by Sienna Mynx
“You know he is evil. Don’t you?” Fiona asked to her in Italian. Mira glanced over to the old woman. “To his rotten core,” Fiona grinned.
Mira could hear Giovanni coming down the stairs behind her. The witch shuffled away to not to be seen talking to her.
“Ready, Bella?” Giovanni smiled.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” she replied.
Once outside near the car she could breathe again. Giovanni reached to open the car door and she stopped him. She couldn’t hold it any longer. “Why do you keep her here this way?” she asked, her voice trembled with emotion. He opened the door for her instead of answering. She was helped inside and then he went around the car and joined her.
“They were awful. The both of them,” Mira said. “But you keep them out here isolated in misery on purpose. Don’t you?”
“She’s had a hard life, Mira,” Giovanni said. “That’s not my fault.”
“So it’s your burden? Or is it something else that makes you keep them locked away here?”
How should he answer? The truth was something he rarely admitted to himself. This was Esta’s exile. Instead of his Bella seeing the façade, she saw the prison he put the bitch in. The woman who tormented his mother relentlessly would rot in this hell kept locked away from her family and friends. He paid Fiona to make sure it remained that way. He turned over the engine and sped backward down the drive.
“Fine. You don’t have to answer. But I’m your wife,” Mira said.
“This I know,” he replied.
“As your wife I’ve decided I don’t want you to see those two women ever again.”
“You’ve decided?” Giovanni asked.
“I’ll see to their needs. The bills and the doctors, whatever it is you take care of for them. I’ll do it.”
Giovanni stopped the car just before turning on the main road. “I see to Esta. No one else.”
She spoke while staring out of her window. “It’s not healthy for you.”
“I will handle it as I do all unhealthy things,” Giovanni replied.
“I’m saying that this isn’t your burden alone.” She looked him in the eyes and he felt his resolve weaken. “You have enough to deal with. I want you to stay away from your stepmother. I’ll take care of Esta and Fiona.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think you understand—”
“I’m serious. This is non-negotiable,” Mira said. “Either I handle the family affairs or I don’t? Which is it?”
“And you think handling the family affairs means dictating to me what should and can be done?” Giovanni asked and kept a smile from his lips when she answered him.
“I sure do. I won’t have anyone hurting you. And more importantly I won’t sit back and watch you hurt others in this family.” Mira touched his hand. He took her hand into his and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “She’s your family whether you like it or not. Forgiveness, Giovanni. Sometimes it takes a stronger person to give it freely.”
“Have I told you how sexy you are when you protect me?” Giovanni chuckled. He leaned over and kissed her nose. “I will have to get used to having a life partner.”
She smiled in return. “Yes you will.”
* B *
“We’re here!”
Catalina strutted in through open double doors in four-inch stilettos. She had a hard time getting cleaned up for her arrival on the train. But she managed it. She spun with her arms outstretched. She was so excited to be home.
“I said we’re here!” she shouted.
No one came forward to greet her. Catalina figured they were upstairs or in the gardens. She walked through the open foyer toward the back of Villa Mare Blu where the stairs were. Her heels clicked across the tile floors. It had been over three years since she last visited her mother’s favorite home, and it was with Franco of all people.
The trip into Sicily was grueling. She had suffered the train ride and drive into Mondello like a good girlfriend. Now she needed food, a shower, and sleep, in that order. Catalina stopped. She put her hand to her hips. “Where’s everybody?”
“They’re probably at the beach,” Dominic said. He walked up behind her with luggage in hand. She had so many bags he’d need to make at least three trips to bring them all in. Catalina checked her watch. “It’s too early, Domi. It’s not even noon yet.”
“Nippy!” Eve sang from the top of the stairs.
Catalina glanced up at the call of her name. Cecilia walked down the stairs holding tight to Eve. The little girl bounced and grinned excitedly in a yellow and green sundress. Eve stretched her hands out to her aunt. Catalina and Mira were often amazed over how Eve could laugh, sing, and talk with her pacifier tucked to the side of her mouth. And Eve spoke clearly. “Nippy! Nippy! Nippy!”
