Silence fell over that end of the table.
Catalina sipped her wine then placed the glass down. “He had work to finish at the factory.”
“Doesn’t matter, we own the factory he’s to be here. No question.” Giovanni said. Mira noticed the slight tremble to Catalina’s hand, which was soon lowered from the table and placed on her lap.
“Of course, he meant no disrespect Giovanni,” Catalina said with a patient smile.
“What’s with your hair, your face?” Dominic asked.
Lorenzo and the rest of the men at the table immediately turned their gazes toward her. Catalina dropped her head causing her hair to fall over and Mira feared she would bolt at any moment. To do so would alarm the hotheads around them. Instinctually Mira chimed in. “She and Eve were playing in my makeup.”
“Nippy!” Eve said, pointing at Catalina. Giovanni chuckled. The tension at the table eased as a few other men chuckled with their Don.
“Would you all stop picking on Catalina, she prepared such a wonderful dinner for us all. Let’s enjoy it.” Mira said. Conversations resumed at the table. Giovanni began to feed Eve from his plate, and the others scooped double servings of food to their plates. Catalina looked up at Mira and in her eyes she could read gratitude and a mixture of relief. When Mira glanced to Dominic he continued to stare at Catalina. He was the only one unmoved by the explanation.
After dinner Mira tried to speak to Catalina but was unable to. The young woman announced she was tired before making a hasty retreat to her bedroom. Eve was now in Carmine’s lap enjoying a bounce on his knee as he sang to her in Italian. Mira stood. She walked around Giovanni’s chair and slid her hands down the front of his shirt, pressing her breasts into the back of his head. “Come upstairs in an hour. I’ll put Eve to bed,” she whispered in his ear.
He stopped her hands from rubbing his chest. “I have business to attend to. Don’t wait up,” he said pushing her hand away. Mira stepped back barely able to disguise her hurt. Giovanni wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin and rose from the table. His gaze sharply cut over to a giggling Eve being tickled by one of his men. He approached and took Eve from Carmine who apologized. He kissed Eve who grinned up into his face, and then walked over to Mira and put Eve in her arms. “She belongs with her mother, not in the arms of these men.”
“I beg your pardon?” Mira said. “He was just playing with her, Gio—.”
“You two get some rest,” he said dryly turning to walk out with the men following. Dejected, Mira knew her suspicions were right. Giovanni suspected she’d called Kei. So now he’d give her the silent treatment instead of questioning her about it. She sighed in disappointment. The day was over. She would retire and talk to him in the morning. When they both were ready.
****
A lump congealed in his throat. It was late. He had let his anger subside and now he felt hurt and disappointed by her actions. Giovanni entered their bedroom. The darkness was only spared where the lamplight reached the side of the bed. Mira. His beautiful, sweet Mirabella slept with their daughter in her arms. Giovanni loved his girls. Which is why it hurt him deeply when she phoned her ex-lover. Did she think he was an idiot? She lied to his face.