by Sienna Mynx
“You’re going back to your life in America. I’m taking you back. I’ll make sure you’re okay. And you are to never contact the family again. That is the request of your sister.”
“Of course it is. She’s his clone now. A heartless bitch!”
“She’s your clone Marietta. As heartless as you.”
“Fuck you, Carlo. You asked me to choose between my baby and Lorenzo. But you’re telling me the choice is already made. This is stupid. If Giovanni is so bad ass why do it this way? Why isolate us, why torture me, why?”
Carlo crouched. He looked her in the eyes. “Pain. That’s why. You’ll feel it. Lorenzo will feel it. The kind of pain that follows you to death. That’s the punishment, Marietta. Lorenzo will see you before he dies. He’ll see the baby he’ll never hold. And you’ll see what betraying our Don means for the rest of your life. And when your child asks about Lorenzo, your only child, you’ll tell her this story. Warn her of the family you betrayed, teach her to never look their way again.”
“He sterilized me. Made sure I couldn’t have kids. He did it. Didn’t he?”
Carlo nodded. “He spared your life and he took your life. That’s the balance. That’s what you and Lorenzo did to him. You shot him, and Lorenzo saved him.” Carlo looked down at the baby. “She’s your blessing. The only act of mercy Giovanni will give you.”
“Lorenzo is stronger than you. He’s stronger and he’ll fight for me. If he dies fighting for me he doesn’t die in fear. It’s the opposite of what Giovanni wants.”
Carlo shrugged and stood upright. “If you say so.”
“You could end this. Let us go. Force Giovanni to be a decent human being for once. Let Lorenzo be a better father than either of you had. You could do that, Carlo and maybe save some part of your soul. But instead you’re nothing but a serpent. A weapon.” She spat at him.
“I can’t wait to pull the trigger, sweetheart.”
“Burn in hell!” Marietta shouted at him.
Carlo walked out. “I’m sure I will.”
“Fuck you to hell!”
CARLO SAT IN A JEEP nearest the beach. His men were on patrol. The last shipment of guns from Giovanni was being delivered to the Dar es Salaam. The debt and hospitality for the past few months was paid. He lit a cigarillo and took a long drag from it. The tobacco filled up his lungs and escaped his nostrils. He removed the satellite phone from the glove compartment and stared at it. The slightest hesitation tested him on many levels. He was Camorra. He was loyal to only one, and that was Giovanni. But he couldn’t help but remember the time of friendship he shared with Lorenzo. He had nothing. His mother and sister were happiest when he sent money and stayed away. He had no woman. The birth of Marietta’s baby made that very clear. All he had was this mission and many more like them in the future. Until someone put a bullet in him and it all went away.
What if he let her go?
What if he told Giovanni that he failed?
What did it matter if the boss took his life instead of theirs?
Carlo couldn’t silence the cries of vengeance for his fallen brothers. Carmine’s death was hard but losing Ciro had been the last straw. And it was Lorenzo to blame. For all of it. For every war he fought since the Calderone. For the blood sacrifices he had to make. Or was it his own fault?
He dialed the number and waited.
“Is he there?” Dominic asked.
“He’s here,” Carlo said.
“Will he take the bait?” Dominic asked.
“He will. I would if I was him.” Carlo looked up to the hospital that could be seen off in the distance. “The baby is here. And he knows.”
“Yes, Giovanni told me.”
“Well there’s nothing left to say. Tell Giovanni I will be headed to America soon after to finish this.”
“Carlo?”
“Yes?”
“I know Lorenzo is your friend. I know you may question the justice in this—.”
“I question nothing. I’ll do as Giovanni wishes. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“A presto,” Dominic replied.
Carlo ended the call. He tossed the phone to the side. The cigarillo had burned out in his fingers and he flicked it into the sand. He dropped his head back and closed his eyes. There was nothing left to do but wait.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Non Nuocere - Do No Harm
Doma, Tanzania
“LET ME HAVE HER,” DHAKIYA said.
