Page 134 of Giovanna

“God, Giovanna. Why didn’t you tell me all this?” She shakes her head at me in quiet frustration. “We could have worked it out. Come up with a plan. Or something. I am as much a part of theFamigliaas you. You could have had me on your side. I will marry Elio if that is what is needed. We will come up with an arrangement that suits us. I-I won’t ever want him like I want you though.”

I say her name several times, trying to interrupt her monologue. My angel is willing to go through with the marriage despite all that has happened in order to save theFamiglia. But I’m not willing for her to make that sacrifice now. I’m not willing to make it myself.

“Francesca!” I finally get her to stop talking and she looks at me expectantly.

I’m suddenly tongue-tied. I’m so shit at this stuff. I have never been one to declare my feelings. I’ve had girlfriends and cared about them, but nothing like this. I don’t know how to put it into words.

“You won’t be marrying Elio, Francesca,” I say slowly and she blinks, confused.

“I won’t? But you just said that the Rossis…”

“Because I can’t watch you marry someone else,” I tell her and her mouth makes a little O shape. “You’re mine, little darlin’. Ever since you came home, you’ve tortured me. I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m obsessed. I look forward to getting home just so I can see you for a few moments. You’re beautiful and sweet and, with the exception of the incident with Elio’s car, you’re so fucking full of grace, despite what the world has put you through. I have never smiled as much as I have with you. And I think I might die if I never get to taste you again; feel you come apart with my name on your lips.”

Standing awkwardly, holding her face in my palms, I watch a slow smile spread across her face and feel the weight of the world lifting from my shoulders.

She reaches up for my face in return and pulls me gently down for a kiss that beats any kiss I’ve ever had in my life. She sweeps her tongue into my mouth and I feel momentarily lightheaded. It is soft and deepens quickly. It is passionate and loving, not about sex so much about expressing emotion. We express the depth of our feelings without words.

When we finally break apart, I take a deep breath to ready myself for the next part of my pronouncement. I clear my throat and run my hand through my hair.

“Francesca, I know we are in the least romantic setting ever and I wish I could ask you this differently, but trust me when I say I’ll make it up to you…but I don’t want to cancel the wedding venue and stuff. I still want you to get married this month, but I want you to marry me instead….”

Silence.

I rush to fill it. “I know it’s rushed and a bit weird, but I will remarry you in a big fancy ceremony every anniversary if that’s what you want. I just want to make you mine…Fuck, say something, Ches. Put me out of my misery.”

“I have literally dreamed of marrying you since I was a kid. Even before I knew what love and sex were. You’ve been my lifelong obsession and I’ve wished for this moment every time I blew out birthday candles and on every shooting star. I’ll go down to the registry office in my hospital gown with you, I don’t care. I just want to finally beyourFrancesca Marino.Sei il mio mondo, Giovanna,” her voice is soft but strong and each word feels like it weakens and strengthens me at the same time.

I dive in and kiss her again. This time it is full of want and a touch of desperation. “Mrs. Marino,” I growl. “I love that. I love you, darlin’.”

“I love you too,” she gasps between kisses. “I’ll marry you with two conditions though.”

I frown. “What’s that?”

“One, I want to change my wedding dress. It isn’t what I pictured marrying you in.”

Laughing, I agree quickly to the first stipulation. “And number two?”

“Well, I finally got around to listening to the song you mentioned in the club that time;Irisby theGoo Goo Dolls. Remember? Well, Massimo made me listen to it this morning,” she smiles shyly. I remember all right.

“Yeah? What did you think?” I ask nervously.

“I wish I knew that was how you were feeling. I should have listened to it straight away…” her voice trails off wistfully. “My second condition is that our first dance is toIris.”

“No arguments here. You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be.”

Chapter Sixty-One

Sandy

There is a strange energy in the air when I shuffle into the upstairs room at La Fazenda aided by my newly acquired walking stick. Once again it is crammed with capos and I am the last to arrive.

Lowering myself tentatively into my chair and cursing how bloody old I must look, I notice the capos all murmuring to each other. Expressions are puzzled, curious, and suspicious.

What’s going on? I thought we were here to discuss the execution of David Rossi.

I get my answer when I turn to look at my children and instead of finding Elio in the boss’ chair, he is sitting in the chair to its right. Giovanna sits on the throne looking like she was born to occupy it. She kind of was.

“Before I address the matter of David Rossi,” Giovanna booms with ease, “my siblings and I wish to advise you of some changes within the Famiglia.”

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