Ti Amo (13 page)

“Domi please listen. Let’s talk to him. He found Mira again, which means love survives. Haven’t we tried to stay away from each other? We can’t. I won’t do this anymore. I won’t.”

“Catalina! If he ever learned that I touched you he
will
kill me. Do you understand? I violated you before you married your husband. It was wrong then, and it’s a sin now!”

“Go to hell!” she rose from his lap, tears streaming down her face. “It’s not a sin. It never was. What is wrong is the lie you tell yourself to keep running from me.”

Dominic wiped both hands down his face.

Catalina walked away. She went to the doors of the office that faced the back gardens behind Villa Rosso. Folding her arms around herself, she wept.

“Domi, I want a word.”  Lorenzo charged in.

Dominic’s head turned. Lorenzo frowned at him then glanced up at Catalina. “What’s happened? Why is she crying?”

Catalina wiped her tears and forced herself to smile. She walked over to Lorenzo and threw her arms around his neck kissing both sides of his face. “I didn’t know you were here.”

Dominic cleared his throat. “Catalina’s upset that no one told her about Mira. She feels that we keep her in the dark. I told her it isn’t the conspiracy she thinks it is.”

“How could you know she was alive and not tell me, Lo?” Catalina let him go and stepped back. “Is that why you questioned me about a man in Mira’s life?”

Lorenzo closed the door behind him. “I’m sorry princess, but it couldn’t be helped. Did you hear the best part?”

Catalina smiled. “We have a
bambina
, and Mira named her after Ma-ma. I know Giovanni must be too happy!” She hugged Lorenzo excitedly once more. He hugged her back eyeing Dominic suspiciously. Dominic knew Lorenzo didn’t care for how he sat in Giovanni’s chair when he was away. Lorenzo even told him once it was a little presumptuous on his part. “Yes, and she’s a angel. Wait until you see her.” Lorenzo said.

“Domi said that might be soon. They went to Ma-ma’s villa? I guess to be alone?” Catalina’s gaze switched to Dominic. He didn’t meet her questioning stare. Catalina released a defeated sigh. “I will go find Franco and tell him the news. He will be happy too.
Ciao
.”

“Something I can do for you?” Dominic asked Lorenzo as soon as Catalina left the room.

“I’ll wait on the big man himself.” Lorenzo smiled. “Happen to know when he’ll return, it’s been two days?”

“Soon.” Dominic rocked back in the chair. “I’ve called a meeting tonight. I need you and Carlo to be present.”

“You? You called the meeting?”

Dominic sighed, “Is that a problem?”

Lorenzo chuckled. “Shoes too big for you to fill little one. Yes it’s a problem. But who the fuck am I to question anything.” He plopped down in the chair in front of the desk and crossed his long legs.

“Everything I have, Lo, I have it because I earned it.”

“Cut the shit Domi. If I hadn’t had this little disagreement with Giovanni, you’d still be whacking common hoods.”

“As I recalled your little disagreement morphed into a full-fledged war and the death of your woman!”

A steely silence settled between the men before Lorenzo sat upright and spoke.  “I have watched you for almost three years trail Giovanni as he was led blindly under Flavio’s direction. And today, he leads for another purpose. Revenge. That ended the day I returned his woman to him. The other families have had enough. If you don’t let me help put this house back in order, we could all lose in the end.”

“I’d rather we lose it all by Giovanni’s hands than yours. I know your motivation, Lo. You found Mira Ellison for your own selfish reasons. Now you look for inroads. It’s a dangerous game. Betray Gio again, and he will end you. If I get the order, I won’t hesitate to fulfill it.”

“Like you did poor Flavio?” Lorenzo smirked. The comment callously tossed his way arrowed to the center of Dominic’s heart. He managed to cover his anxiety and guilt but not by much. Dominic loved Flavio. Giovanni ordered him to kill the old consigliere to guarantee his loyalty. Still part of him changed when he had to kill his mentor. It only made him weak, and again he betrayed his common sense and reached for Catalina. Now he hid his shame in her breasts and made love to her knowing it was indeed a mortal sin.

