“You won’t fail! You can be both, though I can’t imagine why you would want to wipe butts and fix dinner for your grumpy husband rather than be in the spotlight again!” Marietta moved her chair closer to Mirabella so she could reach her. She took her hand in hers. “I’m the last one to give you advice on how to handle your man. Listen to me. I’ve spent two years with you, learning from you. I see you with him and the kids, and I know you love them deeply. But I see you when you create something all your own, and know you are destined for greatness. Don’t doubt yourself now, sis. You can have both worlds. You’re strong enough. I’ll help you. Catalina will help you. Kyra and Jamie will help. You’ve got one helluva team. Believe in us.”
“I do.”
“Then separate them, work and family, separate them.”
“I don’t understand. Separate how?” Mirabella asked.
“Leave Giovanni out of it. The party we have tonight to celebrate. Let’s keep the men out of it. Let’s get you to focus on just the fashion show and your company. Really give it a shot. You said he isn’t pressuring you. And if I know them, then I know that they can give a shit about how we make dresses and shoes. So let’s keep it separate, and that way you can keep focused on your goals without mixing them up.”
Mirabella smiled. She hugged Marietta tightly. “I love you so much,” she said.
“I love you too,” Marietta said. She let her go. “Are you hungry? I can cook you one of my famous omelets before Zia comes down and chases us out of here to make one of her pies.”
Mirabella laughed because she knew it was true. “Sure. I’m hungry.”
**
“Papa?” Eve said.
Giovanni tossed his underwear on top of the bed. Cecilia had come for the twins to dress them and take them downstairs for breakfast. Only Eve remained at his side.
“Yes, Lucciola?”
“Can I go with you today?” Eve asked. “To Villa Rosso?”
“No. Stay close to your mother.”
“But, Papa, I don’t see you anymore. Can I be with you today?”
“You will go with Mama to Milano. We discussed it,” he said. He went to the closet to find the suit. Then he paused to see it hanging on the inside of the door for him. He should have known that Mirabella had done this for him. When he was home his clothes were pressed and arranged for him. She never forgot his needs.
“It’s boring in Milano. I get stuck with the twins and Mama is always too busy for me. I want to be with you.”
Giovanni cast his gaze down to his daughter. Eve wore a light green leotard, matching tights, and a green tutu. Her hair was smoothed up into a ball on the top of her head. She looked every bit of his ballerina. He wondered if her mother had dressed her for some lessons he didn’t know about? She looked up at him with those expectant blue eyes and determined will. He had to admit their time-shared was now split with her brothers. When Eve first came into his life she was with him as much as possible. That had changed. His heart suffered a blow of sadness. “I will be coming to Milan with you. So we can be bored together.”
“Really? Yay!” she cheered. She walked over to him and he picked her up. She’d grown so much and far too fast. He missed the little one with the cherry red pacifier. He kissed her cheek and inhaled her baby scent.
“What is this you’re wearing?” he asked.
“Mama made it for me. I’m tinkle bell. I have wings too. She said I can wear them after when we have lunch.”
“Who is this tinkle bell?” he asked.
“Peter Pan, silly. She’s a fairy and does magic!” Eve grinned.
Giovanni chuckled. “
Vabene piccoletta.”
He kissed her brow, her nose, and her tiny rosy mouth. “Go find Mama and have her give you breakfast. I need to shower.”
“You’re Peter Pan. Okay,” she hugged his neck. “Papa, I love you. Forever.”
“I love you too, Lucciola. Forever.” He set her down and she ran from the room in her stocking feet with her tutu bouncing around her hips. He couldn’t stop smiling. The phone rang. He marched over and picked it up.
“Pronto?”
he answered.
“Gio, it’s me, Santo.”
Giovanni sat on the edge of the bed. “I have been looking to hear from you. It’s been a week.”
“
Perdonami
. I had to see to my family. My brother has been ill and it was important.”
“But we are your family. Are we not?” Giovanni asked.
