Page 104 of Vita Mia

The warden let go a deep laugh. He smiled as if genuinely pleased. “I forget. You make dresses.”

“And men’s suits. The best in the world. I see you have fine taste.”

“I do. And I’m a fan. I own a few suits from your company.”

“Oh? Okay.”

“May I?” he reached for Leeza.

Mirabella frowned. “Ah, no, she’s not feeling well.”

“I insist,” the warden said.

Mirabella wasn’t sure what to say. She thought the conversation was progressing. Why had he shifted gears and focused on Leeza? The warden stood. He stared down at her. “We’re friendly, right? She’s such a beautifulbimba di colore.”He took Leeza from her despite her disapproval. Her daughter looked up at him confused by his touch. Not many men in the family held her other than her father. Mirabella braced against her fear and anger at his brazen manner.

“Sit down,” the warden said to her as if sensing she might attack him to get Leeza back. She refused.

The warden turned his gaze on her. “Sit.”

Mirabella sat. The warden walked with her daughter. He held her out in front of him as if she were some strange creature. “Italian men make yellow babies with your kind,” the warden chuckled. “Sicilian men make brown babies, with your kind. Your husband is a mutt. I was wondering what color his babies would be.”

“Give her back to me,” Mirabella said and stood. “Please.”

The warden studied her child as if she hadn’t spoken. “She is more mongrel and human.”

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GIOVANNI SLAMMED HISfist into the two-way mirror. Mirabella looked at the glass. The warden continued to hold Leeza out as if he’d drop her. Giovanni went for the door but he was stopped with a blow to the back of his neck. He went down on his knees. The guard behind him snaked his arm around his neck and forced him to stand in front of the mirror and watch the scene.

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“GIVE HER BACK TO ME. Please,” Mirabella pleaded.

Leeza began to look at her mother with worry. She didn’t cry, but her daughter knew the danger she was in. The warden held her as if he’d either throw her at the wall or drop her. The panic rising in Mirabella was so intense in those few moments she clenched her fist prepared to react. She nearly charged the warden, but she knew better.

“You were gracious enough to offer me a business suit if I let you see your husband. How grateful would you be if I give your rodent back to you now?”

Mirabella didn’t say anything. She had made a fatal mistake by coming to this prison. A grave one that Domi had warned her against. In her dealings with all of her husband’s enemies they’d attempted to seduce her, manipulate her, control her, but never had she met one like Antoni Fassino. His hatred and disgust for her child made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. The man was pure evil.

“What do you want?” Mirabella asked.

Leeza began to cry.

The warden laughed.

Mirabella could see his grip on her daughter wasn’t gentle and that’s what made her cry. She took a step toward him.

“Tell me. What do you want warden?”

Leeza wailed now in evident pain.

“Please! Tell me what you want!”

The warden laughed.

“Stop it! Give me back my baby!”

“I’ll tell you after your visit with your husband.”

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