Page 91 of Vita Mia

“The investigation and arrest of the Camorra Don which is your business, is an entirely separate matter from the trial and incarceration, which is my business. That means your medals, and title don’t mean shit to me. This is my jail. I have the highest level of security and I know how to handle these so-called Mafia Lords. He belongs here, in the Campania to answer for his crimes. The magistrate agrees.”

“You can’t hold him here. Let’s not pretend the Poggioreale has a good reputation on dealing with the Camorra. He’ll escape or be dead before trial.”

The Warden smirked, “My money is on the latter.”

“I want to see him,” the Générale demanded.

“Denied.” The warden answered.

“I’ll go to the public prosecutor and get an order! Do you hear me?”

The warden shrugged.

“If anything happens to him I will drag you into the light, you Poggioreale rat!”

“Do so and I will share with the public how you spent your time in the Campania for the past decade hunting the Camorra.” The warden leaned forward and stared at the Générale. “My prison has everyone’s secrets. Including yours Générale.”

The Générale glared but didn’t challenge him. He couldn’t risk any insinuations being made whether truthful or not in front of his men.

“Let the system work, Générale. Trust me, we want the same things. Giovanni Battaglia will pay for his crimes. I intend to see to it personally.”

The Générale gave him a nod and walked out. His men marched out behind him. The warden could be heard laughing as he went.

***

MONDELLO, SICILY

Mirabella fastened the diaper on her baby girl. Leeza blinked up at her and smiled as if she’d been given the biggest treat. Her temperament was of pure joy consistently. She was her little angel.

“They are so special when they are babies. If only they never grew up,” Zia said. She had entered the room from behind Mirabella.

“Oh hi?” Mirabella said.

“Catalina called and said Dominic wanted me to visit.”

“She shouldn’t have,” Mirabella said. “I’m fine with the kids. I don’t want to worry you.”

“I’d like to help,” Zia said.

Mirabella walked over to the bed where Lorenza napped. She sat down and removed her breast to feed Leeza. Her daughter turned her head away in refusal. Leeza had developed a taste for table food and was nearing a year old. It was time for her to accept that nurturing her with her breast was a thing of the past. Zia observed her with a smile. She knew Zia wanted to hold her and she was exhausted. But to ask for help made her feel inadequate. Since Cecilia was gone she struggled with measuring how she should share the burden or manage alone.

“Catalina is cooking. I bathed little Armando and he’s sleeping. I can give her a bath and rub her down with lavender. Babies love it. A baby massage and she’s a happy princess.” Zia smiled down at Leeza.

“You should be resting too. Gio, told me the doctors said your blood sugar is low.”

Zia waved off the concern. “I can rest when I’m dead. Let me enjoy the kids while I’m here.”

Mirabella handed Leeza over to Zia. Her baby girl fussed for a moment over losing contact with her but Zia rocked her in her arms and turned her away. Mirabella looked back at a sleeping Lorenza. She leaned in and kissed her cheek. She was hopelessly in love with her too.

“Any word on Gio and the others?” Zia asked.

“It’s been two days. We should hear something soon,” Mirabella sighed.

There was a soft knock to the door. Eve pushed the door open and looked in. “Mummy? Uncle Domi is here.”

“Grazie Dio,” Zia gasped.

Mirabella felt equally relieved.

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