Marietta handed over her precious baby-girl who was barely three weeks old. It was the hardest thing she’d ever done. The minute her little girl left her arms she felt the separation to her core. And it felt unnatural. Lorenza reacted immediately. She tested her lungs and cried in protest. The sounds of her newborn wailing made Marietta’s breast ache.
“I can’t do it. I can’t. Give her back to me!”
Dhakyia handed the child over and Lorenza’s distress lessened. Marietta kissed her cherub face. “Mama’s not going anywhere baby-girl, never. I have you. I’m here. I’m here. Shhhh.”
“We must hurry. If Carlo returns and sees me with her he won’t allow me to leave. I have to go meet your husband now.” Dhakyia reached for Lorenza again. “Trust me. Please.”
“She’ll cry. She’ll be upset. I can’t trust you with her, she needs me.”
“But you must.”
Marietta wept and kept her daughter locked to her chest.
“I have an idea.” Dhakyia looked around the room. “I need a shirt. Something of yours that smells like you.”
“Why? What will it prove?”
“Where is your hamper? With your dirty clothes?”
“There,” Marietta pointed.
Dhakyia located it inside the closet. She pulled on a shirt over her own. Then she took the baby from Marietta, almost forcefully. Lorenza snuggled up to Dhakyia without much of an initial reaction.
“She thinks you’re me,” Marietta smiled through her tears.
“Babies can smell their mother. Especially breast-fed babies. She’ll be fine. I’ll be careful. I’ll be quick.”
“Are you taking her to Lorenzo. Straight to him? Is it safe? What if someone stops you?”
“Yes. I swear it. He’s waiting for us at the mosque. And then you will come with Riva. She will make sure you meet us at the beach. Far from here.”
“Okay. Okay.” Marietta wiped her tears. She went to the tiny fridge and got the frozen breast milk she’d spent the evening before pumping. There was at least a week’s supply. She put it in the cooler pack that was full of ice. When she handed it over she saw her daughter’s eyes open looking directly at her.
“You must be so confused sweetheart. Don’t you worry. By tonight we will be with Daddy. We will be safe.”
“I will see you soon,” Dhakyia said and rushed out the door.
Marietta sat on the bed and prayed.
THE WAIT WAS THE HARDEST. After Marietta changed to the clothes left for her, Riva arrived and helped her put on a niqab that covered her hair and half of her face. She was led from one room to the next. The last room she was left in for two hours. Everything hurt. Her heart, her body, her spirit were all in jeopardy.
And then Riva returned. Since the woman didn’t speak English she only gave hand gestures to explain what to do next. Marietta understood. She was to follow and never speak. Marietta blended in with a total of six women who were leaving for the day. They were marched to a passenger van and locked inside by men with guns. And each time her eyes met a soldier’s her gaze lowered first.
Modesty was key.
Being invisible was her only option. She sat in a passenger van sandwich between two strangers fighting down her paranoia. The taste of freedom felt terrifying. It was too easy. Nothing in her life had ever come to her easily. But for a distance that fear began to ease. She relaxed and looked at the village and landscape she travelled through. It was beautiful. Africa was beautiful. Maybe one day she and Lorenzo could make this place her home. She smile
d to herself at the thought of him. When she closed her eyes, she saw him meeting his baby girl for the first time. It would be a hell of a reunion. She would miss it, but she didn’t mind. They were free.
The van came to an abrupt spot. From her seat she could see nothing. Suddenly men were shouting from inside and outside. The door was slung open and the women were herded out. The drivers were brought around at gunpoint. One of the men, a tall dark-skinned fellow with deep-set eyes and a clean shaven face walked toward her. He wore a beret on his head fatigue pants and a black t-shirt. He scanned the faces of the women. Marietta immediately lowered her gaze and prayed he didn’t see anything in her. The niqab wasn’t enough for protection. She feared these people could sniff out a stranger even behind the veil.
The man spoke one word.
Riva.
