosened her hold to look into Mirabella’s eyes. “He’s out of the ospedale?”
Mirabella’s gaze swiveled over to Marietta when she spoke. “He’s out of the hospital and home with me. It’s only a matter of time before he’s out of the bed and on his feet.”
“That’s good news,” Armando said.
“Is it?” Rocco asked.
“Rocco,” Mirabella warned, as if to keep in him in line. Catalina didn’t dare look at her uncle. She knew she’d come apart the moment she saw the accusation in his eyes. Catalina let Mirabella go and took a step back. Marietta walked over and hugged her sister. Mirabella touched Marietta’s belly. “How’s the baby?”