Love surged through every chamber of Catalina’s heart over the sight of her blue-eyed, brown baby girl. Her usually wild and free locks were brushed into a single ponytail to the top of her head. Her blondish brown curls were longer than when she last saw her. Catalina hurried up the steps and met them half way. She brought Eve into her arms and the toddler spat out her pacifier and kissed Catalina on the lips.
Dominic chuckled behind her.
“Look at you! How big you’ve gotten.”
Eve smelled like powder and lilac. Catalina inhaled her and kissed her face. “Ciao, bambina, I have missed you.”
“Ciao!” Eve said.
Dominic started up the stairs so Catalina had to step to the side. She held Eve to her heart and smiled at Cecilia. “How are you? I didn’t know you had come with the family.”
“I’m good thank you. I take care of Eve. The Donna and Don have left to visit Bagheria.”
“Where’s Rosetta?” Catalina turned on the step and started down. The name hadn’t fully left her mouth when she saw Rosetta approaching. And her cousin looked really beautiful in a dark blue summer dress with thin straps. She wore her hair styled like Catalina’s with bangs and long wispy curls. Catalina frowned at how much Rosetta favored her.
“Boungiorno, Catalina. You made it.”
Things had changed between Catalina and Rosetta. They would never be close, but the hostility between them was tolerable. “Sì, why haven’t you returned to Palermo to see your father and mother?” Catalina asked. She shifted the weight of her niece in her arms. Eve now rested her head on her shoulder.
“I intend to. I have a project I’m working on for the Donna,” Rosetta smiled. “In fact this is one of them, you like?” Rosetta turned for her to get a good look at the blue dress. Catalina opened her mouth to respond but Rosetta’s attention was averted to the stairs. A girlish smile and blush rose in her cousin’s cheeks. Catalina glanced back to see Dominic coming down from the rooms. He didn’t look at either of them. He appeared deep in thought. Catalina’s gaze swiveled to her cousin and she couldn’t help but feel anger clench in her gut.
“Ciao, Domi! Welcome home,” Rosetta said.
“Ciao,” Dominic grumbled. He walked over to Catalina. Eve’s head popped up. Dominic took her from Catalina’s arms and held her up above his head to get a good look at her. Eve grinned down at him. Dominic kissed both of Eve’s cheeks before handing her back to Catalina. “I need to pay a visit to a few people. I’ll be home this afternoon. Thanks for the talk, the time on the train,” he winked.
“Prego, ciao,” Catalina said and kissed him goodbye. Dominic turned and headed for the door but Rosetta stepped in his way. Catalina believed her cousin did so on purpose. Dominic blinked in surprise. He greeted Rosetta with a kiss to both cheeks and then left. Rosetta’s head turned to watch him go.
“I saw that,” Catalina seethed.
“Saw what?” Rosetta asked with a touch of sweetness in her voice.
Catalina narrowed her eyes on her cousin. “Don’t even dare cross that line. I’ll cut your fucking throat.”
Rosetta batted her long lashes. Her forced innocence infuriated Catalina. But mindful of Eve in her arms she resisted stri
king out. And then Rosetta took a step toward Catalina never breaking the stare off between them. “I was happy to see him as I am you. He’s a brother to me. Like he once was to you. I don’t cross those lines, Catalina. It would be obscene. Family fucking famiglia, tsk, tsk, so unnatural.”
Catalina took a step toward Rosetta. Cecilia reached and touched her arm. “Signorita Catalina? Eve hasn’t had lunch. Sophia’s here. She’s prepared one for us. Care to join us?”
Catalina bit down hard on her bottom lip until it pulsed. She glared at Rosetta who didn’t blink. She wasn’t going to take the bait. Rosetta was just a jealous rat. Why waste the energy? She heaved Eve in her arms and looked over to Cecilia. “Where’s Carmella? I’ll want some adult conversation at lunch.”