“Nothing to say little one?”

“Yes. I put the bullet in Flavio, just as I would put the bullet in you because I love you as much.”

Mira passed Eve a cracker. Her baby sat up like a big girl between her and Giovanni. She made sure to dress her for the big day. She wore a pale pink dress and white tights. The sweater had been hand knitted by Mira when she was pregnant and in a month or two would be too small.

“What do you say Eve?”

“Thank you,” Eve said in a small sweet voice.

Giovanni’s eyes stretched. “She speaks, English?”

“Yes. She says certain words.” Mira chuckled.

Eve continued to nibble on her cracker. She kept brushing her fingers over his dark slacks leaving trails of crumbs. When he talked to Mira or the driver, she’d pat his thigh to remind him she was the center of his world. Mira didn’t think she’d ever seen Giovanni smile as much as he had in the back of the car. When the drive ended at the gates of Melanzana Mira felt her heart sink. She glanced over to Giovanni. He winked supportively at her.

“Are you ready for this?” he asked.

Mira unfastened the oversized seatbelt from around her daughter and pulled her on her lap. Giovanni waited for her to respond. Her heart hammered so hard and fast she couldn’t summon enough breath in her lungs to speak.
Was she ready?
Two days and they pretended the world didn’t exist. All of their energy was focused on Eve. And the nights were equally as sweet with them staying up to dawn talking, and talking. He hadn’t touched her other than to kiss her or hold her. She loved the natural pace of things. Now they were marching into his world and she had to be ready. It would take all of her faith and love for him to overcome the nagging doubts in the back of her mind. And she was determined to do it. Her gaze slipped over to him and the smile she gave was genuine.
Was she ready?
Damn straight she was. She made her choice. It was this place and this life. And she’d show him how strong she truly was.

“Bella?”

Eve grunted and extended her arms to him. Giovanni swept her up against his chest. He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “It’s totally up to you
cara
. Say the word and I will take you anywhere else you'd rather be.”

A faint smile touched the corners of her mouth. “This is where I want to be.”

He stepped out of the car, and she followed. Mira looked up at the estate and remembered the first time she saw his home. Under the Italian moon, she found the place both majestic and intimidating. Giovanni set their daughter down. He took her hand and Eve began to walk before he did. He chuckled and reached for Mira. She accepted his other hand, and together they headed for the steps.

The men had gathered. Everyone observed her and her child. News had spread all the way to the shores of Sicily in the Battaglia inner circles. Many wanted to see if the boss had indeed sired a daughter. Eve didn’t seem to notice her celebrity. She popped her pacifier in her mouth and hopped on the step trying to jump to the next. Giovanni gave her a lift with a gentle pull of her arm.

“Mira!” Catalina shrieked the moment they crossed the threshold. Eve stopped, shocked. She turned and ran for her mother’s legs. Giovanni scooped her up in his arms, and Eve spat out her pacifier, crying for her mother. Catalina looked radiant and beautiful as ever, but she froze at the sight of Eve. She put both hands to her mouth, and her eyes went weepy with love and tears. She praised Eve in Italian going directly to her. Eve turned her face away refusing to look at her, even when Giovanni tried to turn her around to see her aunt. Catalina laughed and lunged for Mira next. She knocked her several feet back.

“It’s true! It’s really true!”

Mira hugged her tightly. She fought back the urge to cry. “It’s true.”

Catalina grabbed Mira’s face staring into her eyes. “I can’t believe it,” she said. Tears were streaked over her cheeks. Franco walked up the hall in dark slacks and a blue shirt unbuttoned at the neck. He was a handsome man with deep olive skin and blue-black hair and dark brows. Mira let Catalina go. “You are gorgeous as ever. Married life is treating you well.”

Catalina blushed. She glanced back at Franco, then to Mira. “Franco you remember Mira don’t you.”

“
Salve
,” he said in a soft voice greeting her with a kiss to both sides of her cheeks.

“
Ciao
.”

