Battaglia Mafia: La Famiglia Part 28

"Are you okay, Donna?" Nico asked.

"Do you need anything?" Renaldo asked.

"Should we move her downstairs to make things better?" Dominic asked Giovanni.

"What did the doctor say?" Leo asked.

Question after question was tossed her way. She exchanged a look with Giovanni and he nodded that he would handle it. "That's enough!" he shouted. The room silenced. "She's fine. I will tell the family what is going on in a minute. Right now everyone out! Out!"

Those gathered started to walk out. Giovanni stopped Dominic last. "Lorenzo and the others?"

"We have more information. Lorenzo was pretty good at getting it for you." Dominic said.

"Really? Give me an hour and bring Santo in. I want to speak with him personally."

Dominic nodded. He walked out.

"Where is Eve? Is she with Cecilia?" Mira asked, she scooted back into her pillows.

"I believe so. I'll bring her to you in a moment. First we need to talk about what the doctor said. What it means." He sat on the edge of the bed. "I should have taken you to Rome. The best ospedales are in Rome. I should have never insisted that we come here."

"I think our doctors have it under control," she reasoned.

"What if I move you to Palermo? Bring Zia here and get us a place close to the ospedale. The closer we get to the due date. What about that?"

"I like that idea," Mira said. She tried to keep the fear from her voice.

"Hey, come here, baby," she said.

Giovanni went to her and she put his face to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. He was careful not to put any pressure on the babies. She felt calmer when she relaxed him. And she knew he was afraid. The entire family was afraid. "I intend to stay in bed. No designing, no nothing. Can you bring the television in here?"

"I can do that, Bella."

"Good. And I can rest. If you promise me a foot and back rub every night I'll be extra relaxed. Think you can do that for me?" she chuckled.

He lifted his head and his eyes glistened with tears. "I promise."

"We will be just fine, sweetheart. I promise you," she rea.s.sured him.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too. With all my heart." She smiled.

* B *

"Well? What is it?" Mancini asked.

"She had an attack of some kind. Dr. Buhari has put her on bed rest." Armando informed him. He stood and walked around his desk "The doctor says if it gets worse she could hemorrhage and die."

"Her mother had the same problem," Mancini said. "By the time I found her she was near dead. The doctors had to deliver the twins early."

Mancini remembered the blood, and how badly Melissa suffered through the birth of their daughters. He feared her death more than the loss of life to his little girls. Ironic that she was the one lost to him eventually.

"Interesting that they share the same issue," Armando said.

"Lisa was out of it for days. The doctors weren't sure she'd recover. I wasn't sure. When she did come through it I trusted the wrong people to care for her. I shouldn't have abandoned her."

"So she died after giving birth?" Armando asked.

"No. She died two years later," Mancini said.

"You left her? You returned to Madre and left America. For good?" Armando said instead of asked.

Mancini nodded his head slowly. "I left her."

"Then why was she killed by Tomosino? You were gone..."

"That I don't know. All I know is Isabella's version of things. She said Flavio told her of the contract and that Capriccio carried it out. I had thought my leaving gave her a chance at a life without the burdens I gave her. I provided for her. I thought I had. It confuses me still, what became of her." Mancini released a burdened sigh. "She was murdered. End of story." He looked up into his son's eyes. "Mirabella has to know the truth. She doesn't know how much danger she is in with this pregnancy."

"The doctors know, Papa. You have given them all the information," Armando said.

Mancini clenched his fist. "Giovanni is a selfish b.a.s.t.a.r.d. He should have taken her to Rome. Not brought her here. I had to tell Ricci to recommend Buhari in the first place!"

"Yes but when I spoke to Buhari he said that Giovanni and Mira were both made aware of the dangers. The babies could come early, and possibly will. They are going to do weekly doctor visits. I'm told that Giovanni is inquiring about renting a place in Palermo. To be closer to the ospedale."

Mancini looked up.

