Page 23 of Vita Mia

“They knew when we landed,” she said. “Come, let’s go inside.”

Again, she took the lead and he let her. Once he entered the Battaglia home his apprehension lessened. The place had a welcoming warm feel to it. He could even smell the familiar spices and cooking from his aunt’s kitchen.

Then Eve appeared. She approached them with a large dog, a Doberman, that had a jeweled collar around its neck. She was casually dressed in jeans and a black shirt and her left hand was covered by her signature jeweled glove. He’d read that when she was a child she was trapped in a terrible fire. The rumors were that she had scars. No one knew for sure.

“How was your trip?” Eve smiled at MiaBella.

“Good. We got here just fine. Ah, Ryder... this is my sister Eve.”

“Ciao Ryder,” Eve said.

“Ciao,” he answered but didn’t dare touch her.

“Are Gino and Gianni here?”

“They’re waiting, c’mon, you’re late.”

Eve slipped her arm around MiaBella’s waist and pulled her protectively close. Her Doberman sniffed at Ryder before deciding to allow him to follow. He did. The women didn’t look back to see if he did. They rounded a corner and then went up a flight of stairs. The upper level opened to a parlor area that had large leather chairs and a pool table. He didn’t see anybody in particular. He kept glancing about for the armed men he knew had to be close.

“Ryder,” MiaBella said.

He looked over.

“Gino will want to speak with you. I can’t go inside. I’ll be with Mum. They’ll bring you to us.”

“Wait... you said—”

“You’ll be fine,” Eve said. “I’ll stay with you.”

The sly smile to Eve’s lips didn’t comfort or reassure him. But MiaBella nodded with a bright smile that he was safe with her trusted sister. “Don’t worry. Gino’s all bark and no bite.”

Eve chuckled. “Well, Gianni isn’t.”

MiaBella walked over and gave Ryder a kiss to the cheek and then patted her thigh. “C’mon Boo-Boo. Let’s see what Bionca has prepared in the kitchen for us.”

The dog went to her on command. With MiaBella gone all of his confidence slipped. He wondered if his aunt was right. She said there was a saying from her village to warn you against the Camorra. It’s warning words went, ‘evil had the sweetest taste upon the first bite’. There was no one sweeter and more beautiful than the Battaglia sisters. Eve opened the door and Ryder entered. Inside were the twins. And they were truly identical. The only difference was one had tattoos that stretched up to his neck. He knew that one; often his nightmares included him. Gianni Battaglia’s head cocked to the side and he scowled.

“I remember you,” he said. “Ti ricordi di me?”

Ryder nodded that he did indeed remember the last time he met all of them. Eve walked over to the desk her brother Gino sat behind and stood on the other side. It was Gino who was silent. He wasn’t dressed casually like his sister, or flashy like Gianni, who wore a black and gold Versace shirt and leather pants. He had on a business suit that made him look older than he actually was, and he never took his eyes off Ryder.

“MiaBella told me you wanted me to meet your mother?” Ryder began.

“He’s pissing his pants. He’s no journalist Gino,” Eve said. “We should send him out of here.”

“Let handle our American. I’ll take him back to the airport. Send him home,” Gianni smirked.

Gino shook his head no to both of his siblings. “You know who my mother is? Don’t you?”

Ryder nodded.

“She and Mia think you and this video blogging you do is the best way for her to communicate with the world. My brother and sister don’t.” Gino looked him over. “I have to agree with them.”

Ryder’s heart sank. He looked to Gianni and saw the glee in his eyes.

“But it doesn’t matter what we want from this. Madre requested you. And I don’t tell my mother no. Ever.” Gino pushed up from the desk. “Let me be clear Signore Santini. You will respect her. You will mind your tone and your behavior in her presence and while a guest in my home. And you will keep your fucking hands off my baby sister.”

“I understand,” Ryder said.

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