La Sposa

by Sienna Mynx

  “Do what?”

  “Dance for me?” He smiled. “With your clothes off.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Depends, will you find my mother for me and stop stalling?”

  “Again with the mother!” Lorenzo shook his head. “We will solve the mystery of the mother soon. Trust me.”

  She reclined in her seat. “Now it’s your turn. Why did you want to kill your uncle, the Don? You don’t strike me as stupid. Why do it? What would Giovanni do if he knew you had his father murdered?” When he didn’t answer, she rolled her eyes. Good. That put an end to the questions. Her attraction to his chivalry was beginning to scare her.

  *****

  After a shower, she felt her energy return. She took her time rubbing cream and perfumed oils into her skin before she dressed. For a day on the island with him and her daughter, she chose to wear something light and flowing. A long, fuchsia pink, jersey material wraparound dress that crossed over to the front with a belt securely tied just under her breast. The material flattered her curves, giving a little reveal of the small bump of a stomach she carried. The split to the front parted to reveal her legs when she walked. It was vibrant, seductive, and maternal. Exactly how she was feeling. Mira eased her feet into lime-yellow two-inch heels with matching jumbo size bracelets and earrings. As a designer, she chose colors that were unexpected, to add zing and flavor to any ensemble. Capri inspired her. Marriage inspired her. He inspired her.

  Mira took the time to smooth her frizzy hair back and to use a pink and lime scarf to hold her hair in place. She wanted to be beautiful for him, their love and this place inspired her. And her appearance would have been perfect except for the large hickeys her open neckline revealed. Not even makeup would cover them. Resigned to it, she left in search of them.

  The stairs to the top level were a white spiral climb that disappeared into the ceiling. Mira was careful of the long hem as she ascended. Breakfast was over. She knew it was well after noon. She hadn’t slept so long and so well in weeks. She hoped he wasn’t disappointed. The third floor was more of a covered terrace with missing walls on three sides. There was a bar, and lounge seats. To the left, the terrace extended to a view beyond the reach of her vision. The sea breeze swept over her. She could see Giovanni wasn’t alone. Her husband reclined in a white wicker chair facing away. He had a cigar pressed between two fingers. Another man stood off to the right with his back to her as well. He was tall, lean, wore a dark suit. It wasn’t one of the guards. Mira frowned. Eve wasn’t with them.

  When she drew closer, the soft click of her heels announced her approach, and the man cast a look back over his shoulder. She nearly stopped. It was the one called Santo. He fixed his eyes on her, intensely.

  “There she is! Cara mia!” Giovanni rose. He wore a long dark linen shirt and slacks. Mira started again towards them both. Once in arms reach, Giovanni pulled her to him and kissed her on the mouth. She resisted the urge to turn away from the sharp taste of cigars and alcohol on his mouth. At this hour?

  “Did you sleep well? Are you hungry?” he touched her belly.

  “I’m okay.” Mira peeked around him. “Hello.” She greeted the man, covering Giovanni’s hand with her own.

  “Mira, you remember Santo. Don’t you?”

  “Buongiorno.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek but she extended her free hand and stepped back to Giovanni. Her husband wrapped her up in his arms, grinning from over her shoulder. Santo accepted her hand and his lips brushed her knuckles slowly. She recoiled at the intimacy the brief kiss implied. Santo’s eyes became level with her breasts and the love bites that peppered her neck. She removed her hand first and turned away from him into Giovanni’s arms.

  “Where’s my baby? I thought she was with you?”

  “She’s with Rosetta.” Giovanni’s brows lowered and his blue eyes darkened with irritation or anger. “Deal with Rosetta. I don’t care for her attitude.”

  “What’s wrong with Rosetta?”

  “Not now. Give us a minute, Bella.” He kissed her cheek and gave her a gentle push away. Mira rolled her eyes at being dismissed. She walked off, not bothering to say a parting word to Santo the creep. She and Giovanni would talk. She didn’t want that man here. He made her skin crawl.

  “She is truly lovely,” Santo said.

