La Famiglia Page 47

  “What was in the tea?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” she answered.

  “That’s a lie, Carmella. You know Battaglia men don’t like to be lied to,” he smirked.

  “I don’t know what your wife saw but it was nothing!” Carmella protested.

  “I never said my wife saw anything,” Lorenzo replied. Before she could bolt he grabbed her by the throat. He threw the apple into the sink hard enough for it to split. Carmella gasped. Her eyes stretched with horror. “What was in the tea, bitch?”

  “I didn’t do it. I swear it. I couldn’t do it. Armando threatened my mother and brother. He left me no choice. Please, Lorenzo. Please don’t tell Gio. He’ll never forgive me.”

  “You shouldn’t fear Gio,” Lorenzo tightened his hold on her throat. “You should fear me.”

  Carmella wept. “I didn’t tell him anything. I knew nothing. Just how she was. That’s it. I don’t know anything. I’m so sorry.”

  “You will be, cara, of this I promise you.”

  “Let her go.” A voice spoke behind him. Lorenzo looked back to see Dominic watching them. “Let her go. Now.”

  Lorenzo let Carmella’s throat go. She dropped to her knees gasping for air. She crawled away. Dominic calmly stepped around the kitchen to cut off her escape. He extended his hand. Carmella looked up at him. Dominic nodded that she should accept his offer. She reached with a shaky hand and grasped his. He brought her to her feet.

  “Dominic, per favore, I swear to you that I didn’t do anything. I swear,” she whimpered.

  “It’s okay. I just want to know everything Armando asked of you. What you two discussed. Don’t be afraid. Sit, Carmella.” He drew out a chair.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Lorenzo snarled. “You think Gio wants to let this one go?”

  “Giovanni wants me to handle things right now in his place. Not you. Leave us,” Dominic replied.

  Lorenzo nearly took a swing at him for talking to him in such a dismissive tone. The rotten bitch could have killed Mira or the babies. He knew how Giovanni would want this handled.

  “Call Carlo and bring him in. We have a few things to take care. There is much I need to update you both on,” Dominic said.

  The request was indeed reasonable, but still his fury at Carmella made it hard for him to comply. He glared after her. When she looked at him terrified he made sure to wink in return. To let her know they weren’t done. Lorenzo threw up his hand in a dismissive gesture toward Dominic. He walked out.

  “He’ll kill me. And if he doesn’t Gio will,” Carmella said.

  Dominic pulled a chair closer. “Giovanni does not give orders on the death of women.”

  “Bullshit!” Carmella said. She wiped her tears. “I heard about what he did to the Calderones. I’m not stupid!”

  “You are stupid. Very,” Dominic said. “To betray a family that has been good to yours before your birth. That makes you stupid and reckless.”

  “No. Domi, let me explain. I was here. Mira saw me when she arrived and didn’t like me on sight. She told Giovanni to send me away. I needed the work. So I went to Mancini. The old man is ill. Armando is never there. You know I do domestics both here and there. It was approved by Gio and Armando years ago. Your families have a truce.”

  “Not anymore. Am I right?” Dominic searched her face. “Armando no longer believes in the truce between our fathers.”

  “How would I know?” Carmella wept. She dropped her face and cried.

  Dominic lifted her chin. “I need to hear the truth. You know I can tell the difference.”

  “Armando and his father had a fight one night. The Don hit him with something that bruised his face really bad. Afterwards I was tending to Armando’s wound when he asked me about Gio, about his wife. What she was like, stuff like that.”

  “And then what happened?” Dominic asked.

  “He was upset. Said his father wouldn’t destroy the family. He said the children couldn’t be born. That he wanted nothing to do with her or the kids. Then he threatened me. He wanted me to make it look like an accident, so his father wouldn’t suspect. I begged him not to ask it of me but he forced me. So I called Mama and told her that I needed the work and that her sister had taken a turn for the worst. All of it true. She agreed to let me come back. But she didn’t know anything about this. So I come. And that’s it. I couldn’t do it.”

  “The tea?” Dominic asked.

  “The Donna never took a sip,” Carmella said.

  “What was in the tea?” Dominic asked.

