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Come andrà a finire - How will it end
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Sorrento, Italy - Melanzana
“Scusi, Donna, you have a phone call upstairs in your office.”
Giovanni ate his dinner. He glanced up at Mirabella who was also distracted by the infant in her care.
“Who is it?” Mirabella answered while patting the baby softly on her back to burp her.
“Your sister.”
She glanced to her husband and he held her stare. She nodded to the servant her gratitude for the message.
“Giovanni?”
“You need to take a call,” he said. He continued to eat with Gianni standing next to him explaining something about a truck he wanted his Papa to fix.
“Belinda?” Mirabella said. The young woman pushed back from her seat and came over to take the baby from her. “Take her to Cecilia if she doesn’t burp. Okay?”
“Yes, Mirabella,” Belinda smiled.
After a final glance to her husband and children Mirabella followed the servant out and went upstairs to her office. Climbing the stairs in her pregnant state was becoming harder and harder. The phone waited for her on its side upon her desk. Mirabella stared at it. She had envisioned this call. Giovanni had told her to expect it soon. But even now she wasn’t ready. Not after knowing what Marietta must have felt to have her baby ripped from her arms. She walked over to the desk and sat behind it. She put her elbows to the surface and her hands to her mouth. She stared at the phone. What could she say? What should she say?
“Hello?” Mirabella answered.
“Thank God you took the call. Thank you, God. Is she with you? My baby-girl? Is she there?”
“Yes. She’s with me.”
Marietta let out another deep sigh.
“Her name is Lorenza Marie. Not just Lorenza. I know Carlo may have told you that we named her Lorenza after Lo, but we changed it. A little. I think we might call her Marie. It’s what Lorenzo wants. Okay? Okay? I... she has a tough time sleeping without... uhm, her pacifier or my breast. Did they bring it? She’s gassy too. Is she burping? You must put her on your knee to burp. It’s the best way. Okay? Is Dhakyia there? She’s seen me do it before.”
“No. She’s gone.”
“Mirabella,” Marietta let go a painful groan and the fixed her tone. “I know a lot has happened. I know this. But she’s a newborn. My baby. My only child. Listen to me. Please. I can pump milk. Have it sent to you. Or... I dunno. I just need to know how she is. Is she with you now? Is she sleeping okay? I’m rambling. I know. I know the truth. Lorenzo and Gio are brothers. Isn’t that crazy? Brothers! All this time and they’ve been fighting over nothing.” Marietta let go a weepy laugh. She sniffed and Mirabella could hear the strain and panic in her shaky voice. “We have to end this. We’re sisters. Right? Twins. I love you, Mirabella. No matter what, I love you. Gio... he made the doctors give me a hysterectomy. I can’t have any more kids. Did he tell you that? She’s all I have in this crazy world. You know what? I blamed mama. For choosing you and not me. But now I understand. I understand how she could leave you behind and go to Chicago and risk her life to bring me home. That’s real love Mirabella. The realest kind of love. The one between you and your baby... there’s nothing more powerful. I made the wrong choice. I chose Lo over my baby girl. If something happens to her I won’t ever forgive myself.”
“I swear to you. Nothing will happen to her.”
“Oh God, thank you. She needs me. Please. Please help me.”
“Giovanni wants to speak to Lorenzo. He has an offer to end this war between them.”
“I’ll talk to him. I will. I’ll have him call him. Okay? But... she’s breastfed. She needs me. I need you to have her brought back here. To Sicily to... be with me. I... I know you can’t give her all the attention you need too because so much is going on. Let them war. I need my baby. Hello? Hello? Mirabella?” Marietta clenched her teeth. “Will you help me?”
“I’ll protect her, with my life. But I can’t help you. I’m sorry.”
Mirabella hung up the phone.
