“Forgiveness, Giovanni. Have you not heard anything I’ve said to you? We’re a family. That includes Domi. As your donna I’m making my request. I don’t know or care how you handle your business but when it comes to this family I have the final say. Domi stays, and we celebrate Christmas together. All of us.” She braced for his reaction.
“I’m ready to make you my wife.” The press of his lips to hers was such a soothing sensation. Parting her lips she moved in on him and welcomed his tongue into her mouth with lovely swirls of her own. His touch elevated her pressure and spiked the adrenaline coursing through her blood. She felt herself reclining as he positioned himself over her on the sofa.
“Marry me Bella.”
“We will be married Giovanni. I promise. Let’s just wait until some of this all settles. A few months and we deal with my resurrection from the dead,” she chuckled nervously.
“You are so beautiful. The world only makes sense when I have you with me. We will get married.” He kissed her nose, lips, chin, and then brushed lovely kisses over her neck. Mira sighed, raising her arms above her head to grip the edge of the sofa as his weight crushed her into the cushions. Mira smiled as he began to unbutton her pants. She lifted and moved each way he instructed as he undressed her, no matter the madness. Being with him she felt complete, just as Fabiana had told her she would be in her dreams.
****
“Gio, can we speak for a moment?” Dominic approached from the opposite end of the hall.
“No. I mean we were about to go upstairs,” Mira said quickly.
I’ll join you in a few,” he kissed her brow. He patted her on the butt and gave her a gentle shove to leave them. She walked away.
She glanced back once and addressed Giovanni. “Don’t make me wait too long, I want us to have lunch with Eve.”
Giovanni winked at her then turned to head to the family room.
Dominic left Catalina’s side after she finally agreed to lie down and get some rest. He wasn’t sure of his role in the family now, but until he was told otherwise he would do what was expected of him. Walking inside he saw the seven-foot tall Christmas tree still tied up by rope. Giovanni was facing it as well.
“I have some bad news.”
Giovanni looked back over his shoulder, his gemmed eyes piercing with distrust. “More news huh? This day keeps getting better and better.”
“Kei Hyogo is alive. Our American cousins failed.”
“You were supposed to make sure that didn’t happen. Lorenzo did as I asked. Angelo Calderone is dead. Must you fail me in everything?”
Dominic averted his gaze. “I have an idea. Send me.”
“You? That’s your idea?”
“I’ll go to America and handle this personally. I won’t return until you are ready, if you wish me to return. I can see to our affairs in America.”
“And leave my sister to raise your bastard alone?” Giovanni sneered.
“I’m not convinced she’s pregnant.” Dominic admitted.
“Neither am I.” Giovanni sighed.
Dominic glanced at him. “Then why—”
“Because you have the woman I love, both of the women I love, fighting for your life. I can’t touch you.” Giovanni paced away, he shot him a look. “Yet.”
“I’m grateful, Gio. Not just for this, for everything. You’ve taught me everything I know. You’ve raised me. I’ll do whatever it is you wish. I’m truly grateful.”
“Don’t thank me.” He glared at him. “Bella, believes I approach things with violence too often. It’s my weakness. But violence is what we know. Right, Domi?”
Dominic nodded.
“I agree, having you here makes it difficult for me not to do what is in my nature.” Giovanni’s gaze narrowed on Dominic’s young face. He felt not a sliver of compassion for him now. “After Christmas you will go to America. I want the Asian dead by your hand. And in time I will process your betrayal. I’ll determine your fate. Stay out of Italia and Sicilia until I do so. You have no home anymore.”