Bella Mafia

Chapter 7

Hearing nona on the phone roused me from my sleep.  Damn, I had slept well.  First time in a very long time and I owed it all to that fantastic work out from last night.

Yawning and stretching, I swung my legs around until my feet hit the carpeted floor.  Still feeling lazy, I drug myself into the bathroom so I could wash my face and brush my teeth.

Still wearing my tank shirt and boxers, I padded into the rest of the suite to find nona and James, of all people, sitting at the dining room table.

I knew that James didn't miss the look I was giving him because he scowled at me.  And at this point, I was feeling very immature and when nona wasn't looking I stuck my tongue out at him and then turned to pour myself some coffee.

Walking over to the table, I leaned down and kissed my grandmother on both cheeks and then sat down.  "James" I said curtly, acknowledging despite the fact I wanted to slug him with something.

"Bella, I have a favor to ask" nona said, addressing me.  She had my full attention now.  "And what is the favor?" I asked as I sipped my coffee.  "I have a meeting to take while I'm here and the gentleman that I am taking the meeting with has asked for your company at his club this evening."

I almost choked on my coffee, certainly not expecting that to be the favor.  "Uh, nona, do I really have to do this?" I asked whining.  She nodded, pursing her lips at the same time and that was her way of letting me know that it was not open for discussion any longer.

"Merda" I muttered.  "Calliope!" she said shocked at my language.  "Scusa (sorry) nona" I said with a tad bit of rebellion in my voice.  Hell, this was the last thing I wanted, to be some man's guest.

"What time?  Where do I meet him?  And what is his name?" I said firing questions at her.  "Basta (enough)" she groaned, tapping her finger on the arm rest of her chair.

"Seven sharp.  He will have someone meet you in the lobby to escort you and his name is Vincenzo Siranni and he owns the Bellagio" she said finally answering my questions.

Well f*uck me!  Knowing my luck, he's probably some short, bald headed man, who has a fat wife waiting for him at home while he's out sticking it to his show girls.

At least I knew what I was wearing.  I had a brand new cocktail dress that I'd been dying to wear.  It was red, long sleeves and came to about the middle of my thighs and the back was completely open, negating the need for a bra or panties.

I had some killer red heels that would be perfect for the dress and they would easily put me over the six foot mark.  Laughing to myself, I could just imagine this Siranni character having to look up at me as I towered over him.

The thought just about killed me, as I continued to die laughing on the inside.  I didn't dare do it where nona could see or hear because then I would get a lecture about how to behave and not making fun of people.

God I loved her but sometimes she made me feel like I was a child again, in need of scolding.  I admit, sometimes I did act that way but it was mostly from frustration.  Most of the time I conducted myself in a way that I could feel proud of.

As I was getting ready to ask her another question, there was a knock on our suite door.  Nona followed me in her chair as I went to answer it.

Throwing open the door, I was met by another giant of a man and just as good looking as the other two I'd seen since we'd been here.

"Good morning" the man said.  "I'm Domenico Cantu and I'm here on behalf of Mr. Siranni to collect Ms. Accardi."  Hmm, he was gorgeous, I had to admit that.  

Same black hair, only he wore his long and in a ponytail.  His facial features were kind as were his coffee bean colored eyes.  The suit he wore fit his ridiculous body to a T.  Even underneath all the fabric, I could see he was built, just like the other men.

"Good morning" I said, sticking out my hand.  "I'm Calliope Mancini.  Abrielle's granddaughter.  What time should I expect my nona back?" I asked politely.

"Pleasure is all mine" the giant said as he brought my hand up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on the top of my knuckles.  I could feel my face flush and burn all at the same time.

"I will have her back here in the course of one hour" was his answer.  So polite, he was, and very gentlemanly.  I nodded as I bent down to kiss nona on both cheeks.

"See you in an hour, nona" I called to her.  "Ti amo" I threw out there as she lifted her hand, acknowledging my sentiments.

Closing the door to our suite, I had completely forgotten that James was still there.  Great, I thought.  Now I have to deal with this stronzo (asshole).  

I walked back to the kitchen to take care of the dishes and had every intention of returning to my room, to veg.  James wasn't having it though.

"We need to talk" he said.  I scoffed.  "Talk about what James?" I asked, trying to act bored with him.  "You don't have to act so bitchy" he said angrily.

That did it!  I stood in front of him, my legs spread and hands on my hips.  "I don't have to act bitchy, you say?  Really?!  Did you just really say that?  Jesus f*ucking God, James!" I shouted.

I was so done and over with him but I couldn't seem to make him get it through his head that we were over.  O.V.E.R.

"I love you Calli" he started.  "I never stopped.  I was a complete stronzo when I stepped out on you that night and I've carried that with me ever since.  I need you to forgive me, Calli.  I hurt knowing the pain I caused you.  Please."

Dannazione! (Damn)  I never could resist his eyes.  I knew what he was saying was true but I also knew that we would never be anything other than what we were right now and that is employer and employee.

I sighed, looking over at him.  "James, I do forgive you but this" I said moving my hand between him and I.  "This will never be again.  I've told you this already and I need you to quit pushing me for something that will never happen.

If it's too hard for you to grasp this, I will ask nona to send you back home and get someone else to take your place.  I'm sorry.  Truly.  I know you want something to happen between us, but it's never going to be.  Get over me and move on.  Find someone else."

Feeling horrible at leaving him standing there like that, I marched to my room, slammed the door and locked it.  I sure as hell didn't need him following me in there and I sure as hell didn't need a confrontation because then I would have to explain it to nona and that would not be good.