Page 224 of La Dolce Vita

When the car came to a stop, he opened his eyes. During the journey, he and Umberto traveled in silence as Giovanni played Lorenzo's confession over and over again from the cassette recorder. He didn't even realize he had shed a tear until he touched his cheek and felt the wetness on his skin.

He felt lost.

"Boss, do you want to go inside?" Umberto asked.

"villa Rosso," he said. He opened the car door and stepped out into the night. There were people everywhere. Some worked for him. Others were family. Many rushed him to get five minutes of his time. Umberto shoved them away when they got too close. A man should be able to find solace in his home. He couldn't stomach a conversation or even a smile. He needed silence and space.

"Boss? Lorenzo isn't here," Umberto said when he caught up with him. "Just asked the men. They never arrived."

Giovanni wasn’t surprised. He walked to his villa to the back of Melanzana and his family fell back. Everyone knew they could not follow. He entered the darkness ofvilla Rossounaware of anything and anyone.

"Giovanni?" a soft voice spoke.

He paused. He looked to his left. His wife sat on the sofa. She stared at him in the darkness.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Waiting for you," she said.

"Not tonight. Go back up to the kids. I'll see you tomorrow. He went in his office. He tossed the cassette player to his desk and found a case of tapes waiting. He frowned. Lorenzo name was scribbled over each.Were there more tapes to listen too?He shook his head and went to his liquor cabinet. Giovanni didn't bother to pour a glass. He opened the first bottle of scotch and drank from the bottle.

"So, you're drinking again?" Mirabella asked.

He set the bottle down and looked at her.

"Is he alive?" she asked.

"What did you ask me?"

"Is he alive?"

"Who,Bella?"

She crossed her arms. Not in a defensive move. It was as if she felt the coldness in the room emanating from him.

"Who, Bella?" he shouted.

"Lorenzo. Is he alive?" she asked.

"You knew?" he asked.

"No. No sweetheart, I swear I didn’t. I walk around this family with blinders on. Remember? You put them over my eyes. You put them over my ears. You keep me in the dark to protect you. Not me. Because you know, in your heart you know Gio, I'm your conscience."

"Leave."

"I walk through life pretending the bad doesn't happen because it safe. But Kei taught me that I can't pretend anymore. I won't. I didn't know what Lorenzo did. I couldn't conceive it," she said, and her voice broke with emotion. "But I know now. And I know you're hurting. The worst possible pain since the day you lost your father."

He picked up the bottle and walked over to the sofa.

"Aren't you going to ask me how I know? Aren't you?"

He ignored her.

"You have this family terrified of you. Your sister is willing to do anything to protect you. Your cousin killing people to keep you from knowing. My sister, hiding and scheming to protect his secret. When they simply should be able to come to you and confess." She blew out a deep breath. Her hands trembled. In fact, she felt like all of her was shaking and she was probably was. "We have a good life. Don't we? If nothing about the past has taught us anything, it has taught us that much. You have all the power Giovanni, and it's a big responsibility. We love you. Have mercy. Please, Gio. Forgive him." She went to her knees. Giovanni frowned. She was on bended knee before him. "Forgive him, for my sister, for the baby, she carries, for yourself. If you do anything out of revenge or hate, you will regret it. Please."

"He killed my father."

"But Gio if you do this..."

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