Armando smiled. "If we take them out of Mondello Giovanni has less control. And I have good news. Francesco Mottola is looking to expand his operations within the Camorra. He's moving in on Giovanni's territory. I'm sure Gio will strike predictably soon, which will further distract him and Lorenzo. I should be able to get to the women-"

"Yes. But Isabella is out there," Mancini said. "And she has been plotting against me for years. I don't want to risk the chaos with Mirabella in so much physical danger. No. No. We are to be cautious until after the babies are born. I will be there for the delivery of my grandchildren," Mancini smiled.

"And then afterwards I can deal with Giovanni. We can blame it on the Mottola clan. Make the Camorra turn in on itself. Our hands will be clean," Armando said.

Mancini waved off the comment. "This childhood feud between you and Giovanni keeps you distracted. The greater goal is yours sisters. Giovanni is necessary as an ally."

"How?" Armando snapped.

"The truce keeps the Mafia and the Camorra separate. The truce keeps business clean on both sides. Who in the Camorra do you trust to adhere to our blood oaths? Open your eyes boy and see the big picture!" Mancini said. He shook his head. "This is why you aren't ready. Why I fear dying. You have to think ahead, strategy is what you lack! That and proper motivation." Mancini coughed.

Armando held his tongue.

Mancini reclined with a sardonic smile tipping the corner of his mouth. "It's time you know another truth. My intention to motivate you properly."

"How do you intend to do that?" Armando asked.

"The will has been changed," Mancini said.

Armando sat forward. He narrowed his eyes on his father. Mancini coughed, hacked up phlegm and spat it in a napkin before he spoke again. "If something happens to your sisters or their children. If they walk away from the family and disavow their tie to Mancini then you too will lose it all. Everything is bequeathed to Georgio."

"Georgio! That runt can't wipe his own a.s.s without written instructions. Are you f.u.c.king kidding me?" Armando shot to his feet. Mancini agreed with his son. Georgio was only made in the Mafia because of blood. His sister's son was a buffoon, dimwitted, and spoiled. He would s.h.i.+t away their fortune in a year. But he needed to motivate his son and this proved to be his only option. "It's done," Mancini said. "I will unite you three. Do what I was a coward to do so many years ago. They are your sisters, and you will protect them if you want to protect the family legacy. If Mirabella loses the babies or stumps her toe it comes out of your hide. Do you understand?"

"This is f.u.c.king bulls.h.i.+t! Why would you think I'd do this! Are you insane?"

"I know you, son. You're full of ego and the prejudices I've beat into you since you were a child. I know you as I know myself. This is the only way I can ensure you try to know your sisters and that this family becomes stronger with the three of you." Mancini began to hack and cough. "Don't bother with contesting the will. Don't make claims that I was of feeble mind. I set this in motion three years ago when I brought her to Italy."

Armando fell silent. He stared at his father in disbelief.

Mancini coughed again. "If you kill Giovanni, you will have to kill Lorenzo. And my girls will be widows. Your sisters will blame you. And if they turn from you, you lose everything. Bring them in and make them family. Teach them our ways. Be a better man than me."

"I will not. Never! They will never be part of this family!" Armando said.

"Then there will be no family." Mancini started for the door. He paused. He had never been a good role model, but he did love his son. He glanced back toward him. The ugly discoloration of his attack on him the night prior was on his face. Mancini hadn't even realized he attacked his child until he returned to his senses and found himself standing over Armando holding the gun. His mind was going, along with his health. What he did now was desperate, and he knew this. But what choice did he have?

"Forgive me," Mancini said.

Armando said nothing.

Mancini shook his head and walked out.

* B *

The door opened. Marietta lifted her head from the pillow and looked out past the gauzy sheer veil of the curtain that surrounded her bed. She had fallen asleep in her maxi dress and sandy feet. Tears had streaked her mascara. Her hair had frizzed to the point of a lion's mane.

"Lo?" she asked. She squinted at the shadowy figure approaching.

"Why are you in here? Everyone is downstairs for dinner." He drew the curtain to their bed open. He stared down at her with the concern. "What's the matt-" His voice faltered when he saw what she held out in her hand. He looked at the necklace and then at her with guilt-ridden eyes.

