“Lorenzo needs a muzzle. You,” he pinched her chin and tilted her head to look into her eyes. “You will know what you need to know. That is how it is, how it will always be. Don’t mention Flavio to me again. He was no friend to you dead or alive.”
“We aren’t your parents, Giovanni. You aren’t your father. Even if you’ve convinced yourself you are. Don’t treat me like some shadow in your life. I have a right to know about my safety and the safety of our daughter.”
“Flavio has nothing to do with your safety.”
“But your need for revenge does. I see it. You keep putting this wall between us. When I saw those men here trying to keep us safe it dawned on me that I may never truly ever feel safe in Italy.”
Giovanni’s expression froze. Mira struggled to explain her feelings. They were making progress, and it would take a lot of work to trust each other again. But this place felt as dangerous as the one she wanted to avoid.
“Are you saying you don’t want to stay with me?”
“No.” Mira said softly. “I’m saying that we could stay here a day or a month and I will still be cautious of this place and your life. So let’s go where I know you can keep us safe. Back to Sorrento. That’s how families ban together right?”
“Are you sure? About Sorrento?” he asked.
“Yes. I don’t want Eve out here, isolated. I could have lived in Switzerland for this kind of isolation.” She went over to him and slipped her arms around his waist. “I respect that there are parts of your life that you can’t share. We need some middle ground. Soon the world will learn the truth about me, and it’s going to be beyond our control how that truth plays out. I lost my life before because I kept my eyes closed to what you and Fabiana were doing. No more. My eyes are wide open now Giovanni.”
“You’re wise, Bella. That’s why I know you’re my destiny. We belong together. I agree. We will return to Sorrento in a day or so. First I want you and my bambina alone here with me.”
****
It had been twenty-four hours since he last closed his eyes. They burned with fatigue. Dominic exhaled deeply. He dropped his head back on the chair and tried to make order of his thoughts. Giovanni was with his new family and that gave Dominic hope. His friend, brother, boss, had been so desperately miserable these past few years it had taken a toll on all of the men. Now more than ever they had to find Angelo and deal with him. Soon the world would learn that Mira Ellison lived, and Dominic shuddered to think of the danger she and her baby girl would be in. It was his job to out think and maneuver their enemies. As consigliere he was to counsel Giovanni with absolutes. He’d managed it well from the lessons he learned from Flavio. But still he had his doubts over his abilities. And now the additions to the Battaglia family were his responsibility.
The door to the outside veranda opened. Dominic didn’t bother to turn and acknowledge the visitor. Her fragrance greeted him, strong and beautiful. He breathed her in with his lips slightly parted. It wouldn’t have taken long before she learned that he had returned to Melanzana. He’d made an effort to avoid the main house and handle his business affairs in Villa Rosso. However, it was futile. Here she was.
Within minutes gentle fingers combed through the crown of dark curls at the top of his head and Dominic’s heavy lids shut. He shouldn’t enjoy her touch as much as he did, but it was indeed what he missed the most. Her touching him and the freedom to touch her in return would be the ultimate dream.
“You can’t be here,” he said softly, ignoring the heat in his loins and the hammering of his heart in his chest.
“I came in through the back of the villa. No one saw me enter. We’re alone.”