***
CATALINA STOOD NEXT to Marietta’s chair. She stroked her hair while Marietta rested her face against Catalina’s belly and wept. It was evident that she was exhausted. The old Marietta would have pushed them all down to get to Lorenzo when she heard the gunshots. She however, was in the room trying to get through to Mirabella. Catalina had to find her and drag her into the kitchen. Now Marietta agonized over one heartfelt loss of her daughter. Zia sat at the table in silence. She hadn’t spoken a word since she told them the darkest family secret.
“Bionca, hurry. You will find it in the back of the cabinet. Behind the pots,” Catalina said.
“Si, Donna, I will see to it.” Bionca hurried.
Catalina had learned since her arrival where guns were kept by the staff. It was very critical information. Bionca located the weapon as the rest of the kitchen staff all gathered to the furthest corner of the room away from the door.
“Shoot the first person to come inside.” Catalina said.
“Si, Donna,” Bionca raised the gun with shaky hands.
“It’s okay. Marietta, you have to remain calm. It’s okay,” Catalina repeated.
The first man to walk into the kitchen was Lorenzo. Bionca fired but missed and hit the doorframe.
“Whoa!” Lorenzo shouted.
“Lo?” Marietta looked up. She got up from the chair and went to him.
“Perdonami, Signore Lorenzo. I didn’t know it was you,” Bionca explained.
Catalina took the gun from her trusted servant and smiled. “It’s okay. You did good. Need to teach you to be a better shooter.”
Bionca frowned. Catalina glanced over at Lorenzo and Marietta and shook her head. Armando, like Giovanni would never allow danger to be so close to home. With Lorenzo everything remained chaos.
“I called Mirabella. I know you told me to wait, but I had to. They have our baby-girl. She has her. And we heard gunshots?” Marietta explained her distress.
“It’s fine Marie,” he said and hugged her to his chest. He looked at Catalina and then Zia who only sat in silence. “The Armenians are no longer welcome here. They are gone. Your friend Marissa is dead.”
“What?” Catalina said.
“You heard me.”
“Did you kill someone? In my home! Are you fucking insane!” Catalina shouted.
“Yes! Yes. I’m fucking insane. This entire family is.” Lorenzo said to her but glared at Zia.
“I did what was necessary to keep you all safe.”
“You have to go, Lorenzo. You have to leave here. For all of our sakes,” Catalina pleaded.
“I’m not going anywhere. Do you hear me?” Lorenzo let go of his wife. He took a step toward Catalina but Marietta pushed him back.
“That little nasty welcome home gift you saw. It was Alik’s head. Thanks to Giovanni.”
“Oh please. With you it is always Giovanni!” Catalina shot back.
“Stop it,” Marietta pleaded with them both.
“Your brother sent me the head of Alik Yeremain! He knew that would set off Alik’s men and put us all in jeopardy!” Lorenzo said. “We have now lost our biggest ally.”
“My brother? My brother? Isn’t it our brother?” she countered.
Lorenzo glare switched to Zia. “No. He’s no fucking brother of mine. I’m not stupid. The story you told is a lie.”
“Zia doesn’t tell lies,” said Catalina.
“It’s a fucking lie!” he shouted. “A lie to make me weak. Sei un fottuto bugiardo, Zia.”
“Don’t you swear at Zia! She’s never lied to anyone in her life!” Catalina repeated.
“Please stop!” Marietta begged. “I can’t take this. Who cares? Who cares? My baby is gone.” Marietta wept. She pulled on Lorenzo’s arm as if to try to bring him out of the kitchen and away from the argument. But nothing could stop her husband from his rage. To their horror it was mostly directed at Zia.
“She’s a lying cunt like every other woman in this family! Including your whore mother!”
“Basta!” Marietta shouted. Lorenzo head turned to look at her. “Don’t you dare attack us. Do you hear me? Don’t you dare! All of you men in this family are monsters! You use and abuse us as if you have the right! Basta! No more! It will be the women who will outlive you all. And our children will grow up to respect their mothers! Do you hear me! You are the greatest love and the greatest mistake of my life!”
