A Life Sublime (10 page)

“What kindness is there in trying to kill me?”

“Rocky, I think you need a holiday.”

“You speak to me for the rest of the time we’re here, you and your car will end up at the bottom of the Tyrrhenian. I swear to God.” He blinked dark eyes at Belinda who was watching the exchange in horror.

“I apologise, Mrs. Afriyie. I’m Rocco Mamione. That fool is Giuseppe Nardiello.”

Belinda shook her head at them, “If you were children, I’d put ginger on your bits to teach you a lesson.”

Beppe got out of the car. “Mrs. Afriyie, that sounds like foreplay.”

She clipped him around the back of the head. “It’s not enjoyable! Now if you don’t behave, you don’t want to know what I will do to you. It’s not even about your friend, it’s about Georgina. She hasn’t got family the same way Nicholas has, so this is the most important day in
her
life. You forget that, you will die. I am warning you. You interfere with the day in any way I do not like, you will die. Am I lying or standing?”

Beppe opened and closed his mouth. “Standing?”

“Good boy. Now get out of my sight. Rocco,” she turned to the other young man who seemed to have sucked his lips into his mouth, “are you all right? Do you need something for your stomach?”

He sent her a grin, naughty enough to probably be banned in a church. “No thank you, Mrs. Afriyie. That just made me feel a whole lot better. Beppe, let’s go.”

Belinda returned to the table and sat down to a rather raucous round of applause from everyone else. Massimo poured her some more wine. “I wonder if you would accept an honorary position within the
Esercito Italiano
? The army.”

“Stop teasing me,” she warned him.

“Why? It makes you smile.” His eyes traced her face in a way that made her feel he was touching her. “Why are you not wearing your glasses?”

“I don’t really need them,” she admitted quietly, not wanting anyone else to overhear. “I’ve been wearing them so long it’s just—” taking a deep breath, she started again. “It’s a habit. And I am long sighted, so sometimes I do need them to read, but other than that... I don’t know. I’m trying, as Georgina told me, to let go of the past and not ruin her wedding photos with glasses.”

“Astonishingly rude child,” Massimo murmured. “I prefer you without them. However, you look quite stern with them on. I also enjoy that.”

She frowned. “Why would you? I don’t think I’m your sort of woman.”

“And why would you be so quick to assume? Are you not intelligent? Do you not have integrity? Are you not extremely attractive?” She couldn’t speak. He gave a slight smirk. “I believe I have made my point, but please, do leave yourself some room to be further persuaded that you could absolutely be my sort of woman.”

To her astonishment, he picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles, then stood to greet Beppe and Rocky properly. What on earth was the man drinking to say that to her? She made to get up and sit next to Gina only to be told, “No, no, no Auntie, you stay where you are. Padre will look after you.”

She caught Sofia’s smirk and sat back down again. “Trying to escape?” Massimo asked mildly.

“No, I was just—” Hell.

“I told you. The last voice of reason stands before you.”

“After what you just said I’m not at all sure about you and your voice of reason.”

He simply grinned at her. After everyone carried on eating and drinking, Belinda went to bed but sleep evaded her for hours. Long after the clock chimed, announcing it was two in the morning, she stared up at the ceiling. She’d been on her own for such a long time. It was the only reason his words still echoed in her mind.

Just before the wedding ceremony was to start, Enzo, Vitale’s eldest son rang him as Massimo was attaching his cuff links. “Apologies for disturbing you,
Signor
Da Canaveze. My father died.”

Good to know an order could be followed without any unnecessary disruptions. “My condolences. He was a good friend.”

“I know he went to see you two days ago. He thought you were slighting him over your son’s wedding. He didn’t, upset you?”

“I made my position clear. He accepted it.”

“He was still angry when he got home.”

Massimo didn’t appreciate the turn of the conversation. “He did not come back to see me.”

“No, I know. I don’t mean to imply anything,
Signor
Da Canaveze. No one left the villa he just, passed away in his sleep. I just... I would hate to think the Vitale name has been tainted by my father’s disrespect.”

“That,
Signor
Vitale, is entirely up to you.”

“I understand. My father mentioned a blessing?”

“It will be at St. Andrew’s church. You father’s invitation is at his home in London.”

“Thank you. The funeral will be here. He always wanted to be buried in
Napoli
.”

“
Signor
Vitale, you will excuse me, but I must prepare for my son’s wedding. You will understand the celebrations must continue. Again my condolences to you.”

