by Sienna Mynx
“She’s two,” he chuckled. “A little angel. Wait until you meet her.”
Marietta couldn’t believe the extravagance of the celebration. The entire compound had been transformed into a cheerful display of flowers, balloons, and lanterns on the inside and out. The party color theme was pink, white, and yellow. Large, stuffed animals as tall as people, were propped against the walls in each room. And the people gathered had to be in the hundreds. There were also men with weapons mixed in, watching and managing the crowds.
“Who are all these people?” Marietta asked.
“Most are families who have someone who works for my brother. There are a few local celebrities and politicians as well.”
“You have got to be shitting me. For a two year old?”
“For the daughter of Don Giovanni Battaglia.” Lorenzo tipped his head at her. He dropped his arm around her shoulder and she eased hers around his waist. “Come on.”
She had to remain close to Lorenzo to avoid being separated. The beautiful solitude of Bellagio was gone. How she wished they could have remained.
“How long do we have to stay?” She asked in a loud voice over the noise of others as they forced their way out to the back terrace that wrapped around the south end of the estate. Lorenzo didn’t answer. She looked back and saw Carlo trailing behind them. He wore the same sullen scowl and not many people spoke to him when he passed. He looked better, though she knew some wounds a person carried never healed.
Once they walked outside, she felt less confined. People casually gathered in clusters, laughing over glasses of wine. Inside of tents, celebrating partygoers danced to a live band. Kids enjoyed an inflatable beast and jumped merrily in its belly.
“Let me introduce you to la famiglia.”
“Sure. Sounds like fun!” Marietta rolled her eyes behind his back, already bored with the prospect.
“Lorenzo.” A man stepped to him. He wasn’t as tall as Lorenzo or Carlo but he was strikingly handsome, with his dark curly hair and dreamy brown eyes. He nodded at Marietta with a smile that could easily be mistaken as a flirt.
“Forgive me. This is Marietta Leone.”
“Buongiorno. Mi chiamo Dominic Battaglia. Many people call me Domi.” He took her hand and kissed it.
Marietta smiled. “Piacere.”
The spell he cast over her was broken when he switched his gaze back to Lorenzo. Marietta had to wonder if a requirement for the Battaglia men was that they all be sexy and mysterious. Even grumpy Carlo exuded masculinity, with his battle- scarred face.
“Giovanni expects you.”
“Now?”
“Adesso.” Dominic turned and walked away. Lorenzo’s arm slipped from around her shoulders.
Marietta sighed. “Don’t tell me you are leaving me alone, again.”
“Not like before. Torno. This business will conclude shortly and I will find you.” He pinched her chin and kissed her lips. “Behave, Marietta, this is my family so I want you to be nice.”
She blinked up at him and smiled innocently. A smooth smile slipped over his lips. “There’s plenty to eat and drink. I won’t be long. I promise.”
“And my surprise?” She put her hands to his waist. “When do I get it?”‘
“Looks like you might be receiving it really soon.” He kissed her softly. Marietta watched him walk away. Carlo appeared at her side.
“Don’t say anything that will make me want to hit you.”
He chuckled. “I was going to offer to get you a drink. Step in for my brother.”
She glanced up at Carlo and was snared in his dark gaze. She shrugged. It would be a long evening. She’ll definitely need something to drink to mix and mingle with this crew. “Can I trust you not to slip anything in it?”
He chuckled and walked off, with the aid of his cane.
*****
Giovanni’s attention was solely focused on the birthday girl. He swept her away from the toddler dance floor to spend time alone with him. He tolerated these events. It was necessary that he be social and allow others to pay proper respect to his first born. However, having so many people in his home at once set his teeth on edge. Eve had adjusted to her celebrity. When people reached for her now, she didn’t shy away like she had when he found her two months ago, living in isolation with his Bella. It was humbling to see his bambina bloom into a little girl.
“Papa!” She typically pushed the pacifier over to the side of her mouth with her tongue when she spoke. She sat up and held the picture for him. On the large paper in her hands were loops and curves in green and purple.