  “Arsenic.”

  Dominic sat back. After a moment of contemplating the deception an idea formed. “I have plans for you, Carmella. A way you can make this up to the family.”

  “I’ll do anything.” Carmella wiped her tears.

  “Yes,” Dominic agreed. “You will.”

  “Does Gio have to know, Domi?” Carmella asked.

  “Gio will be told. His mercy will depend on how you help us,” Dominic said. “Pack your things, you’re returning to the Mancinis.”

  * B *

  “I’m okay to go back to the hospital without you.” Marietta put her earring in. Lorenzo paced behind her. She watched him from the mirror. “Why are you so agitated?”

  “Non imoporta! I will come as soon as I finish business with Dominic. Nico will drive you in personally. You and Catalina.”

  “Yes, Lo. I know. You told me already.” She turned. “Did someone call? Is it Mira? The babies? Are they worse?”

  “No. But they aren’t better.” Lorenzo paused. He looked at her as if it were the first time he had. “You look beautiful.”

  Marietta smoothed down the sides of her dress. It was white, and so were her heels. All white. She felt that it would be better than bright cheery colors or a muted dark color. But then she thought of the attire of those that worked for the hospital and frowned. “Do I look like a nurse? Maybe I should wear the pink dress?”

  He took her hand and pulled her to him. “Am I forgiven?”

  “Yes,” she said sincerely. “I know you did what you thought was right at the time. But you get one pass at lying to me, Lo. Never do that again,” she said.

  He kissed and silenced the rest of her speech. She lifted her arms around his neck. She had to admit it was nice to make up with him. All morning they’d been making up. She ached all over from the workout.

  “Mmmm,” she let him go. “Catalina is waiting on me, Lo. Stop.” She peeled his hands off her ass. “Seriously. I have to go. I got a good feeling Mira will wake up today.”

  “Me too,” Lorenzo said.

  Marietta grabbed her purse and started for the door.

  “Sweetheart?” Lorenzo said.

  She looked back at him. “Yes?”

  “I need to know who told you the truth about Mira. How did you find out?”

  Marietta’s heart stopped. She truly thought they were past it now. He hadn’t mentioned it again since they left Carlo’s mother’s house. She sighed. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It matters,” he said in that serious tone.

  “Can we talk about it tonight? When I come back? Please?”

  “Why? Why not just tell me. Is it someone you know? Someone I know?” Lorenzo asked.

  “I don’t want any drama. What about the maid? Did you take care of her? The one I told you about who was spying on everyone?”

  Lorenzo stared at her. He was unmoved by her attempt to dodge his question. She smiled sweetly. “Tonight. We’ll talk.” She blew him a kiss and hurried out the door. Her heart raced so fast she was damn near running in her heels to get down the hall. She glanced back twice expecting to see Lorenzo in pursuit of her to demand an answer. Without warning she ran directly into Carlo.

  Startled Marietta nearly fell. Her purse dropped from her hand. Carlo caught her by the arm and kept her steady on her feet. Marietta looked up into his calm eyes. He stared down at her for a moment, and then knelt and picked up her purse. Marietta stepped ba
ck wanting a little distance between them.

  “You dropped this,” he said.

  “Ah, uh, thanks,” she said and walked around him.

  Carlo couldn’t believe how beautiful she was today. What had changed? She wore a snug fitting white mini dress. Her thick hair had sprung curls that brushed her shoulders with an exotic flare. He felt those curls, how different the texture was from his own hair. He’d felt the trim fuzz over her pussy too and wanted to touch her again. Even the feel of her skin was burned into his brain.

  One look at her and it all came back. He’d spent the night trying to get her out of his head. Drinking until his mind went numb and the ache in his loins soothed. She was his best friend’s wife and he was a dumb fuck to have fallen in love.

  Marietta stepped back from him. She mumbled some kind of thanks and walked around him. He waited, his breath held. Once he asked her the fragrance she wore. She said it was called Shalimar. He’d buy a truckload of it just to own the scent.

  He hoped she hesitated. Looked back at him as if she was undecided. But she kept going. The sway of her hips and slender shapely legs in perched by white heels caught his attention. He wiped his hand down his mouth and forced the image away. He turned and continued on.

