Amore (5 page)

“I see it. We agree. The truce is best. I have no desire to put this family or my men through another war, especially with the Sicilians. But I will not let the Mancinis off easy.”

“Drugs.
Patri
never, ever, agreed to drugs. Neither have you. But in the past two years with Lorenzo as your left hand, you have changed, Gio.”

“Have I? Or has the world? Drugs are here, Domi. There is no golden rule or moral high road to who we are. All I’ve done is agreed to allow the clans to do what they would try to do behind my back. Mottola gained power because of my refusal to accept the truth. The clans are prosperous now. The clan bosses are content.”

“Not true, Gio. You are strong because you hold to beliefs higher than our fathers. The drugs poison our people, and could eventually destroy our men. ”

“We don’t sell drugs!” Gio shouted.

“But we allow the trafficking through our ports, we make the money off of every ship that docks.”

“And we will continue to. Lorenzo is right on this. Patri was wrong. I was wrong. You are wrong. That is the end of it. I trust Lorenzo and you need to learn to.”

Dominic nodded. “Of course, Gio.”

Giovanni smiled. “Where’s my sister? Will she be here for dinner?”

Dominic wiped his hand down his face. In that moment he could see how stress and tension had aged his brother. Giovanni felt a pang of regret for being so tough on him. “She’s in Milan,” Dominic said. “I’m leaving to join her first thing in the morning.”

“Oh. She spends a lot of time there,” Giovanni said, unable to hide his disappointment.

“It’s this designer business. If Mira can’t be there then Catalina must.”

“And that is okay with you?” Giovanni pressed. Dominic didn’t answer. He started for the door. “What about the wedding?” Giovanni called out. “I’ve given my blessing. What is the date? I want to… you two should be married.”

Dominic stood at the door for a moment. His back was to Giovanni. “When I know the date I will tell you,” he said and walked out. Giovanni nearly called out to him. When Dominic was just a boy he was his only protector, mentor, confidant. He missed being that council for his young brother. Giovanni drummed his fingers on the surface of his desk. After a contemplative moment he picked up the phone. After a few rings Mirabella answered. “I’m home,” he said.

“I know. Let me guess. My husband, the one I’ve been missing so much, is now locked behind a closed door,” she said.

“You were told?” he asked.

“I was told,” she replied. Underneath her sweet pleasant voice he heard a tinge of disappointment. He could have returned home sooner. But he needed the time away to focus on his affairs. He’d been to Europe and back, and not seen her. But he spoke to her every night. Did that not count for anything?

“I need you. Just you,” he said.

“I have a big dinner planned, Gio.”

“Just you,” he said.

“Giovanni? The kids missed you. Sweetheart, for heaven’s sake it’s been three weeks. Have dinner with them and then we—”

“Bella.”

“Okay. Okay, I understand. I’ll be waiting for you.”

He hung up. Giovanni rubbed the tension in his brow. He exhaled deeply and pushed up from his chair. He walked around the desk to the coffee table. On top he saw his gift for her. He slid his hands in his pockets and stared at the bouquet. It felt good to be home.

**

“Is this a bad time?” Marietta asked.

“Never for you. I’m surprised you called. Didn’t you say your husband would be returning today?”

“Yes, he’s around here somewhere,” Marietta smiled.

“How are you?”

“I’m okay. I wanted to call you to tell you I spoke to Mirabella. She’s not really open to the idea of meeting with you,” Marietta said.

“I understand.”

“You do?”

“Of course,” he chuckled. “Tell her to know me is to love me.”

“You’re a real funny guy,” Marietta chuckled. “It’ll take time. My sister is very loyal to her husband and the family. She thinks you want to hurt us.”

“And you aren’t loyal?” Armando asked.

“Oh trust me, I’m one hundred percent loyal to Lorenzo. He just doesn’t try to control me. I can do and think what I want.”

“Interesting.” Armand said.

“Besides, I think you deserve a second chance.”

“It’s possible I don’t,” he told her.