“Brava!” He clapped.
Eve pressed the paper flat to the carpeted floor and picked up the fat crayon to start her scribbling again. Her mother had dressed her for the event. She wore a blue velvet dress with a tiny pink bow under the white ruffled collar. Her crinkly brownish-blonde hair was split into two curly puffs on either side of her head. A tiara was crowned on her head with the words Il Mio Compleanno (It’s My Birthday) in colorful crystals through the middle.
The door opened and Dominic escorted Lorenzo through. Eve got up on her hands and knees. She walked over to Dominic first with her arms stretched for him. He picked her up, tossed her in the air to her delight, and kissed her. He passed her to Lorenzo who took her and kissed and tickled her, before he walked over to the desk and properly handed her over to Giovanni.
She was put in his lap where she sat attentively through many of Giovanni’s meetings. Mira didn’t always know when he brought Eve down to Villa Rosso. He doubted his wife would have any concern. His men had gotten used to her attendance as well. For Eve, it was routine that she sit up with her hands on the desk, leaning back against her father, observing. There were times when she did this silently, as if she were truly in attendance. Dominic said she mimicked Giovanni. He had to agree. She dropped back against his chest and stared at her uncles as they stood before him. Eventually, Lorenzo chose to sit. Dominic naturally came over to the left side of the desk and sat on the edge of it.
“The party is underway, Gio. You want to meet now?” Lorenzo asked.
“Where is the woman? Did you bring her here?” Giovanni answered.
“Marietta? Mira’s sister?” Lorenzo corrected him.
Giovanni frowned. “Don’t address her that way in my presence.”
“Her name is Marietta. She’s your wife’s sister. We covered this. Yes, I brought her here. I’m hoping to make the introduction today. With your approval, of course.”
When Giovanni cut his gaze over to Dominic, Lorenzo noticed. He frowned. “Am I missing something? We are going to tell them that they are sisters today? It’s what you said.”
“Gio has changed his mind,” Dominic answered.
“Fantastico! Now you change your mind? When were you planning to tell me?”
“I went to the doctor with Mira today.” Giovanni answered. “He gave me some troubling news.”
Lorenzo’s glare softened. He sat forward. “Is everything okay?”
Eve began to reach and knock things over on his desk. He handed her the stapler she wanted to keep her still. “Better than okay. My Bella has blessed the family with twins. I will have two sons,” he said proudly, convinced they would both be boys.
“That is good news. Congratulazioni, cousin,” Lorenzo half-smiled.
“There’s more. The dottore said that Mira has a hormone imbalance. He advised that we be careful with this pregnancy. Stress is off the menu.”
Lorenzo dropped his head and shook it. He spoke with his head bowed. “Gio, we have to tell them who they are to each other. It’s risky not to. Surely you understand this.”
“I won’t bring her any stress. She doesn’t know that woman. She doesn’t want to know Mancini. I’m her husband. It’s my job to do what’s best for her. Always. I don’t want to even consider this family reunion until after my sons are born.”
Lorenzo looked up. “What is that? Seven, eight months?” He stood. “You can’t do
this!” he shouted.
Giovanni and Dominic exchanged a curious look.
“What do you care?” Dominic asked.
“I care about Marietta. She has spent her life looking for her true family. She has had the shit end of all of this since it began. Even Mancini didn’t care enough to find her. I don’t want to be the one to keep her from the truth. She trusts me.”
Giovanni rocked back with Eve. Turning his daughter in his arms so he could hold her properly, he maintained the glare fixed on him by Lorenzo. Eve touched her father’s face and soothed his temper. She dropped her head on his shoulder, and wrapped her small arms around his neck. “Mira is your donna. Her wellbeing is all that should be considered today. My decision is final and you will honor it.”