  Marietta didn’t dare look back. She didn’t have to. She felt his eyes on her. The heat banked in his stare made her cheeks warm with shame. He’d seen her body. Kissed her. Touched her. She couldn’t undo the intimacy they now shared. And even if it didn’t go as far as it could have she knew she betrayed her husband.

  “You ready? What took you so long?” Catalina huffed.

  “Sorry. Lo kept me. Let’s go,” Marietta said. She walked to the door and stole a glance back. Carlo wasn’t in the hall any longer. He had moved on. So would she. They went to the car and eased inside. As soon as the door closed Marietta felt the tightness in her chest cease.

  “Are you okay?” Catalina asked.

  “Am I what?” Marietta answered, realizing she panted for breath. “Yeah, I’m nervous. I mean. I’m worried about Mira.”

  “Because she’s your sister?” Catalina asked.

  Marietta’s gaze slowly turned to Catalina. There was no denying the truth. Soon everyone would know. “I guess.”

  Catalina stared at her.

  Marietta rolled her eyes. “What? Why are you staring at me like that?”

  “You’re nothing like her. I mean you look like her a little, but you two are so different. Mira is… she’s different than you,” Catalina said.

  “That doesn’t matter. We grew up apart. We aren’t identical twins.”

  “Forgive me,” Catalina’s voice was soft and sincere. “I just don’t understand any of this. How is it possible that you both marry Lorenzo and Giovanni? How?”

  “No one told you?” Marietta asked.

  “Told me what?” Catalina answered.

  “Marsuvio Mancini is our father.” Marietta said.

  Catalina began to laugh. She laughed so hard she started choking. Marietta patted her on the back. Catalina waved off her assistance but tears leaked from her eyes. “You are funny.”

  “I’m serious. Catalina, I wouldn’t joke about it. That’s what the fight was about that made Mira go into early labor. Your brother and my husband conspired to keep us apart. To keep us from knowing that Mancini is our father.”

  “That is utter bullshit! No way.”

  Marietta shrugged. “Believe what you want.”

  “Wait. Who told you this? What proof do you have?” Catalina demanded.

  “The bracelet you said Mira has. The Del Stavio bracelet, remember?” Marietta opened her purse and dug out hers and Mira’s. When she returned she found them on the floor of the Don’s office, where Mira had thrown them. “See for yourself.”

  Catalina accepted the necklace and the bracelet. “See mine? I had it made into a necklace. They were given to us when we were babies. From our father. He gave them to us before he left our mother and returned to Sicily.”

  “Incredible.” Catalina handed the necklace and bracelet back. “I’m sorry you found out like this, but my brother—”

  “Had no right to keep this secret. Don’t defend him to me,” Marietta said.

  “I wasn’t.” Catalina shot back. “I was going to say my brother has a very complicated relationship with the Mancinis and whatever he did, he did it to protect Mira. Not to keep you two apart. Family comes first with Gio. Always.”

  “Well I’m her family. And keeping us apart didn’t turn out so well, for his family now did it?” Marietta cut her eyes.

  “I suggest you drop the attitude,” Catalina replied.

  “Why?” Marietta challenged.

  “I know you were wronged in this situation, but this is about Mira. And trust me she loves my brother. She doesn’t know you,” Catalina said.

  Marietta looked over at Catalina and could not counter the argument. The truth was she gave Mira no reason to want to know her. And she’d seen the Queen B and her King. They had a relationship that she didn’t understand.

  “Well she’s my blood. And I intend to get to know her, to support her. No matter what. So let’s just leave it at that.”

  * B *

  Giovanni buttoned his shirt. He stared out of the window of the hospital room. Mira’s condition was unchanged. He slept hard for three hours. She never woke. He ate and showered, and she never woke. The doctor had said she should have come out of it by now. He couldn’t stop worrying that she may never.

  There came a knock. Giovanni’s head turned to see his uncle enter the room. “Is she awake?” he asked with alarm.

  “No. No, Gio. I came to say I will go with Vito to Villa Mare Blu. The women refused to leave.”

