BELLA MAFIA

Free BELLA MAFIA by Lynda La Plante

Book: BELLA MAFIA by Lynda La Plante Read Free Book Online
Authors: Lynda La Plante
a ride with me, ride with me! Look, it's my very own bicycle!"
    "You want a ride on my bike, Papa?"
    Filippo didn't dream that his father would agree but asked as if it were a dare, not really caring one way or the other. When the don did agree, he became protective, suggesting that perhaps his father should just watch. But nothing would dissuade the don. Lifting his leg, he positioned himself awkwardly on the pillion. "You think I'm too old? I ever tell you about the time Michael and I rode into town on his Lambretta?"
    He saw the way Filippo's face changed as he turned away and snapped, "I am not Michael, Papa, and this is a motorbike. You want a ride or not?"
    Gently the don put his arms around his son's waist. "You take care for me, now. ..."
    Around and around the garden went the old Harley. Theirpapa, his hair standing on end, clung to Filippo, yelling \ sheer enjoyment, waving as they passed the veranda for third time. "This is wonderful! It's wonderful!"
    At four-thirty in the afternoon the women returned fi the town to find Constantino sitting on the veranda while lippo played tennis on the lawn with the two little boys i their grandfather. Graziella noticed that one of her beribboi floral arrangements looked very bedraggled, with telltale lo soil around the base, but she said nothing.
    Nunzio saw his grandmother and ran to the veranda ste "Grandpa's been on the motorbike, Grandmama—and fell off!"
    Graziella gasped, and Constantino laughed. "F fine, Mama. ..."
    Don Roberto called the boy back and demonstrated a s vice, scattering balls all over the lawn. It was all so relaxed tl one of the guards had been cajoled into acting as ball boy. 1 don tapped Filippo on the head with his racket and called Graziella, "You know, this boy is a brilliant mechanic. He paired that old motorbike!"
    Filippo twisted his racket, tossed it in the air, then cau£ it by the handle. He saw the name on the side, "Michael L ciano," just as his father put an arm around his shoulder.
    "You don't tell Mama about racing those bikes, that a dei But the next race you get me a seat, okay?" He looked clost into his son's face and pinched his cheek. "Is it a deal?"
    They shook hands. Then Don Roberto pulled his son in his arms. "I love you. . . . Maybe I've been too hard on yo but we'll work it out. You are my son."
    Filippo could not remember ever feeling happier.
    It was almost six o'clock. The men were dressing to go o to dinner. The women, who were staying home, sat togeth sorting out the wedding gifts. They had decided to display the on the dining-room table.
    Sophia had fussed over the wedding dress, nervous th Rosa would not like it. It was ready to be tried on but was st; shrouded in white sheets.
    Bathroom doors banged; their husbands called to each otheThe more the brothers were together, the noisier and more boisterous they became, behaving like young boys, reverting to shouting nicknames and joking.
    Graziella smiled at her immaculately dressed husband as she carefully tied his bow tie. "You'll tell them tonight?"
    "Yes, tonight."
    She held him in her arms. "I feel it, the house opening. . . . Having everyone here has done it, even using Michael's room. We should have filled the house before this. . . . It's over, I know it. It is over, isn't it?"
    He kissed the top of her head, which smelled of the sweet violet perfume he always bought her. "I feel it, too, Mama."
    She patted the lapel of his dinner jacket into place, even though it sat perfectly. "You have been wonderful with the boys, especially Filippo. He loves you so. They all do, and maybe what you've decided has made you feel free to show your love."
    "It is time Michael rested in peace. Maybe they won't love me too much once they know of my decision." There was a hardness to his face.
    Her throat felt dry, and she blinked back her tears. "They were his brothers. They'll understand. And they will stand by your decision, as I do."
    "They have no option." Gently he cupped her chin

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