by Sienna Mynx
Catalina’s eyes stretched. "What?"
Zia smiled. "My first love was a boy named Guglielmo. He and I were just seventeen. Everyone thought we would be married. He worked for Rocco, and your father. He must have been excellent at what he did because he made more money than baking bread with his father. He saved all his money for us. He wanted to propose, and then buy us our own house. We had many plans."
"What happened to him?" Catalina asked.
"My sisters told Papa that I was in love with Guglielmo. My father was very religious, and he hated the Mafia. He said they corrupted the youth. Everyone knew Guglielmo worked for the Mafia, and Father forbade me from seeing him. Said he would put me in a convent if he had to. I panicked. I heard that Guglielmo was in Carini. So, the next day I rode my bike to meet with him. I don't know; I thought we could run away together. Or he could convince my father that the Mafia wasn't bad. So I rode that bike for almost an hour, desperate to do anything to keep us together."
"And?" Catalina asked.
"I asked people in the town market where the Battaglias were. I found a boy brave enough to take me there. I didn't know I shouldn't have gone. I had no idea what the Mafia was. And that day I was somewhere I shouldn't have been. Your uncle Rocco's men found me. They brought me to him. Guglielmo found out. He said it was his fault. That he told me to meet him. He asked Rocco to punish him and send me home."
"Rocco was furious. He struck Guglielmo so hard he knocked out his front teeth."
"Rocco?"
"Yes. He had Guglielmo beaten in front of me and then taken away. He then made me have the lunch I brought with me for Guglielmo with him instead. Poured me wine, flirted with me. It was not pleasant." Zia stood up and walked over to the window. "But I was afraid of him, so I tolerated it."
"Zia? I've never heard this before."
"The next night Guglielmo came to my window. He was barely able to stand up straight. Rocco had ordered him killed. But he had escaped. He came to say goodbye. His father had a brother in America and was sending him on the next ship. It broke my heart. It was my fault. We cried and held each other, and he promised to send for me whenever he found a job and could."
Zia looked back at Catalina. "Soon after, Rocco came to see my father and told him that I had slept with him in Carini. That he wanted to do the honorable thing and make me his wife. That is how I was proposed to."
"But you hadn't!"
"No. I hadn't. No one would believe me. I didn't bother to deny it. I knew if I did it could mean trouble for my family. My father couldn't object. But he could disown me. And he did. He and my sisters both."
"That's so much like madre's story. Were Papa and his brothers monsters? Are all men monsters?"
"It was a different time. The Mafia wasn't something to inspire good. It inspired evil. And yes, I was like Eve. So we became friends. I understood her. The difference was I was married and she was labeled a whore to no fault of her own. She was a strong woman. She taught me to be strong."
"So, you don't love Uncle Rocco?" Catalina asked.
Zia smiled. "I love him with all my heart. Our love story is a different story. You asked me to tell you if I ever lied to him. If I ever kept secrets."
Catalina nodded.
"Guglielmo returned from America. Ten years later. I saw him in Florence when I was shopping with your mother. I couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe it. Your mother helped me; she covered for me so I could meet with him."
"Mama did that?" Catalina asked.
"Yes. Eve was so sweet. So, Guglielmo and I agreed to meet. One time. I was a married woman, a mother to a small sweet boy. I was in love with my husband now. My life was the best life I could ever ask for. Still, when I saw him, I don't know, I fell in love again with the memory of us."
"So, you met with him? Behind uncle’s back?"
"It was only for coffee. One day in the market while your mother distracted the men who watched us when we shopped. I didn't have much time. He told me of his life in America. Of his new wife and little girl. He cried and said he loved me, and was ashamed that he was too cowardly to fight for me. That he always would love me. I never told Rocco about the meeting. But it healed me from the past. Freed me to really love Rocco, and move on."
"It's a terrible love story," Catalina said.
"We are human, Catalina. And part of that means that some things belong to us, and only us. If it doesn't cause any harm, you can have your secrets."
"And if it does cause harm?" Catalina asked.