“I’m sorry, Marie—.”
“To hell with your sorries! I can’t take any more of this. My baby is just a month old. She is breastfed, tiny, vulnerable to disease and everything out there. She’s confused and needing me. I don’t give a damn about you and Giovanni anymore. I want my child. You get her,” she shoved him. “Do you hear me!” She shoved him again. “Do you? Whatever you have to do you do it. Noooooooooow!”
Lorenzo glanced to Catalina and Zia. He looked to his wife and the tears streaming down her face. There was nothing he could say to any of them. So he turned and left.
Catalina went to her aunt and hugged her. Marietta found a chair to sit in once again. Bionca ushered the staff out of the kitchen and then fixed Marietta some water. All of this happened and Catalina was too emotionally drained to instruct or counsel them. They’d all lost and been through too much. She sat in the chair at the table with Marietta and Zia. She steadied her nerves and clenched her trembling hands into fist.
“It’s time to call Mirabella.”
Marietta looked up at Catalina. “I tried that. You saw! She hung up on me.”
Zia didn’t bother to speak.
“I know. But that isn’t the call we need to make. We have to fix our relationship with her. Forgive her, and get her forgiveness. She is the only one that can help us now. The only one that can stop Giovanni.”
After a few sniffs Marietta nodded her head in agreement. “I’ll do anything to get my daughter back. I’ll call her every night and beg if I have too.”
“Are you sure? Because it may come to that.”
Zia reached out and touched Marietta’s hand. Marietta looked at her with red, swollen eyes. “You must be strong. You’re her mother. You’ll have your little one again soon. But you must be strong.”
Marietta nodded.
“Is it true Zia? Is what you said about Tomosino and Isabella true?” Catalina asked.
“It’s true. Giovanni is like Lorenzo. He refuses to believe the truth. But eventually they both will. And when they do this nightmare will end for all of us.”
“I hope so, because I don’t know how much more I can take,” Marietta wept.
***
CARLO PARKED OUTSIDE of his villa. It felt strange returning home. He’d been gone so long he barely recognized the place. It was the same. The old cars and electronics he tinkered with were on his lawn. The tents where boys camped out were up, but no one was in them. His gaze focused on the front of his villa. There was a single light on beyond the window. Another strangeness. Who the fuck leaves a light on to welcome their prey inside? He shook his head at the armature. Carlo tossed his door open. He didn’t bother with his luggage. Everything he’d taken with him to Africa could burn. Instead he grabbed his gun.
A lesser man would run. Escape into the night and fight off whatever executioner Giovanni sent after him. He wasn’t the best of men, but he was no fucking coward. He walked up the cobblestone pavement to his door. He’d take a bullet, but he’d get off two to leave his mark before the end.
Carlo put a hand to the door. To his surprise it was ajar. He eased the door open and raised his gun. There was no unexpected gunfire. Only the soft sound of music playing and the sweet smell of gravy boiling. He stepped inside. He heard a woman singing along with the radio and the clanks of pots. Carlo looked around his place. It had been cleaned. Almost spotless. And there were fresh flowers. He hated flowers.
The woman sang a note higher than the soprano on the radio. And her voice was familiar. He slammed the door shut to announce his arrival. He kept the gun at his side.
He waited.
Adara walked out of the kitchen.
She was pregnant.
Not the kind of pregnancy that would warrant a conversation, but the kind of pregnant that demanded an explanation. She was swollen with life. Her breasts two sizes larger, her thighs thicker, her cheeks, neck, nose and lips puffy.
“Carlo. They called and said you were on your way. They sent someone to protect me but I sent him away. I told them you wouldn’t want the disrespect.”
His gaze lowered to her stomach.
“Surprised. Huh? Me too.”
He stared at her stomach.
“It’s yours. Since the last time you saw me I was in jail. This is what you gave me before I left. We’re going to have a son.”
