Ti Amo (18 page)

“Bonaduce has refused our requests for a meeting. We still believe he has Angelo.” Lorenzo answered.

Giovanni reclined back in his chair tossing the unopened mail to the top of his desk. “Then we must give him something he wants more than his desire to challenge me.”

“Precisely why I’m preparing to offer him a few liberties in the Campania.” Dominic answered. It would be considered a generous offer, since the Battaglia’s now had a hold on trafficking their weapons through the cruise liners that docked in and out of Napoli. No one in the Cammora had such a profitable deal. Bonaduce would be a fool not to seize on the opportunity.

Lorenzo shook his head. “Forgive me, Gio. I must be heard on this.”

“Speak your mind.” Giovanni said.

“We need to strike hard.” Lorenzo slammed his fist down into his palm. “Angelo’s life is owed to you. To negotiate only makes you weak.”

“I thought you wanted to end the war?” Dominic frowned at Lorenzo. 

“We end it with Calderone’s life, Gio.” Lorenzo answered speaking with his hands. “Then we make peace. It’s the only way the families know you won’t tolerate the disrespect in the future. Calderone is not part of the Cammora. They are owed nothing from Bonaduce nor us. This is a matter that should be settled the old fashion way.”

Giovanni rubbed his brow. A tension headache began from the bridge of his nose and spread up into his skull. He could feel his good mood shifting. As a little boy Giovanni was shown how to deal with traitors or those that dared to defy him. His father warned him to show any leniency would indeed cripple his image. He sucked down a breath and focused on his cousin. “Lorenzo, It’s you that owes me Angelo’s life. Would you not agree?”

All eyes went to his cousin. Lorenzo nodded that he did. Sadly killing another man didn’t repulse any of them. And the idea of killing a coward who had managed to evade them for two years would indeed be a pleasure.

“Very well. You and Carlo have unfinished business. I want it done, in a week. Do not disturb Bonaduce’s territory or bring any shame to him. Do it clean.”

“Clean? How the hell can we get in there and out without…”

Giovanni’s brow lifted and Lorenzo swallowed his words. He nodded his obedience.

“I’m a father now.” Giovanni said with pride. He swept his gaze over the men. “Soon I will be a husband. This blessing is because of Lorenzo returning my
belladonna
to me.” He settled his gaze back on Lorenzo. “For your loyalty I’ve decided you can have the triangle, as
sotto capu
.”

Several of the gathered men grumbled. Dominic’s eyes stretched. Even Lorenzo blinked at the generosity. Giovanni sat forward. “That is what you want? An empire of your own. The leash removed from your neck?”

“
Sì
. More importantly I want your respect. The respect of my brothers that I had lost. I just never…”

“Thought you’d earn it? You haven’t.” Giovanni reclined. “We need Angelo Calderone dead, and I want it done by your hand. Do it and all other past transgressions will be forgiven.”

“Consider it done.” Lorenzo nodded.

“One more thing.”

Lorenzo waited. Giovanni rocked back in his seat. “If you ever speak to Mira out of turn again, I will cut out your tongue after I make you remove your own balls.”

Lorenzo gave a nod as if it were a reasonable request and consequence. “Carlo had to leave for Sicily. He sends his regrets for missing the meeting. I will summon him, and we will handle it cousin. On my honor.” Lorenzo stuck the cigar back in his mouth and left. Giovanni’s gaze switched to Dominic. His consigliere dropped his head shaking it in disapproval. He didn’t give a fuck. Every man deserved a second chance. He wanted Lorenzo to have a fair shot at one. It was due to the compassion Mira had brought back into his heart. Giovanni smiled. He could have the future he wanted. It was within his grasp. After Angelo Calderone was dead the family would begin again. A new era of prosperity would resume. They didn’t need Flavio’s counsel to legitimize the family. Giovanni was more than capable to lead these men to a better future, free of blood and guns. He exhaled a deep sigh.

“Who wants to go first?”

****

“Okay. Close your eyes.”