"Then don't keep them. These men, your uncle, your brother, your cousins, Dominic, all of them. They don't understand secrets. And they find out most of them."
Catalina eased off the bed. She walked over and hugged Zia. The old woman hugged her back. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I love you, Zia."
"Ti amo, Catalina."
***
"Why are you still up?" Catalina asked when she entered the house.
"I've been waiting for you," Marietta said.
Catalina feared she would be. She had stayed the entire evening with Zia. They rolled and cut pasta, laughed and talked over her memories of her mother, and bonded over Zia's lavender tea while her aunt told her more stories of the family she lost when she married into the Battaglias. Never had she felt closer to her aunt. And without knowing it, Zia had given her strength to decide on what to do about Lorenzo.
"We need to talk," Marietta said. She wore a long house robe. Her long curly locks were tied down behind a headscarf, and her eyes were red with fatigue. Marietta was pregnant. The doctors had already warned them about her stress levels.
"Yes, let's talk, but not here. Come to my room," Catalina said.
Marietta followed her into the hall and then to her room. "Did you see the bosses arrive?"
"I saw them when I walked back to the villa," Catalina said.
"So, you know what the men are out there doing?"
Catalina shrugged and sat on the bed. "Having a meeting?"
"They are out there right now telling the clan bosses that we are Mancinis. They are out there right now deciding on war with the Mafia. Tonight is the night."
"How do you know?" Catalina frowned. "I thought Lorenzo doesn't tell you everything?"
"I'm not stupid, Catalina! And neither are you. It's happening!"
"Fine, so what?" Catalina sighed.
"So? Have you decided? Are you going through with our plan?" Marietta demanded.
"Yes, I've decided. And no I'm not going through with our plan."
"What?"
"I'm going through with my own plan," Catalina announced.
"What is your plan?"
"To help Dominic kill your brother," Catalina said. "To gain Armando’s trust, so I can see him carved to pieces! I'm going to Paris, and I plan to tell him what he wants to hear, anything he wants to hear to get those tapes. But there will be no mercy for him once I have them. I'll tell the men that he showed up there and attacked me. I'll..."
"That's a stupid idea, girl!" Marietta hissed. "Armando is too smart for it."
"It is not. We are at war. You said it yourself. He meets with me, and I cry rape then..."
"No. No. That won't work. It'll get you killed. It'll get Dominic killed."
"Then what do you want me to do? Sleep with him? I'll never do it!" Catalina spat in disgust.
Marietta stepped to her. "Then go out there now and tell Dominic about the tapes. Hell, tell Giovanni. Because it’s bound to come out. Might as well do it today."
Catalina wavered. She couldn't answer. She couldn't even conceive of doing what Marietta said.
"I don't care what happens to Armando. If we have to kill him, we kill him. But we don't do it that way. Do you understand?"
"So what? I go to Paris and meet him? He gives me his stupid bargain, and I accept? And then what? Huh? How the hell does anything I say or do with Armando change anything? He wants to use me against Giovanni. He wants to destroy him."
"We hav
e only one chance at this. Killing Isabella. She gave him those tapes, and she has more. Stop focusing on getting the tapes. Focus on her. When you get with Armando, you find out where she is. He's helping her, or he's in contact. Get that information and I'll do the rest."
Catalina frowned. "You really think you can stop this?"
Marietta nodded. "I think I can. I just need your help." Catalina accepted the hug Marietta offered but felt no emotion in doing so. She loved Marietta, but she knew the difference between Marietta and Mirabella. She knew it, and it made her sad.
"I'm going to bed," Marietta said.
"Good night," Catalina mumbled.
Marietta started toward the door to the bedroom and stopped. She glanced back. "Catalina."
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry. For all of this. I'm sorry."
"Me too," Catalina said with a small smile.
***
Marietta felt a cold hand press against her skin. It was strong, fingers firm, but the caress was soft as it glided over her thigh. She had slept on top of the covers in her panties, minus the bra. She'd spent most of the night crying and not sure why.
