Destino (10 page)

“
Stai zitto!
Shut up.” Giovanni walked away. “The Calderone’s and other families are laughing at you. At you cousin! And you expect me to lower myself for your glory?” Giovanni silenced. “I will tell you about lofty goals. Before the week is out, I plan to own the triangle.”

The announcement landed hard between them. Lorenzo blinked in astonishment. Giovanni nodded to be sure he understood his words.

The
triangle
consisted of Milan, Turin and Genoa. The Battaglia family had run the Cammora out of Naples for close to eighty years. But Tomosino always wanted to expand into legitimate business. Real estate was prime in the triangle now, and Giovanni intended to fulfill every one of his father’s dreams.

If he hadn’t returned six years ago and accepted his birthright, the Battaglia family would belong to his cousin. He knew Lorenzo denounced the old traditions of the Sicilian Mafia publicly, but at his cousin’s core, Lorenzo believed in the restrictive values that clearly said a non-Sicilian should never run the Mafia. Giovanni’s mixed blood made some snicker behind his back. He had hoped by now that prejudice wouldn’t be between him and his cousin. He had to wonder if that too was a lofty dream.

“While you were off in your fancy schools, I was here. I should be your consigliere at the very least. Flavio is out of practice and you seem to rely more and more on Dominic. He’s a fucking kid that we both raised. What of me?”

“I can’t trust you. I know this disappoints you, but it’s the truth.”

“I have earned my place at your side!” Lorenzo’s voice boomed.

Giovanni shrugged. “Drugs will never be part of this family and neither will prostitution, not going forward. Let’s be clear, though part of you thinks we are equals because we’re blood, we are not. We took an oath. I run this family. You never will. If I hear of you meeting with Giuseppe Calderone again on my behalf, I will be forced to make an example of you cousin. And I’ll enjoy it.”

Lorenzo drew his lips in, and his jaw quivered with restraint. They were the same height, the same physical build; they even had the same blue eyes. At first glance, a person could mistake them for brothers. But they were as different as night and day.

He watched his cousin approach. Lorenzo kissed Giovanni on both of his cheeks and grabbed his shoulders to be heard. “
Ti amo cugino
. I love you, cousin. Of course, of course, you are the boss of all bosses. Now let’s stop fighting and enjoy the ladies. They will arrive soon.” He stepped back with acceptance.

As an act of forgiveness, Giovanni pulled Lorenzo into a fraternal hug. He hated to fight with him as well, but the divided loyalties were becoming a real problem. He’d heard from Dominic: that Giuseppe frequented Lorenzo’s restaurant, and the men were becoming allies. The Calderone serpent only intended to feed Lorenzo’s greed. Giovanni and the elder Don Calderone had bartered an agreement, which would allow the Calderone’s to conduct business within the Campania. In return, Calderone would help him with his bid to acquire more land in the northern territories. Giuseppe didn’t want to see this deal through, and he needed Lorenzo at his side if he were to present a strong family front.

“Now, do you like this friend of Fabiana’s, this designer Mira?”

Giovanni blushed. He’d been unable to stop thinking of her since he saw her long legs sashay down the runway. Even now his blood surged to his groin when he recalled her full lips and dark brown eyes. “She pleases me.” He cleared his throat to rid it of the wavering confidence he heard in his voice. Together they walked inside.

“I don’t ever recall you making a request for me to set you up cousin. I would say she does more than please you.”

“Let’s just say I’m intrigued. She’s different.”

Dominic, an enforcer and adopted little brother to them both, stepped in. Giovanni’s father had taken him into the family at the age of three, and both men loved him like blood.

“I need to speak with Giovanni.” He switched his gaze over to Lorenzo. “Alone.”

Lorenzo nodded. “You can use my office. When the ladies arrive, I will send word to meet us upstairs in the parlor.”

Giovanni turned and followed Dominic out. He glanced back over his shoulder. Lorenzo watched him. His cousin looked to be accepting of his decision. Only time would tell.

