Chocolate and Italian Wine (Music and Mayhem Book 1) (30 page)

The Bianchis were immediately incensed, all talking at once with Paolo and his parents taking great interest in their animated response.

“No pretend pregnancy will embarrass me into marrying you, Maria Elena,” he interrupted, as they looked at him in outrage. “I’ve already told you all that this marriage would never take place. It still won’t. Going to the media, taking your case to the public, won’t change my mind. So now you’ve had your five minutes of fame. Be happy. That’s more than most people get.”

                 “Listen who’s talking! A man with a fan club! Parading around his whore in public!” she shouted.

              “You come unhinged so easily. It’s so easy for someone like you to throw around the nasty insults, isn’t it? Sei triste e patetico.” You’re sad and pathetic, Paolo said looking at her with disgust.

              “How dare you!” she screeched, her body shaking and her hands all clenched up, tight enough to whiten her knuckles.

Vittore, who had been stuffing himself liberally and noisily with the bread and olive oil placed on the table, was so shocked and angry that he couldn’t talk or say anything to defend his daughter. He was coughing violently and he didn’t seem to be able to get it under control. Carlotta, however, had control. “Maria Elena, a lady conducts herself as such at all times,” her mother reminded her quietly, pretending to be well mannered.

“Mama, the time for restraint is over! Do you hear him? He has no intention of marrying me, media attention or not! Why are we even here? He won’t change his mind!”

               “No, Maria Elena. I am sorry that things have not worked out as you had hoped. But embarrassing him in front of the world was not the way to go about things. If you thought that it would work, I hope you now see how wrong you were,” Cristina said.

              “But we…” Maria Elena began. Carlotta quickly put her hand on her daughter’s arm and squeezed it. It immediately shut her up, but it didn’t go unnoticed by the Montovanis.

              Raffaelo and Vittore were glaring at each other. “Then that is it. Vittore, my family has given you monetary compensation for the embarrassment that this has caused you. We’ve discussed this. But you’ve waged a war against us in the media, my friend. This disappoints me. We were better than that. This was not the way to handle this. It was between our two families, but you have brought the world into it. I am sorry,” he said, rising with his hand on the small of Cristina’s back.

She looked at the Bianchis and said, “I am very sorry that we could not come to an under—”

She was cut off by Carlotta. “Oh, you Montovanis pretend to be civil and reasonable, but it is a lie. You invite us to dinner for what? To call my daughter a liar to her face? We spent thousands on a wedding we had to cancel! Are you sorry for that? Her heart is BROKEN! No, it’s we Bianchis who are disappointed in you! It’s we Bianchi’s who will take the high road now. Maria Elena, you need to accept Paolo Montovani’s decision to back out of this counterfeit engagement. You will find a much more suitable husband in the future,” she said with fire in her eyes.

“But what of the child?” Raffaelo asked with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

“That question will be answered in seven short months,” Carlotta hissed through thin, pursed lips.

“Donna Bianchi,” Paolo began, “everyone at this table knows there is no child. I haven’t touched your daughter in nearly a year. If she could count, perhaps she would see that if she were pregnant, it is not with my child.”

               “Do not speak of me as though I’m not here and insult me! I will have a child! Your child, and we both know it, Paolo!” Maria Elena charged.

“I’ve had enough,” Paolo said, nodding toward the door and taking his mother’s elbow. “Let’s take our leave.” His eyes were cold as ice as they bore into Maria Elena, who recoiled at his chilling gaze.

              “Raffaelo!” Vittore barked in his gravelly voice. Raffaelo’s dark eyes flashed at his one time friend who stood leveling a sausage like finger, almost jabbing at Raffaelo’s chest. “You have hurt my daughter. You have angered my wife, and made an enemy of me. We came here under false pretences. You fooled me.”

