Amore (27 page)

Pre-Show

“Can I talk to you?” Mirabella said to her sister.

Marietta glanced up from her work and looked around her team. She had everyone gathered in her office going over last minute changes made by the engineer in charge of the lighting for the event. They’d just finished the music selections. Mirabella had observed it all from the door before stepping in to summon her.

“Continue working, everyone. I’ll be right back.” Marietta said. Mirabella glanced to the friend Marietta brought into the family from Chicago. Shae seemed to be taken with Jamie. They were on the sofa eating candied almonds from a crystal dish, and flipping through one of Jamie’s portfolio books. Kyra was probably in the shoe warehouse obsessing over her designs.

“Something wrong?” Marietta asked.

Mirabella nodded to the open huddle room, a smaller office fit for a more intimate conversation. She closed the door behind Marietta. Her sister sat down with a look of concern. “What is it? What?”

“We’ve been so busy since this morning, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you,” Mirabella smiled. “You’re doing a great job. You and Catalina are made for this business.”

“Oh?” Marietta put her hand to her chest. “Girl, I thought something had happened.”

“Relax. I, ah, just wanted to talk.” Mirabella glanced to the window. Every office was made of clear glass walls. One could look from their meeting room into the next. She saw Shae up on her feet. She danced and pranced around in some platforms Jamie must have located for her.

“Okay, what is it? You’re acting funny,” Marietta said.

“Your friend,” Mirabella began.

“Shae?”

“Yes. I like her. I really do,” Mirabella said.

“But?” Marietta narrowed her eyes.

“You need to talk to her,” Mirabella said.

“About what?” Marietta asked.

“Last night, she was outside with Carlo. Zia saw her. It might be totally innocent. But you know my husband and his rules. Look at poor Renaldo and what became of him because of his affair with Kyra. I promised Gio that there would be no more trouble with his men and the women who work for me.”

“Carlo? You sure?” Marietta asked.

“It’s what Zia saw. I can’t be sure. Talk to her, okay? Remind her of the only house rule.”

“Right. No fucking the help. I got it,” Marietta said.

Mirabella smiled. “I’m nervous.” She checked her watch. “Gio and the kids should be here in a hour. Margot Duval is doing the interview from Vogue. She wants it recorded for their cable television show.”

“Don’t be nervous. We went over all the acceptable questions. You’ll do fine.”

Mirabella scratched her brow. She expected a few pictures taken of her family and a print article. She had not prepared Giovanni for a film crew.

“Is everything okay with you and King B? He isn’t fighting you on this?”

“Huh?” Mirabella came out of her thoughts.

“Are you and Giovanni okay?” Marietta asked.

“Yes. He was so cute this morning. Asking me all kinds of questions about the show. He was just tired last night,” Mirabella smiled. “A little grumpy. He’s fine.”

“Yeah right, grumpy.” Marietta laughed.

Mirabella stood and started to pace. She practiced her breathing. Fabiana would always make her breathe in deep from her nose, and exhale slowly out of her mouth. There was plenty to do. She needed to get back in the design room and continue with the models’ fittings. The interview would be fine. She could handle it.

**

Giovanni stepped over toy trucks. Gianni held to his pants leg and matched his steps while sucking his pacifier. He wanted to prove to his Bella that he’d be supportive of her day. Spending time with the kids was a good start. He glanced over to Gino who sat with Eve playing with some toy. Neither child looked up. He reached down and picked up Gianni, went to the door and opened it. Leo nodded at him and he turned and went back inside. In less than an hour he would have to take the children to their mother. There was no reason why the meeting should extend past that.

Nico escorted his visitor in. Giovanni sat on the sofa and put Gianni on his lap. The children stopped playing to stare curiously at their uncle. Armando Mancini stepped inside with one of his men.

“Gio, ciao.”

