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“And still goes on to this day,” my mother says as she brushes a lock of dark hair back into place. “And no one got the girl either.”
“What happened?” Isabella asks, curiosity overtaking her. “Did she marry some other man and break both their hearts?”
“Wouldn’t that have been a happy ending for her?” my mother asks and shakes her head. “But no, that’s not what happened. The men got into a fight, she got in the middle of it, and she was shot. Both men had drawn their guns, and both fired a shot. No one knows whose bullet actually took her life. She died right there in the streets of Palermo as the men who loved her wept openly and held her as she passed on.”
“They blamed each other for her death, and the rivalry continued,” I add. “It grew and even traveled across the seas when the families brought their budding organizations to New York. Giuseppe Barone and Francesco Vietti were the first of several Mafia kings to come to this part of the world.”
“I can’t believe the history our families share,” Isabella says. “It’s astounding. So Guiseppe Barone is my grandfather?”
I laugh at the tone she’s used to describe the barbarian. “Don’t say that with any pride, baby. He was a very bad man. And he planted his evil seed in your poor grandmother who bore your father. We all know what kind of evil monster that man is.”
I can tell that the idea of coming from monsters hangs heavy in her soul.
My mother clears her throat to get Isabella’s attention. “Hey, don’t let it get to you. It’s not like Carlo comes from saints. His father and grandfather weren’t exactly angels.”
I don’t like where the conversation is going and change the subject. “Anyway, I think you should think about your day. One thing I will tell you is that there should be no spontaneity. Plan it all out, and stay on the path you lay out for yourselves. That way, I can have a set of my guys a step or two ahead of you at all times to make sure the way is clear for you.”
Shivering, Isabella hugs herself. My mother frowns at her for a moment but then smiles and says, “By this time next year, we’re sure to have a baby to share the holiday with. Won’t that be nice?”
I expect to see a happy smile on my wife’s face but see tension instead. She says, “Carlo, about that. I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Is there a chance that this thing with Barone will be settled anytime soon?”
My laughter fills the room as I shake my head. “Didn’t you hear the story? The Barones and the Viettis have been at each other’s throats for three generations. Even if Daniel Barone is taken out, there are plenty more family members who will carry out his vendetta against us.”
Nodding, she goes on to say, “We’ll never really be safe then.”
“You’re safe with me, Isabella. I don’t want you to talk like that or even think that way. Yes, there will always be a level of danger—it comes with the business we’re in. It might help to know that my grandfather died peacefully in his sleep of old age. And my father died from cancer because he smoked cigarettes.”
“And John died when his head was removed from his body by my father. People do die, Carlo. Maybe not the big guys like you, your father, and grandfather, but people die. It only cements the idea in my head that bringing a child into this is not only dangerous but criminal.”
“Yes, people die.” Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pull her close and kiss the top of her head. “But they also die in the streets, hit by a bus. They die in wars all over the world. They die in their beds, safe at home. You can’t let death get in the way of living your life. We all die sometime.”
“I know that’s true. But we know for a fact that the way we live is dangerous. I can’t shake the idea that having a baby would be irresponsible. Bringing a child into this would not be a good thing for us to do.”
“I don’t know why you would say a thing like that,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “You know how I feel about negativity, but here you are, talking about something that you know I want only positive things said about. Our children are never to be spoken about in anything but a positive manner. You know this.”
“But you have to agree that this just isn’t a safe time for us. At least it’s not for me. You have to understand that I’m not really safe right now. What if my father gets me somehow?”
“That’s it.” I can’t let her say any more and clap twice to get a couple of my men to come get her. “Take her shopping. Show her that she’s perfectly safe.”
“Carlo,” she says quietly, “are you sure about this?”
“I am, and I’ve given the order. Get out for a while with my mother. The two of you will have fun. You’ll see. No more worrying. Promise me.”
Her eyes tell me she’s nervous, but her nod tells me she will do as I say. “I promise not to worry, Carlo.”
I can’t understand where I went wrong with her. We’ve been getting along so well this entire month. She knows we’re going to have children. As many as God grants us. To bring this nonsense up is unreasonable.
For all we know, she might be pregnant right now. And what would she want to do with the baby if she were pregnant? Get rid of it?
Perhaps it’s her that I should be worried about and not her father. Can I trust my wife to take care of herself when she does become pregnant, or will I need to hire nurses to care for her around the clock?
After this disturbing conversation, I need to relax. A nice shave and fresh haircut will do me good. Maybe a chat with the boys at the barber shop will help me understand women and the way they think.
Did she really think I would agree to not having children?
Chapter 14
Isabella