“
Sí
, you are. And I am grateful. But I must ask that I have another few days. There are personal matters that I need to attend to in Napoli.”
Giovanni frowned. Santo was never expected to be jailed for so long. Unfortunately the press got hold of the crimes committed by Mottola, and Giovanni had to step aside to let the
Polizi di Stato
posture for the media. In doing so Santo had no cover from the
Camorra and
the tribunal proceeded. The judgment wasn’t as severe as the attorneys advised it could be. Still the sentence was received bitterly by Santo. It never set well with Giovanni that Santo was condemned with so little proof of treachery. Especially after knowing how loyal his friend had been over the years.
“You will be here today, to see me. No more excuses,” Giovanni said.
“I understand, Gio. I will see you soon.”
“Santo, I’ve known you since we were kids. I love you like a brother. I’m pleased the nightmare is over for you, and I intend to make sure you receive the rewards you deserve for your sacrifice.”
“Grazie, Gio. Tante grazie,”
Santo said.
“Ciao.”
“Ciao.”
Giovanni set the phone down. He stared at it for a moment. Santo would fall in line. He had little doubt of his men.
Aeroporto Internaizonale di Napoli
Napoli, Italia
“What time is it?” Marietta asked.
She checked her watch once more. The plane should have landed thirty minutes ago. She glanced over to Renaldo. He stood at her side, tall, silent, and watchful. His gaze remained shielded behind the dark lenses of his sunglasses. His hands clasped together in black leather gloves. When she spoke to him he looked right through her.
Marietta cut her eyes. It was always the same with Renaldo. She had no idea how he could ever have such a torrid love affair with the young beautiful shoemaker they brought back from America. The girl was feisty, and Renaldo was cold and brooding. Marietta smiled to herself. Those two did make some pair. Too bad it cost him his position as top enforcer to the Don. He no longer shadowed Giovanni and Lorenzo on important affairs. Nico was now the man who assumed the responsibility. Renaldo was more like a personal errand boy to the women, and a baby watcher for the kids.
She felt sorry for him, but safe whenever he was around. She could never tell if the demotion mattered. Kyra confided in her that it did. That Renaldo worked constantly to regain Giovanni’s favor. But he was either ignored or dismissed for the effort. Even still, when it came to his responsibilities, he took every assignment given to him with the utmost seriousness. At that moment Renaldo could give a shit about her friend’s arrival. He watched Marietta like a hawk. No danger present or unseen would come near.
“Marietta!” A voice shouted from above.
Shae rode down the escalator with a wide grin. She waved hard with her free hand. On her other arm was her large designer carry-on bag. Of course her friend stood out. She bounced in high heels. She wore flashy large gold earrings and bracelets, with the tightest fitted jeans a girl with her curves could squeeze into. Underneath her blazer Shae wore a white cut-off shirt that said ‘Rock Steady’ and revealed her navel piercing. A few men riding in front of her turned their heads and stared with appreciation. Shae was fierce. Her hair was cut in an asymmetrical bob with a long swoop of pink streaked across the left bang that hung to her nose concealing the side of her face.
It would be so much fun having her in Italy. Marietta glanced to Renaldo who was staring at Shae as well. Her girl had an immediate effect on men. Of course with Renaldo she couldn’t tell if he’d noticed her flare, or just wanted to put her in his sights for protection. And though Marietta appreciated Shae’s style, she’d have to ask her tone it down with the Battaglias. Shae may be a gem, but she was by no means the caliber of class Marietta had adapted as Lorenzo’s wife and Mirabella’s sister.
“That’s her,” Marietta grinned. She started off toward her.
“Oh my God! Look at you! Damn girl!” Shae rushed her from the final step. She bumped a woman and her child to do so. She dropped her carry-on bag and grabbed Marietta. They hugged, screaming and laughing.
“I have missed you, bitch!” Shae shouted to the entire airport.
Marietta hugged her back. “Girl! You have no idea how much I have missed you.”