Marietta glanced up. Riva stepped forward and then was shoved to the ground. She went to her knees and begged for mercy. The man barked several questions at her in a different language. And then Riva did what Marietta feared the most. She pointed at Marietta.
“No! No!”
The men grabbed Marietta. She fought the best she could but physically she wasn’t that strong. Brought before the leader of the bandits she struggled to keep standing. Her fear was too great. The leader of the men smiled at her. He then walked off. Marietta was forced to follow. Put inside a jeep with a man with a gun they drove off leaving a cloud of dust behind them.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“Where is Carlo?” she pleaded.
The men didn’t answer. Maybe they didn’t understand her. She closed her eyes and focused hard on controlling her fear. She had to think. If they wanted to kill her they would. The worst-case scenario would mean Dhakyia was caught. Her baby was safe, and Carlo was pissed. So be it. She’d handle being thrown back into her jail with her daughter. She’d manage it until Lorenzo found a way to get to her.
The jeep veered off the road to a rocky terrain that bounced her about. She had to hold on to the side and withstand the bumpy ride. Her tenderness in her pelvis went from inflamed to searing hot pain. If they kept going she was sure her stitches would rupture.
“Stop! Stop!” she begged.
The wind and the loud grinding of the engine as the big tires crushed twigs and bush drowned out her pleas. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe this was the end. They’d take her somewhere and kill her. Could that have been the plan all along? The jeep came to an abrupt stop. Marietta looked around and saw nothing but trees. The ocean could be heard but she didn’t see it.
Then she heard him.
“Marie!”
Lorenzo ran for the jeep. The man seated with her tried to help her out, but she shoved him away and nearly climbed over him. Lorenzo swept her up in his arms. She was spun with emotion and so was he.
“Oh my God. I thought you’d never find me,” she said.
He grabbed her by the face and kissed her until she was breathless. She laughed while crushed within his embrace. She hadn’t felt that kind of happiness since their daughter was born. And even then there was always an emptiness that followed.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he searched her face.
Marietta barely recognized him. His hair was longer, he had so much facial hair she barely could see his lips when he spoke. “I love you,” she said.
“I love you too cara, forever. Where is she?” he smiled.
“Who?”
“My daughter. Where is she?” he looked back to the jeep.
“She’s with you,” Marietta said.
Lorenzo let her go. “No. She’s not. You were supposed to come with her.”
“Omigod! Where is she? Where is she?” Marietta turned on the men watching. They stared at them expressionless. “Where is Dhakyia!” she shouted at them.
“Marie, it’s probably a mix-up. Hold on.”
“No. No. She was supposed to be here. She left two hours ahead of me. Nooooo God! She said... she said mosque. You were going to meet her at the mosque.” Marietta pushed him aside and charged at the men. Lorenzo grabbed her and restrained her. “We have to get her! We have to find her!”
“We need to go! Now! He shouted.
Marietta didn’t understand his warning. And she got no explanation. Lorenzo grabbed her by the waist and she was lifted from the ground. One of her shoes dropped from her foot. She screamed for her baby, but she wasn’t sure anyone heard or cared. She was placed inside a passenger van with no windows. Lorenzo came in after her.
“Where is she Lo?” Marietta wept.
“Josef?” Lorenzo said. “The baby? Where?”
“Beach... they will meet us at the beach. I got a call. Carlo and his men are on their way. We have to get to the beach. Now.”
Marietta let go of her panic and almost laughed with relief. She went into Lorenzo’s arms. To be held by him was like a lost dream. She couldn’t believe it. She didn’t want to let him go. “She’s so beautiful. When you see her you will fall in love.”
“I’m already in love Marie. I can’t wait to get you both from here.”
“Her name is Lorenza?” Marietta smiled.
Lorenzo frowned.
“What? It’s beautiful. Right?”
“For a girl?”
“Lo... she’s you. All of you.”
“I like Marie better,” he confessed.
“Marie? That’s my name.”
“Yes, we need to call her Marie.”
“Marie Lorenza,” I like that too.
“No, let’s name her Lorenza Marie,” she insisted.
He laughed. “You win. You always do.”
