Page 105 of Vita Mia

He tossed Leeza at her and she caught her daughter, barely. In doing so she lost her footing and went to her knees. Mirabella clutched her baby to her and rocked back and forth to calm her. And she knew Giovanni had seen it all. She had thought bringing Leeza would soften the devil. Instead she had put her child in his hands. She immediately thought of Eve. Her daughter falling out of a flaming window. How she suffered, how she needed her and Mirabella failed. Another fatal mistake. God was punishing her and she hadn’t learned any lessons. She had lost control, she was now buried deep in the life. She could never be who she once was. She saw that in Dominic today. And she judged him for it. Now look at who was standing in judgement of her.

She kept rocking Leeza back and forth. She prayed. The door opened and closed. She thought she was alone. The damage had been done. The warden had stripped her to nothing. There was a touch to the top of her head. Mirabella flinched and cringed inside. The person stroked her head. She opened her eyes. Immediately she knew it wasn’t the warden’s touch. She’d know Giovanni anywhere.

Mirabella looked up into Giovanni’s eyes with pure regret. She saw his bruised face, but in that moment, it didn’t register. To have him with her was what she needed. He came down on his knees before her and she clung to him. Leeza was crushed within their embrace.

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry Gio. I’m so sorry.”

––––––––

THE WARDEN STRAIGHTENEDhis tie. “I’m leaving for a dinner appointment.”

“What should we do with them?” his second in command asked.

“Turn on the video. I want every word between them recorded.”

“How long for the visit?”

The warden glanced to the great Don on his knees holding his terrified wife. He savored the vision. He smiled. “Give them a couple of hours. Let him taste freedom. Then punish him tonight, and toss her and that thing she brought with her out the door.”

“Yes sir.”

The warden walked out checking the time on his watch. If he hurried he’d get ahead of the afternoon traffic.

Chapter Eighteen

The Wife in Prison

Napoli, Italy

––––––––

“GIO?” MIRABELLA SAIDsoftly.

He stood Leeza up but held her waist to make sure she didn’t fall over. Leeza grinned and clapped her hands for her father. You would never know how terrified her baby was just a few moments ago.

“Gio, I’m sorry,” Mirabella said again. She sat next to him on the floor.

---