Page 183 of Vita Mia

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Present - 2018

Bagheria, Italy

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“ITHINK THAT’S ENOUGH,” Eve Battaglia walked in.

Ryder was riveted by the detailed story he’d experienced from the Battaglia matriarch. It was like watching a real life, gangster war form from the inside. He had so many questions. Did Sophia trick Mirabella Battaglia into confessing? Did they find Lorenzo Battaglia in time from the Russians, what happened to the mystery enforcer who returned to the family to seek revenge? Did he get the warden?Shit!Ryder had never even researched the prison warden to know if he was still alive. And why was the great Mirabella Battaglia telling him some of the families deepest and darkest secrets on film? It would certainly have repercussions with all the legal forces in the world. Why him? Why now?

“Ryder?” Eve said.

He blinked out of his stupor. Eve stood over him with her hands to her hips.

“MiaBella and the others are downstairs for lunch. Join them.”

“Ah, oh, okay. I need to—“ he turned to his camera to stop the recording. He found that the men in the room had already done so. But when? Did he capture everything? He had to pay more attention and not act like some fucking fanboy.

“Now!” Eve demanded.

He nodded and then headed to the door. He stole one last glance at Mirabella. She didn’t look his way. She was staring at her daughter. It was the last he saw of her before the door was closed on him by her eldest child.

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“MUM?”

“We weren’t done,” Mirabella said.

“I know you don’t think so, but you are done. Uncle Domi called. He said to end it.” Eve pointed at the camera aimed at them. “Haven’t you told enough of this story?”

“Did he call or did you call him?”

“Does it matter? I was listening with Gino. He seems to be okay with this, but what you were talking about could get you arrested. You’re involving yourself in this story and you know damn Well, you shouldn’t.”

“Mind your mouth Eve. I’m still your mother. Whether you respect me or not.”

“I do respect you!” Eve protested. “How could you say that? I’ve done everything in my life to honor you. Since I was six!”

Mirabella got up from her chair and walked over to the window. She was shaken to her core reliving her painful separation from Giovanni. Telling of the days she spent alone and half mad with fear and worry. It was her story and she wanted to bare her soul. She had to be cleansed. She and Giovanni had a promise she intended to keep.

“I have an idea,” Eve said.

Mirabella glanced back at her.

“What? What is this idea?”

“Me,” Eve said and sat down.

Mirabella frowned.

“Tell the rest of it to me.” She crossed her arms. “Ryder shouldn’t hear the history of my family this way. He’ll get the one you sanitized for us kids so we grew up thinking Papa was a hero. Until we were old enough to learn the truth. This interview isn’t about freeing us. Is it Mum?” It’s about freeing you. Tell it to me. We deserve the truth. The rest of it.”

“Ryder has to be the one to tell it. My way.”

“He does whatever we want him to do. I’m your oldest child. I have questions. I want answers. Tell it to me.”

Mirabella stared at Eve for a long pause and considered the request. She then glanced to the camera.

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