Carlo shook his head no to the news.
“I know you’re confused, angry. You should be. But please let me explain.” She walked toward him with a hand to her belly and one to her back. “I was arrested because I wouldn’t tell them about you. I didn’t know I was pregnant at the time. And when I found out all I wanted to do was find you. When I was released I didn’t know where to turn. They told me they could re-arrest me at any time. So I went to Turkey. But I had to come back. I had too. I don’t care about anything Carlo, but you, us, our baby boy.”
Carlo closed his eyes. He gripped the gun so tightly he almost fired a round into the floorboards. “You need to leave. Get the fuck out of here.”
“I can’t. I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
He raised the gun and pointed it at her.
“You’re going to be a father. Better than the one you had, better than the one I lost. You’re going to have your own son. Your flesh and blood. And I’m going to make sure that nothing in the world, not the past, not the Battaglias, not the Parliament, come between us again.”
She pushed the gun aside as if it were a toy. “Did Giovanni tell you? He gave us his blessing.”
Carlo tossed the gun aside. He put his face to his hands and rubbed as if to wake up. “I can’t deal with you now.”
“You have no choice. I’m here. I’m yours.”
He lowered his hands.
“I’m not her, Carlo. But I’m all yours,” Adara said.
He took her hand and pulled her in before he hugged her as best he could. For a long time they held each other that way. Adara’s bravery grew. She lifted on her toes and he leaned in to kiss her. And then he lifted her up into his arms with her arms locked around his neck to deepen the kiss. Adara kissed his face. She said sorry many times. He didn’t want to hear it. He didn’t need to hear it. He only wanted this gift of life.
“You can trust me. I’ll prove it. I’ll never let you go again Carlo. I swear.”
***
BIONCA WALKED DOWN the hall as quiet as she could. The past four hours had been a horror for them. But she feared the next few minutes the most. She’d done her duty. She’d called Dominic and told him of Lorenzo murdering Josef and the Armenians. They were now defenseless. The only men left were Armando’s men who had a shaky devotion to Lorenzo.
She had hoped this would be the liberation needed to free them all.
She was wrong.
Dominic had one final task for her. One that could cost her, her life. And she wasn’t sure what to do. If she disobeyed him her husband would be punished, killed. It was their way. If she obeyed, then Catalina could turn on her. She could have her killed for being a traitor. Anything could happen.
Bionca knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Catalina said softly.
She eased the door open. Catalina lay in the bed with the covers pulled up over her. She had to be exhausted. She was halfway through her pregnancy and the stress couldn’t be good for the baby.
“If you’re sleeping I can come back.”
“I’m not. Come in. Close the door.”
Bionca came inside. Her first instinct was to tidy up. She picked up Catalina’s dress from the floor and found a hanger to put it away in the closet.
“You can go home early. Send the staff home too. Zia will prepare our meals. I think it might be best if you all stay away for the next few weeks. I don’t want anyone else hurt. This isn’t a place for the innocent.”
“Of course, grazie Donna. We appreciate your concern. The staff wants to be here for you. We all do.”
Catalina smiled. She sat upright and scooted back into the pillows. “I’m so grateful for your loyalty. All of you. After everything that’s happened. After all the pain I’ve caused everyone.”
“We know Don Armando loved you. We know that you’re carrying his son. We want to help. Some of us have had family that have worked for the Mancini’s for generations. It’s all we know.” Bionca sat on the edge of the bed. Catalina looked around the room. She reached over to the nightstand and picked up the photograph of Armando she had framed and kept by the bed.
“I know we were only together for a brief time. It feels like longer. What would he have said if he knew he was going to be a father?”
“He never spoke of children. He was raised an only child. He had friends and lovers, but he never let anyone get close to him.” Bionca shared.
“Why?” Catalina asked.
“Not sure, Donna. I think he knew what he wanted, who he wanted,” Bionca said.