“True. Anything is possible I suppose. Why say that to me?” she frowned.

“I’m not perfect, Marietta. None of us are. I just want a chance to know my sisters. A lot has changed in the past two years.” Armando said.

“It has. I won’t be able to meet with you for dinner like we discussed. Like I told you, Lorenzo is back. I need to tell him that we’ve gotten closer,” Marietta sighed.

“Are you sure that’s wise? He hates me more than Gio,” Armando chuckled.

“It’s not funny. I’m sick of the fighting.” Marietta said. “Well all need to get past it.”

“Forgive me. Lorenzo and I meet frequently. I think he and I will come to terms soon,” Armando said.

“I have to go. I’ll call you when I can,” Marietta said.

“I look forward to it.
Ciao, bella
,” Armando said and ended the call. Marietta dropped the phone on the receiver. She inhaled deeply and exhaled slow. She couldn’t believe how nervous and excited she was to see Lorenzo. When Leo told her the men were back she hurried and changed. Three long weeks with her beloved absent had left her bored out of her mind. She hated the separation between them because of their competing schedules. Three damn weeks was the final straw.

“Non me ne frega un cazzo!”
Lorenzo bellowed and received a roar of laughter as applause. Marietta peeked out at the gathering. Lorenzo sat at the table with an empty plate. The others fed and stuffed their mouths as they listened to Lorenzo and Carlo bicker over who the best player in some sport was. It was Carlo who saw her first. Their eyes met, and once again she felt that flutter she hated. It stirred at the pit of her stomach and spread like a wildfire through her gut. She stepped from her hiding place and his gaze lingered on her face. There were several questions in his eyes.
How was she? Did she think of him when he was away? Did she ever think of him at all?
Marietta broke her gaze away from him when his piercing gaze slowly descended down the curves of her sunshine yellow summer dress.

Lorenzo looked behind him and saw her. His warm smile pushed all thoughts of Carlo aside. He was home! She gave him one in return.

“Cara mia!”
he extended his hand.

She walked over to her husband and leaned to kiss him on the cheek, but he turned up his chin and offered his mouth. His tongue flicked up and beckoned hers in. The kiss became inappropriate, and the smell of him left her rubbing her thighs together discreetly to calm the heat spreading up into her pussy. How many times had she sniffed his bottle of aftershave at night because she missed him so much?

He hooked his arm around her waist and brought her in close to him. Immediately he buried his face between her breasts and shook his head. She loved it! Tickled, she hugged his head and laughed, as several of his men looked away out of respect. Carlo did not. His gaze was unwavering and Marietta felt it strongly. She pushed Lorenzo’s face up and cupped it in her hands. Her man was home. It was time to celebrate.

“I’m so glad my bad boy is home. I’ve missed you, sweet baby,” she kissed him again but drew back before he turned the kiss into something obscene.

He squeezed her ass and bit down on his bottom lip. “Mmph! I have missed you,
bambina
!” He stared at her breasts with such hunger and lust she felt her nipples peak.

“Behave,” she brought his face up once more. “Are you hungry?” she asked him.

Lorenzo nodded. She peeled his hands off her ass and picked up his plate. Lorenzo drank from his beer and watched her. No matter how long they were married he always looked at her as if she was the last woman on earth. And it made her heart beat faster. Marietta went to the buffet Mirabella and Ana had arranged for the men. Everyone was present. The kids were being served and fed by Zia and Cecilia. Even Dominic was at the table eating. The only person missing was Catalina, her sister, and King B. She found the Don and Donna’s absence odd. Typically they were at the head of the table.

Marietta returned the plate of Lorenzo’s favorites and put it before him. Carlo looked up again and she gave him a friendly smile. He smiled in return. They were respectful of each other now. The kiss shared between them happened two years ago, and never happened again. Carlo was however very much present in her life, and his constant stares or passing whispers did trouble her at times. But more and more they made attempts to keep their distance. And after years of drinking, laughing, and being a family with Carlo, her feelings for him were strengthened. The truth was she’d always care more than a woman in her position should.

