Page 107 of Vita Mia

Mirabella looked up at the camera pointed at them. She believed that evil bastard was watching. She’d never felt such hatred for anyone the way she did for Antoni Fassino. A vengeful hatred filled her heart. Giovanni turned her face away from the camera. He must have sensed her dangerous thoughts.

“Look at me,” he said softly. He kissed her mouth gently as if his bruised and cracked lips didn’t pain him. He smiled. “Don’t make them come for me in front of her. Take our baby girl and walk out on your own.”

“I can’t leave you like this.”

“Do it.”

“Did I make it worse for you? Are they going to hurt you again?”

“The only pain I feel is the one in my heart when you leave.”

“That’s sweet,” she smiled.

“Go.”

She hugged him one last time. She wiped her tears and stood. Leeza crawled back over to Giovanni. He picked her up and kissed her face. He sang a little nursery rhyme to her as Mirabella gathered her things. She walked over to him and knelt to take Leeza. Her daughter bucked and cried refusing to let him go. It tore at her heart. Giovanni put his hand to the wall and slowly scooted up to standing. The moment he was on his feet the guards charged in. Mirabella stepped in front of them.

“I’m ready to leave now.”

The guard ignored her and glared at Giovanni.

“Please escort me out.Per favore!”

The guard frowned at her request. They’d only spent an hour together. She could tell the warden had given them more time. Giovanni would not give him the satisfaction.

“But you can staySignora.” The guard gave her a sly smile. We can bring in a mattress for you and your Camorra dog. Will that make you happy?”

“I want to leave!” Mirabella demanded.

The guard chuckled.

“Take him!” he said. The men came in and grabbed Gio. Her husband held his temper. He didn’t resist as he was pulled out of the room. She winced at the treatment and covered Leeza’s face so she couldn’t witness it. He needed his pride and they were intent on taking it from him.

“This way,” the guard said.

Mirabella shifted Leeza in her arms and walked out of the room. She was led back out of the prison administration offices to the front of the prison where her men waited. Her things that were taken from her when she arrived were returned. She said nothing to the men that leered at her. She walked out of the prison with her head high but each step she took away from him her soul was crushed. Inside the car she fastened Leeza into her baby carrier and sang to her to make her smile. Her daughters stress from the ordeal took over and she slept. It wasn’t until she was sure Leeza was comfortable that she removed her cellphone.

“Pronto?” Dominic answered.

“You were right,” Mirabella said sadly. “I shouldn’t have gone.”

“Where? You saw Giovanni?”

She sighed.

“Domi, we have to get him help in there. We have too.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Work on getting Renaldo out too. I was wrong. No one should stay in there with that evil bastard.”

“But you said you wanted him to protect Giovanni.”

“They’re being tortured. That sadistic bastard is keeping them locked away from each other. Work on getting him out. All of their lives are in danger.”

“Renaldo and Nico can handle themselves. They’ve been through it before.”

“I’m telling you to do it!” she shouted in the phone. “You didn’t see him, didn’t hear the warden as he taunted my Leeza and Giovanni. He’s sick Domi!”

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