“Join me,” Giovanni said. Typically he’d have Lorenzo and Dominic with him for this type of meeting. Lorenzo was dealing with the
Ndrangheta,
and Dominic had Bella and her attorneys to tend to. Rocco had gone to the gym with Carlo and the other men to watch their new boxer train. Before walking over to take a seat in the chair across from Giovanni, Armando paused to look upon the children. He smiled at Eve and she smiled up at him.

“My time is short,” Giovanni said.

“Of course. She’s grown, they all have,” Armando said. He occupied the seat. Nico escorted Armando’s shadow out of the room.

“I think a conversation between us is long overdue,” Giovanni began.

“Lorenzo acts as your proxy. I’ve offered a seat at my table to discuss family matters, but you have declined,” Armando said.

“We aren’t family,” Giovanni reminded him. Gianni scooted off his lap to go over and play with his brother and sister. Gino walked over and reached for Giovanni to pick him up. He did and sat his boy over to his right side.

“If we aren’t family, then let’s sever ties. On more than one occasion I’ve wanted to discuss the compensation to my… sisters. I believe my father’s guilt made him impulsive. If you are willing to put a figure to the inheritance, I’m open to hearing it.”

“I’ve left it to Lorenzo. He’s working on a proposal for you. I believe you two will come to terms soon.”

“How soon?” Armando snapped.

“Soon,” Giovanni replied with a smile. “Until then, I’ve received your payments. I’ve had the accountants review the financials. Everything appears to be in order.”

“Let me be clear, Giovanni. I will only tolerate you in my family affairs for so long. Two years is more than any man in my position would be willing to accept. It is to both of our benefit that we conclude our business, and continue the truce between our families.”

“Is that why you continue to reach out to Marietta? Why you paid my sister a visit at Fabiana’s? And now you have my wife asking for you to attend her birthday party. This brotherly love act of yours is just you seeking to keep a truce?”

“Partly. Another part of it…” Armando paused as he looked to Gino who stared directly back at him. Giovanni looked down at his son. Gino was oddly silent and observant, adapting the disposition of his father. It wouldn’t seem strange if Gino wasn’t so young. Most toddlers couldn’t sit still for more than two minutes. Giovanni had to smile and worry about Gino.

Armando chuckled. “He is truly your boy, Gio.”

“He makes his papa proud,” Giovanni agreed.

“Mirabella is my sister. She has my blood. Your children have more Sicilian blood in them than you. I think I see my father in
il piccoletto
.”

The insult burned as if a hot coal was thrown in his lap. And if it weren’t for his children being present he might have reacted. Instead he let his temper chill over the truth. In this game Giovanni held the cards, not Armando. A far different balance than the war games they played when they were kids.

“Of course, there’s a blood tie. I’ve accepted it. And my men are aware. Are yours?”

Armando didn’t answer. Giovanni cocked his head to the left and studied Armando. The motherfucker was obedient because he was a coward. “How will
la cosa nostra
feel about your connection to me? The bastard Don of the
Camorra
owns two-thirds of your legitimate companies. The same bastard Don who has now put the
Ndrangheta
on their knees? Who wiped out the Calderones, Mottolas, and still evokes fear in the Bonaduces.”

“Don’t stroke your dick in front of me,” Armando seethed.

“You’re right. I prefer you do it.” Giovanni smiled.

The silence lengthened. Giovanni was the first to speak. “Stop with the bullshit of them being your sisters. Admit your cowardice. Ask me again nicely and I’ll put a price on your release.”

“This war between us is a waste of time and energy. We aren’t kids anymore, Gio. We belong to different worlds and it should remain that way. But if that has changed and you want to make an enemy out of me…”

“I agree we need to reach a compromise,” Giovanni cut in.

Armando looked unconvinced. Giovanni continued. “Presently the press is at my fucking door. My actions, finances, everything accessible to those bloodsuckers is being picked apart. Do you understand?”

“You’re being investigated?” Armando clarified.

