Retribution of The Italian Shoes (eBook)

Cornelia James (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
176 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-0354-4 (ISBN)

Infos

Retribution of The Italian Shoes is the continuation of Monsignor Giancarlo's life under an assumed name while escaping from the law. New experiences await him around every corner. Will he succeed in flying under the radar and constructing a new identity and life? He meets the woman who holds the key.

Cornelia James is a native New Jersey author. Heavily influenced by her Catholic parents, Cornelia graduated from the now closed St. Mary's Grammar School in historic Nutley before making her way through several degrees with Brookdale Community College and Monmouth University. Cornelia has devoted her life to her family and educating children. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to different countries and spending time with her thoughtfully romantic husband.

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Monsignor Giancarlo has escaped imprisonment for his crimes of theft against The Vatican. Landing in the Caribbean with a new identity from "e;The Curator"e;, Giancarlo must now construct a new, discreet, life. Flying under the radar amongst unfamiliar experiences while constructing a brand-new life tests Giancarlo in unexpected ways. Meeting Glenda in Curacao feels like the key to his reborn future. His attraction to her is an anchor amongst the unexpected, and he starts to imagine life with her. When a run-in with his old nemesis, Maggie Carruthers, takes him by surprise and threatens the contentment he's built, will Giancarlo be able to let it go? Or will he seek revenge on the woman who forced him into this new life?This thrilling sequel to "e;The Italian Shoes"e; will have readers on the edge of their seats by the end!

Textauszug

Chapter Two

Joe and Maggie arrived back at the hotel exhausted from all the biking, walking, and rowing in the park. They were both streaked with perspiration and dirt.

“I think I am headed for the shower,” Maggie whispered into Joe’s ear.

“I guess I am, too!” Maggie laughed all the way down the hall as he chased her. Assorted shorts and shirts got lost along the way. The pulsating jets relieved them of any possible pains they would have due to their afternoon activities. Joe grabbed the soap and lathered Maggie’s back. The bubbles slid down her curves as she told him to turn and she would do his. Their tactile senses had heightened all their senses. Maggie threw her arms around his neck as he bent to cover her face in kisses. Maggie had Joe turn off the shower head as she reached for the towels. Their foreplay began with gently drying each other off. Joe went to the fridge to get the bottle of champagne the hotel had left them two days before as a congratulatory gift along with the two glasses.

Joe poured the cool liquid. Raising his glass, he said, “To my wife, my love, who I have waited so long for!” They toasted, sipped, and then kissed. Joe moved the stemware to the end table next to the bed. Their lovemaking was what Joe had longed for all day since he had kissed Maggie in the park. Satiated, Joe rolled to his side still watching her in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

“You look so beautiful. I could lie here forever and just watch you.” Maggie rolled to face him and snuggled in his arms as they fell asleep with the sun shining in on them.

All week long Giancarlo had anticipated meeting up with Vito. Saturday night had not come soon enough for the Monsignor. He waited on the side of the church for the arrival of Vito and the truck. He lit up a cigarette to help him take his mind off the task at hand. The windowless white van rounded the corner and paused long enough for Giancarlo to hop in. “Any problems?”

“No, Monsignor, all went well with your directives.”

“Take a left here,” said Giancarlo, as he directed Vito to the climate controlled self-storage facility. He tried to rent one that was on the outskirts of the city, yet close enough to unload treasures quickly over the last two years. Pulling up to the gate, Giancarlo tapped in the passcode numbers. Following the driveway around to the back, they drove up to the door of the unit. Vito parked while Giancarlo scouted out the area for witnesses. It was late enough in the day that anyone using these units to store items from their business were already here and left to go home to eat dinner. They entered the hallway and unlocked the hinged door to their unit. Giancarlo smiled as he gazed at his loot. Not so well-known paintings from many Renaissance artists were leaning against the wall surrounded by boxes of golden chalices, croziers, and trinket boxes filled with gifts given to Pontiffs over the centuries! He hurriedly picked up several of the items encrusted with gems, but he knew he must not linger. Reluctantly, he put the objects down and began to help Vito fill the van. They were able to fit half of the contents of the unit into the parked van. Giancarlo was smart and decided he would stay with the van while Vito went inside to lock the door. He did not fully trust him not to pull away with the van and leave Giancarlo behind.

They drove to the Termini area where it was not as attractive as the rest of Rome. Giancarlo thrust his head back the minute he left the van, as some unsavory smells wafted up from the sidewalk. There were a few interesting types milling around the area.

As soon as one of them recognized Vito, he and his crony stepped forward and gestured for Vito and Giancarlo to come towards the adjacent alley. Vito backed the van up to a nearby door. Giancarlo watched as the three unloaded the van into the small warehouse. He then followed them inside to meet up with “The Curator.”