Marietta closed her eyes. “I like it. I like it,” she laughed. She didn’t hear or care for the alarm in the driver’s voice nor the barking of orders from Lorenzo. She drowned them all out and concentrated on his heartbeat. Inhaled him. Held on to him and allowed herself to have hope. She’d done so many things in her life she learned to regret. Falling in love with Lorenzo would never be one of them. God was finally going to cut her a break.
The van came to an abrupt stop.
“Let’s go. Are you okay to run? We will have to move fast,” Lorenzo asked as he hopped out.
She wasn’t. The stress of it all plus her tenderness in her pelvis from giving birth had depleted her energy. But she didn’t need him worrying about her. She needed to help him.
“I’m fine, with a little help.”
He took her hand and held it firm while she stepped out of the van into the sand. Several men ran past them.
“This way,” he said.
She frowned at the sunlight in her face. But she could see the two speedboats at the shore. Marietta tried to hurry in the sand but couldn’t. Her feet felt awkward and her body listless. Lorenzo swept her up in his arms and carried her to the shore. And it was then she heard it. The gunfire. It came from nowhere. Bullets hit the sand and the water.
“Lo!”
“I got you! I got you!” he said and kept going. The men on the beach returned fire. There was so much she feared death for them all.
“My baby?” she said and tried to see. Lorenzo reached the water and she was put down in the breaking waves knee deep.
“My baby!” Marietta reminded him.
“We have her...” Lorenzo said but frowned at those in the boat waiting. Neither of them saw the baby in the boats with the men. Dhakyia was not with them. Lorenzo shoved her to hurry. Bullets zipped past them. None of the people in the water were shot, but those on the beach fell like bowling pins. Something was wrong.
“Lo? Wait! Wait! She’s not with us. We don’t have her!”
Marietta was lifted and thrown over into the water. She swallowed so much of it. He pulled her up out of it and she gasped. She was put in the boat. She screamed in pain, not just from her lower body but from her heart. And then she heard Lorenzo yelling at the others to go. It was then the silence came. There was an end to the gunfire. Marietta wiped her face clear of sea water and looked up. Loren
zo stood waist deep with waves pushing him toward the shore. He stood there watching someone. Marietta gaze followed the general direction.
Carlo walked along the beach. He had a small army of men with him. He had a gun in his hand. And in his other arm he held their daughter. He stared directly at Lorenzo.
Her husband was as frozen as a Roman statue. Carlo lifted the baby up with the crook of his arm and kissed the child.
“Nooooo, Carlo!” Marietta screamed. She understood clearly what that kiss meant.
Carlo had their daughter and if any man fired there was no way her precious baby girl would survive. The army of men behind him all raised their guns at the sounds of Marietta’s scream.
Lorenzo didn’t act. She knew why. This was the moment. The one Giovanni wanted. Where Lorenzo made the sacrifice and his life was given for their daughters.
“Lo! Please! Not my baby! You have to do it!”
The man named Josef hopped out of the boat and grabbed Lorenzo. He forcefully pulled him back. Lorenzo was too stunned by his own fear and grief to resist. Marietta was held back as well. Once her husband joined her in the speed boat their rescue crew sped out across the rolling waves to the yacht waiting a mile away.
“What are we doing? We can’t leave her!” Marietta wept and fought at her restraint. Lorenzo took hold of her.
“What is Carlo doing?” she wept against Lorenzo chest.
“He’s got her Marie, but not for long. I swear it.”
“But we have to go back. We can’t leave her. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe, Lo! Take me God! Don’t take her, please. Please God!”
“Listen! Listen! He’s taking the baby back to Italy. I know what this is. I know what he’s doing—. That test on the beach wasn’t for me. It was for Carlo. Carlo could have taken the shot. Carlo was supposed to take the shot and make you watch. He didn’t. He let us go. He’s still my brother deep inside. He let me go.”
“Shut up!” she slapped her husband. “You don’t know anything, Lo! You don’t know how bad this hurts,” she cried.