Page 80 of Vita Mia

“Explain this to me Gianni?” Mirabella asked.

“This is Milo, Veno, and Eddie. They work for me. They’re video specialist. I brought them here to assist. Make sure Leeza’s little boyfriend here does the job correctly and none of your words are twisted.”

“Gianni get out! Mama, make him leave! Please!”

***

“SHIT,” GINO SLAMMEDthe glass of lemonade he drank down. “Non può accadere di nuovo.”

Gino sat forward in the chair and stared at the video monitor hoping Gianni would stand down without being told too. Once again, his brother flexed his defiance and did it his way. The phone next to him rang. He glanced to it not sure if he should pick it up. After the third ring, he did. He listened.

“Yes. I know. I’ll handle it.”

He hung up.

Gino cursed under his breath. Now he’d have to flex his power.

***

“GIANNI. TAKE THESEmen and leave. We don’t need this,” Mirabella said.

“I’m one of the worlds most respected record producers. I’ve directed videos in over thirteen countries. I piss more knowledge than this kid,” Gianni shot a withering glare at Ryder. “Forgive me mum. I mean no disrespect, but you disrespect me by bringing him here to tell Papa’s story. You don’t know this American. We can let him record whatever you say but my team can help with the edits to make sure the right message gets out. Let me assist, it’s what Papa wants.”

“Mum! That’s not true. Gianni doesn’t know what Papa wants, Gino does, and Gino has decided.”

“Gino is not the boss of this family!” Gianni shouted at MiaBella. His baby sister jumped and stepped back. Gianni’s anger was on full display.

“This isn’t your story Gianni. You’re trying to stop this. Just like Eve.” MiaBella turned on her mother. “They don’t want you to do the interview the way we agreed.”

Gianni narrowed his eyes on his sister.

MiaBella took Mirabella’s hand. “We promised Ryder that this was his exclusive. He can edit and record just fine. He has his own equipment.”

“The American hasn’t done video work in two years. He’s a scared rabbit.”

“Why is that? Huh? Tell Mummy the real reason why you hate Ryder so much!” MiaBella countered.

Gianni turned his gaze from Ryder to his sister. “Why don’t you tell her? Sister?”

“I did. And trust me my version is much better than the lie you’d tell!”

Mirabella didn’t stop the bickering. Every time she did one child accused her of loving the other child more. She loved all her children, but Giovanni always told her she spoiled Gianni too much. And in doing so he was the most unpredictable, and willfully spoiled child out of the trio. Still he was her baby boy and she knew his intentions weren’t as malicious as MiaBella feared. Though they were self-serving. Gino ran the family business. Of course,, her baby boy would feel slighted to have a production of this nature ran by an amateur. Maybe she should pull her children aside and explain to them what this interview was really about. What it meant for their lives. They deserved the truth.

“Maybe we should talk alone Mum?” Gianni flashed her his boyish smile.

“Maybe not,” Gino said as he walked into the room. The smile on Gianni’s face faded before he turned and faced his brother. “Everything’s fine bro. I got this.Tu mi rispetti.”

Gino’s gaze swiveled over to the men setting up equipment. They would not stand down unless Gianni ordered them too. He never disrespected his brother in front of his men. But on this he would if Gianni pushed him too far.

They stared at each for a long tense moment. Since they were born they shared their own language, their own unshakable bond. If one was distressed or in trouble the other felt it. They didn’t need words today. Gino’s presence and his determined stare was enough for Gianni to understand his wishes.

Gianni snapped his fingers. The men stopped setting up and looked at him. He looked over to his men and tossed his head to the left indicating they should leave. Gino felt a surge of relief that it ended civilly. Gino walked over to MiaBella his baby sister. He lifted her chin and forced her teary gaze up to look in his eyes. “You’ve been at this for a while piccola?”

“Yes, but we’re doing fine Gino. I promise we did nothing wrong. I was only trying to—”

“Shhh—” Gino said. “Don’t explain yourself. Let’s end it for dinner. We can spend all day tomorrow finishing the interview. You and Ryder go for a walk.Per favore, obbediscimi.”

MiaBella gave Gino the brightest of her smiles. She hugged him, and Mirabella could tell she felt reassured. Giovanni always wanted his children to resolve their issues their way. After years of trying to be mother and father to her children she had learned to follow her husband’s instruction.

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