Battaglia Mafia: La Famiglia Part 67

"Whatever is left to Marietta she will claim. And Armando Mancini better be wise to stay out of my way."

"But that's the point, Lorenzo. He isn't going to stay out of your way or mine if we are in bed with his business affiars."

Lorenzo shrugged. He didn't give a s.h.i.t about having to deal with the Mancinis. What he cared about was Marietta and getting her justice.

"If I insist you will sign it over. To sever the tie between our families?" Giovanni asked.

"The last time I did as you wished against my wife's interests it ended badly. Do we travel this road again, Gio? You have it all. Mottola's men now bow at your feet. The clan bosses are celebrating your victory of stopping the investigation into our business deals. The entire region is yours. The blow we strike against the `Ndrangheta will be felt through the triangle. And I will do whatever it takes to make sure you remain the capo di tutti capi. Give me this. For my wife. For my family. For my own legacy."

"You think Armando will step aside and hand over three hundred years of wealth to you?" Giovanni chuckled.

"Who knows what the future brings. And who says he has to step aside. I can step on him to get what is owed to Marietta." Lorenzo sighed. "I have another request."

"I'm listening," Giovanni said. He brought Eve down from the desk to his lap.

"I want to send Renaldo to Chicago. America."

"Why?" Giovanni frowned.

"Marietta. The man who raised her was as evil as Micheli Esposito, Dominic's father. I owe her a wedding present," Lorenzo said. "I'd go personally but..."

"No. I need you here. Send Renaldo. Keep it clean."

Lorenzo smirked. "Grazie."

"I am confused about one thing," Givoanni said. "Bella says that Patri never gave the okay to put a contract out on her mother. Why did Rocco tell us he did?"

"We should ask him. Rocco has been out of the family for years. Maybe he misunderstood the facts."

Giovanni pondered it bit. "I want it clarified."

* B *

Marietta knocked lightly on the door. She eased the door open. Cecilia was in with Mira. She fed one of the babies and Mira fed the other. "Come in."

"Morning," Marietta said.

"How did you sleep?" Mira asked with concern.

Marietta knew how she looked. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut. She hadn't even bothered to brush her teeth or comb her hair. She rolled out of bed and came to the nursery first. To her surprise Mira looked fresh and lovely. She wore a housedress for the tropics that outlined her full figure and deflating belly.

"Marietta?" Mira said.

"Huh? Oh... yeah, I just wanted to check in with you. Some night huh?" she asked.

Mira stood and put her baby on her shoulder. She soothed his back encouraging him to burp. "Why don't you shower, and after I get the boys fed we share a cup of coffee together?"

"Yeah, yeah okay." she smiled. She turned and Catalina appeared in the door. She walked in the room.

"What happened last night? My G.o.d it was chaos in here. We were d.a.m.n near jailed. And then you and Giovanni walk in the door holding hands? Kissing?"

"I'll explain it to you. I promise." Mira smiled. "It's a long story. Right?" she said to Marietta.

"Yeah. A long story."

"Where is Rosetta?" Mira asked.

"In her room I suppose." Catalina replied.

Mira nodded. "I need to pay her a visit."

* B *

Lorenzo found Marietta in the room changing. She had freshly showered. Her hair was combed back into a single braid. When she turned she looked up at him and smiled. "Hi, baby."

"Sorry I left so early." He walked over and stopped her from fastening her pants. "Come here. I want to talk to you."

"Hey, stop pulling on me." She laughed. "Seriously, Lo, I can't. I told Mira I would meet her downstairs for coffee."

Lorenzo chuckled. He picked her up and carried her to bed. And he understood why she misread his intentions. Typically he seized any moment or reason to undress her and make love to her. He never tired of her physically.

"I only want to talk," he said. He sat her down on the bed. He sat next to her. "Your brother called."

"Brother?" Marietta frowned. "I don't want to see him or that-"

"Your father's dead," Lorenzo said. "I'm sorry, cara. Truly sorry. He's dead."

"But we just saw him," Marietta said.

"He was a sick man." Lorenzo took her hand and kissed it. "They will bury him tomorrow. Armando has agreed to give you permission to pay respects as long as we keep our distance."

"I don't need his permission!" Marietta stood. She crossed her arms. "He was my father too. I can go to the d.a.m.n funeral and sit in the front row if I want!"

"Marie... you can't and you won't," Lorenzo said firmly.

"I don't care! I wished he was dead the moment I saw him. The moment I knew the truth. I hope he suffered. I... I don't care!" She put her hands to her hips. "I don't care."

Lorenzo stood and drew her into his arms. He held her. Protected her with his embrace while she cried. "We'll pay our respects."

She hugged him. "He was a horrible man."

"We all are. Remember?"

She looked up at him and he smiled.

"No. You aren't. Stop saying that. You would never do what he did to my mother."

"Agreed. I could never hurt anyone I love," Lorenzo said.

"Can we leave Sicily? I want to go and I want to stay gone. For good," she said. "Maybe we can go back to Bellagio. Or find us a place in Milano?"

