Page 242 of Vita Mia

“Ah, a minute, please.”

“Ryder?” MiaBella said. “Ask him questions.”

“Oh, yes, okay,” he said and smiled at her. He then focused on Giovanni.

“Who are you now?” Ryder asked. A stupid question. The only one that popped into his head.

“I’m a father and a husband now, same as I was before a normal family man,” the Don said. Ryder looked at the Battaglias and then back to Giovanni. The Camorra was real. He saw proof of it on Jekyll Island. This family was far from normal.

“No one will believe this without more of an explanation sir. I hope you allow the full story to be released. And not a watered-down version of it. The truth is what they should hear.”

“Gino? What is he talking about? Watered down version?” Mirabella asked.

Giovanni took his wife’s hand and kissed it. He leveled a glare at Ryder for his comment and Ryder could sense the anger in his sons. He’d really screwed up. But the Don didn’t make any threats. He calmly addressed him.

“You know the truth, my wife’s truth. Consider it a gift. I don’t owe the world shit. I owe my children.”

“You have been gone for over twenty years. Aren’t you worried that there will be consequences? An inquiry? A new trial?”

“I’m not worried.”

“Can I, ah, take some pictures? Of the family? And then get a video statement recorded? If that’s okay sir?”

Giovanni glanced up at Mirabella who smiled and he nodded his consent. Ryder asked everyone to come together. The sons were on either side of the family with Giovanni in the middle and his wife behind him. MiaBella was to his left. Eve was to his right. They all wore black. Even the cousin Armando dressed for the occasion. And it was the first time he noticed. It appeared they had come prepared for the family moment.

Two of the men that had been working with him throughout his time with the Battaglias came downstairs. They put up the tripod and the camera to record. Ryder turned his camera over and realized why it didn’t work. Someone had removed the memory card and battery. He gave a smile to MiaBella and she winked at him. It was her. She was a true Battaglia. He liked her gangster. He knew Gino’s threat was real but after seeing the Don and his wife together again he found himself having a little hope for him and his MiaBella.

***

“IWANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN,” Ryder said as he stood next to the car with the people loading his luggage. MiaBella smiled at him and said a few things in Italian to those that would take him to the airport.

“Thank you, Ryder. For everything. I can’t tell you what this will mean to my family.”

Ryder glanced up to the front of the Battaglia estate. Just as in his arrival he saw the three older siblings to MiaBella standing on the veranda at the second level of the palazzo. Each stared down at him.

“Am I crazy, or do you still like me?” he asked and took a step toward her.

“You have a lot to deal with in America. When you release the interview and pictures you’ll be a celebrity,” she said. “It’ll solve your dating problem quickly.”

“That’s not answering my question,” he said.

MiaBella looked back up at her brothers. She then turned and defied them. She kissed Ryder on the lips. “I am coming back to Los Angeles. Let me talk to my parents.” She stood on her toes and whispered in his ear: “I’ll text you.”

“Wait,” he grabbed her hand to try for one more kiss but she slipped away and hurried back inside. Gino glared down at him. Gianni made a gesture with his finger that indicated he’d cut his throat. It was Eve who smiled and nodded at him. It was a ray of hope. Ryder smiled and nodded to her then got inside of the car with the lingering excitement still burning on his lips.

***

“WHY DID YOU ENCOURAGEthat bullshit?” Gino asked Eve.

“We have bigger problems to face than caring about some puppy love.” She turned to leave and Gino grabbed her arm. Gianni leaned against the banister and watched his brother and sister.

“I listened to you once and now she has no husband. I don’t want her hooking up with any rapper or actors in L.A.”

“Arranged marriages went out with the stone ages. Papa has agreed to not meddle in our lives. Who appointed you guardian?” Eve asked.

“I run this family. That’s understood. MiaBella has a future and it sure isn’t with that piece of shit. After Papa does his little performance we are on lockdown. I’m coming to Los Angeles to ensure it.”

“Whatever you say little brother,” Eve shrugged his hold off and walked away. Gino let go a deep sigh and cursed under his breath.

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