Amore (16 page)

Sitting up she put her back to the headboard. She waited for Dominic to share more. But he didn’t. He stood and stretched and then walked off to the bathroom. The phone rang. With a curious frown she reached for it and answered. “
Pronto?”

“Catalina?” a deep voice asked.

“Yes? Who is this?” she answered.

“Armando.”

“What?” she gasped. “Why are you calling here?”

“I wanted to thank you for—”

Catalina slammed the phone down. She exhaled deeply and watched the phone as if it were to jump and tell Dominic who the caller was. Her heart raced so fast she nearly thought it would stop. The phone didn’t ring again. Catalina bit on her nail, concerned. She’d tell Marietta and Mirabella about their brother’s strangeness and let them deal with it. She didn’t need anything to upset Dominic further.

When Catalina heard the shower come on she eased out of bed. They were in the new villa Giovanni bought for Mirabella. The odd thing was, in the past two years Mirabella had only visited it once. Catalina had to take pictures of every room for her to decorate. The place had eight bedrooms and three large entertainment rooms. It was perfect for the kids because she made sure one of the rooms was equipped with everything they’d like to play with. There was little she could do to help Dominic but offer him support. Whatever divided the men now would pass. It always did. Dominic was smart. He’d find a way.

Catalina opened the door and peeked inside. The steam billowed up out of the top of the shower and clouded the atmosphere in the bathroom. “We will have a great homecoming dinner when they arrive, all of the family will be gathered again. And we’re the hosts,” she said.

Dominic didn’t answer. She went over to the shower and eased open the glass door. He reached for her the moment she stepped inside. He took her into his arms and just held her. He then kissed her cheek tenderly. Catalina smiled. She touched the sides of his face and kissed him back. She drew his face up and looked into his eyes. “Do you know what the real problem is, Domi?”

He stared into her eyes and let her speak.

“You’re so loyal. That’s what makes you different from Lorenzo. And Giovanni knows this. It boils down to jealousy, Domi. You can never see yourself the way we do. I don’t care if Lorenzo is older, or Giovanni tougher, you’re the wise one Domi. You keep us all going. You’re the one with the real power and heart.”

“It’s more to it than jealousy. Lorenzo is my brother and a good man. He’s loyal to Gio, to the family. He just doesn’t respect me because I haven’t earned it. Every man in the clan has shed blood, been to jail, even Gio. Not me. I’m the baby brother they all protect.”

“Domi, let Lo play big man now. You are the heart of this family. Without you neither Gio nor Lo can survive. Neither can I.”

First came the kiss of agreement. He cupped her ass with both hands. The tip of his tongue licked at the crease of her lips and drew her mouth to his. She curled her tongue around his and deepened the kiss. Dominic squeezed her ass like a vice. She felt the bottoms of her feet rise as she was forced to her toes. Crushed up against him, she kissed him deeply. The warm spray of the shower, and her rising temperature, flattened her hair to her skull and dampened her body with moisture all over.

“I don’t care if I’m never Gio or Lorenzo. All I ever wanted was you,” Dominic said. Catalina’s eyes teared over his devotion. He pinned her to the shower. Up against the tiled wall, with her legs wrapped around his waist, she held to his face and kissed him. She drove her tongue deeper as he screwed up into her with repeated hard strikes. Catalina’s pussy expanded and contracted. She felt him reach her pelvic bone. Dominic held her up by the back of her thighs and she bounced under his instruction. The friction scraped her back up and down the wall. Her pussy accepted and released the tension. It was glorious and far too much. There was tenderness in his kiss and voice, but he was all masculine strength in the ways he drilled her pussy. She whimpered. He kept fucking her and she was barely able to breathe. Dominic broke the kiss to love on her breasts. He could suck her nipples for an eternity, or until they were tender and bruised. She didn’t mind. She closed her eyes and let him have her.

“Yes! Yes, Domi!” she panted.