"I promise. We'll leave." Lorenzo nodded.

She hugged him once more. "I can't wait."

* B *

"Donna?" Cecilia said.

Mira looked up from changing Eve's diaper. "Yes?"

"There's something you should know."

The tone Cecilia used gave her pause. "What is it? Is it the boys?"

"It's Rosetta, ah, I wanted to tell you that I heard her," Cecilia said.

"Heard her do what?" Mira asked.

"She called Dominic and told him that you and Signora Marietta brought Gemma here. That is how Giovanni knew to return home. I heard her tell him everything."

Mira figured it was Rosetta. She had intended to dig into the matter deeper. Now she had proof. "Thanks for telling me, Cecilia."

"There's more. I am sorry, I don't want to speak ill against any member of the Battaglia family." Cecilia cast her gaze away. "The wedding, my fall? I was pushed. By Rosetta. She threatened me. She wanted to be the one to be close to you and Eve. To travel with you on your honeymoon to Capri. I let the incident go because I didn't want trouble. But now I see her, she sneaks into Catalina's room, tries on her dresses and things. She follows Dominic around the house and tells him the private conversations she eavesdrops on. I've seen all of this."

"Cecilia! You should have come to me." Mira stepped to the young woman. She took her hands. "My G.o.d you could have been killed. I am so sorry you felt the need to hide this. But I promise you no one in this family will ever hurt you again." She pulled her into her arms and hugged her. "I'm so sorry."

* B *

Mira sat with Eve on her lap. She cradled her daughter to her breast. She couldn't shed another tear for Marsuvio Mancini. To her the darkness was gone. She glanced over to Zia, and Catalina. They had joined because of her request. There was no need for any secrets. "When is the funeral?"

"Tomorrow." Giovanni said.

Mira nodded. "We should send flowers. It's what's done? Right?"

Giovanni stared at her. They all stared at her expecting something more. She shifted Eve on her lap. "After we pay respects I want to go home. Back to Sorrento."

"Agreed," Giovanni smiled.

"Mama?" Eve patted her breast. "Me too," Eve said.

Everyone laughed. She squeezed Eve. She looked to her husband who winked. The darkness was gone. She could see nothing but their future and it was full of promise ahead.

* B *

Mira knocked twice. The day was filled with packing. Everyone at Villa Mare Blu began to prepare for his or her return home. After the funeral they'd fly out. She was at Rosetta's door. When she opened it the young girl was running around gathering her things. She glanced back. "Ciao, Donna! I'm so excited. I can't wait to see Fabiana's."

Mira closed the door. "You won't be coming with us," she said.

Rosetta paused. "Huh? I don't understand."

"I've called your father. He's coming to pick you up and take you back to Palermo."

"Why?" Rosetta gasped.

Mira walked in the room. She crossed her arms. "I know you called Dominic and told him to tell Giovanni about my plans. After I specifically told you how important it was to stand with me."

"I... no... I only did it because I was afraid."

"No." Mira smiled. "You did it to score points with Dominic. I've watched you play games around this house. Keep little fires going. I had hoped you would mature and focus on being part of this family. And now I learn that you aren't only selfish and spoiled but dangerous. I should tell Giovanni about what you did to Cecilia."

"No Donna! It was an accident."

"Hush now! You and I both know it wasn't. And to think I trusted you with Eve. I am so disappointed in you Rosetta."

"Please," Rosetta rushed to her. "Please don't send me away. Please!"

Mira shook her head and pushed her off her. "I don't want anyone in this family I can't trust. And until I feel otherwise about you, don't come to Melanzana without permission from me."

"But you said last night that you were wrong to make Zia lie. That you should have never asked any of us to lie." Rosetta reasoned. "It's Cecilia word against mine. I only called Dominic because I was worried for you."

"I'm your Donna. What I say and what I do are two different things entirely." Mira imformed her.

"No. You can't send me home to Papa! I'll die!" Rosetta wept.

"He'll be here to pick you up. Save your false tears for him. You better hurry and finish packing." Mira said.

She walked out to Rosetta's screaming wails.

* B *

Rocco shuffled with his cup to the table. Giovanni watched his uncle. For years his uncle was at his fathers' side. Until one day he was banished to the vineyard. No one knew the true story. But from what he did know Rocco was once as ruthless and conniving as Tomosino and Marsuvio. Maybe he still was.

"Zio?" Giovanni walked in.

"I see you staring, Gio. I was waiting for you to join me," Rocco exhaled. "I'm sorry I wasn't here last night to stop the women. I was in Bagheria visiting my brother. I had no idea Zia would pull a stunt like this. I've spoken with her. It won't happen again."

"It's done. Let's not rehash it."

"Sit. It's time we talk." Rocco sipped from his cup.

"So you know I wanted to talk." Giovanni asked. He walked over and pulled out a chair.

"I thought you might, when I heard this morning that you paid a visit to Mancini."

"He's dead," Giovanni replied.

"I know," Rocco replied.