Page 133 of Vita Mia

Eve kissed her mother’s cheek and hugged her. “I’m going to Cuba. I’m going to help you through this mum. Then we’re going to face the world together. Like a family,” Eve said.

“I only want you to be happy,” Mirabella said.

“You made me strong. Maybe, you’re right, maybe Nico isn’t the man for me. And that’s okay. Maybe having your acceptance mum is all I really needed. I’m every bit of you.”

Mirabella hugged her tighter.

“Can I sleep with you tonight?” Eve asked. “We can watch TV together? A Netflix movie on Papa’s life?” she laughed.

Mirabella laughed. “Another one?”

Eve smiled and nodded.

“We haven’t done that in a long time,” Eve said.

“I would love that,” Mirabella said.

Eve got up and went for her things to change clothes. She then took Mirabella’s hand and they left her room. Mirabella knew the extra attention was for her benefit. And she welcomed it. Having Eve’s love and support sustained her. Giovanni was right. He told her to trust their children. And after all these years she was still learning how too.

***

RYDER WOKE LATE. HEdid his best to shower, and dress in record time. Still he was the last to arrive downstairs for breakfast. And everyone was present. MiaBella had changed into a green summer dress that tied around her neck. She wore her hair pinned up with curls that came to the front of her face. Not once did she acknowledge him last night during dinner. And now she looked even more captivating yet unapproachable. Her gaze lifted to him and his heart fluttered. He had to question his sanity over being so drawn to a woman who after a single night together had turned his world inside out. But he was. He was inexplicably drawn to her.

“There he is!” MiaBella said and pointed. She waved for him to come in and join the family.

The others stared at him. Missing from the breakfast was both Eve and Gino. Gianni, however, sat next to his mother whispering to her. When Ryder arrived, he reclined back in his chair and focused his attention on Ryder. Mirabella glanced his way. She was pleasant with her smile. Armando and his brother and sister were both present as well. He didn’t remember their names, but they were the youngest in the group.

“Please, join us,” Mirabella said.

He nodded his gratitude and took a seat at the table. The staff fixed his plate for him and he noticed it was a traditional American breakfast. When he looked up he saw Mia grinning. He knew this had to be her doing. He winked at her in spite of her family watching.

“Sleep well?” a hand touched his shoulder just as he lifted the fork to his mouth. Ryder looked up. Eve was standing behind him. She smelled beautiful. All of the Battaglia women wore a similar fragrance but from Eve the scent seemed to radiate off her skin. Gino walked into the dining room. He too was fixated on Ryder.

“Ah, yes, I did,” he said and put the fork down.

Eve gave him a sly smile.

“Good. Then today we finish the interview. Right?”

“Yes, it’s up to your mother. I’m just the guy behind the camera,” Ryder said.

Eve walked over to her mother and kissed her cheek.

“Ryder ate his breakfast and listened to the table talk. Gino who had just arrived, informed the family that he would be returning to Sorrento in the next week for an extended stay. His mother had a few questions but her son wasn’t quite revealing. He kissed her on the cheek and told her he’d take his meal in his office before he left without acknowledging Ryder. The rest of the family began to peel away one by one. It was just Ryder and Mia left with her mother by the time he finished his breakfast.

“If you’re ready to begin Ms. Battaglia, we can start?” Ryder asked.

“Yes, I am. Please,” she gestured for him to follow. He did. MiaBella didn’t bother to offer to come. She stayed at the table looking at her cell phone. He almost turned and asked her to come but he decided against it. He wasn’t some puppy starved for her attention. Besides, he needed to focus on the job and take her advice, get the hell out of Sicily. He went inside and discovered his equipment was set up for him. And it appeared that Gianni had gotten his way with his mother. The team he brought with him the day before to watch over Ryder was back. Mirabella seemed to settle on the idea of their inclusion.

“You have a lovely home,” Ryder said and tried to appear unaffected.

“Did MiaBella take you to the edge of our land to the cliffs?”

“She took me to the cliffs, yes. Told me your husband used to jump from them when he was a young boy.”

Mirabella glanced at him. She sat with a curious furrow to her brow. “She said that?”

“Yes, she said it was a game between him and his cousin.”

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