Page 143 of Vita Mia

“Wrong plan, bitch. No one controls me. Not him and Not Giovanni. I won’t be a puppet for anyone.”

Sera nodded.

“I knew that. It’s why I made the suggestion.”

It was then Marietta frowned. The doctor sounded crazy. Everything sounded crazy. Maybe she was crazy and hearing things wrong.

“I’m taking you on another trip. This one will be Sicily. A place safe from the Générale who is your real enemy. Not your family. A place for you to heal, so hold on, a little longer. You’re right to resist and to trust no one. When you make the next transition, it will be your last one. And I will be there to free you the way it was always intended.”

“Intended by who?”

“A person who knows you better than anyone, a person who loves you still. The only person you should trust.”

“Who?” Marietta narrowed her eyes on the doctor. The doctor walked out of the room. Marietta closed her eyes. She was in a cottage in a hamlet she didn’t know, under police surveillance and protection. How could Sicily be any safer than where she was now? She believed in nothing and no one.

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DR. SERA NODDED TOthe Carabinieri. She showed one of them her phone. “I need to make a private call. I’ll just be outside for a few minutes.”

The man walked the other way. Sera kept her eyes on those who watched her as well. She slipped out of the back door and started to walk off to the left side of the house. There were men gathered but the distance was sufficient for her to make a call in private. She dialed.

“It’s me,” she began. “She’s ready now.”

“Grazie,” Dominic said and hung up.

***

DOMINIC PUT THE PHONEin his pocket. He turned the doorknob and went inside. Mirabella and Nico had arrived ahead of him.

“Domi?” Mirabella greeted him with a look of relief. “You’re back from Sorrento. How’s Kyra?”

“Not well. She’s asked that we don’t attend the funeral. She wants a private ceremony for her and the family. She said you would respect her wishes.”

“I—I want to be there for her.”

“She’s in a lot of pain. And she doesn’t want the media circus the family attending the service would bring. She wants him to be buried in private just as he lived his life,” Dominic said.

“I understand.” Mirabella returned to her seat. Dominic greeted Nico with a kiss to both cheeks and then the new attorney he arranged for them to meet. He took his seat next to Mirabella.

“I’m glad we’re all here. There’s something we need to discuss,” Dominic said.

“Is it Gio? Any more news on him?” Mirabella asked.

“He’s in isolation. The prison is on lockdown. There was an uprising by theCamorrain the jail when Renaldo was killed. The officials are blaming Giovanni and the Puglia’s for the violence.”

“I heard this. I saw it on the news,” Mirabella said.

“The press conference for your sister was canceled. My contact says they are moving her to Sicily.”

“Your contact?” the lawyer asked. “Who is this contact?”

“It’s best you don’t ask questions, you just listen,” Nico warned the new attorney.

The man nodded his obedience.

Dominic continued. “The prosecutor released a statement that Marietta is in fear for her life. She’s saying our family has already threatened her and that we’re holding her daughter from her. My sources said at first the Générale wanted to give it but they are taking a new direction. Putting a new face in front of Giovanni’s case.”

“So you want me in front of the media today?”

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