Page 16 of La Dolce Vita

When Catalina threw her arms around Mirabella she at first stiffened. But her heart melted within seconds. She comforted her. She stroked her head and rubbed her back. "I just want my family whole again. How could I say no, Catalina? Everyone takes such good care of me. It's my life to take care of you."

"You're mine, Mira. I had no one until you came," Catalina said.

"That is nonsense."

"It's the truth! You've given me my freedom, you've supported me and Domi, you mean everything to me," Catalina wept as she clung to her. "I never want to share that with someone... who doesn't appreciate it. Even if she is blood. She can't be trusted. She can't."

Mirabella pulled away and cradled Catalina's face in her hands. "I know you don't need her," Mirabella smiled. "But she needs you. Mentor her. And if you find that she can't be trusted or changed, then I will take that into consideration. But first we try. It's a request from yourzias. She's your cousin. Okay?"

Catalina shook her head. "This is a bad idea. She's psychotic."

"So are most of the men in this family," Mirabella smiled.

Catalina was forced to chuckle.

"It'll be fine. You'll see. I'm going to go check on the boys. Nap time is over," Mirabella stepped away and started for the door. She paused and looked back. "Call Rosetta. Maybe you can go to Sicilia and see her before Paris. Set the rules. But find a way to make it work. For the family."

***

Catalina watched her go. She turned and picked up the pencil holder on Mirabella’s desk. She threw it at the wall. What a terrible birthday this turned out to be. Not once had anyone said anything to her. Even the kids didn’t greet her with kisses and cookies to sing happy birthday. Had the entire family gone crazy?

She knew that Mirabella’s issues had left everyone stressed. But Mirabella was big on celebrations. She even spoke of the wedding. But nothing regarding her birthday. And now this. Furious, Catalina crossed her arms and paced. Dominic had suggested dinner. She had half a mind to blow them all off and just leave for Sicily that night.

***

"Donna Battaglia," Giselle said.

"Salve,"Mirabella replied. She kissed the left and then the right cheeks of her hair stylist. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long."

"No. I just arrived. Please, have a seat. Let's see what we will do today." Mirabella had redesigned a room to make it perfect for a salon. Marietta refused to let anyone do her hair. Even though Giselle was a master cosmetologist, and the best in the Campania for women of color.

"What are we doing today?" Giselle asked as she finger combed Mirabella's locks.

"I want bangs, and a few inches off."

"We're cutting it? I thought the Don preferred it long," Giselle asked with concern.

Everyone knew Giovanni's wishes. But no one knew him better than Mirabella. She wanted a different look to spark a response from her husband. Tonight was special. She had gone to great lengths to plan a surprise birthday party for Catalina. Everyone was coming. It would be the perfect time to reconnect with her husband. She had hoped that Marietta and Lorenzo would return in time, but it didn't look that way.

Mirabella turned her face left to right to look at her hair. "Cut it to my shoulder. That will be fine."

"I'll make it beautiful," Giselle said.

Mirabella smiled. She looked down at her wedding ring. She relaxed. If things had to change, she had no problem having it start with her.

ChapterFour

Damnation

Rome, Italy

Carlo had lost interest in everything and person around him. He didn't notice the family of tourists ahead of him fiddling with their passports, or the armedcarabinieriscowling in his direction. The only thing Carlo felt was the diamond ring in his pocket. He rubbed his forefinger over the jewel, and his eyes misted over from behind the cover of his dark sunglasses. She was so sweet, so perfect for him, perfect in every way, why couldn't she see it? He shouldn't have left Shae. He should have forced her to believe in him. He understood her pain, reluctance, distrust. He was a broken man. How could she take a risk with her heart with someone so fucked up? Still, she healed him. And if she had given him more time they could have cured each other of loneliness. Even now he wanted to just touch her, be in her space. He should have kidnapped her and made her love him. He hated himself for being so weak the moment the plane left America. He wanted his woman back. He wanted her bad.

"Signor Carlo Alvise Giordano," A man two feet shorter than him barked from his left. Carlo's gaze slipped over to the runt in a blue military uniform. He had three othercarabinieristanding behind him. "Will you come with us please?"

Another to his right relieved him of his carry-on bag. Carlo checked his watch. Typically this would not happen. The fuckers didn't dare come for him in Napoli. But he had to fly back into Roma from the States. And he knew that put him on the radar. The last thing he needed was for Giovanni to get wind of some bullshit ahead of his return home.

"What is the problem?" Carlo asked.

---