  Giovanni sat down. He picked up his cigar and relit it. Speaking though an exhale of smoke he focused on Santo, which was hard with his Bella’s scent on his shirt and filling his nostrils. “This thing with you and Carlo. It troubles me that you have not made peace. He also tells me some disturbing things about how you run your clan. Sovereignty does not mean you are above the rules of this family, or me.”

  “Of course not.” Santo nodded in agreement.

  “Then tell me something I want to hear. Tell me you haven’t disappointed me.”

  “I need to know what I’m accused of.” Santo said with a humorous smile.

  “Did you kill that store owner and his sons?”

  Santo paused. Evidently gauging the best response. Giovanni waited.

  “I had my reasons, Gio. He disrespected me. The sons were an unfortunate casualty. They got in the way.”

  “This isn’t your prison family. The Camorra has the respect of La Cosa Nostra because we are invisible, yet strong. Hell, even the republic understands our value. It took years to build that kind of impunity. Now, tell me, how does it work as a capodecina of famiglia mia?”

  Santo clasped his hands before him and spoke in an even, yet firm tone. “If someone disappoints me, betrays you, my Don, or poses a threat to any of us in La Camorra, I hold my gun and bring the bastard on bended knee to you for justice. That is how it works and always will.”

  Giovanni flicked an ash from his cigar, unconvinced.

  “Again.” Santo placed a hand to his heart. “Apologies, Gio. I forget my place at times, not because I’m disloyal, but because we’re different now. Before I went to prison, under your father, we handled things in a manner that required blessing after action, not before.”

  “It’s a new day. Tomosino’s dead. My blessing is earned not forsaken.”

  Santo nodded. “Of course. Tomosino turned boys into men. It’s what he did for me, for us all. And there is no greater man than his son.”

  For Giovanni, Santo was one of the few who always did and spoke the truth. Santo lost a lot in prison for La Cosa Nostra. Came out with no wife, kids, or famiglia, only the Camorra. It had been a very great sacrifice worthy of respect.

  Giovanni gave a single nod of forgiveness and Santo smiled.

  “What Carlo and Lorenzo forgot to share is that I’ve already cleansed the matter. We pinned the murder on the gypsy worker that did the deliveries for the asshole. The carabinieri have him in custody. It will not come to you.” Santo looked out toward the sea. “Remember before you went to college? When we all talked of this day. You here with the three of us, Lorenzo, myself, and Carlo at your side. You know I am loyal. I gave seven years of my life for the family, for omertá.”

  Giovanni wouldn’t tolerate a wild gun in his organization, but he’d been working hard to lead Santo back into order. The men thought it was favoritism. It was gratitude and something else. Santo was smart, crafty, and dangerous. It was better to have him on his chain than the chain of an enemy.

  No one, including Santo, could be one hundred percent trusted. Giovanni accepted this too. Many men, including his own cousin, wanted to walk in his shoes.

  “I have my present for your wedding,” Santo said. “One I didn’t want to give to you in front of your bride.”

  From the inside of his suit jacket pocket, Santo removed a small box wrapped in black shiny paper with a black bow. “From America. My cousin, Stefano Zimmatore, saw to its quick delivery personally. I hear he has already met with Dominic.”

  Giovanni stuck the half-smoked cigar between his teeth and side of his jaw before he accepted the box. He removed the bow and ribbon. His gaze lifted to Santo and then lowered to the
gift before opening the lid. The stench made him drop back. He stared at the present for a moment. A raw surge of satisfaction sliced through him like a sharp blade.

  “Kei Hyogo?” Giovanni asked.

  “He will never look upon your wife again, Gio. Well, let’s just say he will never truly look upon anyone again.” Santo bowed his head curtly. “I heard of how badly he disrespected you, and escaped justice in America. I was shocked that Dominic and Lorenzo let the briccone live. So I decided to see to the matter personally. Say the word, and I will have his throat slit.”

  Giovanni smiled. He put the lid back on the ghastly offering. Where Dominic used brains and Lorenzo used brawn, Santo could always be counted on to use both. No one had ever brought him such a gratifying gift without provocation. Giovanni stood. He removed his cigar, dropping it in his shirt pocket. Stepping to Santo, he gripped him by the face. “Solo tu mi capisci!”