“Your daughter has fooled you if you believe that she’s expecting a Montovani heir. But somehow, Vittore, I suspect you know the truth. That crazy little act your daughter put on for the public was orchestrated by you; I have no doubt of that. She was very convincing. Just not enough to convince a Montovani. Now, we end this today, as prolonging it will only lead to our mutual assured destruction.” Raffaelo picked up his glass from the table and raised it to Vittore. “Salute,” he said, looking the other Don in the eye.

Maria Elena looked on, angry tears of defeat burning her eyes and blurring her vision.

The Montovanis walked away, followed by their enforcers. Paolo buttoned his jacket as he passed a table where two spirited couples seemed to be enjoying themselves. He nodded at them and the four stood up, moving toward the Bianchis. 

                                        ***

The crowd was silent, riveted by Karisma’s lush vocals, entranced by her onstage presence and beauty.  She simply stood and sang, nothing more, vulnerable and beautiful.

“…Ora pro nobis peccatoribus

Ora pro nobis

Ora pro nobis peccatoribus…”

Her eyes began to water slightly, as they always did when she sang such a beautiful song. Consumed by the powerful feelings of wholeness she had, she closed her eyes and felt every lyric she sang coursing through her body. She was in tune with every strum of the guitar to her right. She owned the crowd, as usual, but there was a distinct feeling of oneness that was palpable in the large stadium. 

                                          ***

A smallish man, one of the Montovani enforcers dressed as a woman, walked up to the table, throwing a clear plastic bag over the Don’s head and placed the gun to his temple, shooting Vittore in the head before he could register what was happening. The Don slumped over onto his horrified wife as his brains drained crimson onto her lap.

                   By now, Cristina and Don Raffaelo had made their way to an awaiting car and pulled out quickly, as the driver left the scene with the Don and Donna securely and safely in the back seat of the dark sedan. Paolo had remained behind, standing near the door as the fake diners, his enforcers, ambushed the four Bianchi henchmen who had stayed in the restaurant to protect their boss and his family. Every diner in the restaurant that night had been a Montovani assassin. 

                    Daniel appeared from the kitchen like a malevolent phantom, moving fleetingly toward the hysterically screaming Maria Elena, pulling her by the arm, lifting her from her seat. Carlotta was in shock, splattered in blood and cradling Vittore’s head as she yanked away the bag that caught and held her beloved’s last breath. Desperately and nonsensically, she tried to plug up the hole with her finger. Her clothes stained with the blood of her dead husband, she was wrenched away from the table by Ghost Boy, who injected her neck with something that burned. Her shock quickly turned into loud wails, uncontrollable and truly heartbroken.

As she began to lose the ability to speak, a piece of fabric was stuffed into her mouth and tape wrapped around it. She was rendered helpless and promptly dragged from the eatery, eyes frantically searching for her beloved daughter. She saw Maria Elena, who was also gagged and covered in the blood of her father, being forced into submission by Daniel, who held her arms together behind her back, wrapping them with duct tape.

From Daniels pocket, he, too, pulled out a syringe and stabbed Maria Elena’s jugular vein, pressing down on the plunger to release its contents into the young woman’s body. In an instant, she fell down and Daniel picked her up, carrying her past Paolo.

Outside, the women were thrown into a trunk, and the lid closed on them. The driver sped off quickly with his human cargo. Lying dead in a black sedan on the curb were four Bianchi enforcers, killed before the restaurant massacre commenced.

Paolo’s phone rang and he pressed the talk button. “We got him,” Davit said, from the other end.

“Prego,” Paolo replied, and killed the call. He turned to his men and nodded, “Let’s get out of here.” Four Bianchi’s gone in a matter of minutes, Vittore, Carlotta, Maria Elena, and their son, Vittore, Jr. Problem solved.

                                           ***

“…Nunc et in hora mortis

                        Et in hora mortis nostrae

                        Et in hora mortis nostrae

                       Et in hora mortis nostrae

                         Ave Marie ee eeyah!”

Completing the soulful serenade and ending the song in her flawless upper register, Karisma looked on as 75,000 concertgoers erupted in frenzied applause. Satisfied with her heartfelt performance and grateful the audience appreciated it, a sated Karisma Montgomery took a well-deserved bow.