“Yes sir. Of course. Thank you for your kind words.”

He ended the call. Better not to let the children know until after the wedding. Nothing else should disrupt the day or call his promise to ensure the very best for today into question. Finishing his
toilette
with Aqua di Palma, he made his way downstairs to where his son was waiting under the olive tree for his bride.

Massimo tapped Nick gently on the shoulder. “Are you nervous?”

“No, just ready to get it done. Have my girl all to myself.”

“Nicholas,” Massimo said warningly.

“I know she’s not going anywhere. It’s just been a long time coming.” He smiled suddenly, and Massimo could immediately recall what it was like to carry him in his arms. His eldest had been such a serious child that his smiles were like the touch of an angel. One felt as if they had truly earned his amusement. “Remember when you ordered us to dinner?”

“Ah, when Georgina showed me true command of a temper. Remind me to make amends for that.”

“Anything by Vivienne Westwood would do it. Do you remember what you said to me?”

“Before or after your mother upset you?” Massimo asked dryly, straightening his son’s collar. There was no tie, he had to make something presentable.

“Before.”

“You will need to refresh my memory.”

“You said I had something more precious than anything I would ever experience in my life. A woman who loved me in spite of everything that I am. And he next Sunday I should go to church and thank God for it. Be grateful for what I had.”

“An articulate day for me,” Massimo acknowledged, tucking his hands into his pockets.

“It was. But then you’ve always liked Gina.”

Massimo looked up. “I have. For that reason, I tell you, do not taint her, change her, or bend her to your ways. I once asked her to accept you as you are. You must do the same because you carry the girl’s soul in your hands. Or her aunt 
will
 boil you in a soup. And I will grind the pepper for it.”

Nick grinned, blinking what looked suspiciously like tears away. “Yes, Dad.”

“You are very fortunate,” he said, patting his cheek gently. “I should take you to a casino one of these days.”

Nick winced, “We can’t do that again. It was a three day clean up.”

“Ah yes. That is a shame.” He beamed at his son, his beautiful, eldest child. The pride he felt now was equal to his sense of pride at Paul’s wedding. He cleared his throat. “Are you ready?”

Nick wrapped his arm around his father’s neck, “Pads, I’ve been more than ready for years. Just waiting for Mrs. Soprano to catch up.”

Fighting a lump in his throat, Massimo patted Nick’s back. After everything they’d been through, today was nothing less than a blessing. They released each other and found their composure as Tony approached.

Tony clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Rings in hand, Nicky D. Ready to reassure me that I entirely upstaged your wedding?”

Nick pointed at him. “You’re going to be really good mates with that cliff if you’re not careful.”

Tony laughed, “Auntie Belinda will be upset with you.”

“Don’t be so sure. Did you see how she was eyeing those tree branches every time you spoke? Might do you a favour if I get to you before she does.”

It was Sofia who started them all off. Gina stepped out of the second suite and into the bedroom, holding out her arms, “This went on too easy. I feel like I’m missing something.”

The three other women all took in a gasping breath. Draped in what looked like three layers of intricately embroidered lace, Gina’s curvaceous figure was lovingly framed in gold hinted cream. From the diamond barrette clip that tucked her loosely curled hair behind one ear, to the delicate beading highlighting a modest cleavage and her shoulders in a flattering square neck line, to the short train hugging her bottom, all she was missing was a pair of wings.

Sofia simply burst into tears. “You look so beautiful. God, where’s my glass of champagne?”

Belinda looked her best friend’s daughter up and down. “You are missing one thing.” She crossed the room and gave her a blue velvet box. “Your mother gave this to me on my birthday just before she passed away. I thought you should wear it. Since you’re not wearing any gold.”

Gina started. “Oh Auntie, you didn’t need to!” Lydia and Sofia hustled to Gina’s side to look over her shoulder as she opened the box. All three women gasped. A solid silver diamond-faced watch sat in the velvet.

“Don’t ask me how she afforded it, or if it fell off the back of some lorry. I don’t know. But it’s the most precious piece of jewellery I own.”

Gina breathed out and beamed at her. “It’s my something borrowed.”

Belinda shook her head. “It’s your something old. I want you to have it.”

Gina bit hard on her lip for a long time. “Thank you. You’ve been full on African mum to me. I can’t say enough to show you how much I appreciate it. Other than… hold on.”

She turned away as Lydia murmured, “There are a lot of rocks being passed around. Did I miss something when I got married?”

“Shush you,” Belinda tutted.