Page 20 of Destino

Sighing deeply Fabiana looked away to conceal her smile. “No. You sound like my best friend. The cautious wise one. I’m the impulsive wild one. We balance each other out.”

Mira burst into disbelieving laughter. “Please Fabiana. When it comes to business you’re a shark with lipstick. No one takes advantage of you. I want you to be the same way about your heart.” Mira reached over and took her hand. “We’re a team. We’re sisters. We look out for each other.”

Fabiana nodded. “Thank you for being the sister I always wished I had.”

“Promise we’ll keep it light, and you won’t be too impulsive this weekend,” Mira said under a raised brow.

She smiled in defeat. “I promise that Lorenzo Álvaro Battaglia will have to part the red sea before he parts my legs.”

Mira laughed leaning over to hug her friend. “Good enough.”

On the lower level of his cousin’s villa there were few doors and many open walkways that led to the outside veranda with a stunning view of the lake. The lonely rustle of the night breeze echoed softly. Giovanni stared out across the lake at the villas and hotels. When darkness covered the small city of Bellagio, the golden amber lights from residential windows and street lamps almost made the city and the lake appear mystical. Under a crescent moon the water shone like polished glass. He clasped his hands behind his back The violence was the least of his worries. The fact that a man like Francesco could disrespect him under his cousin’s watch unsettled him.

“Shall we discuss it now or later?” Lorenzo asked.

Giovanni cast his gaze back over his shoulder. “My decision is final. Arranging all of this won’t change my mind. The club closes. Carlo will see to it. The insurance on the place should more than compensate you after all debts are repaid to me of course.”

“You think I invited the ladies here to appease you? I invited them and you here so we can get past our differences and understand each other again. I knowIsabella’swas my idea. I had no idea Francesco was the monster he turned out to be. It doesn’t convict me. Ignorance is my only sin here.”

Weary of the argument Giovanni turned and faced his cousin. Lorenzo understood him better than any of those in the family, next to Catalina. They were raised together, blood. However, his cousin wouldn’t be above arranging a romantic interlude to soften him for manipulation. What irritated him more after all these years was his cousin’s continued struggle for recognition. They were supposed to be stronger than this petty jealousy bullshit.

“You failed.”

Lorenzo threw up both his hands in defeat. “The family cannot survive like this. It’s bigger than the grudge we hold with the Russians for Papa’s death. Or the Albanians! You controlla Cammora. Which means the girls, the business; all of it should belong to us. You can’t have part of it; you have to own it all.”

“We are not this bullshit!” Giovanni shouted. “Not anymore. Two hundred years ago we changed our fucking name to decide the family destiny. Baldamenti and the blood legacy that’s washed through our family for two centuries is over. We are Battaglia men.” Giovanni stepped closer. “Why do you think this was done? So we never evolve? Continue to wallow in scum? Become the men not fit to sit at the table with our ancestors? Can you only find glory in the slums with those gypsies you let in and out of our business? Or are you planning something else cousin? With Calderone?”

“Never.”

“I know you aren’t totally blameless. If I could prove your motives, well you should be grateful I haven’t proven what motivates you lately cousin.”

“La Cammorais fracturing. The Calderone family plans to make deals with the Albanians that you won’t, and they are growing in numbers. In Sicily, we’re tied to tradition withinmafioso, but here we can do things differently. That’s why Papa Tomosino loved it best here. I know you have another vision for us, and I respect it, but I would fail you if I didn’t advise you. The time to strike is now. Now.” Giovanni shook his head in disappointment. Lorenzo continued. “You desire to legitimize us, and it’s a lofty dream. No one would dare speak to you like this but me. Flavio is Consigliere, and where is he? Listen to me, Giovanni, gambling, extortion, weapons, it’s who we are no matter what deals you and Flavio make in the Republic. Nothing changes that fact. Why not go after the real money?”

“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.

Thetriangleconsisted 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.

---