Page 47 of Ti Amo

“He came in late last night and left early, which is just fine with me.” Catalina said dryly. She bounced Eve on her knee and then hugged her. Mira was at a loss as to what to say. She knew Giovanni wouldn’t tolerate his sister being abused. Laying a hand on Catalina was an act of suicide.

“How long has this been going on?”

Catalina kissed the top of Eve’s head. Her niece rested the side of her face against her chest, snuggling comfortably in her lap. Without looking up she answered. “Yesterday, before dinner. First and last time the bastard will ever put a hand on me.”

Mira moved closer. “Giovanni finds out about this, and he’s a dead man.”

Catalina ran her hand over Eve’s soft locks that were pulled back by a flowery headband. “Giovanni, Domi, Lorenzo, Nico, hell even Carlo would go crazy. No one can know,” she said without looking up. “Thank you for covering for me yesterday.”

“I wasn’t sure what you were hiding, I prayed it wasn’t this.”

“I mean it, Mira. You can’t tell anyone.”

“I can’t keep this from him. I won’t do it. That asshole needs to be out of here tonight. I’ll talk to Giovanni and make him understand. Every problem in this family does not have to be dealt with by violence.”

Catalina wept. Eve reached for her face touching her cheeks. “Nippy?” Eve said.

Mira immediately went to her side to comfort her. “Sweetie we can’t keep this from them. The man attacked you and that’s never acceptable.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then help me.” Mira said.

Reaching for the box of tissues she gave Catalina a few. She wiped at her tears and collected herself. “I’m stronger than this. Franco said things. I can’t. I just can’t talk about.”

When Franco came to bed in the middle of the night, he had the nerve to demand sex from her. It was awkward, and he couldn’t finish. She only complied to keep the peace until she could think of what to do to get out of this mess and not put Dominic in danger. She believed Franco’s threat. He’d tell Giovanni about her affair, and her life would be ruined. Franco was right. She was like her mother. A whore. She never wanted her brother to see her as one. “He knows about me and Domi, Mira.” Catalina confessed. Father Michael told her confession was good for the soul the last time she went to mass. Why did her confession make her feel ten times worse?

“Knows? How is that possible? You ended it before the wedding.” Mira took hold of her chin and Catalina was forced to look her in the eye. “You and Domi did end it right?”

“We’ve been sleeping together, even after the wedding.” Catalina said softly. “But we agreed it had to stop. It doesn’t matter anyway. Franco said he was defrauded because I wasn’t a virgin when we married. He’s right, I brought this on myself.”

Mira sighed.

“I love Domi. I never stopped loving him. You were right, I shouldn’t have married Franco,” she said her bottom lip quivering as she held Eve to her chest inhaling the fragrant beauty of her wild curls.

“Sweetheart. None of this gives Franco the right to hit you. If he did it once, he’ll do it again.”

Catalina passed Eve over to Mira when she rose. She wiped the tears on her cheeks. “I understand, but if Giovanni finds out that Domi and I have had this affair it will destroy their bond, Mira. I’ll lose my brother, and it’ll be much worse for Domi.”

Mira watched Catalina pace the floor. She felt helpless. “What’s your plan? Live a lie?”

“No!” She whirled around. “I’ll convince Franco to give me the divorce. I’ll find a way to beat him at his own game.”

Mira shook her head in disbelief. “He hit you, and if any of these men here see that bruise on your face, you won’t be able to conceal these secrets. Honey, makeup is not going to work. You can’t hide in this room.”

“I can if you help me,” she returned to the bed and lowered to her knees.

Mira looked down at her as Eve leaned over in her lap reaching for her aunt again. Catalina kissed little Eve’s hand and looked up at Mira pleadingly with tortured soulful brown eyes and tears glistening on her lashes. “Help me keep it from Giovanni and Domi until I deal with Franco.”

“No.” Mira said. “Absolutely not.”

“I have to do it this way. Franco told me flat out he’s in it for the money. My papa left me plenty in a trust. I inherited it all on my 21st birthday. Giovanni has to turn it over to me in a few months. He kept it out of my dowry, and I know Franco wants it. You can talk to Giovanni and have him release my money to me.”

“Then what? You pay off Franco, and Giovanni sees the dissolution of your marriage along with your trust. Do you think he would let Franco walk away with your money?”

“He will if we make him believe it’s what I want. I see you with him, even when he’s mad he can’t resist you. You can convince him of anything. That’s the power you will have as hisdonna. When he marries you, your word is as powerful as his on matters of the family.”

“I won’t manipulate him.” Mira said.

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