  He kissed both sides of his face and hugged the man he considered a brother. “Now sit. Let me tell you of my plans for the Ndrangheta and our family going forward.” Giovanni said.

  “I’d love to hear it, Gio.” Santo said. “But I think there is something, or better yet, someone we need to discuss.”

  “Who?” Giovanni asked.

  “Lorenzo. He is not being truthful about the Capriccio warehouses. There are rumors.”

  Giovanni’s gaze narrowed. “What kind of rumors?”

  “The kind you don’t like.”

  *****

  Mira found Rosetta with Eve in the television room. She had stopped and retrieved her camera before going in search of her little angel. It was a large Canon equipped with a shutter lens. She needed to develop the roll of pictures from Christmas. They’d taken so many photos. On this trip, she intended to take even more. With the strap around her neck, she zoomed in on her baby girl. Her daughter had changed into a blue baby doll dress with puffy sleeves and a schoolgirl collar. It twirled around her diaper as she danced in front of the television. Her hair was in constant need of combing. Blondish, brown locks that were too fine and curly for braiding; but too long to be left ungroomed. Still, one look at Eve through the camera lens and she was reminded of all the beautiful days she spent caring for her as an infant, becoming her mommy. No dress, no runway show, no reward had ever been as great as motherhood for Mira.

  What a blessing to learn that lesson so early in life.

  From both a horizontal and vertical angle, Mira captured her daughter’s happiness. Eve put her hands to her hips and began to shake them as the puppets sang to her in Italian. Rosetta looked up from her magazine, as if bored. Mira took a few photo shots of her as well. Mira came closer, snapping more candids of them both. The girls heard the rapid click of the lens and noticed her actions.

  Eve sped toward her. She lifted her baby girl up into her arms and Eve was immediately fascinated by the camera. “Morning, sweetheart. You having fun? Mama and Papa put you to bed too early last night and you missed your honeymoon. Didn’t you? It’s okay, we will have it today.”

  Eve nodded as if she understood. Mira kissed her. “We’ll he’s busy, why don’t we do some picture taking and sight…” An overwhelming bout of nausea hit her so strong, she stumbled a bit. The dizzy spell that followed, made her nearly drop Eve. Rosetta was up and running to her side. Mira relied on her for strength. Rosetta helped her to a chair and Mira had to lower Eve awkwardly before sitting. Her little girl began to climb on her to return to her lap. Mira put a hand to her eyes and tried to settle herself first.

  “Are you okay, Donna? What is it?”

  “I’m a bit light headed. It happens,” Mira answered. “I haven’t eaten today.”

  “Should I get Gio?” Rosetta made to run off but Mira grabbed her wrist.

  “No. I become dizzy sometimes if I don’t eat. It’s part of it. I’m fine now.”

  “But Giovanni would want to know.”

  “No.” Mira sighed. “I’m fine. It’ll just upset him.” She helped Eve to her lap and let her daughter play freely with the camera. Closing her eyes, she could feel her equilibrium return. “How about we cook Ma-ma something to eat, then take that walk?”

  Eve looked up at her curiously. Mira glanced over to Rosetta who had started to pace. “Why is Giovanni upset with you? Something happen this morning?”

  A deep blush stained Rosetta’s cheeks pink. She crossed her arms. “I thought you two would not need me this morning so I was going to go to the beach. Hang out. Maybe even go for a swim. It’s kind of my vacation too, because I’ve never been to Capri. He found out and he wasn’t pleased.”

  “It’s not your vacation, Rosetta. We really do need you to help with Eve. It’s what you wanted when Cecilia was hurt. Right?”

  “Sí. Of course. But I also wanted…”

  “What?” Mira frowned.

  “I wanted to be close to you. Work with you. Get to know your business like Catalina.”

  Mira sighed. “I’ll see to Eve today, she needs to spend time with her parents. Go have some fun, Rosetta.”

  “Really? You aren’t angry?”

  “Yes. Everybody in the family needs to stop worrying about tomorrow and enjoy today. Right, Eve?” Mira kissed her baby’s forehead. “Go. We’ll be fine.”

  “Grazie, Donna!”

