Page 110 of La Dolce Vita

"I don't understand this. Why has Gio changed his mind... you have to find her, Lo!"

"I can't disobey Gio! Let me handle it!"

"She's out there. She's out there, and she's coming for us. Convince Gio to let you take some men and..."

"Basta!" he shouted. "Don't tell me what to do, Marie! I said I would handle her; I will. End of discussion!"

Lorenzo marched to the door, and Catalina quickly stepped back. He threw it open. She looked up into his eyes. He frowned at her.

"I... I was looking for Marietta."

Lorenzo mumbled something and stormed off past her. Catalina glared after him. At that moment she wanted a gun herself to pull the trigger. He was guilty. He did it. And it broke her heart.

"Catalina? What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Paris?" Marietta said while she wiped away her tears.

Catalina walked into the room. She closed the door. "Trouble in Sicily."

"What kind of trouble?" she asked.

Catalina crossed her arms. "Did you know my brother wants to go to war with Armando? With the Mafiosi? Did you know that?"

Marietta shook her head no.

"Well he does, and Armando is ready. Trust me I know."

"So, you saw Armando?" Marietta frowned.

Catalina cut her gaze away. The frustration and fear bubbled up in her to the point of explosion. She broke down in tears. Marietta rushed to her side. She threw her arms around her and hugged her. And the support backfired. She shoved Marietta off. "You knew! Didn't you!"

"Knew what?" Marietta stammered.

"You knew all this time. All that talk about us being women and strong. Having to keep this family together. You were covering your ass and his!"

"Wait a minute. Who the hell are you yelling at? You come in here cursing me out and I--"

"I heard the tape, Marietta." Catalina crossed her arms. It was all she needed to say. The rage on Marietta's face melted. It was as if she drained of her color. Marietta’s eyes stretched, and her hand went to her swollen belly. She stepped back several steps before she sat on the edge of the bed.

"I heard it. I heard Lorenzo order the hit on my father. I heard it and you knew!"

Marietta began to cry.

"You knew? How could you protect him from something like that?"

"Please, Catalina. Please. I'm begging."

"How could you keep something like this? How?" Catalina screamed through her tears.

"Stop yelling! Someone will hear you!"

"I don't care!"

Marietta stood. "Do you want Lorenzo killed? Do you? If you don't stop right now, they are going to charge in here and demand to know why you are so upset. And if you tell them what you know they will take Lorenzo out back and put a bullet in his head!"

Catalina put both hands to her face and cried. "He killed my father. He has to pay for that."

"No, he didn't! No, Catalina!" Marietta grabbed her by the arms. She shook her. "You heard the tape. You heard him. Now listen to me. Lorenzo was drunk. He was angry. And yes he's a fucking idiot to speak against the family. But he did not order the death of Tomosino. He clearly stated that it was a 'what if' kind of thing. Like a wish, not a command."

"How long? How long have you known this?" Catalina asked.

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