Amore (59 page)

“I’d love to go on a date with you. I need to be with you away from here,” Mirabella said.

“We need each other. Away from here,” he agreed.

Later –

Marietta saw Nico arrive from the downstairs window. She had changed into a red summer dress that tied around her neck and draped her hips. The hem was mid-thigh. Lorenzo loved her in this dress. She spent hours fixing her dry tangled hair. She even managed to cover up the dark circles of fatigue under her eyes with makeup. She dabbed Shalimar at all her sensitive spots to carry the fragrance with her wherever she went. She was ready for him.

She stepped closer to the window. Her breathing fogged the glass. Nico exited the car alone. Lorenzo was not with him. She glanced up to the gates, and to her disappointment she saw no car follow. Her heart sank.

She turned and hurried out of her room.
Where was he? Why hadn’t he come?
If Giovanni gave him an order, would Lorenzo disobey? Her mind said he had no choice. Her heart knew the man best, and it told her he’d not come to her on anybody’s demand, unless it was what he wanted. When she reached the end of the hall she saw Cecilia with one of the twins on her hip. She greeted Nico. They kissed. Together they walked off toward the front parlor. Marietta went in pursuit.

“Did you find Lorenzo?” Cecilia asked.

“Don’t worry,” Nico told her.

“
Signora Marietta
is not well. Did you tell him, Nico?” she asked.

Nico sighed. He took Gianni from her arms and raised him above his head. He grinned up at the baby. “Lorenzo is drunk, too wasted to return home.”

“Where is he?” Cecilia asked. “I swear I won’t tell a soul.”

“He’s at Maria’s.” Nico said sadly. “Surrounded by gypsy whores. He’s been there for the week.”

“Oh? How awful for Marietta. She can’t know that. It’ll break her heart,” Cecilia said.

“I told Elsa to call me when he wakes. I’ll go back and make sure he knows to come home. I couldn’t bring him out of there in that condition. He’s my boss.”

“I understand. But you have to tell the Don. He and the Donna are going to the boxing match in Naples. He needs to know.”

“I will.” Nico threw Gianni up above his head. The toddler squealed with delight. He caught him and kissed his face then threw him up in the air again.

Marietta clenched her fist so tight her knuckles went white. Here she was torn up with guilt, and that rat bastard of a husband had gone to a whorehouse. She’d kill him. She’d kill him nice and slow. And she’d do it after she murdered those sluts.

**

“You look pretty, Mommy!” Eve clapped from Catalina’s lap.

Mirabella checked herself in the mirror. The black dress she chose flattered her slender waist, and curvy hips. And though her breasts were sculpted elegantly to the front, they were not revealed. However, when she turned, the backless cut was so low she couldn’t wear underwear.

“You should wear your hair down,” Catalina said.

“In this dress I think I should wear it up,” Mirabella lifted it from her neck.

“Gio likes it down,” Catalina said. “This is to make up with him so he can bring Lorenzo home. Right?”

“Yes! Papa wants it down. He told me.” Eve nodded.

Mirabella laughed. “Yes, I intend to make up with him. Papa is more willing to be reasonable when he isn’t agitated.” She turned from the mirror when her sister walked in. Marietta surprised them all. She looked beautiful. Her smile had the familiar radiance they all loved about her.

“Auntie!” Eve said and scooted off Catalina’s lap. She ran over to Marietta who picked her up. Eve kissed her cheek and hugged her neck. “Do you feel better?”

“I sure do, little diva.” She set Eve down.

Catalina stood. “Come on, Eve. Let’s see if Zia and Ana need help in the kitchen. I know they’re baking today,” Catalina stopped by the door to kiss Marietta on the cheek. They gave each other warm smiles, and then she walked Eve out.

“You feeling better?” Mirabella asked.

“Yes. Where are you headed?” Marietta asked. She came over to fix the back of her sister’s dress.