Catalina smiled. “I’m going to raise his son here. As a Mancini. I’m going to teach him everything I can to make him strong and like his father.” She kissed the photo.
“Donna, we must talk,” Bionca sighed.
“Something wrong?”
“Yes, no, it depends on you. How you receive the news I must share.”
“Go on.”
“Right after you arrived here with that woman, from Armenia. I had a visit to my home.” Bionca lowered her voice and her head. “It was Dominic Battaglia.”
“Domi, my Domi?”
“Si.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Did he threaten you?”
“Yes. Me and my family.”
“What did he want?”
Bionca didn’t answer.
Catalina put a hand to her shoulder. “What did he want?”
“Information. About you.”
Bionca felt her mistress hand draw away. Her heart raced. She was too afraid to look over at her. Too afraid to continue. But she knew there was no way she could stop now. “He knew you were pregnant. And he said the Armenian woman could not be trusted. That she... she was dangerous, he thought she was trying to poison you.”
“Marissa?”
“Yes, she’s the same woman from America. A woman who tried to kill Carlo and his American friend. He said he wanted to protect you and the baby.”
“Protect me how?” Catalina asked in a dry tone void of support.
Bionca lifted her head. Catalina was glaring at her. She braved the rest of the story. “He gave me this...” Bionca reached in her apron and removed a small flip mobile phone. She handed it to Catalina. “He told me that I was to call him daily and report on what was happening here. He told me that if I did my family would be safe and... I did. Then he said Marissa had to go. I took her to him. I don’t know what happened after that. I did it for my family, for you and—”
“And?”
“And for revenge against Signore Lorenzo. For killing our Don. For killing Armando.” Bionca looked at Catalina with teary eyes. “Armando was good to my family. So was his father. Lorenzo murdered him and there are many people here, everywhere that hate him for it.”
“Do they hate me?”
“No. None of us do.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“I called Signore Dominic and told him of what happened here today. He says it’s not safe. He wants you to meet him. He wants to take you... back to Sorrento.”
“That’s enough. I’ve heard enough.”
“I am so sorry.”
“I know you are. I know you did what you felt you had to do. I can’t trust you, Bionca.”
“Lorenzo is crazy and you needed protection.”
“What I need is people who are loyal to me, and only me. I want you to gather your things and leave.”
“No please—.”
Catalina got up from the bed. She pointed to the door. “You can’t stay here. If Lorenzo found out that you were a plant by my brother he’d kill you, and your family. You have to leave. Today. I’ll make sure you’re compensated.”
“I won’t leave you.”
“Go. Now, Bionca!” Catalina shouted.
Bionca slowly stood. “He’s here. He’s at Mirabella’s store. The one your cousin Francesca owns. He said to call the number in the phone and he’ll wait for you. He wants to see you.”
“Then he’ll wait until hell freezes over! Now get out!”
“I know you’re angry with me. I understand. But Dominic may be the only way to protect your child, to help Marietta get her baby. Please. Things are not good here. The men with Lorenzo can’t be trusted. Some of them are plotting against him. The other Dons are now suffering financially because of Giovanni’s war. They are turning against him. This is not a safe place now.”
“Leave.”
“Forgive me, Donna.” Bionca left. The moment she closed the door behind her she wanted to return. To explain to her the best of her intentions. But she knew that time had passed. There was nothing more she could do for the Battaglias now.
Later that night Catalina found it hard to sleep. So many questions plagued her. The greatest one was over the lie her family kept all her life. Even her mother, who she believed to be the closest to a Saint, had carried the lie to her grave. How could Lorenzo be their brother?
She heard chimes. Soft unfamiliar chimes. Her head turned. Next to her bed was the phone Bionca left. A blue light flashed on the mobile to indicate it was ringing.
Catalina sat up in bed. She reached for the phone and held it in her hand. It kept ringing. The blue light kept flashing. She lifted the little lid to it and slowly brought it to her ear. She didn’t speak but her heart raced faster than her breathing could manage.