"Lo?"
"Marie, you sleeping?" he asked and kissed her shoulder.
She turned over and looked for him. In the darkness, she could see only a little of his face. She could, however, smell the liquor on his breath. She tasted it on his chapped lips as they brushed over her own. His hand eased over her hip to her butt, and he squeezed the fatty part as he dragged her in close to him. Her belly bumped his abdomen.
"Hi, honey," she said and stroked his jaw.
"Mmm," he said.
She was crushed by his embrace. His tongue eased into her mouth, and the kiss deepened their union. She reached down and unbuckled his belt and lowered his zipper.
"I love you so much, Marie," he said between breaths while kissing her. Before she could gather her thoughts or brace for entry, he thrust into her. Marietta didn't mind that he skipped the warm up he always gave her body before they made love. Lorenzo licked her mouth and then her neck. His measured thrusts were slow and easy. He balanced his weight with a hand to the headboard and another to the pillow. With a curve to his back, he thrust in and out of her as he sucked and kissed her. She clung to him feeling safe and desired all at once. He healed her fears. Lorenzo guided her body into the rhythm and the climax was sudden and overpowering. She gripped his arms and locked her legs around his waist as she was thrust over the edge into bliss.
Once done he peppered her face and lips with kisses. He took longer than necessary to withdraw, but she didn't mind. Eventually, he collapsed over to his back, and she snuggled in close.
"How did it go tonight?" she asked.
His labored breathing became a light snore. He was sleep. Marietta lifted her head from his shoulder. She studied his face. Her gaze traveled down his taut body. Even though he was taller and stronger than most men, she saw his vulnerability. What more could she do to save them both? Her fears and emotions were a steady slide downward. She'd had many dark thoughts and moments in her life. Now she had a reason to be happy, and she couldn't take the time to enjoy it. Would loving him and being loved by him always be so hard?
Marietta laid her head on his shoulder and tried to sleep once more. Instead, she cried.
***
The door opened. Catalina set the book aside and waited. Dominic entered without looking her way. He hung his head as he walked to the closed closet door where she had hung his robe and clothes. Catalina had waited for him. She saw the cars drive out with the clan bosses leaving an hour ago. What took him so long to come to bed?
"Are you okay? Hungry? Thirsty?"
"Tired," Dominic said.
"Come to bed," she extended her hand.
"I'm going down the hall to shower. I smell of outdoors," he said.
Their bedroom didn't have a bathroom. In fact, in this old villa, the only one that did was the one Mirabella, and Giovanni shared. He looked so tired as he headed for the door.
"Skip the shower. Come to bed. I need you," she said.
He paused. He looked at her and his brows lowered with concern. She smiled and wiggled her fingers. "Come to bed."
Dominic tossed the robe to the chair. He removed his dirt caked shoes and undressed. Catalina drew back the covers. She opened her arms to him. His body was warm and sweaty; he smelled of musk and aftershave. And she loved every inch of him.
"I'm sorry, I haven't spent more than a few hours with you since we came home," he said and kissed her neck as he touched her wherever he pleased.
"Is everything okay, Domi?" she asked.
"It will be. Giovanni will make sure of it," he smiled. He kissed her cheek. She parted her thighs so he could touch her there. He did with a palm strike.
"Mmm, I've missed you today," he said and rolled over on top of her.
"Domi?" she said.
"Yes," he answered as he slipped down her body and pulled up her silk camisole with his teeth.
"I need to leave for Paris. Tomorrow. Me and Rosetta. I have so much work to do. I've already booked the flight."
Dominic paused. He looked up at her with concern with the sheet making a tent over his head. "Why so soon?"
"I was supposed to be there two days ago. Remember? The show is next week. The sooner I leave the sooner I get back, and we can start planning our wedding. I'm tired of waiting. Aren't you?"
He smiled. But his smile faded. "Shit," he said.
He laid his head on her tummy as he rested between her thighs. She rubbed the top of his head.
