Avarice Read Online Free PDF Page B

lover.”
    The women had begun to settle down under Maria’s direction. Maria gestured Ari and Shanda to remain in their seats and stood watchful with her arms folded, daring either of them to get up again. This wasn’t lost on Selange who smiled her appreciation. Maria seemed a natural at this stuff; bringing her along was the best decision she made.
    Selange reclaimed her seat and addressed Gabriela who had identical eyes of her brothers, except softer. Beneath the femininity she discovered a very lethal family trait. “What is it that you think I can do?”
    “My appeal is for the talent less whore to disappear, por favore.”
    Selange’s eyes widened in surprise. “What?”
    Sophie interjected. “I will place a call to the Director on your behalf Gabriela. There is no need for Selange to get involved.”
    Selange’s eyebrow rose. Sophie did not fool her at all. The woman would send someone to fulfill Gabriela’s request. This was not acceptable and she cautioned Gabriela. “We cannot incorporate intimidation to serve individual agendas. Our family must utilize resources wisely. A role you are meant to have will come along and it will be such a shame for you to miss out on an opportunity because you are bound by a contract.”
    Maria grinned when Sophie’s lips formed a thin line. Gabriela frowned prettily as she considered Selange’s words. “There is a major production company holding auditions to cast someone for the part of the late Tia Bagossi.”
    “Audition and keep me informed,” Selange advised. She leaned forward, folded her hands and addressed the group. “Ladies from now on we’re adapting a family code of conduct. First and foremost we cannot fight among ourselves, threaten or harm each other verbally or physically. This behavior is uncivil and we are better than that. Protection of our children should be our common ground. Providing a peaceful home for our Giacanti men who must deal with much more than we will ever know should be our priorities. These squabbles and silly affairs can distract from mutual goals. When that occurs, family and the innocent children are placed in danger. We are each compartments on a locomotive, and one corroded part that links to another can derail an entire train, do you understand?”
    Maria nodded. Sí, exercise your influence and class my daughter, she thought proudly. A leader like Selange is what the women needed. The stereotypical mob traditions of violence a mong family and women wilding like heathens which Sophie inspired must cease!
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
     
    Weather patterns in winter change rapidly in Sicily. There are winters where people are seen wearing short sleeves one day and heavy outerwear the next. Coats, sweaters and long underwear were worn because the frost season entered with a bite. The temperature had fallen another ten degrees and anyone with good sense was asleep in warm beds. Ari cranked up the heat as she watched the small monitor. The light was moving and then stopped. It’s great to have a techie son is what she thought while eyeing the blip on squiggly lines. She hadn’t told Darren much except she needed to get information on tracking systems for a project she was working on. He’d recommended several and the one she settled on had cost two pairs of shoes and a high end purse.
    She rolled out of the driveway listening to the strange voice leading her down roads without markers which Sicily is famous for. Tourists often found themselves in towns far away from their destination. The Transportation Department failed to take the public’s concern over the issue seriously, therefore the problem persisted.
    Music played low but the sadness of a woman’s soulful voice struck a chord. Ari gripped the steering wheel tighter, she’d smiled when Alfonzo visited, and she played the hostess for mafia men but she was far from a fool. They kept each other’s secrets about mistresses because men often