Page 213 of La Dolce Vita

"It's me. I... caused it."

"Caused what?"

"Fuck!" he threw the coffee mug before he had control of the reflex. It hit the wall and splattered. The act of rage didn't stun Renaldo, but it shamed Dominic.

"I shouldn't be here. I need to go," he grabbed the gun.

"Sit!" Renaldo ordered.

"I didn't mean..."

"Fuck the wall, Boss. You're in trouble. You stay here.”

Dominic sat back down.

“Tell me what happened?"

Dominic explained how he discovered the love of his life had betrayed him with their mortal enemy. Renaldo’s nostrils flared, and he took in a deep breath, but he showed no other visible reaction. The sordid tale poured from him like a stream of vomit. He couldn't keep any of the bile in.

"We will kill him," Renaldo said. "I can promise you that boss."

Dominic nodded. "I need to sleep. Forget."

"Take the room downstairs. I will show you." Renaldo helped him stand. Dominic had to lean on him for strength. His body was beginning to stop functioning. By the time they reached the room, he had all but given up on standing. Renaldo put him on the softest bed. The sheets smelled like lilac. He wanted to thank him, but he couldn't. All he could do was sleep.

***

Renaldo found Kyra on her knees cleaning up the shards of the smashed mug.

"No, Kyra! You can't!"

"I can't? No. You can’t do this!" she stood up with tears in her eyes. "You promised me, Renaldo. You promised me!"

"Cara,what are you upset about?" Renaldo pulled her into his arms. "Everything is fine."

"Dominic is not fine. I heard him. That's right; I was eavesdropping. Because I knew one day, they would come and get you killed, and leave the baby and me..."

He brought her over to the sofa chair. He sat her down. Renaldo got on his knees. "This has to stop. He is my boss."

"But--"

"I am your husband. That is my vow before God. And I take it seriously. I am also a man with other vows that I must take seriously. That never changes, Kyra. Never."

"I'm scared. I'm just so scared. When you were dying, I just... I can't go through that again."

"What are you saying?" Renaldo asked.

"I’m saying I’m scared. You just told him you would help him kill Don Mancini. I’m not stupid. That isn’t something you could walk away from."

He lifted her chin. He promised her the good life in Italy. He wanted to give her all her dreams. But she never knew the cost. She wasn’t made for this kind of stress and tyranny. He had to find a way. It would take work, but he could do it.

"Dominic will stay a few days. To get better. And I will be here with you. For as long as you need me to be. Give me a smile."

She tried, but failed.

He kissed her again and again.

Kyra smiled and even laughed when he pinched her nipple. She hugged his neck.

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