“You must be overdue for a good cup of coffee and some homemade Italian biscuits, my dear. Come, sit with me.” She placed the tray on the coffee table and motioned for me to sit on the couch.
“That’s very kind of you, thank you.”
Her eyes smiled at me as if we were old friends. Despite my traumatic morning, I found myself comforted by her presence.
“Would you like to have a warm soak in the tub, Celina? I’ll bring you some of my daughter’s clothes; she’s about your size. Tell me what you need, and I’ll bring it to you.”
“Why are you being so nice to me, Gina? My father tried to kill you and your husband.”
She poured the coffee and offered me the plate of biscuits. I couldn’t resist them.
“Celina, I learned a long time ago not to judge a book by its cover. We can’t control the actions of our parents or our children, but there’s no sense in taking out our frustrations on the people in their lives. You are not responsible for your father. He does whatever he wants—he always has.”
“You’re very gracious to say so.”
“You’re a good person, from what Giani tells me. He cares for you very much.”
“That’s not true. The only reason he didn’t kill me was that I may come in handy later. I can’t say I blame him. My father killed his family and one of his best friends. Giani hates me; how can he not?”
“What is your heart telling you, Celina? Not your head, your heart.”
“My head and my heart aren’t speaking to each other at the moment.”
She laughed at that. “The same thing happened to me when I was your age. Strong, handsome men will do that to a girl: the ones with a good heart.”
“Is it true? Does he really care about me? How can you be so certain?”
“I know because he told me so. I know because I’ve never seen him this way about a woman before. Giani doesn’t let people into his heart easily. He protects himself from getting hurt by keeping out as many people as can hurt him.”
“I’ve noticed that about him.”
“How do you feel, Celina?”
“I’m afraid. Not because of where I am, but because I know what my father will do to Giani when he finds him. I don’t want him to die. I don’t want to talk about this now. I don’t mean to be rude. You’ve been so kind. Thank you.”
“I’m here if and when you’d like to talk it out. Now, I’ll collect a few things for you so you can draw a warm bath and change into fresh clothes.”
“Thanks again, Gina.”
“It’s my pleasure, dear.”
Chapter Thirteen
CELINA
Gina’s words threw me for a loop. If she was mistaken about Giani, I’d be heartbroken. If she was right, it would result in an epic struggle for him and me to be together. My father would never allow it, not that I needed his approval, but he’d see me dead before I married anyone even vaguely connected to the Coli family. Not to mention what he’d do to Giani. There would be no funeral—no one would ever find our bodies.
I wanted so badly to talk to him, to tell him how much I loved him and how afraid I was for him. The Pisano minions were out en masse, I was sure of it, their dragnets covering every square inch of Chicago, wanting desperately to be the one who brought Giani’s head to Don Pisano on a spike. That goon would certainly be promoted to head ass crawler. If only they knew how my father despised them. He often talked about the “bunch of fucking idiots” that surrounded him and how he hated putting up with their stupidity. Never a kind word to the morons that did his bidding and dirty work for him. Fools.
I doubted that I’d see him again in a hurry. War was a drawn-out process of attacks and retreats, and when the two most powerful mafia families went up against each other, town folk packed up their Winnebagos and took a drive to the countryside for a few days. I hoped that I would at least get the chance to warn him and to tell him I loved him before he took a bullet to the head. My wish was quashed. By nightfall, he still hadn’t appeared. I was alone in my padded cell, biscuits and all.
***
GIANI
I was steaming, but there was no sense in rushing off into the great blue yonder half-cocked. That kind of stupid got you killed. Before I left the house to meet with Vinny and his men, Dominick called me into his study. He stood by the window, looking out across the afternoon sky. A silver gray haze touched the trees and lingered among the rose beds. There was a calmness in Dominick’s presence. As a child, I marveled at his restraint. I never saw him mistreat any of his men, and he loved Gina and his children with a gentle passion that made me envious. I longed for the day when I would love and be loved that way. Perhaps it wasn’t in the cards for me.
He turned when he heard me come in. His tall frame had diminished as I grew older. He was imposing the first time we met. He towered over me; I felt like a mouse next to an elephant.
“What is your plan, Giani?”
“Vinny and I are getting a few men together. We’re going to ambush Pisano before he can strike at the heart of your empire.”
“I’m sending men with you. They’ll watch over you.”
“Please don’t, Capo. Keep them here to protect you and the women. Vinny has a small army gathered, enough to invade a mid-sized country. They’ll watch my back.”
“Be careful, my boy. Come home in one piece.”
He turned his face to the window again and said nothing more as I left the room and closed the door behind me. It was time to make things right.
“You all set, G?” Vinny was standing outside at his black pimped up SUV. Not sure if it was inspired by The Matrix or a rap artist’s music video. Either way, he looked menacing.
“Yup, all good. Let’s kick that son of a bitch’s asshole into next year.”
He smiled as we got into the car and made our way to the gatehouse. I watched as the house grew smaller in the rearview mirror. I looked to the wing that Celina was in, and I said a prayer for her safety. I’ll be back before you know it, my darling.
