Page 46 of Vita Mia

Chapter Nine

Bagheria, Sicily

Present - 2018

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“WHAT IS SHE DOING?”Eve shouted.

Gino stared at the video screen. His parent’s room and bathroom wasn’t under surveillance, but the living room in the suite was. He’d been able to watch the entire show from the comfort of his office with his sister and brother. He glanced up at Eve who was clearly agitated.

“Are you going to sit there and say nothing!” Eve demanded.

Gianni chuckled at something he read. He continued to text someone on his phone.

“What am I supposed to do or say?” Gino asked.

“Stop this!” Eve said. “How many times have I protected you idiots! You’re going to sit back and let her do this to me?”

“What is she doing but sharing a story the world already knows?”

Eve glared at her brother. Gino waited out her anger. A dismissed Eve was more problematic than an angry Eve. Though he ran the business, she was at his side in every way necessary. The constant struggle between them had put a strain on their relationship. He knew best how to handle her. Even better than their parents. He loved his sister. She’s had enough pain in her life to outlive them both. But he was the head of the family and he needed her respect.

“This interview stops now!” Eve said.

“Stay out of it,” Gino warned.

“Papa would not approve of this!”

“Papa does approve. He always let Mum have her say. And you’ll respect her. Do we understand each other?”

“Not this time little brother! It’s not about you or you,” she pointed at Gianni. “This time it’s about me. I don’t want the press and the world to know what a shit show my childhood has been in this family.”

Gino stood. Though Eve was older he was taller and stronger. He walked over and touched her. She knocked away his touch. He touched her again. She put her hands to her face. He hugged her. He held her until she released some of her anger and held him back. He rubbed her back as he often did to comfort the women in his family. Gianni looked up from his phone at the both of them then continued to text.

“Let her finish Evie,” he whispered in her ear. “When she’s done, we’ll decide what the world knows,” Gino said. “You and I will have full control over the edits.”

Eve nodded and hugged her brother. Gino kissed her cheek and wiped her tears away with his thumb. She shied away from the affection. It was hard for her to show so much weakness and vulnerability no matter who was the witness.

“Look,” Gino said.

Eve and Gianni both looked back to the monitor.

“Looks like they’re taking a break. Why don’t you take one?”

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