“He is not!” Shae said.
“I don’t want to speculate. I’m just telling you what they say about him.”
“It’s bullshit. Calling a man a rapist is serious. He’s not a danger to you.”
Kyra arched a brow. “Are you sure?”
“I’m dating the man. Of course I’m sure,” Shae said.
“A minute ago, you said you were just friends.”
“And you know what the fuck I meant by that!” Shae hissed.
“Look, I like him. He’s really funny. And he’s very loyal to who they are. But he’s mean at times when he’s drunk, and a bit scary.”
“He’s a fucking man, like all the rest of them. Trust me not even yours is destined for sainthood.”
Kyra laughed. “That’s true. As Jamie would say, if you like it I love it, honey!”
Shae drank a bit more wine. “Well I like it!”
“Duly noted,” Kyra nodded.
Shae considered Kyra’s comments in silence. Carlo was different, complicated, but he wasn’t a rapist. She really felt sorry for him. Who did he have in his corner?
**
“Fuck this!” Carlo threw in his hand. Jamie squealed and dragged the money over to her end of the table. “You wear a dress, but play cards like a man!”
“And you carry a gun, but lose at cards like a
puttana!
” Jamie teased.
Ciro and Renaldo roared with laughter. Carlo didn’t enjoy the humor. Jamie winked at him. Carlo couldn’t help but shrug the insult off. Not long after meeting Jamie he began to respect the fearlessness in her. She didn’t lower her gaze when stared at. She didn’t walk out of a room when ignored. She took a seat at any table with an open chair. That took guts considering the world she was now thrust into.
Of course she soon came under the boss’s radar. Carlo was present when Renaldo was called in to tell them who Jamie was. He explained to Giovanni that the Donna had gone behind his back and funded a sex change operation for a man. Carlo believed the doctors cut Jamie’s dick off and did away with his balls too. The mere idea of it went against their faith. Giovanni didn’t challenge this news, though everyone knew it enraged him. The men were given orders to be watchful of her. After a few drinks, and cards played between them, Carlo had grown to accept Jamie for who she was. It was clear that Jamie was part of Renaldo’s family, and a very good person. Who was he to tell her she needed a dick to be respected?
“Vieni con me,”
Renaldo patted Carlo on his back. “Let’s talk.”
Ciro nodded that he was okay to be left behind. Carlo pushed up from the chair and took his beer with him. They walked to the front of the villa and out the door. To have any conversation they couldn’t do it in front of others. They both took a seat on the front step.
The moon had risen. Yet traces of the sun hadn’t completely faded away, which made the evening cool and pleasing.
“
Grazie
for having us over,” Carlo said.
“Va bene,”
Renaldo said.
Carlo glanced over to him. “If any questions come I’ll take the heat.”
“Yes, you will, because I’ve already told Dominic.”
“Perchè?”
Carlo asked.
“Dominic asked. I don’t lie,” Renaldo said simply.
Carlo nodded. Renaldo was one of the most loyal, by the gun and by his word, men he worked with. He did nothing without orders and approval from the bosses. His first act of rebellion cost him dearly. Which was total bullshit when one was to consider how many times Lorenzo broke the rules and got a slap on the hand. Not once since Renaldo’s return from America had he seen Renaldo complain or gripe. He took the demotion and cut in pay in stride. And he worked harder at the menial tasks given to him. Carlo would consider him weak or a chump if Renaldo wasn’t equally crafty and deadly when provoked.
“You of all people should understand forbidden fruit,” Carlo said.
Renaldo hung his head. He shook it slowly. “What are you doing with this one? The truth, Carlo?”
“What kind of question is that to ask? What does a man do with a woman?”
“It’s a direct question. Why are you with her?” Renaldo pressed. “And in secret? You bring her to my home after you know how it will be perceived.”
“I meant no disrespect. The women came up with the dinner plan. I should have confirmed it with you.”
Renaldo didn’t accept the explanation. He continued to stare straight ahead and sip his beer.
“Why are you with Kyra? Why is Lorenzo with Marietta? We all know why Giovanni chose Mirabella. But why did you make the choice?”
“It was made for me, by my heart,” Renaldo said.
“And how am I different?”
Renaldo’s gaze was slow to turn to Carlo.
“A man can’t live on whores alone,” Carlo said.
“You are no average man. Are you?” Renaldo asked.
“I’ve done things. I’ve been paid to do things. I don’t go around the country terrorizing women.” Carlo stood on the step. He was growing agitated. He expected others to doubt his intentions. But why did his brothers constantly have so little faith in him?
“She’s American. A stranger to our ways,” Renaldo said.
“So is Kyra!” Carlo said.
“But Kyra is to be my wife. Are you ready to marry? Take a permanent woman?” Renaldo asked.
Carlo turned up his beer and swallowed the last of it.
“She’s a friend. I can be friends with a woman and it not lead to trouble or marriage.” Carlo answered while keeping his voice dead even. Anger tightened like an iron knot in his gut.
“You have a lot to lose now. The boss has invested in your brother. Ciro becomes a real boxer in the IBF, it’s going to be good for you.”
“I’m not trying to make big moves, just my own,” Carlo said.
Renaldo nodded that he understood. “We can’t all be boss. We do what we do for respect, independence, money.”
“The brotherhood,” Carlo said.
“And the brotherhood. Fatherless sons always gravitate to brotherhood,” Renaldo said. “Things can be different for you now, Carlo. You are about to achieve it all from outside of the family. Be legitimate.”
Carlo cast his gaze to Renaldo. None of them had hopes of legitimacy. Especially once they turned their lives over to the
Camorra
. To be his own man was a rare opportunity for a thug with blood on his soul.
