part0035

It was hard enough to drive and hold the mobile phone. To make matters worse she had lost the signal needed to dial out again. She’d have to rely on the directions the attorney wrote for her. She tossed the mobile over to the passenger seat and gripped the steering wheel with both hands. It was best that she focus on the road. She had travelled forty miles outside of Houston. A distance she wouldn’t have chosen if it weren’t for the opportunity to build the perfect family home for her and the kids.

The lawyers had delivered. Carlo had kept his promise. Two weeks after she returned home from Italy with his daughter and new son, she was awarded full custody of Jilly. Before they could celebrate, the money awarded to them to run ‘New Beginnings’ with federal subsidization came through. She’d never seen anything her life happen so smoothly and fast. One of the top Congressmen in Texas did a press conference and personally congratulated her and Doris.

The blessings didn’t end there. Carlo’s promise to her was even sweeter. A facility was built by the trust the Battaglias had established for Jewel. Carlo’s blood money was washed cleaned through Mirabella’s companies. She could hire a full staff and house over fifty at risk girls in New Beginnings and they were in talks to open another group home. It would be a dream if she weren’t so close to having it all. The one thing she and the children needed the most stayed beyond her reach. Carlo had disappeared from their life. The news out of Italy said he was dead. She had received a message from the attorneys that he wasn’t. That was all she knew.

“There it is,” she mumbled.

Shae turned off to the driveway. The grass was so tall it nearly reached her car windows. She drove straight to the three story ranch house on seven acres of land. It was massive. And it was too big for just her and the kids. But the land was perfect. She could see so many possibilities.

She turned off the engine and reached for the mobile phone again. She checked for bars and saw there was only one. The realtor was supposed to meet her at two in the afternoon. She was half an hour late. Did the agent leave? Shae tried again to use her phone and this time she did get a signal. However, there was no answer.

Shae got out of the car and slammed the door. She hitched her purse up her shoulder and looked around. She was not alone. A sleek black SUV with tinted windows was parked to the side of the house. Shae leaned a bit to see the truck clearly. Why the realtor decided to park in the grass instead of the driveway was a mystery to her. After seeing the truck, she confidently walked up the steps to the door. She turned the doorknob and it opened the door.

“Hello?” she said as she went inside. “It’s Shannon Dennis. Mr. Cornell are you here?”

“I’m sorry I’m late. I had a hard time finding the place.”

She walked into the hall and looked up to the stairs. The natural light of the place gave it a very cleansed feel. She could see everything the house could become with her minds-eye. From the family portraits to the baby walkers that Carmine and jewel raced in against her hardwood floors. They’d be walking soon so she’d definitely have to do something about the stairs. Shae walked further in and touched the walls that had been freshly painted. Her gaze shifted to the left. In the parlor was a white fold out chair. The kind used for picnics or lawn parties. On it was a bottle of champagne with a red bow tied around the neck.

“Mr. Cornell?” she called out to her realtor. She picked up the champagne bottle. There was a little card attached to the bow. She read the card aloud: Miss me?

Was this a surprise from Doris? She hadn’t even told Doris she was coming to view the house today. Her friend didn’t like all the big changes happening in their lives.

“Ciao bella . Felice anno nuovo! ”

Shae head turned and the bottle nearly slipped from her hand. Carlo stepped into the room. He wore a dark blue suit and silk pink tie, her favorite color. He held a large bouquet of pink roses with one hand.

“Surprise? I’m home.”

She set the bottle down on the chair. She stared at him. She took long hard look at the man before her. He’d grown a mustache and his hair had grown in just past his nape. He had long sideburns, that was new. The dark sunglasses were a nice touch. It reminded her of his toughness, despite his impeccable attire.

“Are you happy to see me?”

“Ten months. It’s been ten months. The world thinks you’re dead.”

“Fuck the world. Fuck it all. What do you think?”

“Ask me in Italian if you really want to know.”

“Sono ancora il tuo Re ?”