The narrow road paved in cobblestones jostled them in their seats. The car climbed upward at a reduced speed. Their destination appeared to be a villa carved into the mountainside. Mira gripped the inside door jam. “I feel like we’ll roll back down the road. Jeesh, how far does he have to drive?”

Fabiana leaned forward with a hard squint. “The gates. Look.”

Double wrought iron gates were pushed open by the aid of men who blended with the night. Their suit jackets parted under their outstretched arms to reveal guns tucked in their pants. Mira careened her neck to be sure she saw the weapons. But the car moved on.

“I’ve been trying to convince you to buy a vacation place in Italy for years. Maybe now you’ll consider one for Como after we finalize our real-estate issues in Napoli.”

“Not sure if I can afford the army to guard it. Did you see that? Those men had guns.”

“Guns?” Fabiana’s gaze swiveled to the back window. “No they didn’t. It’s illegal.”

Mira frowned. “I know what I saw.”

The car came to a complete stop, and the ladies collected their purses. Mira emerged inhaling the sweet fragrant air. Wind whipped through the large palms circling the drive, and their leafy skirts rustled, as did the other lush cypress that was groomed immaculately. Her hair was blown away from her face. She smiled, fixated on the three-story block shaped mansion that was painted a soft melon orange with a flat rust-colored, shingled roof.

Fabiana walked around the back of the car. “Nice right?”

The villa appeared spacious enough to really make this mini vacation worthy of the effort. Mira glanced over at the driver who removed their luggage. Her most treasured piece being her leather portfolio case. “While you and Romeo do Lake Como, I’ll sketch some new designs that have been keeping me up at night. Oh and sleeping. I can’t wait to sleep in late for a change.”

As they climbed the stone steps, Lorenzo filled the open doorway. The warm yellow light behind him cast shadows over his face, making him even more handsome. Mira watched Fabiana quicken her steps. Maybe Mira had been too judgmental of him. He did seem to be taken with Fabiana, and she knew how much her friend wanted to find love again.

“Fabiana, Mira
,
benvenuta all'Bellagio
.” He withdrew, allowing them to enter.

“
Ciao
Lorenzo
.” Fabiana blushed.

They were led inside between two regal Corinthian pillars. Mira entered a home of vast dimensions, as if someone with claustrophobia designed it. And what a beautiful villa it was. Vivid cool colors reminiscent of a spring garden covered the walls. Crystal, silver, and gold antiquities perched on marble pedestals all punctuated the cultural flavor. The high ceiling hall they were led down opened into an oval shaped entranceway with two elegant stairwells that connected up to the second level. The floors were polished marble under a massive pewter chandelier that absolutely sparkled. Tucked to the corners of the wide stairwell were two eight-foot tall statues of goddesses that looked authentic. Mira’s eyes swept over the artwork. When her gaze returned to her host, he was staring at her intensely. A shiver went through her from the dark hard stare he gave her. In a blink, his gaze moved on, but she was sure she’d noticed something in the exchange.

“This way, ladies.” He continued toward the large semi-circular staircase to the second level. Fabiana followed without thought, and Mira forced her legs to move. Pondering where they might lead, she slowly and cautiously climbed the stairs, all the while running her fingers across the smooth polished banister. What was there not to love about Italy? Who knows what the future held. The country had already inspired her work. As they strolled into an open parlor, she noticed how her friend’s suitor slipped his arm around Fabiana’s waist, keeping her close.

Again Mira checked the time on her watch. Maybe she would join them for a drink and retire to give them some privacy. Lorenzo stopped in the middle of the room and swept Fabiana up in his arms for a long kiss. Mira watched and waited, a bit uncomfortable. Her friend swayed when he released her. “If you don’t mind waiting here, I have someone coming to take you to your room. I’m sure you’re exhausted from your eventful day.”

