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“I told him yesterday we need to go slow, that we need to take time to get to know each other, and then he just shows up in my bed.”

“He just shows up huh?”

“Well I sure as hell didn’t invite him.”

“So why not kick him out?”

Mira cut her eyes away. “I’m not angry that he came to me. Trust me I had restrained myself from going to him.” She dropped her head back against the wall. “I’m not even angry that he can make my body sing. I’m mad because I woke up and found him gone, and it hurt. You know that sinking feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you're lovesick? Pathetic! What am I getting myself into? The man just does whatever the hell he wants, when he wants, and how he wants me. What am I doing falling for this guy?”

Fabiana’s eyes grew round with shock. “You’re falling in love?”

“No, of course, not!” Mira hadn’t realized she used the word.

“You just said you were.”

“I said it makes no sense. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Let’s go get something to eat.”

Fabiana shook her head. “Fine, but I’m buying the damn yellow dress.”

“Go right ahead, be a parrot. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she called out after her as Fabiana left the changing room. She rose and picked up her purse.

Villa Calderone ~

“Benvenuto del Giovanni il mio ragazzo.”Don Calderone rose. A short, rotund man, his face was rather long and pale under a grey stubble of a beard. He had tired eyes that suggested a hint of trouble. The men greeted him with respect. The Calderone family ran the region of Genoa, but vacationed often in Como. It was to their advantage that he too was here while Giovanni had planned a visit. The old man gave Giovanni a hug and then a kiss to both sides of his face. To Lorenzo he did the same.

Angelo, a stout man looked every bit the same as his weasel cousin Giuseppe. None of the Calderone men would win any beauty contests. The Don’s nephew stepped forward. He greeted Giovanni with a respectful kiss to either side of his jaw.

“Join me.” Don Calderone gestured to the chairs.

“This meeting was to occur close to an hour ago. I don’t appreciate being kept waiting.” Giovanni’s voice was low but resonated with his disapproval.

The old man nodded.“Scusi.”He touched his wide chest. “I was waiting on that absent-minded son of mine. He was supposed to have returned in time for the meeting. We can’t locate him.” Don Calderone waddled on his stumpy legs back around his desk and sat.

“Patri, he may still be in Genoa. He mentioned business there.” Angelo dropped a comforting hand to his uncle’s shoulder. All the men in the family referred to the old Don as their father, just as Lorenzo referred to Tomosino that way.

“Business?” Giovanni asked.

Don Calderone put his hand up. “Family business out of Sicily.” The Don turned his attention to Lorenzo. “Giuseppe said that you two may have a very lucrative agreement in Napoli in the works?”

Lorenzo stared at the Don unfazed. Giovanni didn’t read any reaction to the news. “I agreed to meet with Giuseppe to discuss his interest in hosting parties atIsabella’s. Nothing was ever confirmed. He hasn’t called to schedule.”

Don Calderone smiled then reached for his cigar box, pulling out his half smoked stogie and a lighter. “I heard of your troubles,” he lit the end of the cigar and pumped his fat cheeks to draw and release rings of smoke.

“Yes. The club is gone. It was an unfortunate incident and completely blown out of proportion. My cousin understands.” Lorenzo answered.

“I know my son can be anassat times. I keep him on a short leash, out of respect for your family and my dear friend Tomosino.” He glared over at Lorenzo. “I tire of the bullshit. My son needs to keep with tradition. Traditions from Sicily. It means that you are to make no alliances with Giuseppe in or outside of the triangle without my explicit approval. No matter how tempting the offercapisci?”

Lorenzo nodded.

Don Calderone took a drag of his cigar. He dropped the blunt into the ashtray. “My words are not an accusation. I spoke with Giovanni and we both agree that what happened at your place was just, shall we sayfortuna difettosa, bad luck. I want Giovanni to know that the Calderone’s won’t be bringing any more of that luck your way.” The Don reclined and puffed a ring of smoke up into the air.

The Don smiled. His nephew continued to glare at Lorenzo. Giovanni observed it all in silence. “I will go see if we can track down Giuseppe.” Angelo nodded to the men and walked out. Lorenzo remained disinterested in the open animosity.

“Now that the unpleasantness is over, Giovanni, shall we get down to business?”

Giovanni gave a look to his men and they left the room behind Calderone’s men. He nodded that they could proceed.

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