Page 27 of Vita Mia

BOOK ONE

The Past

Lucciola

1995

Chapter Six

Melanzana - Spring 1995

Sorrento, Italy

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GIOVANNI TOOK HIS SEATat the head of the table. Though the wine was poured no one had taken a sip. He picked up his glass and the others did as well. “I am happy to announce the newest member of the family. Last night Catalina, mypiccoletta, gave birth to a baby boy. Armando Mancini Battaglia.Cin, cin.”

“Cin, cin,” everyone said.

Giovanni sipped and glanced to his wife. She gave him a reassuring nod of approval. He sat and the servers began to bring in the silver trays of food. It was then he took notice of his gathering. Carlo wasn’t among his men and his absence was a disappointment. Everyone else had made an appearance.

“We have good news, family news tonight,” Giovanni began. A few of the wives ate or fed their children from their laps, but his men were all riveted when he spoke. He had little appetite himself, but he broke bread and shared in the meal to encourage everyone else to do so.

“Bella, I think this news should be given by you.”

Mirabella nodded. “Giovanni and I have decided to take the business in a different direction. My fashion business, that is.” Mirabella smiled at Kyra. Jamie was not present but she’d invited a few other people from her Rome office to join the celebration. “Thank you ladies for carrying the torch for the last year. It has been difficult, I know. The good news is that your hard work is why we will go so much further. The next press release will share the new vision. We are no longer Mirabella’s or House of Mirabella’s. We are nowLa Battaglia. And the first launch of our line will be menswear. Totally inspired by my husband,” Mirabella smiled.

The family clapped.

When the applause subsided, she continued. “We will continue our shoe and lingerie lines because they are very commercial and profitable. We will extend that into luggage and purses. And Giovanni and I have both decided to venture into jewelry. We now have new investments in South and East Africa along with Russia for gold and diamonds. The collection will have everything from the highest quality jewelry to watches and accessories. The future is bigger than clothing and it’s brighter. We start again together, as Battaglia. Asla famiglia.”

The applause rose and several stood and saluted her and her husband with their glasses. It was because of Mirabella and her credibility that Giovanni could see creating a legacy for his children that would push them out of the Mafia. A future that guaranteed prosperity instead of death and despair. It would be the legacy they deserved, the one he promised his wife when she ran from him in fear years ago and agreed to return into this life.

“Grazie, Bella,” Giovanni said. Everyone sat and silence fell across the table. “To get to the that future my Bella promises you, we all must deal with the past and the present. The past, as you know, was based on a lie, and my cousin Lorenzo was the king of lies. For eight month’s we have been fighting a losing battle and it has cost us personally and financially. But the battle is over. Lorenzo is dead.”

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