“Talk to him, Dominic. Mancini is out there, circling. We have all the messiness between the families, now that we are working with the Ndgranheta. Do either of you think Bonaduce isn’t licking his wounds, seeking a weak spot of this family to retaliate? We are strong when we are united. Marietta is a beautiful, intelligent woman. You met her. She’s Mira’s blood. We should tell them and control how much they know to protect them. Not leave it to chance.”
Giovanni scoffed. “I’m not leaving it to chance. I’m leaving it to you.”
“Me? I don’t understand.”
“I want you to take her and leave Italy.”
Lorenzo was rendered speechless.
Dominic eased off the desk and stepped forward. “Go to England, Lorenzo. Africa, hell, visit Paris. We have alliances we need to forge with our business interests in Europe, take her. Giovanni expects you to be gone until after the babies are born.”
“I can’t do that! I have the triangle to run. I’m setting up business in Turin and Genoa.”
“Santo will be taking over the triangle,” Giovanni corrected him. “Only for while you’re gone. He’ll work with Carlo. This is important. I need you to do this for me, Lorenzo.”
“Does Santo know about Mira and Marietta?” Lorenzo asked, nearly trembling with rage.
“Santo knows what he needs to know, nothing more.” Dominic answered.
Giovanni, Dominic, and Eve watched Lorenzo pace the floor. He knew his cousin was in full panic mode. He was trying to think of a way out of his order.
“You’re right about Mancini. As long as Marietta is here, there is a risk he will find her. And I can’t have the two of the women finding out the truth now. We are talking about the lives of my sons, Lorenzo. I want my Bella to know the truth… eventually.” Giovanni smiled.
“Do you?” Lorenzo turned on him. “Are you sure? Because it sounds to me that you want anything but that!”
“Let me be clear with you, cousin. This is what I want. And you will do as I ask, without question. Understood?”
Lorenzo threw up his hands in defeat and stormed out. Dominic stepped away from the desk with his hands in his pockets. “Are you sure you want to play it this way, Gio?” He echoed Lorenzo’s sentiment. “He has a point. If the women find out from anyone but us, we can’t control the fallout. How will Mira react to you keeping this kind of secret?”
“I know what I’m doing. Don’t I, Lucciola?” He bounced her. Eve lifted her head from his shoulder and smiled. “We are going to protect momma. It’s our job.”
“But is there more?”
Giovanni’s gaze lifted to Dominic.
“I hear it in your voice. You aren’t fond of Mira, having a family outside of this one. You have to be sure you aren’t doing this for selfish reasons.”
“I’m my father’s son, whether I want to be or not. Of course I do it for selfish reasons. Mira is my bride. She has made me love her beyond reason and I have never been a reasonable man. No one will ever come between us. Not Mancini, or that stray that claims to be her sister.”
“So you have no intention of telling Mira?” Dominic frowned with concern.
Giovanni ignored him.
The door opened and Giovanni expected Lorenzo to storm back in with more pouting. He wasn’t fooled. Lorenzo didn’t give a shit about that woman. Lorenzo never cared for anyone but himself. His pride was wounded because of Santo’s advancement.
Instead of his cousin entering, his wife appeared. She stunned him once more with her beauty. She wore a wrap dress for him the color of champagne; the kind of dress he preferred because it softly flattered her curves and tastefully crossed over her growing bosom. Typically, her slim waistline added more sex appeal to her curvy hips. But her midriff was expanding, and her hips were thickening in ways that tempted him more. Not many women made a baby bump look as sexy as his Bella.
The dottore was right about one thing, his Bella’s sex drive was almost matched by his. This morning they were late to the doctor because neither could let the other escape bed.
She’d straightened her hair for the event, with bangs in her eyes; and her lips had a coppery gloss to them. “There she is! There’s my baby. Why do you have her back here? People are asking for her.” Mira walked over and reached for Eve, causing the large golden bangles on her wrists to clank and her banana- shaped golden earrings to sway. She took Eve from him. She put their daughter on her feet and held her hand. Eve put her pacifier back in her mouth and waved her hand at him. “Enough business talk. You two come out and join the party. Hi, Domi,” Mira smiled as she walked toward the door. She paused before him.