Rosetta chuckled and crossed her arms.
Catalina glared at Rosetta. “I haven’t seen Carmella since the wedding.”
“She left,” Cecilia answered.
“Huh? Why?”
“The Donna sent her away. She was jealous. She took one look at Carmella and knew Giovanni would be tempted since she is now fat and pregnant.” Rosetta called back over her shoulder as she headed up the stairs.
“Not true!” Cecilia interjected. “The Donna didn’t send her away. Don Giovanni did. I heard him tell her to leave. He preferred that I stay and help Sophia.”
Both explanations for Carmella’s absence seemed odd. Carmella loved Giovanni when they were kids, obsessed over him when they were adults. But Catalina had never seen the two of them even close to intimate in all these years. It wasn’t like Mira to be jealous of anyone. And lord knows she had good reason. The way the women glared at her and refused to talk to her unless spoken to at the wedding had left Catalina’s teeth on edge.
“Lunch?” Cecilia reminded her.
Catalina’s stomach growled. “Sure, let’s have lunch.”
* B *
St. Tropez, France—
“Sign here, mademoiselle. And here.” The clerk with a nasal voice and disapproving smirk instructed in French.
“She wants you to sign your name,” Lorenzo said, interpreting the lady’s instruction.
The pen slipped and Marietta fumbled to pick it up. She tried again to sign but her fingers were weak from the nervous tremors in her hand. She peeked up at the woman who tapped the line she was to sign with a pointy half polished nail. The clerk’s face was austere, her manner haughty. Their eyes met. Cool brown eyes observed her from above a pointed nose.
“Mademoiselle?”
A hundred butterflies swarmed in her gut. If she signed the document then it was official. Am I ready? The touch of Lorenzo’s hand, a slow caress of her spine, broke through her reserve. She signed her name next to his on a contract written entirely in French.
Apparently Lorenzo had more influence with these people than she initially believed. She didn’t know French law, but she figured a marriage contract would take weeks if not months to get pushed through for two non-French citizens. However, they were a day away from getting married.
“Mercì,” The woman said with a nod of her head.
Another woman began to explain the process and Lorenzo listened attentively. He spoke fluent French. Marietta didn’t. So instead of paying attention she inspected her diamond ring. The gem flashed, sparkled and caused beams of color to dance before her eyes.
“We’re done, cara. Tomorrow you will be my wife. Tell me you’re excited.” Lorenzo hugged her in front of everyone.
Marietta smiled. “Very much so. I really am!”
Carlo entered the office and a bell chimed over the door. He didn’t approach. Again he had that remote, cool… intense manner of his that drew her attention. He’d been absent most of the day. The way his lips thinned into a firm, straight line indicated he disapproved. Why that hurt Marietta’s feelings she wasn’t sure. Fuck him. She kissed Lorenzo in front of Carlo, but peeked at Carlo to see if he watched.
“Bonjour, Lorenzo!” A man’s deep voice bellowed. The man walked out from around the counter. He greeted Lorenzo as if they were old friends. The two embraced. Marietta glanced to Carlo. He leaned against the door and his gaze never left her.
“Come here, Marie,” Lorenzo said. He extended his hand. “I want you to meet the man that will make it all happen for us.”
She stepped forward and took Lorenzo’s hand. The stranger arched a brow with approval. “Enchantè mademoiselle Marietta,” he took her hand and kissed it. Marietta nodded her hello but removed her hand from his. “She’s lovely, Lorenzo. I’d expect nothing less,” he said but kept staring at Marietta’s breasts. He raked her from head to toe with his leer. She knew that look. Lorenzo gave the man a shove to the shoulder and the stare off was broken. He said something in French that had the man both laughing and apologizing. Together they started to walk off. Marietta figured the meeting between the two would be the part of the deal where money exchanged hands.
“I won’t be long, cara.” Lorenzo called back over his shoulder. “Carlo, keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t try to escape,” he winked and entered the door to the office of the man. It closed.