After she fixed her plate she sat next to him. Lorenzo had large hands, she felt dwarfed by them when they reached for her, and protected by them when he touched her. His right hand eased between her thighs. She parted them and scooted forward on her chair so no one seated across from them would notice. He ate as if his actions were normal. And for them it was. She tried to eat with him stroking her pussy using his two middle fingers, but she could barely swallow. She glanced up. Carlo’s sly smile revealed that he knew the game they played. She looked away and closed her thighs on Lorenzo’s hand to stop him. But he persisted. She sipped her wine and tried to ignore the passion from her husband, and the intense stares from his best friend. Inside she knew she failed miserably.

**

“Le piace, Donna?”

“Yes. Well done. This is perfect. I’m sure he hasn’t eaten, and you’ve brought everything he loves.
Grazie
Ana,” Mirabella said.

“Prego,”
the cook replied with a curt nod. Ana Marcello was a short stout woman with chubby arms and legs. She’d served the Battaglias for over thirty years under two mistresses, Eve and Catalina. Now she took orders from Mirabella only. Once dismissed, Ana snapped her fingers and her two helpers left with her. Mirabella saw them to the door. Alone, her attention returned to the dinner setting. She inspected the meal. Giovanni preferred that Mirabella prepare his supper with only Ana’s help to serve the rest of the family. Zia spent countless hours teaching Mirabella how to cook traditional dishes. And when Marietta joined the family she too took on the lessons from Zia’s apron, and flourished under the attention. Her sister loved to cook. Mirabella only enjoyed the way it made her children and husband happy.

Tonight, however, Mirabella had Ana do all the cooking. She anticipated a house full of men and couldn’t manage the deed and the children. As usual she tasted his food and found everything to his liking. Though it was customary to have a glass of his favorite Merlot ready with dinner, she’d chosen water for him. She was sure he’d already swallowed his belly full of the grape while away.

Now came the waiting game. Mirabella paced. She stopped when she spotted his guitar. She smiled. When was the last time he serenaded her? She exhaled. She craved the sweet love moments in their marriage. Lately it felt like neither of them made enough time to enjoy it. Mirabella put a hand to her heart and looked away, but her gaze fell upon the bed. The last time they made love she woke up to her wrists being bound with her red silk scarf and tied to the headboard. That was some night.

What time was it?
He’d called her over a half hour ago. He should arrive any minute. Mirabella went to the mirror and checked her appearance once more. Her hair was damp from the swim. She decided to let it air dry into its natural curl pattern. It drew up to her neck thick and curly. She wore a long pearl-white satin robe and nothing underneath. She loosened the front of the sash to reveal more of her breasts. Then she thought it was a bit of overkill and tightened it again. She repeated this action twice before finally deciding that less was more for her husband. If her breasts or thighs were revealed to him when they ate together it would only excite him too soon. But at the right time, an excited Don would bring on the sweetest pleasures. Tonight she would not leave him or see their children until sunrise, unless summoned because of an emergency.

Tonight was theirs.

Mirabella fluffed her hair. She puckered her lips and turned sideways to look at her body. She’d gotten plenty of sun lately. Her skin was a richer, deeper, shade of brown. She moved the robe aside a bit to reveal how nicely toned her legs were. The jogging with Marietta had tightened and firmed her ass too. After giving birth to three children, her hips spread a bit but Giovanni loved the curves. Often she woke to find him on top of her entering her from behind because he couldn’t get enough of making love to her with the cushion of her ass between them.

She smiled.

Dinner, the seduction, all of it wasn’t necessary. If she dropped her robe and lay in bed he’d walk into the room and not hesitate to join her. Mirabella looked to the bed once more and considered doing just that. She chuckled and pushed her naughty thoughts aside. He’d been gone from home and not been fed properly. Probably survived on cigars and alcohol. Her lust could wait. At least that’s what she told herself.