AWAKENING Read Online Free PDF Page B

quipped. “When will you settle down and give me grandchildren to fill this big house?”
    “ That’s what you have Amelda for. She’s eager for the job. Besides, free spirits must roam with out chains, otherwise they suffocate from the restraints, mama.”
    “And now you are a wild horse, eh?”
    “Of a sort , I have yet to fin d the woman to break me. ”
    The cook brought out a coffee and a plate of food for Giuseppe . The cook pampered Giuseppe, eversince he was child. He stood and gave the gray hair woman a huge hug and kiss. “ Ciao il mio cuore .”
    The old woman laughed at Giuseppe’s reference to her as his heart. “ Ragazzo dolce .”
    Sophie smiled at their mutual adoration. Seeing the light-hearted side of Giuseppe gave her mother’s heart joy. There was hope for her son. When the cook sauntered off, she peered over her eyeglasses and watched him eat. “So, you visit your mama after days, is there something you want to speak to me about?”
    “Um…Roberto.”
    “What about Roberto? ”
    “He’s not a friend . Someone saw him in Venice talking to the DSS.”
    Sophie sat down her newspaper. “About?”
    “I’m not sure.” Giuseppe paused to drink, “Ah, bellissimo. I believe it may be about this case with Alfonzo.”
    Alfonzo was under scrutiny. The political ramifications of the investigation could lead to Italy. Everyone, including the Minister of Finance was concerned. No one could risk exposure. “You may be right. What do you plan to do about it?”
    “End the friendship.”
    “Yes, it’s best that way.”
    “And Uncle, where is he on this trouble with Alfonzo?”
    “He is aware.”
    “Aware, but he allows him to battle business wars without giving aid, a h, it angers me.” Indignant, Giuseppe dropped his fork in his empty plate, “I will go see Alfonzo. Unlike, the rest of you, I cannot do nothing for him .”
    “Sometimes, nothing is best. You go there and Alfonzo’s troubles worsen. Alberti will intervene when necessary.”
    Giuseppe threw his arms over the back of the chair and sighed. “Mama, why do you allow Alberti to toy with him? Papa took me to Calabria and told me about our history years ago. Alfonzo should hear it, too.”
    “You were born in our ways, Alfonzo was not. It has taken some time for him to adjust to things. When the time is right, he will be told.”
    “The moment his legal matters are resolved I plan to tell him if you or Alberti do not. I tire of this secrecy . Papa, would have done the same .”
    “Your father trusted his brother. Alberti is not toying with anyone, he’s merely making certain th e family discourse between Nico and Alfonzo is over before he tells him .”
    “And it may take an eternity. Alfonzo has no idea Nico is his first cousin.” Giuseppe spoke candidly, “He believes there is no chance of the babies being his –but there is a possibility they are. Why keep him in the dark?”
    “You men and your egos –huge boys every one of you ! ”
    “He has a right to question the paternity.”
    “He certainly does, however, it was his option to divorce his wife and not request a paternity test. It is not our business.”
    “You favor Nico in this, don’t you?”
    “I favor the children.”
    Giuseppe wasn’t buying it. His mother always sided with Nico . “Eh, where is the bastard child anyway, fucking some other man’s wife?”
    “Right here, you little shit!”
    Sophie frowned. She forgot to warn Giuseppe, she’d invited Nico to stay a few days before he went off again. She had not seen him in months after the ‘incident’ and wanted to be certain he was okay. Also, she’d gotten wind of a very important meeting and advised Nico it was in his best interest to attend.
    Giuseppe was on his feet, “What are you doing here?”
    “He is a guest and you will behave!” Sophie scolded her son.
    “Where were you hiding cugino , under a rock?”
    Nico stood only feet away from the muscular younger man. Five years separated