“To dinner and a boxing match in Napoli. It’s a date night with Giovanni. We’ve been… arguing. He’s trying to make up.”

“I’m sorry,” Marietta said softly. “That’s my fault. I’ve been a terror these past few days.”

“Hey? It’s okay. You and Lo need to work it out. Is he here?”

“Not yet,” Marietta beamed with a smile. “But I’ll see him tonight.”

Her sister walked into the bathroom. Marietta’s gaze swept her surroundings. This room was the grandest in all of Melanzana. Fit for a king and queen. Next door was the adjoining room for the kids.

“Where do you keep your gun?” Marietta mumbled under her breath. She heard Mirabella with her combs and brushes.

“I think I am going to wear my hair pinned up. What do you think?” Mirabella asked.

Marietta went to the cabinet and then checked the top drawers. “Good idea, with that dress it’s perfect,” she answered. She remembered that Mirabella always kept the weapon close.

“I have a surprise for you. I was going to wait to tell you, but I think I should tell you now,” Mirabella said.

“Oh yeah? What is it?” Marietta asked. She ran over to the closet next to the bathroom and began her search there.

“America!”

“What about America?” Marietta asked.

“Giovanni and I are planning a trip. I want to take you to Virginia, to see where I grew up. To Mama’s grave.”

Marietta walked out of the closet and Mirabella had a curious frown on her face. “Oh, I was looking for your red bottoms to wear with that dress. The ones Jamie made for you with the steel pointed tips.”

“Good idea. They’re on the top shelf.” Mirabella winked. “So what do you think?”

“About?” Marietta asked as she returned to the closet. She found the shoes on the shelf with over two hundred others. She brought the pair out.

“About America? Going to Virginia? Me and you. I can introduce you to our family. Cousins, aunts, and take you to Granddad’s farm. We still own it. What do you think?”

Marietta handed the shoes over to Mirabella. “We have cousins and aunts? You never mentioned them before.”

“They… well we aren’t that close anymore. Long story. Still you need to meet our family. And they need to meet you. I know by now with all the press coverage and our interviews they are curious about us both.”

“I’d love it. I think Lorenzo will too. I’ll tell him about it when I see him tonight,” Marietta smiled.

“You sure you’re okay?” Mirabella touched her face.

“Yep. I’m fine. I feel better.”

“Okay.” Mirabella sat on the bed and put on her shoes.

“Hey? You gonna take your gun with you tonight?” Marietta asked casually.

“No. Why would I?” Mirabella frowned.

“You know why. Giovanni made you keep it on you when we were in Milano. Even Lo doesn’t make me carry one,” Marietta smiled. “I guess he doesn’t trust me not to shoot him.”

“That’s not funny,” Mirabella frowned.

Marietta shrugged. She refused to take it back. Especially since she had plans to do just that tonight.

“I hate the thing. Besides my husband has plenty of guns around us tonight. I don’t need mine,” Mirabella chuckled.

“Where do you keep it?” Marietta asked.

“Over there, to the back of the bottom drawer in the gun case. It’s under the sweaters. The bullets are in there too. It’s not loaded. Gianni loves to open drawers and pull clothes out. I know I should move it.”

“Oh? Okay.” Marietta sighed. “Want me to help you finish your makeup?”

“Nope! I have it. I’ll see you in the morning. Good luck tonight,” Mirabella said.

“Thanks, sis,” Marietta kissed her cheek. She started for the door. Mirabella had already returned to the bathroom when she reached it. Marietta was quick to double back. She went to the dresser and quietly opened the bottom drawer. She found the gun, and bullets. She never took to the weapons her husband carried. Worse than her sister, she was a terrible shot. All she needed to do was point and aim. How hard could that be? She closed the door and crept from the room.