26

A visibly upset and grief stricken Carlotta Bianchi stood on the walkway of the Saint Dymphna Istittuzione Mentale. Behind her were the Montovani family enforcers and lawyers, standing as erect as a mighty fortress, protecting her, but mostly warning her of what would happen if she didn’t say what was expected of her.

As the cameras snapped and the bulbs flashed, she looked out at the sea of expectant faces. She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it quickly, her lips quivering from the pressure of holding back the tears she’d continued to cry since last night.

Finally, she began. “My family was attacked last night. My beloved husband, Vittore, and our only son, Vittore Junior, were killed and my daughter and I were kidnapped and taken to an abandoned warehouse.” She paused and breathed in before continuing, not taking her eyes off the top of the podium as she spoke. “It was there that even more atrocities occurred. Both my daughter and I were injected with some horrible drug. As a result, she has suffered awful hallucinations.” She paused, looking down fearing she might begin crying again. After a few long seconds, she continued. “I couldn’t hold or comfort her. I couldn’t move. My beautiful daughter didn’t know what was happening and every time she looked down and saw her father’s blood on her hands, she would scream.”

Again, there was a pause as Carlotta unraveled the tragedy of her family to the press.

She had begged for the lives of her children, Vittore Jr. and Maria Elena only to find out that Vittore Jr., too, had been taken from her, killed when his car volleyed over a cliff and exploded upon ground impact. And now, her daughter’s mind was gone. It had been stolen when she was injected with the potent mind-altering drug.

Reporters started to ask questions, but Carlotta could only repeat what she’d already said. There was nothing else that she could say. She was broken and defeated. “
Has Maria Elena ever
used drugs in the past
?”
she was asked.

She paused. “My daughter had been using drugs for the past several years. The attack on our family has put her in a place where she can no longer function as a productive and sane member of society. After the deaths of her father and brother last night, it was too much. She is lost to me. Her recent accusation about being pregnant is just one of the many things that have led to this moment. I apologize to the Montovani family and to the lovely and talented Karisma Montgomery, who was made victim of my daughter’s false allegations. I ask that they will accept my apology on behalf of my poor sick child.” She began to cry. “I am sorry. This is all so very hard. Please respect our privacy during this very difficult time.” She broke down again.

“
Can you identify your attackers
?” someone called out.

Carlotta wanted to scream that it was the Montovanis, but was terrified of the consequences of doing so.

“No, I don’t know who…” she didn’t finish, as her voice trailed off. Two of her sisters came up behind her, each taking an arm and guided her away from the podium. One of the Montovani attorneys took over and fielded questions in the role of Bianchi family representative. But it was only for show. The Montovanis had assassinated the men of her family in the restaurant owned by a mayor who was also owned by the mighty family.

Once she was away from prying eyes, Carlotta collapsed in the back seat of the limo, unable to stand up under her own power. She could not even speak, but she could think. And she was angry, very angry with the Montovanis. They killed her family and turned her daughter’s brain to mush. Giving her that scripted lie to tell and sully her daughter’s good name. What was she to do now? They had taken possession of her family’s finances and were now banishing her to a remote town in the heart of Camorra territory. Though the Montovanis had formed an alliance with certain factions of the Camorra, her family never had. Now she would be under the watchful eyes of some of the most vicious clans of the Neapolitan Mafia. She sighed. Life as she knew it was over. Had it been so wrong for her to do what she needed for her daughter to get what was promised to her and the love she deserved? She didn’t think so, but now she was being punished and it had all been stripped away.

                                          ***

Maria Elena Bianchi lay in the bed of the mental institution with legs wide open panting and pushing. “It’s coming, bear down a little more Maria Elena, the baby’s coming!” She pushed and lay back, her wet brow mopped as she perspired profusely. Soon she heard the crying of her baby, a son. He was so beautiful. The doctor handed him to her. She kissed his cherubic cheek. Coming around to stand at her side, Paolo kissed her and their child. “You did it, Maria Elena. He’s beautiful,” he said, adoration showing all over his face.

