Page 58 of Vita Mia

What could an old man like him offer her anyway? She was twenty-eight. She had so much more life to live. There was a man out there that would love and protect her, the way she deserved. And he’d keep her safe until that man stepped in and lived up to that promise.

She was his little Evie. His best friend’s pride and joy. The people of Bagheria called herLucciola. A name she had to grow to love. She was never to be a woman for him. He had his chance at love and lost it. Whatever time he had left on this earth he would atone for his crimes, and then make his peace with God.

Chapter Eleven

Spring, 1995

Chianti, Italy

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“GIO, WE NEED TO TALK.”

Giovanni turned with a baby bottle in his hand and his infant daughter resting in the nook of his bent arm. Dominic paused. He had heard that Giovanni and Mirabella had gone into the Greve earlier that day but he thought baby and mother were together.

“Bella is tired so she is resting with Eve. I’m on Papa duties,” Giovanni said and walked over to the chair in the television room and sat down. “I told Zia to get some rest too. She’s too old to be chasing after the kids the way she does.”

Dominic wiped his hand down his face. Chianti was unusually hot. The fans on inside circulated the heat and no wind blew in from the open windows.

“We have to deal with Carlo.”

“I’m aware, I’m thinking of a plan.”

“No, you’re not,” Dominic insisted.

Giovanni looked up from his daughter feeding and frowned. “What has he done now?”

“He’s in Napoli. He’s hanging with the Russians. They’re targeting Santoro’s. Killing Santoro’s. Have you not listened to the messages left by Renaldo? He said he’s been calling you.”

Giovanni gave little Leeza her bottle again after she gummed the nipple but didn’t suckle. She blinked her round brown eyes up at him and then latched on to the nipple. She sucked for Papa, and then stopped a few times to smile for him. He smiled at her.

“Gio!”

With a deep frown Giovanni’s gaze lifted.

“The Santoro’s are now taking to the streets, and they’re bringing more Puglia’s. Don Santoro is targeting our allies, the clan bosses want a meeting.”

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