Page 151 of Vita Mia

Brian handed over the documents to his uncle then walked them out the door. Her men were on their knees with their hands behind their heads. One of them had been shot dead. She stared at the dead man for a second and then glared at the other men with guns.

“This is unfortunate. I know my men would not have done such a thing if not provoked,” Brian said.

“What we have is a trust issue. If this is going to work, you will need to show the same level of trust I’ve shown you tonight,” Mirabella said. “I want justice!”

Brian smiled at her. “Of course, Donna Nera. Your trust means a lot to my uncle, as does your friendship. You deserve retribution.”

He then barked questions at his men. One of them stepped forward. Brian removed a gun from under his blazer and shot dead the man who confessed to the crime. He was dead before she could blink. The young man gave her a sly smile. “An eye for an eye. It is the Russian way.”

Mirabella masked her contempt and disgust with a smile of her own. She nodded she understood and glanced to her men. They were allowed to stand.

“Bring him,” she said, and referenced their dead companion.

Two of her men picked up her dead enforcer and put his body in the boot of her car. She would have to bury and pay respect to his family. She glanced to Brian and was no longer charmed by his polite manner. He was a ruthless snake like his boss. And she would not forget that.

“What time do we leave tomorrow?” she asked.

“I’ll be ready for you at noon. I’ll send a car to pick you up.”

“You don’t know where I—”

Brian smiled. “We own Napoli now. We know where you are, and how to reach you. Good night.”

He turned and walked off. She glanced to Nico who then opened the car door for her. She slipped inside. The moment they were in the car alone she let go the deep breath she’d been holding. Nico took her hand and held it. She squeezed his hand for strength and practiced on her breathing until her panic attack subsided.

“You did well.”

“I gave it all away. Even Melanzana.”

“You did what you had to do.”

“Dominic was right. The children shouldn’t be here. I want them home in Sicily where it’s safe.”

Nico nodded in agreement. Mirabella realized she was still holding his hand. She let it go. He smiled at her. She smiled at him. Nico lifted his arm and she scooted over to him. He dropped his arm on her shoulder and comforted her. The last time she let another man comfort her Giovanni killed him. But Nico wasn’t Tacchini, and his comfort was not obscene. They’d both lost so much. They both survived so much. They needed it. So, she relaxed in his embrace and cried.

***

EVE FELT KISSES TOher face. She blinked awake. It was hard. She was so tired. “Mummy?”

“Hi sweetie,” Mirabella said.

Eve turned over to see her mother was in bed with her. She went up against her breast and held on to her. She loved sleeping in her mother’s arms.

“Mommy is sorry to wake you.”

“It’s okay mum,” she yawned.

“We need to talk Eve,” she said.

Eve didn’t like talks with adults. When they used that tone, it was always followed by some news she didn’t want to hear. Mainly news that a new baby was going to be born.

“Are you pregnant?” Eve asked.

Mirabella laughed and cried. Eve was so confused by the mixed emotion from her mother she grabbed her face and tried to calm her. Mirabella hugged her and kissed her and squeezed her tight.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. And no, mommy isn’t pregnant,” Mirabella said despite her tears.

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