“Look at his eyes. He’s the spitting image of you,” she gushed in awe of her tiny miracle.

“We will be happy forever, tesoro,” Paolo said.

“Si, forever, my love.” They kissed.

Outside of her room, a middle-aged nurse stood silently watching Maria Elena through the small window and shook her head. Another younger nurse walked up to her holding a baby wrapped in a blanket, and handed it to the older woman. The nurse walked into Maria Elena’s room.

“Here’s your baby, honey. He needs to be fed,” the nurse said, offering the tiny bundle to Maria Elena and smiling at her. 

Maria Elena accepted the baby and pulled her breast out to feed her son. The nurse chuckled and walked away. “Okay, I’ll leave you to it,” she said on the way out the door.

The other nurse peered through the window shaking her head at her friend and co-worker when she exited the room. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” she chastised her.

“Please, that spoiled little Mafia princess is away with the fairies. First she lays there like she’s giving birth, and now the crazy woman is breastfeeding a doll. I should be ashamed? That’s hilarious,” she said as they walked away from the window, leaving Maria Elena alone to nurse her plastic child.

***

1 week later

Paolo waited for Karisma to emerge from the limousine, dressed to the nines, the flash of cameras coming from all angles blinding him as her car pulled up to the Monacan hotel and casino. As he helped her from the vehicle, Paolo winked at her as the smooth brown of her leg revealed itself when her high-heeled Christian Louboutins touched the curb. Looking every bit the pampered Hollywood star, Kari wore a black strapless gown that hugged her curves tightly, making Paolo and every other man in attendance salivate. Hair straight and side parted, it tumbled a few inches beyond her shoulders. A dazzling diamond encrusted necklace, a gift from Paolo, winked back at the cameras as it lay regally around her elegant neck. Paolo, in his black silk Armani tux with black bowtie and white shirt, looked as handsome as always, sporting a new haircut, a low cut with several lines cut close to the ear.

“I’ve missed you, Miss Montgomery,” Paolo said, “sexy as ever, I see.”

“Just a reminder of what you’re missing when we’re apart,” Kari replied, winking playfully at him. He kissed her sweetly, as the frenzied camera flashes popped off in rapid succession.

They hadn’t been together in a week. Having to withdraw behind the gates of the Montovani estate after the Bianchi executions, he’d purposely stayed away from her for her protection. He’d blamed his absence on FutureShock business in the states. Karisma had been blissfully ignorant of the crisis, too engrossed in the tour to complain. But when he had sent her extra protection, she noticed that immediately and left him quite the animated voice message. The woman had been absolutely serious, but the way she ranted about “the goon squad” had actually been endearing to Paolo.

Lights continued to spark in the nighttime sky as the two hurried inside, guarded tightly by Wolfe, Jamil and his men. Paolo held Kari protectively under his arm, throwing warning glares in the direction of anyone getting too close. The commotion inside wasn’t much better, but once they made their way into the extravagantly decorated lobby, they were able to relax a bit. They were ushered to the private dining area reserved for the rich and famous, a spot where they could indulge without the prying eyes of the public.

Safely inside the lavishly trimmed room, they greeted their families, all of whom awaited their arrival. Their mothers greeted them first, followed by their siblings. Raffaelo and Vaughn seemed to have met, and had their heads together. Kari immediately eyed her father, as it looked like he was in some sort of debate and it made her suspicious. Neither father had been pleased to find out that Paolo had proposed. Still, when they caught their attention, both fathers smiled and got up, walking toward Kari while Paolo went off in a different direction.

Kari kissed her father’s cheek first and then Raffaelo’s. Then she got right to the point. “What deep discussion has you two back here in the corner?” she asked, smiling radiantly but using quite a serious tone.

Vaughn held her by the waist as he smiled at her again. “Just two fathers getting to know one another, sweetheart,” he said.