Neither girl objected, but they exchanged looks after his announcement. Mira half expected Fabiana to speak up. Instead, her friend held his hand and winked at her before she was swept out of the room. The pair passed another tall man, again with a gun tucked to the front of his pants. He positioned himself at the entrance of the parlor. His dark eyes, encased in long lashes, fixed on her.

Alone, she glanced around. It was a well-furnished parlor with bright lamplight. The cozy seating arrangement softened an elegant room divided into two distinct conversational areas. The L-shaped white sofa and a few large peach upholstered back sofa chairs were to the left. A mirrored bar with wine racks and a few large conversational chairs were to the right. How long did he intend to have her waiting here? Her gaze lingered on the bar. She loved Italian wine, and she was sure Lorenzo would have the best. She’d already had enough to drink for the evening, so she decided against the temptation. Mira passed the sofa and dropped her rectangular clutch purse. She ran her hands over her hips in her tight white pants, rubbing out the exhaustion in her fingers. Instead of a nightcap she decided on some air. She approached the outside balcony that overlooked the lake and smiled at the breathtaking sight before her. The moon had receded behind the clouds, but the lights of the city twinkled against the mountainous landscape.

“Amazing isn’t it?”

She whirled on the voice behind her.

“I was below you staring out at the same moon. One of the loveliest moons this season." Giovanni entered with his hands shoved deep into his pockets. “Like you, I couldn’t stop thinking of its beauty.”

Stunned, she managed a reply. “You don’t know what I was thinking.”

“You’d be surprised all the things I know.”

For a short moment, he enjoyed watching her. When he entered the parlor, he watched her stroll around the empty room, then out the French doors. She wore what she had on earlier and looked even more beautiful under the moonlight. The long layers of her hair blew slightly around her shoulders. His gaze lowered to her apple shaped bottom and slender legs. Lorenzo was right. He wasn’t prone to pursuing women who didn’t return his desires. However, from the moment he met her in the hall of his cousin’s restaurant, she’d been quite unforgettable. She intrigued him. Was his keen interest because of her stubborn refusal of his charm or the suffocating loneliness he’d endured? He wasn’t sure.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I could ask you the same. As I recall, you had too much to do to entertain my dinner proposal.”

Swiping her hair from her face, she expelled a frustrated laugh. “Did you know I was coming? Is this some kind of setup?”

“It’s a response to your invitation.”

“I didn’t invite you here.” she frowned.

Giovanni walked in closer to her so she could read the determined look in his eye. “Here, in Italia, if a woman takes notice and makes direct eye contact with a man like myself, it’s considered an invitation.”

“Oh please. So I can’t look at an attractive man without him thinking I want something more?”

“You find me attractive?”

After a flirty laugh she turned back to the banister and faced the lake. She cast her gaze over to the left revealing her profile. He studied the delicate perfection of her slender nose, high cheekbones and full lips. “You find yourself attractive. Guess I was just agreeing with you.”

Her head turned, and she continued to stare out into the night. Unable to resist, he stepped directly behind her. He was sure she could feel the heat of his desire radiating from his chest; his heart beat so fast and hard inside of it. But she didn’t acknowledge his closeness, and it disappointed him. Flowers hadn’t softened her, and his charm had no effect. What excited this rare beauty in his midst?

“I owe you an apology, Bella.”

“Do you?”

“
Si
. I should have never insisted on you granting me access to your building.”

“So now it’s my building? Thought I only had a lease.”

“It was impolite. I’m a little rusty on negotiating with someone… as beautiful as you.”

At any moment, she’d know what it felt like to receive his touch; he stood so close. The smell of him caused her stomach to flutter. A spicy mix of cologne with a hint of something smoky and potent like the dark whiskey she watched him drink earlier. It was the most masculine appealing smell she had the pleasure of knowing in quite some time.

“You find me arrogant?”

“Extremely,” she admitted.

“Pushy?”

“Definitely.”

“Presumptuous?” he said, not hiding his amusement in his tone. Mira was grateful he couldn’t read the smile lifting the corners of her mouth.