“I heard you were back,” the man in black commented. “I didn’t believe it until Vito contacted me. I am glad you were willing to deal with me this time. You have obtained some genuinely nice pieces here. They will bring a good price, especially in parts of Asia and the Middle East.”

“I just knew where to look,” said Giancarlo sarcastically. “When will you be ready for another transfer?”

“I will let Vito know when this distribution is near completion, possibly in a week.”

Giancarlo nodded agreement as “The Curator” handed him his payoff.

Back in the van, Giancarlo gave Anthony his cut. “Now call me on the number I used this week to call you as soon as you hear from “The Curator” and not a second later!” Giancarlo then asked to be dropped back off a block from the church. He wanted no one to know where he was staying. Giancarlo darted into Cantina Belsiana close to the Spanish Steps and by the Inn.

He asked for a table in the back. He knew he was taking a chance, but he really wanted to taste some exceptionally good lasagna. He chose a red wine and settled back to watch the people. Once served the fugitive swirled the wine and approved of the bouquet. With his back to the wall, he felt he could relax and enjoy his meal. Freshly made bread was brought to his table. Giancarlo broke off a crusty end and swirled it in the virgin olive oil. This was so much better than anything he had been brought by the gendarme in the last few months!

He thought of what he was about to pull off, which would enable him to live like he dreamed of in the islands. No more, poor little Giancarlo. No more kissing up to Bishops and Cardinals! He could not wait to lounge at the beach under an umbrella with a chilled rum drink with fresh fruit spilling over the side. His reverie was interrupted by the arrival of a steaming plate of lasagna. He inhaled the aroma of freshly made Sugo alla Bolognese layered between sheets of today’s pasta. It came close to his former housekeeper Lucia’s recipe. As usual, Giancarlo slowly savored every bite. He even asked the waiter for more of the crusty bread and olive oil. Eventually, he requested Tiramisu to be boxed to go. He would savor the coffee-flavored ladyfingers mixed with a mixture of eggs, sugar and mascarpone cheese-flavored with cocoa later tonight in his room. He slowly strolled back to his hotel, making sure no one observed him.

The next morning, Vasili once again tried reaching out to Maggie and Joe, but to no avail. Vasili cursed as he hung up. He looked at his phone and realized there was a voicemail message for him. It was his friend from the police. He listened to it and learned that the couple had registered at the Penthouse Suites. He picked up his jacket and left for the hotel to warn them, hoping he was quick enough.

Maggie and Joe had an early start on the day with the ticket which had been bought for a buffet breakfast inside the Vatican Museum. The buffet had a wide selection of Italian dishes and provided a taste of milk fresh from the Pope’s farm. The couple would then see the papal art collection with an official Vatican English speaking guide, who would give a presentation about the Sistine Chapel and a blue-tooth tour. Maggie could not wait to gain access to the off-limits rooms such as the Cabinet of the Masks and then skip-the-line entry to St. Peter’s Basilica. The special tour took three hours. Joe needed a restroom and remembered there was one outside the gift shop.

“I will only be a minute. Maybe you would like a few souvenirs,” and he motioned his head towards the gift shop. Maggie was happy to check out the shop.

When he caught up with Maggie, she had an armful of small gifts in her arms to take back home to Ireland for Gram, Seamus, Siobhan, and Miles, which she explained to Joe. After paying, they returned to the Via Tunisi area. From there it was a ten-minute walk to their hotel. Neither of them were aware of the white van that followed them back to The Penthouse Suites! Joe and Maggie spent the rest of the day in their private jacuzzi pool. Maggie decided to shower and change for dinner first. She always took longer. After Joe stepped into the shower, Maggie decided to go downstairs and step out to find a newspaper stand and buy some Italian magazines. She called into Joe that she would be right back.

Maggie ventured into the bright sunlight that bathed the city before nightfall. She walked approximately half a block in search of some reading material. Maggie never saw the white van pull up slowly next to her. The side door slid open, and two men jumped out and pulled Maggie into the van. As they placed a bag over her head, the driver sped off. She gulped for air kicking and screaming to no avail. They zip tied her hands together and threatened her to be quiet!

Joe dressed after his shower only to hear knocking on the door. Shocked to see Vasili again standing there after all these months, he invited him into the suite.

“Joe, do you ever answer your phone? I have been trying to get you for two days. Could you call Maggie out here? I wanted to tell you both something.”

“Maggie just stepped out a few minutes ago to buy some magazines. You probably just missed each other. I can call her if you want.”

Vasili seemed a little taken aback by this news.

“What was it that you wanted to tell...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 19.8.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3178-0354-4 / 9798317803544