Page 94 of Vita Mia

“Giovanni told me about Poggioreale. He said if he’s taken there I won’t be able to see him. Is that true?”

“That’s not necessarily true. He doesn’t want you to visit him in Poggioreale. It’s the worst of the prisons so I don’t blame him. Convincing him to see you may be a problem. To get you inside we have to submit to theUfficio Matricolayour marriage license and other legal documents to prove you are his wife. It’s totally handled by the lawyers. Giovanni will have to officially request you come to see him.”

“And like you said he won’t.”

“We’ll work on changing that,” Dominic said. He sat forward. There were a few family members present. Enough to be trusted. Still he gave a look to one of his cousins and the men cleared the women out. Only Catalina and Mirabella remained.

“The problem we have is that the prison is under the control of a man by the name of Antoni Fassino. And he is no friend to our family. We have to figure out how to neutralize him. And we’ve tried over the years to do so. Nothing has ever worked, so Giovanni did the next best thing. He used this warden’s hatred for the Camorra against our enemies. Poggioreale is where we sent the clan bosses we wanted to be done with. A boss of any stature is an instant target for Fassino. Giovanni is the biggest prize.”

“Because he wants to kill Giovanni like he has the other Camorra Don’s, you mean,” Mirabella said.

“Gio, knew the risks,” Dominic told her.

“Yes, and so did I. Doesn’t change how afraid I am.”

“Don’t be. The good news is Dr. Marchetti paid me a visit.”

Mirabella looked up at the mention of her old doctor. “She’s back?”

Dominic smiled and nodded.

“Can we turn her? Is she ready?” Mirabella asked.

“I can handle her,” Dominic smirked.

Mirabella let go a deep sigh of relief. “I want my children to come with me. I can’t leave them Domi. Not this time. I need them with me.”

“I knew you would. I’m going to find a safe place for you in Napoli. I’m dealing with the Puglia’s. They’ve moved in and started taking our territories. To fight or resist will make Giovanni even more vulnerable. For now, we have to let the snakes slither through our garden.”

“Should we all go?” Catalina asked. “I was going to try to stay here with the kids but if Mirabella is going to take the kids then maybe me and Zia should go too.”

“You can’t. We have Palermo to deal with. You’re the Donna of Palermo. She’s the Donna of Sorrento. She has to go alone.”

“I’ll be fine,” Mirabella assured them. “Let’s hire a girl to help me with the children and I’ll be fine.”

“Zia should go with you.”

“She’s getting too old for this back and forth Catalina,” Mirabella said.

“Eve and the children need stability. After Cecilia, they need to be able to adapt. If I can’t go with you then take Zia.”

“I think I have a better idea. A compromise,” Dominic said. “Let me make a call.” Dominic pushed up to leave and held Armando sleeping against his chest even though he seemed to be in evident pain. He walked out as if nothing had changed.

Mirabella glanced to Catalina a bit concerned.

“Do you think he’s okay?”

Catalina smiled. “This is Domi at his best. He can deal with this crisis. He’s prepared.”

“Okay, I’ll go pack,” Mirabella agreed.

When Mirabella left with Leeza, Dominic returned. He passed a sleeping Armando back to Catalina. “I’ll take her to Napoli and then I’ll come home. Zia stays with you and Armando.”

“You need to be there. Giovanni is in trouble,” Catalina said.

“You have to trust me.”

“I do. I just told her she should. But I wouldn’t worry if—“

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