Page 82 of Vita Mia

“Gianni!” Mirabella slapped her hands together. “The disrespect will stop now. Do you understand?”

Gianni shrugged.

Mirabella gestured for Gino to sit. He did. She walked over to her sons and sat on the sofa and faced them. “You’re upset about more than this interview and I understand, I know Eve is too. But if you let me do this my way, it will be over soon. All of the secrets and the lies you have been forced to live with will end. It’s the biggest gift from my heart I can offer you. What your father and I did, what we had to do isn’t your crime. He paid a price to protect us, and I promised him I would do everything to protect you. Whether I give this interview or not they will expose everything about this family. The good and the bad. I want that to be my problem, not yours.”

“You’re talking about Papa, and prison. You were just talking about your sister. How much of the story are you going to tell?” Gino asked.

“I know what I’m doing.”

“Listen to you mum,” Gianni said. “We are not babies anymore. Let us help.”

“But you are sweetheart. You’re my biggest help. I am so grateful to you, so blessed to have you both.”

“I don’t like it,” Gino said. “I don’t have to like it. You know why she’s doing this. It’s not for us to interfere.”

Gianni narrowed his eyes on his brother. “So, you’re saying that Papa wanted this. For it to be this way. For me to have no say.”

Gino glanced to Mirabella who nodded. He then looked to his brother. “It’s been decided.”

Gianni got up in a huff. He walked over to his mother and kissed her cheek. “My girl’s plane arrives soon. I’m going to the airport to pick her up.” He glanced over to his brother. “And she’s bringing a nice friend for you.”

Gino showed no reaction to the news. But Mirabella noticed that Gianni expected one. “Armando said Zia Catalina and Zio Domi are still in Cuba. They won’t be here for the interview.”

“I know,” Mirabella said.

“Of course, you do mum. I’m the one that doesn’t know anything.” Gianni walked out without another word.

Mirabella let go a deep sigh.

“This is my fault. Isn’t it?” Mirabella asked. “He’s upset about this, isn’t he?”

“Gianni will get over it,” Gino said and leaned forward. “He does have valid points. We need to protect you, from you.”

“You know who I’m talking about. Isheupset.”

Gino’s eyes went up to the camera pointed at his mother and then his gaze turned back to her. “He wants what you want. Is this what you really want, truly?”

She nodded sadly. “It is.”

“Then I’m going to make sure it happens. Your way.”

She reached over and took his hand. “Help your brother Gino. With his anger. He’s angry at your father but he won’t admit it. That’s the real problem. I made mistakes sweetheart. I know that now better than any of you kids. But I can’t change the past. I have to just own it.”

“Mum, you gave us your life, so did Papa. We don’t blame you for anything. It’s my job to protect you. It’s Gianni’s too. He’s just doing it the way he knows how.”

“Thank you for trusting me, Gino. I know what I’m doing.”

“I run the family now, mum. I do have a say.”

“Of course, you do sweetheart, this isn’t about that.”

“Isn’t it? You going public takes us all with you. The world is different now. Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube, all of it a continuous never-ending shit show. American’s aren’t just greedy, they thirst for the drama and feed off of it. It’s how we make our money. And Eve will suffer the most.”

“I’ll talk to her—“

“Let me finish. Eve is stalked by the press more than any of us. Her marriages, her miscarriages, her life is under a public microscope. She’s going to be hurt when you tell them about the fire. No matter how you tell them.”

Mirabella’s eyes began to tear.

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