“Don’t screw it away playing games with that woman you barely know.”
“I can handle her,” Carlo assured him. “She’s far safer than the other option.”
“And what is the other option?” Renaldo asked.
“Me being alone,” Carlo said. “You remember that feeling don’t you? After your wife died? Before you met her?” he tossed his chin to the door. “Do you remember the man you were before? The man you are now, Renaldo, is he different?”
Renaldo didn’t answer. He sipped his beer.
“I thought so,” Carlo said.
**
Carlo remained outside with Renaldo. Jamie and Kyra were in the dining room setting the table for dinner. Shae chose to sit next to Ciro on the sofa. “Are you excited?”
He looked to her. She had never spoken to him before. The only time she heard him speak was when he did so in Italian. She forgot to ask if he knew English.
“
Sí, signora
, I am excited,” he said.
She sighed, relieved. Finally she could have a conversation with one of them. “Carlo has a lot of faith in you.”
Ciro nodded. “My brother,” he said with pride.
Shae found it cute. Carlo rarely smiled unless she made him do so. But when he and Ciro were training, he laughed and joked with the young man as if he were his son instead of a brother.
“How long have you two known about each other?” she asked.
He frowned as if to say he didn’t understand. Shae reformulated her question. “Carlo and you…brothers?”
Ciro nodded again. “Same father. Found each other.”
Shae smiled. “I’m happy for you both.”
“Carlo likes you,” Ciro said.
Shae’s brow arched. “Really?”
“
Sí
. A lot.
Amore
,” Ciro winked.
Shae nearly coughed up her wine. Ciro patted her back. She shook her head smiling. “I know what
amore
means, Ciro. We aren’t in love.”
“Soon,” Ciro assured her. In his way he was giving her his endorsement. The door opened and the men returned. Carlo looked at her and winked. Shae smiled. She may not be in love with him, but she sure did like him a lot.
Later –
“Dinner was nice,” said Shae.
She watched Carlo pull his shirt over his head and toss it. He wore a black t-shirt underneath. It fit snug against his muscular diaphragm. Carlo’s muscles flexed in his arms and chest, and she found it hard to look away. Shae fantasized about him often. During the day, and the evenings, when she couldn’t see him. She was glad to see the night end.
They were back at his hotel room. After dropping his brother off, they returned. She had initially thought they’d stay longer at Kyra’s, but all through dinner Carlo was sullen and quiet. He barely touched or acknowledged her. The shift in his attitude soured her mood as well. She was ready to go, and was relieved when he ended the evening.
“Carlo?”
“Take off your clothes,” he said and started off to the bathroom. He slammed the door. Shae stood there dumbfounded. Prince Charming was gone. She had no desire to spend the night with who was left. She opened her purse and checked to see how much cash she had on her. A cab ride back to the villa shouldn’t cost too much. Shae started for the door.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m leaving,” she told him.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because you’re in a mood. It’s late. I’m tired. Hell, pick a reason. The night is over.” She opened the door.
“Stay.”
Shae walked out. In the hall she turned left for the elevator, when the door opened again. She glanced back at him.
“Stay,” he said again.
“It might be best that I leave.”
“Stay,” he insisted. It sounded more like a plea from him than a demand. He opened the door wider. She walked back inside. Once in he locked the door. She tossed her purse to the chair.
“What happened? Before dinner you were fine. And then bam.” She snapped her fingers. “You changed.”
“I didn’t change. This is who I am.” he rubbed his brow. “I’m not angry. I’m…”
“What?” She waited for an answer. He didn’t respond. She stepped closer. “What? Are you disappointed? Aggravated? What?”
He smiled.
“So now it’s funny?” she asked.
“Will you stay the night?” he asked.
“Of course,” she smiled in return. “I’ll stay. Marietta thinks I’m spending the night with Jamie.”
He took her hand in his and kissed it. Carlo walked over to the bed. He sat on it and she joined him. For a moment they didn’t speak. And then it struck her. The room was clean.
“You cleaned up?” she asked.
“I knew you were coming,” he said.
She put her hand over his and covered it.
“I may come to America some day soon,” he said.
“Really?” she asked.
“Ciro will be a boxer, a good one. He’ll have fights all over the world. I will travel with him. Manage him.”
“You’re a good brother to him,” she said.
“He’s a good brother to me. He makes me… less angry,” Carlo said. He then glanced to her. “So what do you think? About me coming to America?”
“I’d love to show you Vegas,” she said.
He turned her chin. “I prefer you look at me when you speak. What’s in Vegas?” he asked.
“Don’t you know?” she teased.
“I want you to tell me.” He said, keeping his tone even.
“Vegas is huge for boxing.”
“Is it?” he said with his eyes focused on her lips. She licked the plump pair, and it made him lick his in return.
“I know you’ve heard of it. The city has the coolest party scene, with lots of gambling,” she said as she began to scoot back on the mattress. He pursued her and kissed her tummy, breasts, and then her cheek.
“Big shows, and celebrities too,” she sighed. “It’s like Milan at night, but with many more lights. So many blinking and flashing lights they blind you. Shae reclined at the center of the bed and kicked off her heels. He took hold of her wrists and brought them both over her head. The kissing stopped. She looked up into his eyes. Her legs parted and he fit between her thighs nicely. Her dress was up to her waist. He moved his hips in a slow circular motion that pressed his erection to her exposed sex. She chose to go without panties for the evening. She tried to maintain his stare. It was hard.
“How long do you plan to stay in Italy?” he asked.
“For as long as it takes,” she answered.