  America –

  “Domi? Is that you?” Catalina asked. She hurried out of the bathroom mid-brush, swallowing toothpaste. It was close to nine. She had to eat alone. Catalina had started to worry about him over an hour ago. Dominic looked tired but he managed a weak smile. He carried an envelope in his hand.

  “Come sta, Catalina,” he said softly.

  “How am I? Is that all you can say to me? Where were you? Did you eat? I waited. Your food got cold, Domi.”

  She walked over and took the envelope from him and helped him from his suit jacket. He gave her a quick peck on the lips and kept undressing as he walked towards the bedroom to the shower. She hurried behind him, picking up clothing he tossed aside. “Domi, talk to me. Please.”

  “I need a shower and a little rest. Then we’ll talk.”

  Disappointed, she stopped in her tracks. If this was how their stay in America would turn out to be, she wasn’t going to like it one bit.

  Dominic shed the last of his clothes. He stepped directly under the warm spray of the shower. He pressed his hands flat to the tiles and dipped his head to let the water rain down the back of his head and neck to his face, dripping from his nose and chin. He wasn’t built for this shit long term. He needed familiarity, family, Giovanni’s approval and friendship. Now he’d spend weeks, maybe months, as a fucking errand boy.

  His only hope was the mystery to Mira’s past. Everyone knew how fragile Giovanni’s love for Mira was. Giovanni had almost suffered the same madness as his father when he thought he’d lost her. Solving this mystery could garner him favor. And he needed favor.

  He lifted his head, dropped it back, and sighed. Tomorrow, he would start the process to get the company back. He’d find the information Giovanni wanted and take Catalina home. He was born to be Giovanni’s consigliere and he wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

  Chianti –

  The ride to the Battaglia vineyard as the sun rose over the mountains, offered a view of Italy she had not yet seen since she arrived. Maybe this was his intent. Because he veered off the main highway and they travelled through valleys. Across land that stretched and sloped into fields of olive groves. She’d heard that Tuscany and the vineyards that layered the countryside were beautiful, but nothing compared to Chianti. For hours, Marietta fell in love with Italy from the passenger seat. She and Lorenzo talked little. He found a nice Italian station and she drifted on the smooth baritone of a male singer who spoke of life in ways she always dreamed of.

  The Battaglia vineyard covered miles of acreage. They parked off the land at the gates. The trees were tallest here, and the sports car fit nicely in a shaded area. Still, the day seeped in from above. Marietta look
ed up through the sunroof to see sunlight had percolated through the dense tangle of leafy branches and limbs. In the summer months, she imagined this place to be where you’d like to visit for a picnic. And in winter, the cool climate gave it a homey feel. For a minute, they sat in the car under the cover of the trees, lost in their own thoughts.

  Lorenzo spoke first. “This is my family’s vineyard. My uncle Rocco runs the business. I’m sure he’s here instead of Sorrento. If anyone knows the dirty secrets of the Capriccios, it’s Rocco.”

  Marietta was too anxious to speak. He said they would make a stop, but she hadn’t held much hope it would be for her. He left the car and walked around to open her door. Lorenzo helped her step out but blocked her in. With his hand to the roof of the car he crowded her, forcing her to look up into his eyes. “Now listen to me. My uncle is friendly, a little excitable around pretty women, and welcoming.”

  “Sounds like a charmer,” she smiled.

  “I’m not finished. He’s also very old fashioned. The business I want from him won’t be discussed in front of you if he thinks you can understand Italian. Don’t get mouthy with me or him. Don’t speak Italian. Just be your pretty self, you understand?”

  “I have a few questions.”

  “Then ask them now.”

  “Huh?”

  “Ask them.”

  Marietta chewed on the inside of her jaw, trying to decide which question was the most pressing to ask. “I want to know her name. Full name. Gemma said she thought she went by the name Lisa. But she wasn’t sure. So use that. And I need to know if he knew what happened to her after she gave birth to me. Because my research says my American birth certificate is fake. I want to know if she came to Italy to live, or Europe, or if she’s somewhere in America. Oh, and find out if she had any friends because if she didn’t, any other lead I can have to track her down will do.”

  He stared at her for a minute. She held her breath waiting. She couldn’t see his eyes behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses. He then smiled. “I promise you, Cara, I will get those answers for you.”