"You told me that you couldn't find it. You held me all night while I cried over losing my necklace. Do you know where I found it? I found it in your pants pocket. Why did you lie to me?" Marietta asked.

He blinked at her.

The silence between them lengthened. Marietta's heart raced with panic. Had he intentionally deceived her? Why would he? The bruising to his face didn't look as severe as it did that morning, but it made his features hard and un-s.h.i.+fting. "Answer me, Lorenzo. Why would you want to deceive me about something so important?"

"I-I-I didn't," he stammered.

"Liar! You told me you didn't find it!" Marietta shouted back.

"Wait, sweetheart." Lorenzo put his hands up. "I didn't find it when I told you that. I hadn't found it, is what I mean. But remember I left the room later that night. You see my face. You know I wasn't in bed with you all night."

Marietta frowned. "So you found it later and got beat up?"

He chuckled. "The other way around. I got into a disagreement last night with some of the boys. On my way back to the room I found it. I was going to surprise you, but this morning you surprised me. And today has been crazy-it slipped my mind. Of course I wouldn't hide your necklace. For what purpose? You ruined my surprise."

Marietta wiped at her tears. "Sorry. I'm sorry for accusing you. I don't know what came over me. I don't like being lied to. When I thought you lied I just... I'm sorry, Lo."

"No one likes a liar," Lorenzo said.

Marietta crawled across the bed to him. She got up on her knees and stretched her arms up around his neck. "Forgive me."

"Forgive? There's no need." He squeezed her a.s.s. "It was a silly misunderstanding. But it taught me something," he said.

"It did? What?" she smiled.

"How important this necklace is to you." He took it from her hand.

She stared at it and was filled with relief. The thought of losing it had uncovered all her fears and feelings of abandonment. "It's funny."

"What is?" Lo asked, while he inspected the charm.

"The clasp." She pointed to it with the tip of her nail. "See there. It isn't broke so I don't know why it came off."

"That is odd." Lorenzo agreed. "Why don't we put it up somewhere safe? I know a jeweler. We can take it to him, and he can replace the clasp to make it secure. Okay?"

"Good idea," she nodded. "Thank you, baby." She kissed him trying to bring him down on the bed with her. "Mmm, I've missed you, baby, come to bed."

"I can't, sweetheart. We need to talk." He pulled her over to straddle his lap. Of course Marietta loved the position. She wrapped her legs around him.

Lorenzo chuckled. He took her chin. "I need to leave for a day or two. A few days and then I'll return. Promises."

"No! h.e.l.l no!" she tried to get up but he held her to him, bringing her arm behind her back and pinning it there so she wouldn't escape him.

"It can't be helped, sweetheart." Lorenzo looked her in the eye. His voice was firm and tight.

"The h.e.l.l it can't. We just got married. I know you have a lot on your plate but leaving me? Here? I'm not staying here! Where you go I go. Period."

"Yes you are." He grabbed her chin a bit forcefully. Marietta glared at him. How could he do this? She felt such raw betrayal her voiced objections were choked down with emotion. He turned and maneuvered her to pin her down to the bed. He let her arm go only to bring both wrists up above her head.

"I'm sorry, cara. I have some serious business to attend to. I need your help."

She blinked away her tears. "How can I help if you're leaving me behind?"

"The Donna isn't well. I was thinking maybe you could look out for her?"

"She has her husband. She has a legion of people to look out for her. Why me?"

He smiled. "She can't handle stress. Make friends with her. Spend time with her. Keep her relaxed."

"I'm not a f.u.c.king babysitter. I don't even know her." Marietta pouted.

"No, Marie, you don't. But you're family now, we all are. I want you to start acting like it. Do you understand? I will be gone no more than forty-eight hours and then I'm yours. We'll see Sicilia. Do whatever you want. Visit the grottos I told you about."

"I can sunbathe like a mermaid?" she smiled.

He bit her chin.

She laughed and her tears sparkled like diamonds in her eyes. She smiled for him again. He kissed her soft. "I am sorry to disappoint my lady. I don't want to leave you."

"This is hard, Lo. Being around these people. But I can try. For you," she said.