***
CELINA
It was late afternoon when the skies grew colder and the glow of dusk tried to break through, but the clouds wouldn’t have any of it. No joyful colors gave birth to such a perilous night. I sat at the window, looking out as the light threatened to fade completely when I heard the knock on the door again.
Gina opened the door an inch or two and asked if she could enter. I said yes.
“You look much better. I see the clothes fit you perfectly.”
“Yes, the bath did me the world of good. Thanks for the clothes.”
“Would you like to go for a stroll in the garden, Celina? I’m sure you must be tired of being surrounded by four walls.”
“Really? Aren’t you afraid I’d make a run of it?”
“Will you?”
“Probably not. I’m too tired to run.”
“Alright then, let’s go. I thought we could have a bite to eat afterward. No one goes hungry on my watch. Giani is built like a racehorse. I think that boy has hollow legs. I’ve never been able to fatten him up.” She smiled at me, and her eyes gave my soul a big hug. What was it about this woman that made me so calm? Is that why Giani loved the Coli’s so much? How could he not, when such a caring and gracious woman mothered him?
I put on the jacket she had given me to wear. It was soft and fleecy and smelled of scented gardens.
“Thank you, Frank. Celina and I are off to take a stroll in the garden.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll go with you.”
“Thank you.”
We descended the impressive staircase. I was out for the count when I arrived at the house, so this was the first time I’d seen the inside. It was spectacular and reflected Gina’s personality to a tee. She had tastes similar to my mother, actually; I saw familiar paintings that hung on the walls of my childhood home on the walls of the Coli mansion. You could always tell a person by the art that moved them. Graceful, beautiful, with just a dash of sass—th
at was what I saw of Gina.
“It’s pretty cold out there. Here’s a beanie and a scarf for you and a pair of snow boots.”
I put on the boots and the scarf while she spoke to Frank. I didn’t hear the conversation, but I wasn’t worried.
“This way, Celina.”
We walked through a beautiful living room to a door that led outside. When I stepped out of the house, the freezing cold air slapped me across the face. I was grateful for the beanie and scarf, as I’d gotten used to being inside in a snug bedroom. Frank and another man with a bulging shirt and a sidearm, followed at a safe distance. We walked for a while before Gina broke the silence.
“Tell me more about yourself, Celina. What do you do to occupy your time?”
Okay, we were having a pleasant conversation. I could manage that.
“I own a finance and business management company.”
“That’s very impressive. A driven woman—my favorite kind.” She smiled and looped her arm through mine as we walked on.
“Your garden is immaculately kept, Gina. I adore plants.”
“It didn’t start off that way. Dominick’s mother was a phenomenal gardener. She was a professor of botany at the University in Florida. She saw me killing cactuses and decided it was time to teach me a thing or two—the innocent slaughter of young cacti pulled at her heartstrings.”
I smiled at her comment. “My apartment looks like a jungle. I’ve surrounded myself with foliage as far back as I can remember.”
“What does your mother do, Celina?”
Was it a loaded question? If anyone else but Gina had asked me, I’d be suspicious, but she seemed genuine enough.
“She’s an artist. She’s a painter and a sculptor.”
“That’s exciting.”
“She owns her own gallery downtown.”
“I didn’t know the Pisano’s owned an art gallery.”
“My mother didn’t want the Pisano name to influence the supporters of the arts. She is a success in her own right. My mother operates under the maiden name, Costa.”
“Oh, yes. I love her work. I have a few of her sculptures and paintings in my study. She’s very talented. Do you paint?”
“Only on the rare occasion when I put on some rouge. I’m afraid I’m more of a stick figure girl.”
Gina laughed from her gut. “I know what you mean. I paint like Picasso on mushrooms.”
We giggled as we walked on, arms locked, through the garden paths, freezing our asses off. But the fresh air was glorious, chattering teeth aside.
“Tell me about Giani. Taking him in was an incredible thing to do. What was he like as a child?”
“He was a little rough around the edges when he first came to live with us. It was hard for him, surviving on the streets at such a young age..”
“The streets,” I interrupted. He never told me that part. “Where was his mother at the time?”
“She was lost without her husband. She had a succession of boyfriends, none of them of particularly high caliber, in and out of her and Giani’s lives. He ran away from home after one too many beatings, and his mother died of an overdose soon after.”
“He never said.”
“I’m not surprised. Not exactly something he wants a beautiful girl like you to know. Let’s keep that part just between us, shall we?”
“Okay.”
Gina talked on. “It took quite a bit of doing to get him to trust us, to learn that we didn’t want anything from him except to care for him. Once he understood and accepted that, he flourished. He’s a smart cookie too. Did very well in school. He could have been anything he wanted to, but he stays close to Dominick. He loves him like a father and does whatever he can to protect us.”
I had a lump in my throat. I had no idea that Giani had such a rough start to life. There I was, the Pisano princess, living in luxury, getting everything I ever wanted, mollycoddled and doted on. While somewhere out there a young boy who’d lost everything, lived on the streets.
“Giani is very loyal, Celina. Once he cares for someone, he never betrays that person. That’s why he’s so broken over Tony. They grew up together on the streets. They had each other’s back. It’s hard to lose someone like that.”