“Ciao, Donna,” he kissed her cheek.
“When does Catalina’s plane land? Will she be here in time for the party?”
Dominic checked his watch. “She should be arriving any time now.”
“I know you miss her. Before you sweep her away, you two better stay to sing happy birthday.” Mira walked to the door. She looked back at Giovanni and smiled. “I mean it. Come out of here and join the party.”
“I will,” he winked.
She was gone.
Giovanni was further convinced he was doing the right thing. His wife was happy with their family. She didn’t need another. “
How is my sister?” he asked Dominic, rising.
“Catalina’s excited about all that she has learned. Every night, she tells me something new she’s seen or an event she’s attended. She is really turning into a little businesswoman. You should hear her talk, Gio.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
Dominic paused. “No. It’s good for us both. She should gain some independence. This was a valued time for her.”
Giovanni snickered. “Right. Be careful of independence with a woman. Someday, she’ll be independent of you.” He poked Dominic.
Dominic took the insult without flinching. “Are you saying you won’t let Mira return to work?”
Giovanni sighed. “I have no fucking choice. She won’t put up with it. After all, she did build that company, and I love those dresses she makes.” He smiled.
Dominic smiled.
Giovanni wiped his hand down his face and stared at the door. Mira had made it clear that she wanted her company back and that she would run it. The only control he could manage was setting it up here in Italy and giving her space to do exactly that. “I made the mistake once trying to stop Bella, and I didn’t like her reaction. She will have her company. We’ll figure it out. Speaking of which, our problem with Theodore Tate?”
“The boys are watching him. You said to not move on him yet.”
“I don’t think we should expose him. If we spook him, it could backfire and he could tell Mira his sins. Just keep an eye on him for now.”
“What of Gemma?”
Dominic paused. “Gone.”
“Gone?”
“Store closed, no one has heard or seen her in weeks.” Dominic said. “We are still looking for her.”
Giovanni nodded.
“Gio, I have to ask. What have you decided?”
“You’re asking if I will make you consigliere again?”
Dominic stood his ground.
Giovanni stepped to him. Dominic was sev
eral inches shorter, but they remained eye to eye. “What you did by fucking our sister still repulses me. But what you have done by bringing me the truth about Bella makes you invaluable to me. I will give it another try. Temporarily.” Giovanni stepped closer, their noses nearly touched. “You are a brother to me, but betray me again, Dominic, and I will have your life. Do you understand? Because not Bella, Catalina, or Santo Maria will keep me off you.”
Dominic smiled. “I understand.” He hugged Giovanni, who threw him back off him. Dominic grinned. “Thank you, Gio! Grazie! Grazie!” He hurried out. Giovanni shook his head. He turned off the light and followed.
*****
The party was in full swing. Lorenzo was in such a foul mood she decided to give him some space. Instead, Marietta wandered around the halls just inside the doors of the terrace. “Are you having a good time?” A woman asked from behind her. When Marietta turned, she saw the black fashion Barbie that married the King of the Campania approaching. She was radiant. That dress she wore made her look expensive and pampered. Marietta particularly loved the strappy-heeled sandals that wrapped up her legs. She watched her with envy.
“Buongiorno. My name is Mirabella. You’re Lorenzo’s friend right?”
“Ciao. My name is Marietta.” She extended her hand. Mira accepted it with a firm shake. “You have a lovely home. I was just admiring it.”
“Grazie. It takes a lot to get used to. But you’re right. It’s home.”
“Ah,” Marietta said, not sure what else to say.
“Why don’t you join us? We are about to sing happy birthday to Eve.”
“No thanks. I don’t do kids.”
Mira’s brow arched. She was obviously insulted. Marietta didn’t give a shit. She didn’t do anything she didn’t want to do. Period.
“I see. Well there’s plenty of food and drink, if you like. I’m really glad you came. Rosetta told me about the gift. Thank you.”
“Mmhm,” Marietta answered.
“Nice to meet you.” Mira said again.