Page 28 of Vita Mia

No one celebrated. Out of respect.

He continued.

“That is the past. The present is you, everyone at this table will come with us. Some of you are asking yourselves where do you fit in the family? We all know we have new enemies and untrustworthy friends. We have to finish the work we’ve started in the Campania so that our father’s mistakes don’t repeat. With that being said, Renaldo is now my new underboss here in Italy.”

Kyra gasped, not in celebration but abject horror. Giovanni caught her reaction and so did the top enforcers at the table. She looked over to her husband with disbelief in her eyes then got up from the table and left the dinner. Her reaction was understandable. Standing next to Giovanni would put a permanent target on Renaldo’s back, with the law and with the Camorra clans. What wife would celebrate such a promotion for their husband? A few congratulated Renaldo. He gave a smile and excused himself to go after his wife. Giovanni went on. “Dominic is underboss and no longer consigliere for the family. He will now run Palermo, Bagheria, Mondello. He will work to ensure that our interests are protected with the Sicilians. Because is a Sicilian. It’s in his blood.”

Everyone nodded that the decision was wise.

“Nico is now the eyes and ears of the family and most trusted,” he said. “See him, before you see me.”

Nico nodded to everyone at the table. A few congratulated him. “However, that role is shared.” Giovanni interrupted. He glanced to his wife who looked at him curiously. “When I was at my lowest, when this family was at our lowest, you made us strong,Bella. The women in this family are not bystanders, they are the heart and soul. And my Donna, is the strongest ally I’ve ever had. You are a part of me. The better part of me, Donna Mirabella Ellison Mancini Battaglia. You are my soul. And I do need you to be at my side until the very end.”

Mirabella leaned in and kissed him. Everyone clapped.

“I love you,” she said. “Nothing will ever change that. Nothing and no one to the very end.”

He chuckled.

She hugged his neck and refused to let go. In order to conclude the meeting, he had to pull her down to his lap. He then raised his glass. “Un brindisi, alla famiglia, vicina e lontana!” He made a toast to the success of the family near and far.

“Cin, cin!”

Everyone stood and toasted the Don and his Donna. There was plenty of celebration. But the one that mattered, was the loving way his wife held on to him. Giovanni knew he’d made mistakes with her in the past. But she never gave up on him. And after losing Lorenzo and his faith and belief in his mother and father, having her close to his heart gave him hope. Whatever price he had to pay to make sure she and the kids had a future that wasn’t washed in blood by his sins, he’d pay it. He hugged Mirabella and pressed the side of his face to her breast. She stroked his head.

“We’re going to be just fine,” she said. “A family. Have faith Gio.”

“I do,” he said.

***

LUCCIOLA- Firefly

The party at the house went on forever. Eve grew tired of watching it from her window. After her bath and her bedtime story Cecilia put her in the bed with her brothers invilla Rosso. And then she, too, left. Eve could see Cecilia out on the lawn dancing with Nico. He would pick Cecilia up from her feet and spin her around. They were extra happy. Eve wondered why? There were others too. She even saw Belinda and Leo kissing while dancing. Everyone was having fun. If the family was happy why did she have to stay inside and be sad? It made no sense.

Eve did not see her parents. She lost sight of them ten minutes ago and they never reappeared. It made her angry.

Why couldn’t she go to the party?

Why didn’t anyone come to see if she was happy?

Why wasn’t Boo-Boo allowed to come to villa Rossa to be with her?

And why hadn’t mama or papa said anything to her about school?

She turned away from the window and looked at her brothers. They slept as they always did, tangled in each other’s arms. She didn’t hate her brothers; she just didn’t see any use for them. When she tried to explain the injustice of the world to them they would either ask a silly question or walk off bored with the conversation. She was much smarter when she was only three years old.Why weren’t they?

The last thing she wanted was to sleep with them. It was then her escape plan formed. She could get out of the house and go unnoticed. No one cared what she did anyway. Eve went to the door in her stockinged feet and opened it with a gentle pull. The hall was dark and quiet. She crept out, careful to not make any noise on the squeaky floorboards. Upstairs there was only one bedroom and bathroom. Downstairs was her father’s office and an open room to the front where the sofa turned into a bed. Eve went down the stairs as quiet as she could. She strained against the darkness covering everything. She squinted until she saw a figure on the sofa bed. Eve stopped her descent. She sat on the stair and waited for her eyes to make sense of the shape. And then she recognized who it was. Her Zia slept on the bed with her mother’s new baby. She slept with the baby so close to her Eve couldn’t see her youngest sibling. The infant was very small, and constantly in someone’s arms for protection. The problem with the baby is that it woke up often. If she was going to sneak out she had to do it now before the kid started to cry and she was discovered.

Eve went down the stairs quickly. She didn’t care about the noise. She had to hurry. At the door were her shoes. She had on socks that Zia made her and her brothers sleep in. She rolled them down and took them off. Then there was a noise. The baby had done it. It made a noise, a small cry. Zia turned over and did something Eve could not see. She assumed it was the pacifier trick her mother did when she wanted to silence the baby. Eve remained low and afraid of being discovered. When the baby didn’t squeak again she assumed it was safe. She put on her shoes and then crawled out of the room. It wasn’t until she was in the corridor that led to the tiny kitchen that she stood upright. And then she went for the door.

Outside she looked around to see if one of her Uncles was there. She always called her father’s men uncle. It was just easier to do so. Eve didn’t see anyone. She made sure to keep to the shadows as she went back to the house. The drinking and celebrating made it even easier. No one was looking for a six- year old explorer. She made it to the house without being noticed.

***

“SOMEONE WILL SEE!”Belinda giggled.

Leo moved his hand from her backside to her hip. He stole a glance to the others, but found it hard to keep his eyes from her breasts. In doing so he didn’t see the Don or Donna, which meant he could touch her all he wanted. His hand again slipped down to caress her butt cheeks.

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