“And then, my father goes and kills him. I’m so ashamed, Gina. I had no idea of any of this.”
“You’re not responsible for your father. Shall we go in and have dinner?”
“That would be lovely, thank you. And Gina, thank you for being so kind. You and my mother would get on like a house on fire.”
“I hope to meet her someday. For now, let’s get you warm and fed.”
We walked back to the house while Frank and his musclebound sidekick followed.
***
GIANI
It was almost dark when Vinny and I drove up to his office. There were cars for days parked outside; the gang had arrived.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you’d called in a few favors, Vin. Is there any muscle left in Chicago?”
“When you’ve been in business as long as I have, you earn a few credits. Let’s have a chat with the boys.”
His office was full to the gills with bodies. I had no idea there were so many Vinnies out there; I recognized more than a few of them. One of the men, Carlo, came up to me.
“Good to see you, Giani, and thank you.”
“Hi, Carlo. Thank you?”
“Yes, I am forever in your debt. I’ve been looking for an excuse to kick Pisano’s smug ass for many years. This seems like the perfect opportunity to open a can of whip ass on that asshole.”
“Fuck, yeah!” shouted another.
“I’m really sorry to hear about Tony, Giani. He was a good man.”
“Okay, boys, listen up. We’ve got one shot at this so let’s not fuck it up, or it’s Giani’s head on a spike.”
“Thank you all for coming. I owe you one.” I watched as the men nodded their heads in appreciation.
“Pedro, you’ve had a mole in the Pisano gang for a while now. Anything that can help us?”
“From what I gather, Pisano’s as mad as a snake. He's more concerned about saving face, if you ask me, than he is about his daughter.”
“Figures.” Why wasn’t I surprised? “Go on Pedro.”
“He’s planning an attack. He’s waiting for more of his men to arrive from Florida, tomorrow. Tonight is the perfect time to hit him where it hurts. He won’t see it coming.”
“Where is his wife?” I couldn’t bear the thought of Celina losing her father and her mother. I knew all too well what that was like.
“She’s gone to her sister in Milan. Pisano sent her away a few days after Celina disappeared.”
“Good. I don’t want any complications.” Vinny was talking now, and his men were paying close attention. It’s who you know, right?
“Is Pisano at his house?” Vinny was strategizing.
“Yes, he’s there with his bodyguards inside and a shit load of firepower outside.”
“Good. That’s where we’ll take him. Pedro, you take a few of your men and secure that property. I don’t want that fucker to sneak out the back when we burst through the gates. We’ll see you there in about an hour. Oh, and use silencers, please. We can’t have you announcing our presence before we’re all together. Call me if there’s a problem.”
“Will do, Vinny.”
Pedro and a few of his chosen men left the room.
“Okay, Carlo, you and your team will come with Giani and me. We’re going to need a shit load of ammunition, so let’s get to it.”
***
GIANI
Vinny had an arsenal of weapons stashed in a warehouse. It looked like just another innocuous little building downtown, nothing special, nothing fancy. From the outside, you’d think they were making swizzle sticks, but inside was a whole other story.
“Fucking hell, Vin. You planning on starting World War Three?”
“You can never have too much pussy or too mu
ch ammunition, my friend. Now get your ass over here and start packing.”
“I should have worn my cargo pants. I don’t have enough pockets in these.”
“Not to worry, my friend. I got ya.”
Vinny pulled out a fancy bulletproof vest, a backpack filled with ammo, and even a few grenades for good measure.
It was time to give Pisano a taste of his own medicine, and I had a family-size pack.
Chapter Fourteen
CELINA
As it grew dark, my anxiety kicked into high gear. I hoped that my mother was safe from the shit storm that was about to hit. She was my rock, and I couldn’t imagine my world without her. I had mixed feelings about my father. I felt guilty that I didn’t have more concern for his safety; it was wrong of me; I knew that, but the truth was that he was a stranger to me. The time we’d spent together was strained at best. He saw me as a possession, not a daughter. I was sad to admit it, but he was the poster child for narcissism. It was all about his name and his empire. Mother and I were merely window dressing.
I’d heard plenty of times how my mother had “disappointed” him because she couldn’t give him a son. It hurt me that he “settled” for a daughter; I was the second prize, and he never let my mother forget it. As the years went by, the two of them became more like strangers living in the same house than husband and wife. I was glad to leave and start my own life. I was sorry to leave my mother behind, but that was her choice. When I saw the gap, I took it.
I was sick with worry over Giani. From all that I learned about him from Gina, it became clear to me why I held such affection for him. There was something in the way he looked at me that made me think there was more to him than I knew. It was hard to have the knowledge and not be able to have him in my arms. I prayed that he would return to me unharmed. I loved the jerk!
After dinner, I went back to my room. It was crazy, but I no longer wanted to run. I never expected that to happen. After all the plans and schemes of possible escape routes and the like I’d worked on over the past week, the thought of me pacing the room, waiting for the return of my captor seemed ludicrous. But there I was, against all odds, worrying about Giani. Ain’t life a kick in the pants?
Ruthless Captor: A Mafia Romance (Corrupt Minds Book 3) Page 12