**

Giovanni cast his gaze over to his wife. She was at his side with her hand in his. He checked his watch. The fight started in less than an hour. Mirabella stared out at the city lights. Perched at the top of the Vomero Hill, it was the city’s grandest landmark,
Castel Sant'Elmo
.
A medieval fortress that overlooked the gulf of Napoli, was host to everything from sessions of Congress, to music festivals. And in the bottom chambers was an auditorium that could house close to a thousand spectators. The huge event would draw thousands, but not everyone would gain access.

His wife crossed her legs. He let her hand go to rest it upon her thigh. It dawned on him how little they ventured out and enjoyed the city as man and wife. The fashion show and party in Bellagio had been big events for them both. He intended to enjoy their life, and give her the liberty to be more than just a wife. He had warmed to the idea of being the husband of a highly acclaimed fashion designer.

Giovanni squeezed her thigh. He wanted to touch and feel more of her. His dick was killing him. But they were running late.

“What time does it start?” she asked.

“We’re almost there.”

“Yes, but what time does it start?” she asked.

“In about half an hour. We’re close.”

“It’s like a castle,” she said and leaned forward. At night the city lit up
Castel Sant'Elmo,
which stood next to
Certosa di San Martino,
a former monastery turned museum.

“It’s beautiful,” Mirabella said. “I saw it when Fabiana and I were shopping nearby.”

“You’ll love it. Everyone is coming out for the big event.”

Mirabella glanced back at the glare of headlights trailing them. “Looks like it. Did we leave anyone back home to guard our castle?” she joked.

“The men are as excited as you. Many are coming to support Ciro and Carlo.” Giovanni reclined his head on the seat and continued to caress her thigh. The further his hand moved up the more he wondered of the choice she made for the evening. With the body of a goddess, the dress made his men lower their eyes out of respect when she walked past them. The dress teased and flattered her curves. Was she wearing underwear? Typically when she wore a dress that was backless she wasn’t. He glanced down and pushed her dress further up to see. She tried to pull her dress back down, but he forced it further. When he persisted she swatted his hand away playfully.

“I can’t wait,” Mirabella said. “My favorite fighter is Mike Tyson. Fabiana and I had front row seats to watch him fight Larry Holmes. He knocked him out in the fourth round. We were on our feet screaming!”

He tried reaching between her thighs, but she captured his wrist and squeezed it with affection.

“Interesting. There are still things I don’t know about my Bella.” His gaze lifted to her face. “My Donna needs a pair of boxing gloves. If you want I can be your trainer.”

“You got it, baby!” She threw a few shadow punches.

Giovanni tried to shift in his seat. The happier and more excitable she became, the harder it was to conceal his hard-on. He could act on his desire to have her, but the time was short. He checked his watch again. Decisions. Decisions.

“Can you imagine me down in the cellar training with you? If you become my trainer I don’t have to wait to jump your bones when you come upstairs after working out? You are so damn sexy when you sweat,” she grinned. “Yummy too. I have a sketch I did of you once. It’s in my studio. It shows you’re muscles and torso, with you throwing boxing punches. I keep it up there with me.”

“You drew me and haven’t shown me?” he chuckled.

“I look at it when you aren’t home. I’ll show you. I have to have you near me, Gio. You’re my inspiration.” She leaned over and kissed his jaw. “Gio?”

“Yes, Bella?”

“Is your dick hard?”

He chuckled.

“Are you kidding me?” she laughed.

Giovanni hit the intercom to the driver. The privacy divider in the limo kept their conversations from their escort. “Pull over, and then get out! Now!” he told the driver. They veered off the main artery of the road to another. The limo rolled to a stop, and so did the caravan of cars following them.

“What’s going on?” she asked. She turned and looked back at the other cars following them. “Why are we stopping?”

Before Mirabella could counter his next move or understand his intentions, Giovanni was on her. And she felt nice.

Mirabella was taken by surprise. She struggled at first. He groaned and pulled her closer so she was pinned with her legs open and could feel the granite hard erection he had for her. Their eyes met. It was going to happen. She had no doubt about that. But the timing was terrible.