“Look Franco, a precious
Angelino
. I’m in love.
Ciao bella
Eve. It’s
Zia
Catalina
.”

Eve refused to acknowledge her.

“She’s not in the mood. Don’t bother her Catalina.” Giovanni said, stroking Eve’s back.

Mira shook her head. “What your brother means is he’s spoiled her already. Don’t worry she will warm up to you soon.”

“Ooooo, I can’t wait!” Catalina touched Eve’s foot. Eve peeked at her, then turned her head around abruptly. Everyone laughed. “Wait until
Zia
sees her, Gio. Oh a baby in the family. I can’t believe it."

“Here they are!”

Mira’s gaze sought out the man who spoke. Dominic and Lorenzo approached from the far end of the hall.

“Welcome home.” Dominic said.

“
Grazie
.” Mira answered. “This is where we belong.” She glanced to Giovanni who winked at her. He thrived on her support. Gone was the grumpy meanness. And Eve being in his arms softened him as well. With so many around her she kept her face lowered to his shoulder and her arm around his neck.

The men both walked over to Mira and kissed her cheeks as the others brought in the luggage. Lorenzo gave her a polite hug. “Yes, this is where we all belong,” he said confidently.

Catalina turned to everyone. “Lunch is ready. Let’s go to the terrace. I want it served out there. It’s a celebration!”

Chapter Six

Kei sat at his desk in his office staring at the phone. He flew back on his private jet after returning to the cottage and finding she’d packed hers and his daughter’s things then left with that bastard. He waited two painful nights for her to call him, and she never did. His stomach was in knots with worry. Kei reached for his water and swallowed down the clear liquid in his glass. His phone rang, and he reached for it immediately. “Yes! Yes?”

“Sir, a man is here. He doesn’t have an appointment. He says you are expecting him. I’m sorry sir. He won’t give a name.”

Relief washed over him and finally his racing heart stabilized. Kei cleared his throat. “Send him in.”

The door opened and Cheung Bojing walked inside. “Long time no see cousin.”

Kei rose. He hadn’t spoken to Bojing in years. He tried to keep himself separated from the days when they were truly family. As members of the Triad, a multifaceted Chinese crime syndicate, one could never wash their hands clean of the affiliation. The men embraced.

“If you called me, there must be trouble.” Cheung said. “Of course, I would come.”

“Is there any other kind?” Kei asked.

Cheung gave a wicked smile. “I certainly hope not.”

****

During the early dinner Eve loosened up. She refused to sit at the table in a chair stacked with books. And because they had no highchair to confine her she made a point to walk around, under, and sometimes passed over the table where everyone dined. Mira observed her with Catalina, Dominic, Lorenzo and then of course Giovanni, who managed to coax her pacifier out of her mouth to feed her from his plate. No one mentioned the whys and hows of Mira’s disappearance from their lives. The joy of her return felt genuine. And the smoldering look of desire and love in Giovanni’s blue eyes each time she caught him staring, gave her confidence to trust in the feeling.

“Gio, we have business tonight with the boys. I’ve arranged it.” Dominic said. Mira pretended at not listening.

Giovanni waved the comment off with the flick of his wrist. “
Ripianificare
.”

Dominic blinked surprised. “Reschedule? I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Giovanni’s gaze lifted and narrowed on Dominic. The young consigliere cleared his throat to explain himself. “It’s about that situation we need to attend to.”

The tension between the men could not be missed, least of all by Lorenzo. He stared in the direction of Dominic, and Giovanni intensely focused on the hushed conversation. 

“We can arrange it for first thing in the morning, I have plans tonight.” His gaze shot up, and he caught her staring. Mira looked away. Dominic stared at her, too. If Mira could, blush she would. She knew what Giovanni wanted. Part of her craved the closeness they once shared in their short time together. But her stomach clenched with nervous energy at the thought of making love to him. Once they crossed that line, she would be hopelessly his again. She needed to keep her head about her and stay alert. Until the matter of Angelo Calderone was brought to a close, she was in danger.