Marietta gazed down at her ring. It was the most beautiful and valuable piece of jewelry she’d ever owned. She thought of her adoptive mother and the talks they would have about her being a wife and mother when she was a little girl. She felt a pang of regret for how things were left between them. Though her adoptive mother never spared her the wrath of her abusive father, there was love between them. And she wished they weren’t so far apart now. What family did she have to share something this special with?
“Nice.”
Marietta jumped. Carlo peered over her shoulder at her ring. She turned and found herself closer to him than appropriate. Marietta took a step away. “It’s better than nice, it’s beautiful,” she said. She extended her hand so he could get a full view.
“I see you made him bend down to his knees to put it on your finger,” Carlo said.
“Oh you saw that? Yes. Lorenzo did it in front of everyone at the jewelry store. He’s very happy to be mine,” she smiled.
“Why are you doing this?” Carlo asked. “You don’t know him. You sure as hell don’t love him. So I have to wonder why do you want to marry him?”
“I don’t owe you an explanation,” Marietta said. The accusation cut her to the bone. She didn’t understand the hostility. Carlo’s gaze lowered and his dark eyes held a sinister challenge that made the hairs to the back of her nape stand on end. But she didn’t blink. Lorenzo would kill him if he touched her. Of course he wouldn’t have to because she’d rip his balls off first.
“I think you should go back to America. Take the ring and go. I’ll give you money. Whatever you want. End it now,” Carlo said.
Stunned, her mouth dropped open. She never thought she and Carlo were friends, but never enemies. She saw how Carlo stared at her. She caught desire in his eyes several times and deep down inside his cool hardness enticed her. They had formed a friendly enough bond around Lorenzo to mask hostility. There was nothing flirtatious in his manner now. Now he looked deadly serious. “I do love him.” Her voice came across weak. She cleared her throat. “And I will marry him. And you know what else?”
Carlo’s left brow winged up with amusement. “Dica?”
“The first thing I will do as his wife is break the bond between the two of you,” she finger poked his chest.
A flash of predatory rage passed over Carlo’s stony face. Marietta stepped forward to show her bravery. He was indeed dangerous, and something else. She couldn’t put her finger on it but there was something off about Carlo. Still she held her ground. “For you to come at me like this behind his back proves you aren’t his best friend. I won’t have you doing anything to hurt my man. And trust and believe, Carlo, taking me out of his life will hurt him, and before I go I will end you!”
Carlo let go a mocking laugh until it lowered to a soft chuckle. The women in the office were staring. Marietta could sense it.
She didn’t dare break the stare off with him. He smiled and it was deceptive. “Trust and believe me, bella, I will be here for Lorenzo long after you are gone. And if I want to make you disappear I know many ways to do it.”
Marietta crossed her arms. “We’ll see, playboy.”
“We’re done!” Lorenzo announced behind her. But she and Carlo couldn’t take their eyes off one another. Lorenzo swept her up from behind and spun her around then planted her on her feet.
“Ti amo, bella. You have made me the happiest man in the world by agreeing to be my wife.”
“I love you too, Lorenzo. So much.”
To her surprise he picked her up again with a manly growl. Marietta laughed as the others watched. He kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She was the happiest woman in the world. Lorenzo ended the kiss and she slid down his tall frame. Grinning up at him she couldn’t look away from the man she loved. She loved him with all of her heart.
When given the chance she glared at Carlo.
Carlo winked and tipped his head to the challenge.
* B *
Armando Mancini strolled toward the front of his family home a bit curious. He was summoned. The men said Dominic Battaglia had come to pay a visit. Once he saw the Battaglia runt standing there alone, the anger in his gut tightened. The fool had arrived with no entourage to protect his scrawny neck.
This intrigued and tempted Armando.
“Ciao, Dominic,” Armando said.
Dominic nodded. Armando gave him the customary embrace and cheek kiss. “This is a surprise? Come sta?”
“Molto bene, grazie. I would have called first but I just arrived in Palermo and thought it would be okay to pay you a visit. Giovanni sends his hello.”