Page 98 of Vita Mia

It was a lie but Giovanni didn’t bother denying it. There was no point.

“I won’t stay for the show. And don’t worry, you will be able to defend yourself. If it helps. Based on my experience with the Dons of your clan, it doesn’t.” The warden chuckled. He walked past Giovanni and headed for the door. He stopped and looked at Giovanni once more. “Strange, I haven’t had a request from you to see family? Your cunt? I hear she is on the dark side. Eh? Should I be expecting a request from you if you survive the night?”

Giovanni stared at the man sent to kill him. He didn’t answer.

The warden nodded. “I’ll check back in the morning for your answer.”

The warden left. The door was closed. His executioner struck first. Years of fighting and boxing with Lorenzo and Carlo for sport had prepared him for the pain. Giovanni did what he was born to do. He fought back.

***

MIRABELLA PACED THEattorney’s office. Dominic sat in the chair listening to the new charges brought against Giovanni with no visible reaction.How could he not react?She stopped pacing and interrupted the lawyer’s sermon about her husband’s crimes.

“He is not stupid enough to attack a guard!” Mirabella insisted.

“The warden has now put him in isolation. He is to have no contact with anyone but me. And those visits are heavily monitored.” The lawyer advised.

“Well? Have you seen him? Is he okay?”

The lawyer shook his head. “He is alive.”

“What else is there?” Mirabella demanded.

Both the lawyer and Dominic remained silent.

“Someone, speak. I can’t read minds.”

The attorney cleared his throat. “I saw him, after the supposed fight.”

“And?”

The attorney looked to Dominic to censor him but Dominic didn’t bother.

“And!”

“He’s alive. He’s alive and in good spirits.”

“Good spirits? That doesn’t sound like my husband.”

“Physically he’s not in a good way. I believe he’s being tortured.”

“Mirabella,” Dominic began in his calm voice.

“Shut the fuck up Domi! Don’t speak now.” Mirabella took a step toward the attorney.” Tortured? Are you sure?”

The attorney glanced to Domi.

“Look at me not him! Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“They can’t do that. It’s illegal. He has human rights! They can’t get away with torture. File something with the courts to get him bail or bond, or home arrest. We’ll pay the price. Whatever it is.”

“The magistrate has already ruled,” Dominic said. “There will be no bond. He’s considered a flight risk.”

“This isn’t happening!” Mirabella sat in the chair they had for her. She put her hands to her head. “How long before trial?”

“They’ve assigned a Special Prosecutor that wants to do his own investigation. It could take anywhere from six to twelve months before we see a courtroom,” the attorney said.

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