“Come on let’s get your luggage,” Marietta said. Renaldo reached down and picked up Shae’s dropped bag. It was then her friend noticed him.
“Hold up. Who is he?” Shae asked.
“Huh? Oh! That’s Renaldo. He works for my husband,” Marietta told her.
“Mmmm…hi there, baby!” Shae grinned up at him.
Renaldo stared at her. Marietta shook her head. “Don’t go there. In fact we need to talk.” She hooked her arm in Shae’s and forced her to turn and walk toward the luggage depot. Her friend smelled like berry scented lotion and expensive perfume. “I told you who I married. How things are here in Italy.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know how those Italians in the ‘Chi’ roll.” Shae grinned. “But girl they don’t come like that. Most of them Italians are short with big bellies and receding hairlines.” She smacked her gum, and shot Renaldo a sexy wink from her over shoulder.
“These men aren’t like the Italians at home. They’re Sicilian, and even the short ones are different than the men from home. My husband… well he’s different. Shae, you have to respect them. Don’t come out of the mouth all crazy. Okay? You said you could do this.”
“Alright!” Shae shrugged her off. “What’s with the attitude? You think I can’t hang with your fancy life? Girl, please. I was the one that taught you how to tone it down with your crazy ass.” Shae then took a long sideways look at Marietta. The white linen sundress that tied around the neck and flared at the hips was a Mirabella original, and her strappy sandals were from Gucci. She didn’t have time to do anything with her hair so she let it air dry with big loose curls after the shower. Still her attire was understated, classy, and Marietta knew it.
“Well I guess you have changed, Ms. Priss. You look… all prim and proper,” Shae said with the wrinkle of her nose.
Marietta swallowed her smile. “Liar. Bitch, I look sexy, pampered, rich.”
Shae rolled her eyes and giggled. “That’s my Mae! I knew you were in there behind that fake smile.”
“Oh cut the bullshit and point out the luggage!” Marietta laughed. Shae did. Renaldo was able to handle all the bags, and Shae travelled with three. One empty suitcase for all the shopping she intended to do in Italy. Shae was what Marietta would call hood-rich. She worked the clubs and did private parties in her early twenties. When business got really good she started her own escort company. She had girls who did bachelor parties and special events for sports stars and rappers. Shae said music videos were where the money and future clients were. Those video shoots sent her all over the world. Marietta was once one of those girls for hire. They were the same age, but Shae always had more confidence and business savvy. She gave Marietta her first loan to open her furniture business, and helped her when her adoptive parents turned her away.
Once in the car and on the road Marietta relaxed. Shae had a client, or boyfriend, that was some big time general. The man flew to Chicago regularly to see her.
“So how’s Joe?” Marietta asked.
“Dead,” Shae answered softly.
“Wait what? Dead?” Marietta asked.
Shae glanced over at her with tears in her eyes. “He had a heart attack. I wasn’t with him. His son called and told me. I couldn’t come to the funeral. His wife would take one look at me and have her own heart attack on the spot.” Shae chuckled, but it was a sad empty chuckle. “I’m done, girl. I’m done being the side chick. I think you had the right idea. I need a change.”
“I can understand change,” Marietta smiled. “Lord knows I made a big one when I married Lo.”
“So tell me all about him. This Sicilian you married?” Shae asked.
“He’s my man. All mine. I can’t describe him. You have to meet him. Trust me, when you meet him it will make sense.”
“I’m confused. You were all worked up to find your mother and father in Italy. Then bam!” Shae snapped her fingers. “You call me and say you got married?”
“Yeah, it happened fast. He knocked me off my feet. Literally.” Marietta laughed.
“What’s funny?” Shae asked.
“Nothing. Private joke. I love him, girl. I’ve never loved a man so much. He’s like part of me in a weird way. We both fuck up, but we get each other. I love him with all my heart.”
Shae cast her a funny look. Marietta shrugged. It was the truth. She didn’t care about the tough girl act she had with Shae. What she had with Lorenzo was one hundred percent real, and she’d kill any bitch who tried to come between them.