"Gio and Lorenzo are taking everyone to America for two weeks. It's just a bad time. I'll be buried with... dealing with stuff. I can't come with you, Catalina."
"I know," she said.
"I want to. I'm proud of you," he said.
"I know," she said, and her eyes misted over with tears. "I love you, Domi. No matter what, I love you. I always have. I always will. I'll do anything to protect you."
He chuckled. "I know," he said imitating her voice. That tickled her. She loved to be teased by Domi. It reminded her of sweeter times when they were younger. And then he disappeared under the sheets. His mouth found her center and her cheeks burned from the flushed heat spiking her temperature. She clutched her own breasts and squeezed them when he flicked his tongue wickedly over her clit. The soft sweet lashes sent currents of pleasure through her pelvis. The moment stretched, and the desire coiled tighter and tighter around her wound. Domi sucked and licked her below until all of her emotion and passion crashed, and tears filled her eyes. She often wept when she came with Domi. Silent tears of release and joy. When he eased his body up hers, and they were belly to belly, he thrust his dick inside.
Words, sweet, loving words of adoration came from his lips as he kissed her tears away. She opened her eyes to look into his as he made love to her. Catalina wrapped her arms around his neck and moved beneath him the way he liked. Their passion timed completely in sync before they both collapsed under the weight of it. Satisfied and loved, she lay there as he shuddered through his final release.
"I'm going to miss you, Domi," she said softly.
"Don't worry, piccoletta, you won't be gone for long."
***
Carlo threw his keys on the dresser. He was dead on his feet. And a little irritated to learn that his idiot lieutenant had let the woman he needed at the moment to escape. She was supposed to get him close to Alek Baldamenti. But that proved to be a problem to be resolved another day. He walked into the bathroom removing his shirt. The sun would be up soon. He had about six hours before he needed to be out the door. It would have to be enough time to gain his strength. Though he doubted, he'd find the inner peace to sleep. As he washed his face, the events of the day crashed in on his mind.
Tonight the boss had called a secretive meeting with the clan bosses of the Camorra. All were in attendance. They met in a barn a mile away from the vineyard. He and his men had to cover the entire forested
area to make sure there were no surprises. He was always tense when other families converged near the Battaglias. Though he had to summon restraint in the name of peace he carried an inner blood lust that craved the brutal acts of vengeance and anarchy. Maybe Giovanni would take his war to the streets with the Mafia, and he could get his hatchet wet. He looked forward to it.
The boss told everyone gathered the news. The Donna and her sister were Mancinis. It was official. Who knew what the future would bring.
The door to his room opened and closed. He froze. He was certain the soft click indicated someone had entered. He reached over to the top of the commode and picked up his gun. He waited. He listened. There was not another sound. Never one to hesitate, Carlo kept the gun raised and moved to the door. When he stepped out, prepared to shoot and be shot, Adara gasped. She dropped her purse and the room key in surprise.
"What are you doing here?" he shouted.
"I...I...I..." she stammered.
"I could have fucking killed you. Damn it!"
She put a hand to her heart. She nodded that she believed him. He frowned. According to Leonardo, she had put up a pretty good fight. Kicked his ass to escape. Why in the hell did she return? And she looked different? She wore a pair of jeans, a cutoff shirt that had the Eiffel tower on the front. Her long beautiful curly hair was even more vibrant and wavy as if styled that way on purpose. The locks framed her face like a dark cloud, and they were streaked with pink highlights. And those eyes, the color of ginger, stared into his, never blinking.
"I'm back. I... if, look if you want to hire me, to you know, I can do it. But I, ah, I set the price."
Carlo frowned. “Hire you for what?”
"Three hundred lire a night. And I come and go as I please. Those are the terms."
"So you are a whore?" he asked. "You seemed confused about me paying before."
"I'm not a whore. I'm an opportunist. This is a job I can do until I have enough money to get the hell away from you and Alek Baldamenti," she replied.
"What if I think I should pay less?" he asked and looked her over again.
"How much less?" she asked.
Carlo smirked.