Page 270 of Vita Mia

“I’m just trying to be worthy of you,piccoletta,” he smiled.

She rested the side of her face on his chest. I’m relieved,” she said. “Tired of the burden.”

“Me too,” he confessed.

“Are you really? Tell me the truth,” she said. She touched the side of his face with her left hand. “For almost twenty years it’s just been you and Gio. The two of you against the world. You didn’t have to share him with any of us. I know how much you love him.”

“He’s saved and spared my life too many times. I could have never done this without him. We all love him. In our own way.”

“Yes, he made you strong. But you are my Don. You are the man you were born to be Domi. Not a consigliere, or an enforcer, not a priest or politician. You are mycapo di tutti capi. We all see it, and we all believe it. Including Gio. None of that has ever changed.”

Dominic laughed. “It all changes. Gino is ready. So is Armando and Gianni. Soon Rocco will be and Geovani. They are our future, I’m just a lasting relic of the past.”

He dropped his brow against hers. They stayed like that holding each other. Love for them had been a helluva journey. The birth of their children had given them a fresh and binding fidelity that was never tested or broken since she stood before him and became his wife. He kissed her nose. “Gio may have made me powerful as a Don with his counsel and support. But you, Catalina, you made me a man, a father, a husband. I lost you twice before. I’m a better man because you loved me through it all.”

She kissed him. “Let’s go support Gio. Remind them all that the most powerful thing is family.”

***

EVE CAST HER GAZE OVERto Gino. “Did you know?”

“That Papa invited Stefano?”

“Heard him say it in the car.”

Eve sighed and rolled her eyes. “I thought you were going to take care of him for me.”

“What? Kill him?” Gino laughed.

“No,” she said. “Make it clear for him to stay away.”

“Did you not hear me say Papa invited him?”

“Yes. Yes. I heard you.”

Her brother smiled. “Don’t act like you aren’t at least a bit curious why he came?”

“We’re getting a divorce dummy. He’s probably here for my money.”

“Then I’ll cut his fucking throat,” Gino said.

Eve laughed. She slipped her arm around Gino’s and kissed his jaw. He blushed. He always blushed when she and MiaBella showered him with love. Gianni demanded to be loved and praised by his sisters and mother whenever in their presence. It was how they could tell them apart before Gianni started tattooing his body.

“Let’s get this over with.” Gino said. Together she and her brother walked out of the house to the poolside cabanas with Gianni and MiaBella behind them. Their guests were all seated and caught up in much chatter as everyone ate and passed plates. Eve looked across their faces to Stefano. He stared at her so intensely she had no choice to look away. She was glad she has chosen a bright red dashiki style summer dress that had a halter top to it and cinched in waist. She knew she looked beautiful. Why she cared that she reminded Stefano of what he gave up on she wasn’t sure.

It was then she noticed her uncles among the smiling faces. Gino and Gianni had both visited Lorenzo in Arizona and met with Carlo and Shae in Texas. Eve never had. The sight of him made her heartbeat faster. And to her surprise seated among them was Kyra. She remembered Renaldo and Kyra. All these years later she wondered about the play cousins she had long ago.

“You okay?” Gino whispered as they drew closer.

She smiled. “I’m fine, baby brother.”

“Ciaoeveryone,” Gino began. “Welcome. I know many of you have just learned why we’re here. Thank you, Uncle Domi and Auntie for arranging it for the family.”

“I want to invite our elders to please go with Eve and join my parents inside. They would like to meet with you—privately. I’ll stay with everyone else and help you understand what’s happening,” Gino said. “With the help of Gianni and MiaBella to answer any of your questions.”

Carlo and Lorenzo stood. They pulled out the chairs for their wives. Dominic and Catalina came as well, followed by Kyra and her husband. First Marietta greeted Eve. She hugged her and Eve kissed her aunt. She then hugged Kyra and accepted her praises of being beautiful. Then she looked on her uncle. Her favorite uncle. Lorenzo smiled at her.

“She’s right. You are so beautiful, kid,” Lorenzo said.

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