Mira really wanted to put her baby girl down. Eve, however, clung to her neck for dear life. She heaved her heavy child in her arms while squeezing her eyes shut.

“Ready?”

“I’m ready.”

The door opened.

“
Sorpresa!
” Catalina exclaimed. Mira was stunned. She wasn’t gone a full twenty-four hours. So how was this even possible? “Before you say anything let me explain. Domi called and told me the news shortly after they found you in Switzerland. He said you were alive and we had a baby girl. A little
bambina
in the family! I went to work on this room right away.”

Eve lifted her head from Mira’s shoulder sucking on her pacifier. She blinked at the bright lemon yellow and black striped bumblebees and colorful butterflies hanging from the ceiling. Mira lowered her daughter and Eve immediately ran into the room. Her baby stopped, turning in a circle, her head back as she stared in wonder at the vibrant display hanging from the ceiling. She then turned and bolted for the little play table. The chairs had teddy bears and dolls tucked in with a tea set arranged on top. In the corner was a marionette stage. The puppets hung from their wires, staged in an act of theatrical play.

“It’s beautiful.” Mira said.

Eve grabbed a bear and walked over to the marionettes not sure of what she was seeing. Her daughter then spotted an open toy chest, which she approached curiously. Mira entered the room. The crib drew her. There was such a cheery bright feeling to everything. She’d never focused much on surrounding Eve with such an expressive place to grow. She spent so much time mothering her and being selfish with her daughter’s love. Eve kept her company throughout their lonely isolation. Why hadn’t she decorated and made their cottage home? Maybe part of her knew this day would come. This felt like home.

“Are you okay? Mira? Are you crying?” Catalina came closer.

Mira smiled through her tears. “Thank you so much. For this. It’s wonderful.”

Catalina hugged her. “Don’t cry. I have something better to show you.” Catalina walked over to a door Mira believed was the closet. When it opened she found it was not. Catalina had made the room a connecting one to hers and Giovanni’s. She put her hand to her mouth. “Oh my, this is perfect!”

Catalina gasped. She stepped back with eyes stretched. At first Mira thought it was Eve. So she looked down for her daughter who was busy pulling one toy then the next from the chest. Then she realized what had made Catalina’s smile fade and her face go pale. It was the diamond sparkling on her ring finger.

“Gio proposed to you? My brother pr-pr-proposed?” Catalina stammered.

“He did.”

Stunned, Catalina continued to stare at her in disbelief. Mira held out her hand. “I feel honored that he gave me your mother’s ring.” She stepped toward her. “It happened so fast I had no idea he would. We were going to tell you and the family together.” Before she could finish Catalina pulled her into a sweet embrace, one so snug and loving that Mira had to suppress tears of joy.

“I’m shocked. My brother, he’s been so distant since you left. I’ve been so worried about him. Now you’re back and I feel like we will change too. He never said… he’s never wanted to marry. And we’ve all tried to convince him to take a wife, trust me! To see him and you together makes me so happy. It’s how it should be.”

Mira felt the cinch of small arms around her legs. She let go of Catalina to look down. Eve had come over to hug them both. “Look at you baby! You want some of this?” she picked Eve up. Both Mira’s and Catalina’s cheeks glistened with tears. They kissed and hugged on Eve, and her daughter giggled as if their kisses tickled her.

“What do you think of the crib?” Catalina pointed it out. Eve and Mira glanced over at a cherry wood antique crib pushed up against the wall. The bedding was all done in yellow and lavender. Mira placed Eve inside. Her daughter sprang to her feet with her arms reaching. When Mira didn’t lift her, she spit out her pacifier and called her name. “Ma-ma!”

“You think she’ll sleep in it? She slept with me and Franco last night.”

“We might need to move the crib into our room for the time being. If she sleeps in it, it’ll have to be with us near her.” Mira chuckled.

“Done.”

“It’s gorgeous.” Mira ran her hand over the top rail. “It looks old, handmade?”

