Paying off a wife, beating jerk like Franco was not a solution. Helping her do this behind Giovanni’s back was an even worse idea. “There has to be a better way than blackmail and extortion. Let me talk to Giovanni.”
“You do that and you destroy our family! You didn’t see what losing you did to him. We didn’t think he would come back after what happened to Uncle Flavio. In a few days he’s like a new man because of you. That’s how strong of an influence you have over him.” She rose. “I can’t let you gamble with Domi’s life.” She started pacing again. “The best case scenario is you convince Giovanni to let Domi live. It won’t matter. He’ll strip him of everything and banish him from the family. That’s like putting a target on Domi’s back. Some hot head from any one of those families could take a shot at my Domi, and he would have no protection. I beg you. Please.”
“Fine, we come up with another plan. The bribe isn’t going to work Catalina. We have to expose Franco.”
“How?” Catalina asked.
Mira sighed. “Where did he go last night when he missed dinner? The truth.”
“To her. Whoever she is.”
“Then that’s it. We find out who she is and play the same game. Giovanni won’t tolerate him cheating on you and disrespecting his house.”
Catalina laughed. “Are you kidding? All of them are cheaters! Even Gio!”
Mira flinched. She would never tolerate Giovanni cheating on her. He said he hadn’t been with a woman since they parted. It was hard to believe a man as handsome, with the appetite for sex that he had would abstain. Even if he didn’t, she wouldn’t blame him. But there would be no way in hell once they were married she’d stand for him stepping out on her.
Catalina shook her head apologetically. “When you disappeared he had other women. At least he respected what you had not to bring them here. He was too surly and out for revenge for any of them to have meaning. But eventually they all stray. Every man does. My papa and uncles were notorious for doing it.”
“Every man doesn’t. Your brother will never cheat on me. He lives by this code, and he just wouldn’t do it. If he does, it’ll be the end of us because I won’t live in that kind of marriage.”
Catalina shrugged. “So what if Gio doesn’t cheat on you? He sure as hell can care less if Franco cheats on me. It’s not something that’s an unforgiveable sin.”
“It is if he came into this marriage to steal your money while he had another woman on the side. Giovanni would be furious. He wouldn’t tolerate the insult. Right?”
“But what of my actions?”
“If we stay a step ahead of Franco, he may see the wisdom in keeping your indiscretions with Domi a secret. Get dressed and let’s fix your face. We’re going out.”
****
“Is this everything?” Giovanni asked flipping through the documents in the folder. He glanced over at Dominic. His consigliere nodded. “So this man she thinks is a hero, her savior, is a criminal?”
“He’s connected.”
“To the fucking Triad? Why didn’t I know this?” Giovanni asked.
“I doubt she knows, Giovanni. When she and Fabiana were here, Mancini was their sponsor. Nothing with the buildings or deals they were making were tied to Hyogo.”
“She think’s this man saved her life.”
Dominic cut his gaze to the window. “He did. I have no doubt that Fish would have killed her if Kei Hyogo hadn’t staged her death. The Americans believe she’s dead. There is no witness protection program. Not sure how he convinced her to go on the run, but he did it without the F.B.I. or any American agency.”
“The fucker was playing us all along. He knew who I was. He set it up to keep me from her.”
Dominic nodded. “He’s also calling in old favors. I think we have a snake in the garden.”
Giovanni’s gaze cut sharply over to Dominic. “For who? Her? Me?”
“It’s a rumor. An assassin is on his way to bring her home. Others are talking.”