“Aren’t we always? It’s why I asked you here. There is a need for discretion with the severing of our ties. A necessary delay.” Giovanni reached over and put Gino on his lap. “Come, bring your men and join us in Bellagio for my Bella’s birthday. We’ll show the world we’re friendly. Consider it an act of good faith.”

Armando swiped his hand back through his hair. For the first time since he arrived he saw the torment and conflict in his nemesis. He also understood why Lorenzo wasn’t so willing to let this fish off the hook. At first all Giovanni could think about was keeping Mancini from his wife. Now he had a taste of something he’s wanted since he was fifteen. Revenge.

“I will see you at the party.” Armando stood.

To Giovanni’s surprise Eve walked over to him.
“Ciao!”
she said.

Armando looked down at her.
“Ciao, bella.”

“Sono Evie,”
she grinned.

“Mi chiamo, Zio Armando,”
he replied.

“Zio?”
Eve wrinkled her nose. She looked to her father for an explanation.

“We’re done,” Giovanni said. His daughter immediately came over to her father and climbed on the sofa. She found a place on his lap next to Gino. Armando looked to her once more and then winked. He nodded at Giovanni before he left.

“Who is he, Papa?”

“A ghost. You won’t see him again.”

**

“Thank you very much, Mirabella, for inviting us here today with you. I know you must be under such pressure with the show less than a day away.”

Mirabella walked Margot Duval through her show room. The Vogue fashion reporter and critic had a new television show in the States that was even broadcast in the U.K. Not only did Mirabella invite her for an exclusive, but she refused any payment for the interview. She wanted a genuine honest critique of her work. She needed it.

“Larry, get that shot,” Margot said. She pointed to Zenobia, Mirabella’s model, being fitted for one of her dress slips. Mirabella waited for the cameraman to get the footage Margot requested, and then they moved on.

“I’m excited to sit down and have this conversation. It’s long overdue.”

“Yes! The last time I saw you was six years ago in Paris. Remember Fabiana had the party at Chateau Vicci?” Margot said.

Mirabella smiled fondly at the memory. “That was some night.”

“One of the most memorable,” Margot agreed.

“This way.” Mirabella led the reporter to the private room she had polished for the interview and photos. Fabiana taught her many things about the press. Today she hoped to make her mentor proud. They passed through the door where Giovanni and the kids waited. Gino and Gianni wore matching blue knickers with tweed vests and bowties. They chased after each other, playing merrily. Eve wore a blue and white tea dress with blue ribbons on the ends of her two long French braids. She sat next to her father reading a book to him. Giovanni glanced up. Of course he was as handsome as ever. And with the studio lights burning bright in the white on white room, his violet blue eyes sparkled like gems. Mirabella smiled with pride. “Meet
mia famiglia
,” she said.

“Oh my! They are adorable. May we?” she signaled for the cameraman to film the boys wrestling over a toy. Giovanni’s gaze narrowed on the man but he didn’t object.

“Only for a few minutes,” Mirabella said.

“Of course. Hello, sweetheart, what is your name?” Margot asked Gino.

He glanced to his mother and then to the reporter. She knelt in front of him with the microphone. He grabbed it with his hand and turned the bulb. The reporter laughed.

“This is Gino, and he’s Gianni.”

“They’re identical. Blue eyes? My, their eyes are striking,” the reporter said with a confused frown. She glanced to Mirabella and she understood the surprise. Brown, blue-eyed children were not common.

“And my oldest daughter Eve,” Mirabella said. She picked up Gino, and took Gianni by the hand. The reporter turned her attention to Giovanni and Eve.

“All of your children have blue eyes? That is very rare for black… ah children of mixed race.”

“They all look like their father,” Mirabella corrected her.

“Tell her that’s enough, Bella,” Giovanni said in Italian. She knew the American reporter didn’t understand his statement. So she gave a pleasant smile. “Okay, babies, let’s go. Come on, Eve,” Mirabella said.