Shae’s smile could not be contained. “What did you say?”

“Am I still your King?”

She gave him a cute curtsey then nearly bowled him over with her response. He tossed the flowers aside and the roses splayed out across the floor just as she leapt on him wrapping her legs around his waist. She was kissing him before she realized how good he tasted and how much she needed to taste him again. It was the excitement and not just the desire that had a grip on her. The world thought he was dead but she didn’t believe it for a minute. She knew this day would come.

Carlo was never a man to turn down her kiss. He spun her. He put her against the wall and owned her with his returned passion. She clung to him for life. Before any explanation could be shared her panties were ripped down her thighs and she felt him easing inside of her and she surrendered.

SHAE LAY ON CARLO WITH her head resting on his chest. They were both on the hardwood floor bottomless, holding each other. Neither of them needed to speak. And they didn’t for a very long time. Until darkness fell over them and she knew in her heart he wouldn’t leave.

“How did you know I was here?”

“You know the answer to that.”

“You arranged it. You’ve been arranging it all along?” she asked.

He rubbed her backside but didn’t answer.

“What if I had remarried? What then?”

He laughed. “That wasn’t going to happen.”

“I could have. Men approach me all the time.”

“I’m a changed man, but I’m not that changed. Be careful with my jealousy cara .”

Shae shook her head smiling and rested against his chest again. “Why this way? Why make us wait so long. Your babies haven’t seen you. Jewel is almost walking and Carmine is standing up. They are so close you would think they were twins. They sleep together sometimes holding hands. One of them cries the other cries. It was like that from the start.”

“I can’t wait to meet them again.” He turned her to her back and pinned her to the floor. It would have been uncomfortable to lie there if it weren’t for the happiness bursting inside of her. “I needed to see you first,” he said and moved her hair from her face. “I have so much to tell you.”

“Are you here to stay? Why do they say you are dead?”

“I wouldn’t come here if I wasn’t here to stay. I wasn’t coming to you until I was absolutely sure that I could be the man you and our children need. I’m here, because I belong with you. Carlo is dead. The Camorra killed him on a beach. Left him there. He’s dead.”

“That sounds really dangerous, and risky Carlo. This is America. You can’t just hide here, can you?”

“America isn’t that different from Italy. Money changes things. My name is different. No one is looking for me. I’m clean, Shae. And I don’t belong to the Camorra anymore.”

“You faked your death? You ran away from Giovanni Battaglia, how is that safe?”

Carlo chuckled. “I don’t run away from anything or anyone. I walked away. And I don’t give a fuck about Carlo. He should have died a long time ago. I’m free. I’m an American Italian citizen,” he grinned. “The name’s Lucio.”

Shae laughed. “You’re an American named Lucio?”

“It’s what it says on my passport.”

Shae shook her head smiling. “And this place? You want to live here?”

“I thought it looked like you.” Carlo said.

Shae laughed even louder. “It’s huuuuuuuge.”

“We have a big family,” Carlo pulled her closer. “Me, you, my boy and girl, our daughter Jenny?”

“Jilly,” Shae chuckled.

“Ah, yes, Jilly. And my son Rolando.”

“Long story. That means six of us. This is the place for six? No?”

“It’s perfect Carlo, eh Lucio. You have to come with me tonight. To see the kids.”

“I’ve seen them.”

“You have not—” Shae paused. “How?”

“I’ve been here a few weeks. Getting settled. I followed you and the kids to the store, playground, just watched to make sure you were safe, and.... ready.”

“You shouldn’t have made me wait weeks.”

“I know. I shouldn’t have made you wait at all. You were right, Shae. I can’t let you and our family go. I won’t. We start again. Together.”

She kissed him. “Together.”

Giovanni groaned. He opened his eyes.

“Come, it’s time,” she grinned.

“Evie?” He leaned over and kissed her brow. “Time for what?”

“Come!” she said.

Giovanni sat up in bed. Eve was bouncing at the side of the bed and Gino was grinning too. “We have a surprise for you, Papa,” Gino said.

