Page 227 of La Dolce Vita

“That’s not going to work” Lorenzo sighed.

“She’s probably with him right now calming him down. Lo, Catalina told me how she was with Giovanni after Domi killed Franco. Saved Domi’s life.”

“It’s not the same.”

“Of course, it is...”

“It’s not!Patridied in front of us. Gunned down in the streets because of me.” Lorenzo slapped his chest. His eyes glistened with tears. “I saw it. Giovanni saw it. We live with it. There is no talking our way out of him killing me.”

“Then why wait for him to calm down?”

“Because if he is calm he might make a different choice. One that keeps you and the baby safe. It’s a long shot. I need to know what his next move is before I make mine. Okay?”

Lorenzo walked over and took the gun from her hands. He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. “We can’t do anything tonight.”

“What if they find us? What if Gio is out there looking for us now?”

“He probably is looking, but he won’t find this place.” He put his hands on her hips and drew her closer. She knew he needed proof that she believed in him. But her heart was racing so fast she feared for the baby. After the kiss soothed them both, they were calm. Together they walked through the empty villa, and Marietta’s future with him flashed before her eyes.

A life on the run. A life where she’d never speak or see her sister again. Could she give it all up for him? Marietta turned on the light. Lorenzo went about pulling in luggage as she found sheets and made the bed. She glanced to her husband a few times, and could see the concern and worry on his face. That made her heart beat even faster. They thought he was tough, ego driven, a traitor. He was broken, but he was a good person. And he loved his family. He shouldn’t have to pay for his mistakes with his life.

“Want to shower? Together?” she asked.

“Tired. I just want to lay down.”

“Yeah, me too,” she mumbled.

He undressed her. She smiled at him. He smiled at her. Marietta was the first to get under the sheets. He joined her soon after. She turned on her side, and he spooned her. But not before he put a gun underneath his pillow.

“You know I always wanted to show you Chicago. In America. You would love the city,” Marietta said.

“America felt kind of nice,” he said.

“Or we can do Los Angeles. The sunshine and the beaches will remind you of home. Ever been to Los Angeles, baby?”

“No,” he said softly.

“Maybe we shouldn’t do America. Giovanni has power there. I had a friend who moved to Brazil. She said it’s really developing down there. Laws aren’t as strict. I’m sure we can find a place, maybe open a restaurant. You know I love to cook. And you can run some nightclubs again. That’s what you used to do. Remember? Yeah, Brazil is nice idea. Hell, we can get there by boat! Wouldn’t it be a trip if we had our baby at sea?”

Lorenzo kissed the back of her head and listened to her talk of a future he didn’t want. The only home he ever envisioned for them long term was Sicily. Italy, in his opinion, was second best. If he had to leave it would be Greece or somewhere close. The idea of going to the U.S. didn’t appeal to him. It troubled him.

“Marie?” he said.

She didn’t speak. He ran his hand over the smooth mound of her tummy. And when it stopped he felt a slight flutter. Marietta began to snore lightly. Lorenzo lifted his head from the pillow and gently pushed on her tummy where he felt the movement, and a tiny kick came again. He smiled. He kissed his wife on the cheek. Fuck it. Brazil could be nice. A fresh start for him and her.

He settled in. For the rest of the night, he kept his eye on the door.

***

Giovanni lifted his head from his hands. He had expected Dominic to arrive. He knew the word had been sent that he was home. The only person to stop in and check on him was Nico. And when Giovanni didn’t offer a smile or a response to his appearance his enforcer left. He was alone.

Exhausted and drunk, he got up from the sofa and went to the desk. He needed to put out the word. He had to call all of the clan bosses and tell them. Lorenzo was wanted dead or alive. It didn’t matter. He just wanted it done.

When he first arrived, he only saw the tapes on his desk. There had been mail and other things left behind for him since his trip. He sat back in his tall leather wingback chair, and his eyes swept the deliveries. One, in particular, gave him pause. He leaned forward and picked up a large manila envelope with just his name scrawled over it. He turned it over and saw no return sender’s address on it. The envelope had to be hand delivered. And since it rested on top of all the other mail, it must have arrived recently.

Giovanni picked up the letter opener. He sliced through the edge and opened it. He reached inside and pulled out photos.

The first image was in front of Francesca’s boutique. It showed a woman arriving. He reached on his desk and turned on the lamp. He put the photo beneath. He was certain. It was Catalina.

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