Free BELLA MAFIA by Lynda La Plante Page B

but the extra guards brought in by the don could not be vouched for. Emanuel had already emphasized the dangers of discussing the situation with anyone but the don. He would speak to Luciano personally, and together, they would come to some decision about the protection of him and his family.
    Three times he called the villa and spoke to Graziella, who at first refused to tell him the name of the restaurant the men had gone to, even though she knew who he was. He kept his voice as calm as he could, while he told her that it was a matter of grave urgency that he contact the don personally.
    When he finally obtained the number of the San Lorenzo restaurant, the line was constantly busy. Frustrated, he decided that the safest, to his mind the only, choice left to him was to go speak to Luciano in person. By this time it was ten-fifteen.The don had chosen his favorite restaurant for two reasons. He was, in fact, the owner and knew the staff; he also knew that the private upstairs room was easy to guard. Tf main part of the restaurant was closed for the night, and tf doors would be locked after their arrival.
    Don Luciano had ordered that only a skeleton staff be o duty. The bodyguards would eat downstairs, and the drivei were to return for them at twelve-fifteen. They were not 1 wait outside because the cars were well known.
    The men did not enter the private dining room until tf bodyguards had searched it carefully. They sat down to dine ; nine o'clock.
    Emanuel had a long drive ahead of him, but after only te miles one of his back tires blew out. The car careened out < control, and Emanuel fought it onto the hard shoulder. H hands shook, and he had to sit and calm himself. He was coi vinced someone had taken a shot at him.
    His heart beating fast, he eased the door open. His mout was dry, his breathing heavy. Then he sighed with relief, was just a tire.
    Graziella carried the tray into the living room and said sh would go up to see the children, but Sophia told her it was n< necessary. If they were still awake, the women would certainl have heard them.
    Graziella sat down and sipped her coffee, but she coul not join in the banter about who was wearing what for th wedding. She went over and over her conversation with Emai uel. Why was it so urgent? Then she pushed it from her mine She was tired; it had been a full day, and tomorrow would b even busier. The caterers were due at seven in the morning She wanted to be there to greet them and oversee all that ha to be done.
    The clock on the landing chimed again and Graziella checke her watch, then collected the coffee cups and stacked them o the tray. Sophia told her to sit down and relax, offering to cle: up, but Graziella insisted.It was past eleven. Adina took the tray from her mistre: and told her that the don's driver had left, so the men woul be returning shortly. She offered to put a fresh pot of coffee o the stove, but Graziella shook her head. She doubted if the would want to stay up late. She told Adina to go to bed after she had tidied the kitchen, then gave a little smile and put her finger to her lips. She was just going to peek in on the children.
    At fifteen minutes past eleven a truck driver stopped to help Emanuel. They eased the ruined tire off the car and examined the spare by flashlight. It looked very flat.
    Quietly Graziella opened the door of the children's bedroom. The boys lay facing each other, Nunzio's arm resting protectively across his brother. They looked so tiny in the big double bed, so peaceful and innocent that she couldn't help smiling.
    She was about to close the door again when she heard a sound as if a slate were falling from the roof. She crept to the window and found that the shutter was open wider than she had left it. She glanced across the lawn toward the main gate.
    In the darkness she could see the tips of the guards' cigarettes like small, glowing dots. They were waiting for the don's return. As she closed the shutter, the latch banged,