“You are looking as beautiful as ever, Karisma. Welcome to the family, my dear,” he said and she came to stand in his embrace. “You are the first daughter in a long line of sons. A kitten among lions,” he said.

Vaughn smirked. “And she’ll have them all eating out of the palm of her hands.”

“She’s already tamed the wildest one,” Raffaelo chuckled. Kari and Vaughn laughed.

Paolo walked up and extended one hand to Vaughn while wrapping the other around Kari’s slender waist. “I see you have met my father, Vaughn,” he said.

“I sure have. You’re just like him,” Vaughn said, pointing at Paolo.

“That’s good, right, Daddy?” Kari asked suspiciously.

“It’s all good, baby girl,” he said.

“Good, now if you’ll excuse us, I’m eager to introduce Paolo to Karl—finally!” Kari gushed.

“Yeah, the future Heisman winner,” he said excitedly.

“From your mouth to God’s ears,” she said.

“He’s a Trojan. He’s the best. He’ll win. End of conversation,” he said.

“Oh, he’s gonna
love
you,” Kari said, leading him away.

Just then the door swung open, and in walked Karla Montgomery, standing in the doorway, eyes darting around to see who might notice her. She’d made sure that she’d demand people’s attention. She shimmied into the room, taking small quick steps in her black halter form fitted gown. She immediately looked at Paolo and purred. Her mother came to greet her, bringing her to meet the Montovanis. Karla smiled at everyone, especially the men, as she continued to steal short glances at her sister’s gorgeous fiancé. He was every bit as beautiful as she’d remembered.

Kari and Paolo stood talking with Karla’s twin Karl, as well as Paolo’s four brothers. Kari glanced over at Karla, feeling irritated by her dramatic entrance, likely designed in an attempt to upstage her. Too bad that Karla never could; to outshine Karisma would have been a major feat.

Eventually the staff indicated that it was time to be seated and that’s when two large families united around one large table to celebrate the engagement of Paolo and Karisma. They dined on filet mignon with mushrooms, and thyme roasted asparagus and baked potatoes. They gorged themselves on a fine Guiseppe Quintarelli wine. For dessert, their palates were treated to a decadent rum rich Bananas Foster. The conversation was lighthearted and fun, everyone getting to know everyone else, and a few silly jokes about Karisma and Paolo as children were thrown in by the siblings, delighting in the audience and to show the other side of their very public siblings. Liane and Vaughn were excited to be in Monaco, never having travelled there before.

After dinner, the group was ushered to a private gambling room where just a few specially invited guests were allowed to join them. At the roulette table, Kari and Karla spun the wheel with the wives of the casino owner and CEO. “You definitely hit the jackpot, girl. He is fine!” Karla exclaimed. “Dayum, Kari, even the priest is stupid hot. Don’t see any women with the other three babes, are they single?” she asked.

“Would it matter?” Kari asked her, raising an eyebrow and smirking.

“Haa! Listen who’s talkin’, Miss Thang,” Karla said, lowering her voice.

“Karla, don’t mess with Paolo’s brothers, okay? It’s not a request, I mean it.”

The two sisters stared at one another for a minute, then Karla said, “Why do you feel the need to say things like that to me? I’m not trying to mess with them. I’m not into white boys, anyway. I’m not you.”

“You’re definitely right about that. You are not me. But I know you, Karla, and you know I know you. So don’t play me like I’m stupid. How about that shit in the tabloids right now? The ‘source’ that says I stole Ray from you? Should I guess where that came from?”

“I wouldn’t know. You have so many scandals going on at one time,” Karla said, sipping on a Daiquiri.

“Um hmm.” Kari nodded and narrowed her eyes on her.

“Twenty three black!” The dealer exclaimed. A few disappointed groans escaped some women’s lips, but Kari broke out into a wide smile. She’d won!

“See, even lady luck smiles on you Kari,” Karla said snidely.

“Beginners luck, Karla Ann,” Kari said.