“Don’t tell him,” Eve warned. She whispered in Gino’s ear. His son nodded. Eve gave her father the brightest smile. “We’re waiting! Get dressed!”

Both of the kids ran from the room laughing. And it was enough to fully wake him. The sounds of laughter. Eve had made the most progress in the family. It was as if her world didn’t burn to ashes ten months ago. There were times he worried over his daughter’s recovery. Where did the trauma go? If she was like him at the age of six, the trauma was there underneath. When he was her age he saw his father kill a man. When he was her age he knew death. And now his precious firefly knew it, as well.

That worry was for another day. Giovanni got out of the bed and let go a deep yawn. He stretched his arms above his head and went left then right to loosen his muscles. He found his boxers and pulled them on. They were back in Bagheria. Mondello was too chilly this time of year. Even now he felt the morning frost in his room. So he cleaned up and brushed his teeth then fully dressed in a hurry. He pulled on a cardigan and a pair of jeans. He put on his runners, and his watch. Then he left the room in search of the family.

The house was unusually silent. Bagheria is where all the family gathered. And his land had at least twenty family members as residents. But the house was empty. Giovanni walked toward the terrace. He stopped when he heard music playing from the TV room. It wasn’t a radio. It was the piano. And whomever played was pretty good.

It was then he remembered the day. It was New Year’s day. It was his anniversary and Lorenzo’s birthday. It was a date that always meant a lot in the family. He smiled and went directly into the family room. He found all the kids gathered. Even his baby girl, Leeza was in her walker next to her cousin Lorenza who stood with the twins while Eve played the piano.

Mirabella sat in the chair smiling at the children. “Come, Gio. This is for us. Eve arranged it.”

Giovanni brows lifted in surprise. He walked over to Mirabella and kissed her forehead. He sat next to her. Lorenza ran over to Giovanni and he picked her up and sat her on his knee. She wasn’t ready to perform. The twins were. And Eve played a song that he had heard her practicing with her Aunt. She sang along with the twins. Leeza was too busy playing with the lights on her walker to join in.

On Eve’s hand was the rhinestone glove that she wore to cover the scarring from her burns. Mirabella made it for her. And his daughter had taken to the fashion statement. Never was she seen without it.

Eve’s voice rang out over her brothers. Giovanni didn’t know his soon to be seven-year-old could sing with such inflection. The song ended and Giovanni and Mirabella made sure to celebrate. They clapped for the kids. It was the best way to bring in the New Year.

He kissed Lorenza and passed her over to Mirabella. He got up and went to his daughter.

“Felice anno nuovo , Papa!” Eve said. “And happy anniversary.”

“Grazie, lucciola ,” he said and picked her up from the piano bench. She wasn’t too big to hold. He kissed her and held her up above him so she could squeal. The boys rushed his legs and Leeza ran over in her walker nearly knocking them all aside. Giovanni laughed.

He set Eve down and went to reach for the other kids when he heard a commotion not common to his house. It was his men shouting. And others shouting back.

Giovanni froze. In fact, everyone in the room did. And before he could react the invaders charged in. It was the Carabinieri. They had their guns drawn.

“Kids, come!” Mirabella said to their children. Giovanni tried to extract Gianni from his leg. Mirabella scooped Leeza from her walker and the children went to her and backed away from their father.

He was ordered to his knees.

Giovanni went down with his hands up. Three Carabinieri kept their guns trained on him as another walked around him and put cuffs on him. He was helped to stand. His rights were read to him and it was announced to his wife and kids, anyone else from the family that was able to force their way in, that he was under arrest and would be taken in immediately for crimes of murder, gun trafficking and narcotics distribution along with the kidnapping of Marietta Battaglia.

Giovanni was able to give one final look to his wife of reassurance. She gave him a nod of understanding. His rock, his blue rose, she stood firm with their kids and showed no sign of weakness. He gave her a half-smile before he was forced from her and his kids into an armed police car and driven away.