“No.” She said truthfully. “But I’ll get over it. I have no choice.”
He cupped her face. “Don’t be cross with me. I don’t like it when I disappoint you.”
Mira shook her head. “Let’s join the family.”
He pulled her to him. “I was going to say earlier before you left our bed that I want to marry. Soon. Are you willing to go public?”
Mira’s gaze lifted to his. “No. I don’t think we should tell the world I’m alive now. Giovanni stop, I can’t talk about a wedding now.”
“I want you, all of you. It’s my dream for you to be my wife. Soon Mirabella,” he kissed her brow. He eased his arm around her waist. They walked together side by side.
Lorenzo and Carlo entered the house. Both men carried the filth of the night on them. They had rooms of their own in Melanzana and clothes to change into. Discreet and tired they made their way to the back west wing avoiding the family. Lorenzo heard Dominic and paused while Carlo kept on. He observed Dominic as he approached Franco.
“Are you leaving for work?” Dominic asked.
“Sí,” Franco answered.
“Giovanni asked that you go with me today instead. He’s thinking of expansion. Extending business. I think you should scout out this new location.”
Franco checked the time on his watch. “I have a meeting with an American export company this morning.”
“It’s cancelled.” Dominic said, stepping into Franco’s face. “You will go with me.”
Lorenzo narrowed his eyes on the scene. Franco looked a bit fearful. Dominic gave him no room to refuse. Franco was a na?ve kid. Lorenzo knew men of his world when they were in predator mode.
“Andiamo!” Dominic ordered.
The two men strode away. Wiping his hand down his face to stay away the burden of fatigue Lorenzo continued on to his room.
“You’re back?”
Lorenzo turned to find Giovanni behind him. He nodded.
“Is it done?”
“Yes.”
Giovanni gave a half smile and exhaled. “Clean up. Don’t let the family see you this way.” His gaze travelled over his mud caked shoes and dingy trousers. Lorenzo ran his hand back over his head. Fleeing out of Bologna had almost been mission impossible. Bonaduce’s men had swarmed them. He and Carlo were lucky to be alive.
“Meet me in Villa Rosso. We will talk.” Giovanni turned and started off.
“Gio?”
His cousin paused. He didn’t turn to address him.
“It’s done. We can all move on. Right?”
Giovanni walked off.
****
In the past Dominic had made it a point to avoid Franco. His guilt over his actions with Catalina weighed heavy on his heart. But today his mind was clear of shame. Rage consumed the rational side of his brain. The idea that this bastard would dare put a hand on her turned his heart to stone. So he liked to beat women? Dominic’s glare shifted to Franco and the man looked nervously away. Dominic sneered. He’d show him a thing or two about being weak and helpless.
“She told you didn’t she?”
“Told me what Franco?”
“That I know about you two.”
“What exactly is it that you think you know?”
“She’s my wife and you took her to bed, before and after we married. You’ve been between us from the beginning. I never had a chance.”
“And what of you and your sins Franco?”
“Whatever she said to you is a lie!” Franco shouted. “I’m a man, one that has been wronged in this situation. Arturo is nothing but a worker at the factory.”
Dominic frowned. “Who the fuck is Arturo?”
Franco shook his head. “I want to see my Don. I want to tell my side of the story.”