Part 47 (1/2)

Lorenzo nearly took a swing at him for talking to him in such a dismissive tone. The rotten b.i.t.c.h could have killed Mira or the babies. He knew how Giovanni would want this handled.

”Call Carlo and bring him in. We have a few things to take care. There is much I need to update you both on,” Dominic said.

The request was indeed reasonable, but still his fury at Carmella made it hard for him to comply. He glared after her. When she looked at him terrified he made sure to wink in return. To let her know they weren't done. Lorenzo threw up his hand in a dismissive gesture toward Dominic. He walked out.

”He'll kill me. And if he doesn't Gio will,” Carmella said.

Dominic pulled a chair closer. ”Giovanni does not give orders on the death of women.”

”Bulls.h.i.+t!” Carmella said. She wiped her tears. ”I heard about what he did to the Calderones. I'm not stupid!”

”You are stupid. Very,” Dominic said. ”To betray a family that has been good to yours before your birth. That makes you stupid and reckless.”

”No. Domi, let me explain. I was here. Mira saw me when she arrived and didn't like me on sight. She told Giovanni to send me away. I needed the work. So I went to Mancini. The old man is ill. Armando is never there. You know I do domestics both here and there. It was approved by Gio and Armando years ago. Your families have a truce.”

”Not anymore. Am I right?” Dominic searched her face. ”Armando no longer believes in the truce between our fathers.”

”How would I know?” Carmella wept. She dropped her face and cried.

Dominic lifted her chin. ”I need to hear the truth. You know I can tell the difference.”

”Armando and his father had a fight one night. The Don hit him with something that bruised his face really bad. Afterwards I was tending to Armando's wound when he asked me about Gio, about his wife. What she was like, stuff like that.”

”And then what happened?” Dominic asked.

”He was upset. Said his father wouldn't destroy the family. He said the children couldn't be born. That he wanted nothing to do with her or the kids. Then he threatened me. He wanted me to make it look like an accident, so his father wouldn't suspect. I begged him not to ask it of me but he forced me. So I called Mama and told her that I needed the work and that her sister had taken a turn for the worst. All of it true. She agreed to let me come back. But she didn't know anything about this. So I come. And that's it. I couldn't do it.”

”The tea?” Dominic asked.

”The Donna never took a sip,” Carmella said.

”What was in the tea?” Dominic asked.

”a.r.s.enic.”

Dominic sat back. After a moment of contemplating the deception an idea formed. ”I have plans for you, Carmella. A way you can make this up to the family.”

”I'll do anything.” Carmella wiped her tears.

”Yes,” Dominic agreed. ”You will.”

”Does Gio have to know, Domi?” Carmella asked.

”Gio will be told. His mercy will depend on how you help us,” Dominic said. ”Pack your things, you're returning to the Mancinis.”

* B *

”I'm okay to go back to the hospital without you.” Marietta put her earring in. Lorenzo paced behind her. She watched him from the mirror. ”Why are you so agitated?”

”Non imoporta! I will come as soon as I finish business with Dominic. Nico will drive you in personally. You and Catalina.”

”Yes, Lo. I know. You told me already.” She turned. ”Did someone call? Is it Mira? The babies? Are they worse?”

”No. But they aren't better.” Lorenzo paused. He looked at her as if it were the first time he had. ”You look beautiful.”

Marietta smoothed down the sides of her dress. It was white, and so were her heels. All white. She felt that it would be better than bright cheery colors or a muted dark color. But then she thought of the attire of those that worked for the hospital and frowned. ”Do I look like a nurse? Maybe I should wear the pink dress?”

He took her hand and pulled her to him. ”Am I forgiven?”

”Yes,” she said sincerely. ”I know you did what you thought was right at the time. But you get one pa.s.s at lying to me, Lo. Never do that again,” she said.

He kissed and silenced the rest of her speech. She lifted her arms around his neck. She had to admit it was nice to make up with him. All morning they'd been making up. She ached all over from the workout.

”Mmmm,” she let him go. ”Catalina is waiting on me, Lo. Stop.” She peeled his hands off her a.s.s. ”Seriously. I have to go. I got a good feeling Mira will wake up today.”

”Me too,” Lorenzo said.

Marietta grabbed her purse and started for the door.

”Sweetheart?” Lorenzo said.

She looked back at him. ”Yes?”

”I need to know who told you the truth about Mira. How did you find out?”

Marietta's heart stopped. She truly thought they were past it now. He hadn't mentioned it again since they left Carlo's mother's house. She sighed. ”It doesn't matter.”

”It matters,” he said in that serious tone.

”Can we talk about it tonight? When I come back? Please?”

”Why? Why not just tell me. Is it someone you know? Someone I know?” Lorenzo asked.

”I don't want any drama. What about the maid? Did you take care of her? The one I told you about who was spying on everyone?”

Lorenzo stared at her. He was unmoved by her attempt to dodge his question. She smiled sweetly. ”Tonight. We'll talk.” She blew him a kiss and hurried out the door. Her heart raced so fast she was d.a.m.n near running in her heels to get down the hall. She glanced back twice expecting to see Lorenzo in pursuit of her to demand an answer. Without warning she ran directly into Carlo.

Startled Marietta nearly fell. Her purse dropped from her hand. Carlo caught her by the arm and kept her steady on her feet. Marietta looked up into his calm eyes. He stared down at her for a moment, and then knelt and picked up her purse. Marietta stepped back wanting a little distance between them.

”You dropped this,” he said.

”Ah, uh, thanks,” she said and walked around him.

Carlo couldn't believe how beautiful she was today. What had changed? She wore a snug fitting white mini dress. Her thick hair had sprung curls that brushed her shoulders with an exotic flare. He felt those curls, how different the texture was from his own hair. He'd felt the trim fuzz over her p.u.s.s.y too and wanted to touch her again. Even the feel of her skin was burned into his brain.

One look at her and it all came back. He'd spent the night trying to get her out of his head. Drinking until his mind went numb and the ache in his loins soothed. She was his best friend's wife and he was a dumb f.u.c.k to have fallen in love.

Marietta stepped back from him. She mumbled some kind of thanks and walked around him. He waited, his breath held. Once he asked her the fragrance she wore. She said it was called Shalimar. He'd buy a truckload of it just to own the scent.

He hoped she hesitated. Looked back at him as if she was undecided. But she kept going. The sway of her hips and slender shapely legs in perched by white heels caught his attention. He wiped his hand down his mouth and forced the image away. He turned and continued on.