“Catalina,” Dominic spoke.
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out in reply.
“I waited for you, I understand why you didn’t come. I will be at Francesca’s in the morning until ten. If you don’t come, I’ll have to make a visit to you. I... we need to talk. You have questions, and so... so do I. I will see you in the morning.”
The call ended.
She looked at the phone once more and almost tried to redial. Hearing his voice was more jarring than she imagined. How could it be after all that happened between them? Catalina closed the phone and dropped back on her pillows. She managed to shut her eyes. And after ten minutes drifting on the decision to see him she slipped into a fitful sleep with the phone clutched in her hand.
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MORNING —
Catalina didn’t bother to explain to Zia where she was headed. Her doctor visits were almost always ignored by Lorenzo and with Marietta’s return he remained properly distracted. However, the extraction of the Armenians only complicated matters. Though Palermo was Don Lorenzo and Donna Catalina’s territory—enemies waited in the shadows with angry hearts and blood-thirsty greed. She needed to be careful. They’d lost many good and bad people in this war. From Catalina’s viewpoint Giovanni had succeeded in dividing every la costra nostra family—including his own—without much concern over how this would affect her.
Dominic’s call changed that view. He wouldn’t be in touch behind Giovanni’s back. They were sending her a message and it would be a deadly mistake if she chose to ignore it. She had to think of more than her heart, but the safety of her child. Look at what they’d done to Marietta’s baby.
The driver left the countryside and continued through viale della Libertà. She stared out the window pass the congestion of traffic to the tourists and locals walking along the streets. Today looked like an ordinary day.
“Donna,” the driver said. “We’re alone.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t ask the men to meet us here. We’re fine. Park on the street.”
The driver, named Filando, glanced to his rearview mirror at her. He was loyal to her, but if tested he would not be loyal to the Battaglias. He was Mancini to his core. And unyielding loyalty only came for Catalina because she carried the heir of the Mancini’s in her womb. Dominic’s request that she meet him at Francesca’s boutique was risky. Would Filando perceive him a threat and try to bring him in to Lorenzo? Catalina glanced at the cars on the street and the shop, stores and windows that were absent of any people. Instinctively she knew. Dominic was not alone.
Filando parked. He got out and opened her car door.
Dominic sat in the dark in the boutique between a rack of summer dresses and table of women’s underwear. Francesca was heartbroken over the closure of her boutique, but stores like this all over the country had been closed regardless of Lorenzo’s influence.
He checked his watch for the time. It was a quarter to ten and he had almost lost hope of seeing Catalina in private. He looked at his gun and prepared himself for the home visit that could very well cost him his life. Then he heard the chains to the door outside unlock. He’d entered with a key to the back. Catalina’s arrival to the front was expected. Dominic picked up his gun and stood. He kept it lowered but he’d fire on the first man to step through if need be.
The door opened. She came in alone. The moment he saw her his finger relaxed off the trigger. She wore a peach mini that complimented her expanding curves and waistline. Her dark hair had returned to its curly luster. Ringlets of curls framed her face. She blinked her blue eyes at him and he saw no trace of the tension and regret he saw the last time they were together.
She had changed.
He had changed.
Change was good.
“I can’t stay long. My driver is outside. I told him I needed to come in and pick out some clothes,” she said.
“I didn’t think you would come.”
“Why? You did everything in your power to make sure I did. Hiring Bionca to spy on me, bringing Zia back. Don’t deny it. I tried several times to reach out to her and she refused. Then she just shows up. What does Giovanni want from me?”
“Giovanni didn’t send me.”
She frowned.
Dominic glanced to her wedding band on her finger. The diamonds around the band sparkled in the dimly lit store. She glanced to her hand and then to him. She placed the hand to her pregnant belly and tossed her hair back in defiance.
“You married him?”
“I love him.”