He dropped his head on her shoulder and squeezed the cheeks of her ass. He slammed up into her repeatedly until she felt the aftershocks in her pelvis. And then he released. She kissed the side of his face, and held him as he shuddered through an orgasm he denied himself all evening. She didn’t mind that she didn’t have one. All she truly wanted was for Dominic to be confident and strong when he met with Giovanni and Lorenzo. Maybe there was something she could do to help.

“Domi?”

“Mmmm,” he groaned, unwilling to release her.

“I’m ready,” she whispered in his ear.

His head lifted and he looked into her eyes. Those dreamy long lashed eyes of Dominic’s were the color of cola. She melted the moment she saw her reflection in them when she was a young girl. They still held power over her. “I’m ready to get married. Let’s do it this summer. Okay?”

“This summer? You sure?”

“Yes!” she screamed.

Dominic let go a deep laugh. He kissed her brow, nose, and then lips. “
Ti amo, Catalina
. With all my heart.”

“I’m going to make so many babies with you, Domi. The sooner the better. We can have it all. Right, Domi?”

He kissed her again and she giggled. His cock was so flaccid it slipped out of her and she was lowered to her feet. Still his mouth remained glued to hers. She could feel his strength return in that kiss.

**

The chauffeured car drove out of the airport. Her husband rode in the front seat next to the driver. Mirabella sat with Gianni in one car seat, and Gino in the other. Gianni was the only baby she had left who sucked a pacifier and clung to his mama. Gino never accepted the habit, and Eve gave it up once she found her independence, after her brothers were born. Gianni blinked his round blue eyes up at his mother and sucked. She smiled down at him. She let him hold her hand. Her only wish was that Eve could ride with them. Her daughter had protested when they left the plane, and she was relegated to the car with Marietta and her American friend. Next time she’d remind her husband to have passenger vans for the family, not these cars.

Giovanni laughed and joked with Nico. Her husband was in a good mood. It would make him more accepting of her first request. Marietta may be right. Tonight she should step out on her own. Really go for it. She needed to practice what she preached to Giovanni during their long discussions about her company and independence. Instead of dinner together tonight, she wanted to visit her office at Fabiana’s, meet with the girls, and have a celebratory dinner with them. Mirabella drifted on all the things she would have to prepare for. The closer they drew to leaving and returning to Milano, the more nervous she felt.

“Bella? I spoke to Dominic. He said he needs you to meet with the attorneys first thing in the morning. And he wants to know about the interview we agreed to.”

“Will you join me? In the interview?” Mirabella asked.

Silence greeted her. Giovanni had only committed to one interview with the press, but still he was unwilling to get in front of the cameras.

“I think it should be you and your sister,” he eventually answered. “Don’t you? You two are both the face of the company now.”

“Yeah, I guess,” she said trying to mask her disappointment. “Sweetheart, you have to pose for my press pictures. I want you at my side. I want the world to know I’m your wife. Please consider it.”

“I will,” he mumbled.

Gino hit at her. He leaned forward in his seat and blinked those doll baby eyes up at her. He said something in his baby voice. She picked up the toy truck he’d tossed to her lap and gave it to him. He settled back down. Gianni’s lids were lowered. Even in his sleep he held tight to her finger.

“The new woman, did she arrive okay?” Giovanni asked.

“Yes, honey. She was on the plane with you. I introduced you. Remember?” Mirabella said.

He didn’t answer. Mirabella rolled her eyes. Their new home was a bit more snug for their large family and entourage. But the home Lorenzo had in Bellagio was far grander. She imagined her husband would grow restless in Milano, and try to convince them to stay there instead. It would hamper her efforts to work fulltime. With Giovanni she had to be one step ahead of him on these matters. It was sometimes mentally exhausting. They drove up a hill to the gate of their new home.

“Mama! Mia camera! Mia camera!”
Gino exclaimed.

Mirabella chuckled. “Yes baby, that’s your house and inside is your bedroom.” Her son nodded in agreement like a big boy. She had told all the children they were going on an adventure, and would have a new bedroom to sleep in. She’d probably split her time between sleeping with her babies and her own bed. The layout of the villa meant their bedroom was further up the hall.

