Page 19 of Vita Mia

“Is that where she’s been? In Sicily?”

“You want answers, ask her yourself,” MiaBella said.

“Your name is Leeza?” he asked.

“I’m named after my grandmother. She was a singer like Lola. Her name is Lisa.”

“You’re Sicilian and black?” Ryder said.

She smiled. “I guess.”

“I think I might be crazy to even entertain this.”

MiaBella’s smile broadened. “It’ll change your life. I promise you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Then you agree? I’ll pick you up after eleven o’clock tonight. We take the family jet to Sicily. Pack what you can for equipment, and don’t forget to bring your passport.” MiaBella stood. She looked down at him with those almond shaped eyes of hers and smiled again. “You know, I never forgot you. I didn’t marry either. I stood up to my family. You taught me a lot that night. Thank you.”

“Yea, well, it was hard to forget you too.”

“See you soon.”

When she left he could breathe again. And his aunt emerged immediately. “I know who she is Ryder!”

He glanced back to her. “Auntie?”

“The Battaglias? I was raised in the Campania. I lived through the war that Giovanni waged on our people. The man was pure evil!” his aunt spat. “I was glad when he died. You will not go anywhere near those people!”

“It’s too late.”

“How? How do you know her? You’ve never been out of the country.”

“My accident, the one in Florida.”

His aunt eyes stretched.

“Yeah, it was them. Your restaurant, it was the Battaglias. This wasn’t an invitation I can turn down.”

“What kind of trouble are you in... wait, you said my restaurant? The Battaglias did this to me!”

“I’m sorry auntie.”

“Sorry! For almost two years I’ve wondered what I could have done to cause someone to destroy my dream and you never said a word!”

“I was in the hospital unable to speak when it happened.”

“And after? You could have told the police!”

“No!” Ryder stepped to her. “No auntie. They could have killed me and they didn’t. Trust me, I wasn’t innocent.”

“I thought you had changed, Ryder! You broke my heart.”

“I’m sorry Auntie. I have. I have changed. I started this. I caused it. She’s offering us a way out. I have to take it.”

His aunt wept. Ryder pulled her in close and hugged her. “I’ll be alright. I’ve survived this far. How bad could the Battaglias be?”

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