“Loved him, he’s dead,” Dominic said.
Catalina narrowed her eyes on him. “I love him still.”
“Not the way you love me.”
“He was the man I was promised too. The man I was supposed to marry, supposed to love. I didn’t know it until it was too late. But I know he loved me the way I was. And he respected me.”
“I don’t want to talk about a dead man and the lies he put in your head. We don’t have much time and you need to know—”
“We will talk about it!” she shouted. “I love him. I’m having his baby, my baby, a Mancini. This is home for me now. I’m Donna Mancini!”
“You are Catalina Battaglia. You are the love of my life! I don’t give a shit about what you had to do to survive, nothing you say to me will change what I know. You love me more!”
“Aren’t you going to ask about the baby? If it’s healthy? Anything?”
Dominic smiled. “You’re in the second trimester of your pregnancy. You’ve complained about body aches, mainly in your back and pussy. The doctor noticed some darkening of the skin around your nipples, but he’s assured you it’s okay. The baby is healthy, developing the way they expected. Do you want to know what you’re having?”
“You couldn’t know?”
“It’s a boy,” Dominic told her.
Catalina eyes stretched to the news. Either she had wanted it to be a surprise or the doctor hadn’t told her. Either way the news caught her by surprise. A good surprise by the look of the smile on her face. He walked over to her and embraced her before she could push him away. She cried against his shoulder with her arms at her side. His embrace tightened. Eventually she hugged his waist and let go of all her grief by crying against his chest as she had done a million times before when punished or upset with Giovanni and him.
“Listen to me. The Dons have agreed to a meeting with Giovanni. We know the Armenians are gone. The woman you were friends with... Marissa, she’s dead. You can trust no one. I need you and Zia to come home with me. I’ll arrange it. But you have to leave.” He let her go. He cupped her face. “I can’t protect you any more than I have so far. I love you, Catalina, I love our baby, because that is my son now. You’re mine. I won’t let you go again.”
“Stop it, Domi.”
“Lorenzo is—”
“My brother!” She shoved Dominic hard enough to make him lessen his hold on her. He let her go. “He’s my brother and you know it.”
“Who cares?”
“I care. He’s your brother too.”
“It’s complicated.”
“It’s not Domi. Gio had Carlo take the baby. I know he’s building up to strip Lorenzo of everything. I did want him to pay for killing Armando. I wanted him to pay for everything. But none of us are innocent. We’ve all done things that can’t be forgiven.”
“Gio is stronger now. It’s only a matter of time before he moves in on Sicily. He’s taking everything back.”
“He’s not taking me,” she said.
“What?”
“I’m not yours, Domi. I’ve grown up. I do love you, but not like before. It can never be like it was before.”
“Nothing has changed!” Dominic yelled at her.
“Everything has changed. This is his baby, not yours. He’ll grow up a Mancini, here in Sicily. I am not going to make any choices that don’t put my baby first. For you to help Gio take Marietta’s baby means you could do anything. I can’t trust Gio will love Armando’s son. Give him the future he deserves. I can’t believe you will either.”
Dominic looked at his watch. “We can’t do this now.”
“We can’t do this period.”
“Catalina,” he reached for her.
“No,” she knocked his hand away. She reached in her purse and took out the mobile phone. Dominic watched as she smashed it to the ground. It broke up into pieces. “If you want to speak to me you call my home, like anyone else. Bye.”
Dominic clenched his fist, but he let her leave. The moment the door closed he regretted the choice and went after her. He would have been seen if her driver hadn’t opened the door to the car for her and had his back to him. He stepped inside the boutique and watched through the blinds as she drove out of his life. He turned and knocked over a dress rack and then another. His rage unleashed on anything in reach. And when it was done. He sat on the floor with his gun and waited for the tears on his face to dry. She said no today. But she didn’t know him anymore. There was nothing she could do to stop him. He was going to find a way to have her love again.