Carmine stepped in front of him. “Boss, the others are waiting.”
He watched the girls climb the stairs. Oddly his heart raced over the separation. Having Mira and Eve here made him long for family like he did as a boy. Christmas would be unforgettable this year. Catalina and Mira chatted excitedly. Especially when Mira spoke Italian to his sister. Neither of them bothered to look back to see if he followed. Eve however stared at her father over her mother’s shoulders and smiled at him. This evening he’d announce to the family and his men the big news. Mirabella Ellison had agreed to do him the honor and become his wife. It was time to conclude any business that would prevent her from walking down the aisle. He gave Carmine a nod. The young capu followed behind him as they headed for his meeting.
Villa Rosso was a brick-red cube shaped cottage at the end of his estate. It’s where business was conducted and concluded. Mira once slept in his arms there on a night he needed her desperately. Not even the women in his family were permitted beyond its doors. Mira had broken all the rules since the day he met her. He imagined when she became his wife many things would change. To be honest Giovanni couldn’t wait.
The men spoke in unison when he passed through the opened door. A hush fell over them soon after. Dominic was in his office. He could see him pacing while speaking into the phone with a long cord. Everyone looked to be accounted for. Lorenzo smoked a cigar in a chair where others stood and lounged. Their eyes met. Lorenzo nodded his way as a show of respect. Giovanni still burned in his gut over Lorenzo sharing Flavio’s fate with Mira.
Dominic stopped at the sight of Giovanni who walked past him and went into his office. He stepped around his desk to take a seat.
“Didn’t know you were back,” Dominic said. Nico and Lorenzo entered. The others began to drift into his office as well. Some of them learned only recently that Mira was alive. Others whispered over the news that she’d returned with a brown baby who had his eyes. Several of these men had pushed their sisters on him for marrying. Many didn’t believe his bachelorhood made him a fearless leader, but a dangerous one instead. That could be true. At this moment his thirst for revenge and retribution was tempered by his improved taste for love. When his gaze lifted he scanned the hard faces of murderers and thieves staring back. At one time he wanted to legitimize his family, take them all forward into a new legacy. Giovanni needed to find a way to channel that man and start again.
He picked up his mail and began to shuffle through what was delivered. The villa was wall to wall stacked with his top enforcers and earners. Each man would be granted a ten-minute sit down with him. He wasn’t looking forward to any bad news. He had a wedding on his mind and heart now. “Where are we with Angelo Calderone?” Giovanni asked. His gaze swung left to zero in on Lorenzo.
“Bonaduce has refused our requests for a meeting. We still believe he has Angelo.” Lorenzo answered.
Giovanni reclined back in his chair tossing the unopened mail to the top of his desk. “Then we must give him something he wants more than his desire to challenge me.”
“Precisely why I’m preparing to offer him a few liberties in the Campania.” Dominic answered. It would be considered a generous offer, since the Battaglia’s now had a hold on trafficking their weapons through the cruise liners that docked in and out of Napoli. No one in the Cammora had such a profitable deal. Bonaduce would be a fool not to seize on the opportunity.
Lorenzo shook his head. “Forgive me, Gio. I must be heard on this.”
“Speak your mind.” Giovanni said.
“We need to strike hard.” Lorenzo slammed his fist down into his palm. “Angelo’s life is owed to you. To negotiate only makes you weak.”