Page 108 of Vita Mia

Dominic fell silent.

“What is it?” Mirabella asked.

Dominic didn’t answer.

“I can feel it. Did something else happen?”

“Marietta has been released. She will give a press conference tomorrow. The media is saying she’s under protective custodial order.”

Mirabella sighed. “I will not give her Lorenza. You hear me!”

“She’ll take you to court. We can fight it, for now.”

“Okay. Okay. Let her give the press conference. I want to hear what she has to say.”

“Nico should be released in the morning. As for Renaldo? I will talk to the attorney’s. I’m leaving for Sicily tonight should I stay?”

“No. You go home. I can handle it.”

“The Russian has agreed to meet with you. Mirabella, if Giovanni finds out that I arranged it—.”

“It’s on me Domi. I’ll handle it. I know what he needs us to do, but he’s wrong to leave it to you. I’m his Donna. I should do it. I thought we could control this, we’ve controlled everything for so long, I learned differently. I’ll be careful.”

“Have Nico call me after his release.” Dominic said and then hung up.

Alone in the car she let tears slip but did so silently. He told her to trust no one. That wasn’t for her benefit. It was for the cameras watching them. She knew exactly who Giovanni wanted her to trust, and she was going to do everything in her power to protect him.

Mirabella arrived home before sunset. The moment she removed Leeza from her baby car seat she woke. Her little girl was all chatter. She could swear she was asking Mirabella questions about their adventure. They walked inside, and the first person Mirabella saw waiting for her was Kyra. The happiness she felt in that moment exploded from her like hysterical laughter. Kyra rushed over to her and embraced her. Leeza cried out and the women stopped hugging to share a smile. Kyra took Leeza from Mirabella and kissed her on the lips. She hugged her to her chest. “She’s so beautiful. How long has it been?”

“Six months since we last saw each other,” Mirabella said and set the baby bag down.

“Right. Six months.”

“The kids?” Mirabella asked.

“Martha is giving the twins a bath. Eve is playing with Lorenza and Anissa.”

Mirabella smiled. Kyra carried Leeza over to the sofa chair and sat. Mirabella was too nervous to sit. She knew many of the wives blamed her for their husband’s arrest. And since Kyra had stopped speaking to her after Belinda’s death and her return to America, the reunion felt awkward.”

“Kyra?”

“I’m back now.” Kyra spoke up. “I wasn’t going to come. But I’m here. Like you, I brought Anissa and Luca with me. I couldn’t leave them behind when their father needs us. We came back to fight for him.”

“I’m sorry this happened.”

“It’s not your fault. Renaldo made a decision. He chose Giovanni over us. He chose the Camorra over our marriage.”

“It’s not a choice Kyra.”

“He accepted the risk of being underboss without even talking to me. After what happened to Lorenzo and how Carlo died. He did this. I tried to love him and support this life. I tried to make my dreams and his work.”

“He adores you. I know that.”

“And I’d die for him, Mirabella. But my children need a father. I need a husband, not the mafia.”

“Have you heard anything? Since his arrest?”

“I was hoping you could tell me,” Kyra said. “I had to hear about their arrest on the news. My mama begged me not to leave New York. Not to come back here. But what choice did I have. Renaldo’s mother is sick, she had a mini stroke because of her diabetes.”

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