  The news didn’t surprise Giovanni. They prayed hard over Mira. Some sat in chairs rocking and crying. Others read from their Bibles or held their rosaries, chanting. It was quite comforting and disturbing to see eight of his aunts and cousins surround Mira in this vigil. But faith worked. He believed it with all his being. “Rocco? Wait. I want to apologize, to speak with you.”

  Rocco moved slowly to the chair in the room. He sat. Giovanni turned from the window. He walked over to his shoes and stepped into them. “You warned me about bringing her here. Keeping the secret. I guess I live my life so much without fear I’ve forgotten caution. I should have listened.”

  The arthritic hand of Rocco’s went up in a silent wave to silence Giovanni. Rocco shook his head slowly. “Do not apologize. You did what you needed to do to keep Mira protected. No one could have foreseen this outcome.”

  “Oh someone did. Mancini,” Giovanni replied. “Bella’s mother suffered a stroke when she gave birth. She had the same affliction with her blood pressure that Bella has. Mancini interfered. Got to Bella’s doctors and gave them her history behind my back.”

  “I’m told that he showed up here?” Rocco asked.

  Giovanni nodded.

  “And so it begins,” Rocco sighed. “Tomosino and Mancini created this nightmare. You and Mira shouldn’t have to suffer because of either of them. What is your plan, Gio?”

  “Lorenzo has married the woman, Mira’s sister. You’ve met her.”

  Rocco blinked. Giovanni sat on the edge of the hospital bed. “Mira and Marietta both know the truth. All of it. And they didn’t hear it from us. The truth is out so I can only shape it to my benefit. Try to protect the family from war with the Sicilians. Just as we go to war with Mottola and the `Ndrangheta.”

  “War? Mancini wouldn’t go to war over those two girls. His men would never follow that disastrous path.”

  “Because they’re black? You think that still matters to him now? The man is dying, uncle.” Giovanni shook his head. “Armando will not share his dynasty with my wife or her sister. And we can’t co-exist. Armando and I never could. One of us has to stand down. And I have no intention of doing so. Besides these are delicate times with us and the Camorra.”

  “Then what is your plan, Gio?�
� Rocco asked again.

  “There you go. You, Domi, Lorenzo, all need to know my plans. Council me which choice to make, when it is my choice to make!” Giovanni seethed.

  “We support you,” Rocco said.

  “Maybe. Or maybe since you witnessed my madness and the Calderone slaughter none of you trust me.”

  This time Rocco didn’t blink.

  Giovanni nodded that he understood. “My wife and bambini need to be well before I strike. I have to see her through this. Get the babies out of this hospital to some place safe. Then we return to Sorrento and settle things.”

  “That doesn’t sound like a plan.” Rocco said with concern.

  “She comes first. Period.” Giovanni didn’t waste another minute on the conversation. He left the room and started toward Mira’s but stopped himself. First he’d check on his sons and then he’d see to his wife.

  17.

  “What eats you?” Dominic asked.

  Carlo poured himself another drink. They waited for Lorenzo. Dominic could always tell when trouble brewed between the two best friends. Carlo was tense, solemn, fewer words than customary were spoken when he arrived. He wore a black suit, shirt and tie. He had a fresh shave and trimmed mustache. On the outside he looked well put together. But his eyes were red-rimmed and heavy lidded. He had to have suffered through a night of drinking.

  Carlo turned from the bar and sipped his whiskey before Lorenzo strolled in.

  “Started early huh?” Lorenzo asked Carlo.

  The answering silence was all the confirmation Dominic needed. There was definitely something brewing between them. “We don’t have much time,” Dominic said. “I know a lot went down in Armenia, and I want to hear all about it. But first you need to know what we face.”

  “Where is Santo?” Lorenzo asked.

  “Home. Holding back the Camorra off our asses,” Dominic said.

  “You shouldn’t trust him. I believe he helps Mottola. I can’t prove it but I believe it.”

  “Well until you can prove it I can’t act. Can I? Besides. We need him now. However we choose to use him.” Dominic stepped forward. “Gio is not himself with Mira and his sons in danger. He can’t focus on these matters. Not like we can.”