The car stopped and the men got out. Mirabella helped unfasten Gino first and he was nearly climbing out of his car seat as soon as the belt was removed. When she turned to help Gianni she saw Nico had already opened the car door and was removing her sleeping boy. Nico may be her husband’s shadow, but often their family giant found time to sneak away and play with the boys. Eve clung to him like he was a big teddy bear. She smiled her thanks and exited the car last. Mirabella glanced up to the villa. It was quite charming. A neat two-story, square shaped villa with yellow wildflowers banked around the edges.

“Everything okay, Bella?” Giovanni stepped behind her. Gino pulled her hair.

“Ah, yes,” she said and winced. She untangled her locks from her son’s hands. Giovanni heaved him up above his head proudly. She smiled at her boys and then followed her husband from around the car. Marietta and the rest of the family followed. The men began to unload the luggage.

“You’re here!” Catalina screamed. She ran from the front door. Mirabella was the first person she hugged. But Eve was now at her mother’s side and Catalina lifted her up into her arms and showered her face with kisses. “I have missed you all so much! Hi, my Evie! Nippy has missed you! Come inside!”

Mirabella took Gino from Giovanni and followed her sister in-law. The villa was much cooler than the muggy afternoon temperature steaming up outside.

“I want to show you the room I did for the kids first,” Catalina told her. “It’s right down here. These little ones we must make happy. Right, Eve?”

“Yes, Nippy!” Eve laughed.

Catalina put her down and took her hand. “And oh! Wait! I have a surprise too.” She continued. Gino began to twist in Mirabella’s arms so she set him down as well. The toddler turned and ran in the direction of his father. Mirabella accepted a sleeping Gianni from Nico instead of chasing after her son.

“I will see to him, Donna,” Nico said.

“Thank you. If Giovanni starts smoking those cigars can you please bring him back to me?”

“
Sí,
Donna,” Nico said and walked off.

“Slow down, Catalina, I need to introduce you.” Mirabella called after her. She did so in time for Shae and Marietta to catch up with them.

“Introduce?” Catalina paused in the hall. She looked directly at their houseguest with surprise. In her haste to greet everyone Mirabella was sure Catalina missed her.

“This is Shae Dennis from Chicago, America. She’s Marietta’s friend. She has come to visit.”

“Oh?
Perdonami!
Ciao, sono Catalina
.” She extended her hand. Shae shook it and smiled. “I love your pink hair!” Catalina grinned.

Shae touched the streak of pink to the front of her hair and smiled. “Thank you, I mean
gracias
,” Shae said.

Catalina looked to Mirabella who hid her smile. Confusing Spanish with Italian was cute. But they didn’t want to make Shae uncomfortable so neither of them corrected her.

“Now everyone come with me. It’s just right here.” Catalina pointed to a room door at the far end of the hall. When they passed through it Mirabella was reminded of the screened in terrace at Villa Mare Blu. But never in all her efforts to spoil her children had she seen anything remotely like this. Toys and treasures for the kids were everywhere.

“Mommy! Look!” Eve gasped and ran through the room. Mirabella put Gianni, who was now awake, down, and he joined his sister’s enthusiasm. It looked like a screened in terrace. Catalina had a six-foot tall, two story princess castle erected in the corner of the room for Eve to crawl inside and play with. It was equipped with life sized prince and princess dolls seated at a table and chairs.

“This is too much,” Mirabella frowned.

“Are you kidding? It’s a fucking kid’s paradise,” Marietta laughed.

Catalina grinned with her hands over her mouth. She looked giddy with excitement. “We have so much work to do, and I know you are on thin ice with my stubborn brother. We need to keep the
bambini
happy and entertained, and you less stressed. No? This is perfect.”

“They’ll be bored with it in a week,” Marietta joked. “Nice try though.”

On the floor was a train track and large locomotive engine that two little boys could ride around the room. Cecilia picked up Gianni and sat him on it so he could ride. There were two activity tables and painting easels for all the kids. A television was mounted from the ceiling with a VCR attached. Mirabella saw blocks of all sizes, floor puzzles, dolls, and a baby doll crib. There was so much for her children Mirabella did feel at ease. She walked over to Catalina and kissed her.