Eve plopped down on her bottom, sucking hard on her pacifier watching them. Her daughter couldn’t decide on anger or curiosity over being placed in a crib. Mira preferred they sleep together. After Kei finally put the crib she’d ordered together, Mira never had the heart to place Eve in it.

“That’s my surprise. It’s Giovanni’s crib from when he was a baby. I had them drop the mattress so she couldn’t get out and hurt herself. Yes, I believe it was handmade.”

“Thank you for doing this. I don’t know what to say.”

“No need to do or say anything. We have a wedding to plan. After all you did for me and my wedding I can’t wait to help you plan yours.”

Mira’s smile dimmed. She wasn’t sure of how fast she could move with plans while the world thought she was dead. Catalina reached in the crib and picked up Eve. She put her on her hip.

“How is married life treating you?” Mira asked desperate to change the subject.

“Oh, it’s great. Just great.” Catalina said. She put Eve down and began to run in circles. Eve ran around the room chasing Catalina, laughing. Mira watched them with happiness in her heart. With each day she began to realize she had again found a family.

****

Catalina entered her bedroom and paused. Franco was dressed for the evening. He looked over at her with a familiar cold congested look of tolerance. “
Ciao bella
.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m needed in
Piano di Sorrento
. I will be late this evening.”

“No. No Franco. I was thinking we’d all have dinner tonight as a family. Giovanni and Mira have an announcement. You won’t believe it Franco. They’re getting married. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“
Bene
. I’m happy to hear it. I’ll try to return early. It’s the best I can promise.”

He walked over and kissed her cheek. Catalina caught a whiff of his cologne and frowned. She took a long hard look at his attire. He wasn’t dressed for work. Franco opened a bottling factory with Giovanni’s backing and brought some of his friends from Sicily with their families to run it. None of them would put on an expensive suit for drinks at a pub. Three nights out of the week he spent out with the ‘men’ and each time she knew it was a lie. He never touched her and on the rare occasions they did make love it was as if neither were in the room. She knew the truth in her heart. He didn’t love her.

“Franco?”

Slipping on his leather ankle boots while sitting on the edge of the bed he looked up at her smiling “Yes?”

“You’re going to
her
aren’t you?”

Franco secured his boot, never taking his eyes off Catalina. Slowly he rose. Catalina gathered her courage to have the conversation she’d been avoiding for over a year. “Who is she? I know she exists so don’t deny it.”

Franco sucked in a breath grimacing with impatience. A snide smirk curled his lips. “You don’t know anything,” he said in a soft sympathetic tone. Catalina stood her ground. She folded her arms across her breasts and tossed her chin upward. He would not get away with treating her this way. After all he knew who her brother was.

“Oh, I know plenty.”

“So do I,” Franco chuckled.

“
Mi scusi
?” Catalina asked.

“You walk around here like some chaste little mafia princess when you’re nothing but a lying conniving slut!” he said. He might as well have struck her because his words left her recoiling back from him. Franco may be cheating on her, but in the two years they’ve been together he never disrespected her. She’d never seen him angry, and even now he behaved like it was all a game. That sly smile to his face, his dark olive black eyes dancing with amusement, he was taking pleasure in taunting her. “What did you call me?” she asked.

Franco sneered. “A whore just like your mother. You think I didn’t know on our wedding night? You think I still don’t know you’re fucking him!”

“You slimy bastard. How dare you say that to me?”

Franco threw his hands up in exasperation. “This is such bullshit. I don’t have time to argue. I’m late.”

“Wait!” she grabbed his arm. He shrugged her off and she slipped. Catalina fell to her backside hard. Never had Franco been so cruel. He’d been cold, indifferent, and absent since their honeymoon, but not cruel. “It’s not true Franco. I’m not sleeping with Domi,” she slipped and gave a name to the accusation. Franco let go a bitter laugh.

“Your mother prostituted herself to become your father’s queen slut and now you do the same while married to me. It is true.
Puttana!
” He spat on her.