Page 247 of La Dolce Vita

"How do you feel? The anxiety?”

“Better. Much better. I'll come with you to get Domi," she moved out from against him. He had her pinned to the washing machine.

"Let me get changed."

"Bella?"he called after her.

"Yes?"

"I love you. You're right. I didn't have to kill Cutter. I killed him because I wanted to. I don't want to kill Lorenzo; I know the cost. But I may have to. I will learn to accept it. And so will you.”

She wiped her tears and left.

***

The drive to Renaldo's was the most uncomfortable ride she'd taken. Giovanni didn't speak. He held her hand but didn't look at her. And sadly she couldn't look at him. The villa was connected to several. A block of them. They faced away from the sun, so flowers bloomed along the neighborhood in an array of colors. It looked like a happy place to raise a family.

Giovanni got out of the car. He came around to her side of the car and opened the door. She let him help her. He kissed her hand. "We'll talk to him together."

"Okay," she said.

He looked relieved to have her support. He never let her hand go. Not once when they walked toward the door. Kyra and Renaldo came outside. They both appeared concerned.

"How is he?" Giovanni asked.

"Not good," Renaldo said.

"He won't come out of the room," Kyra said.

"How are you?" Mirabella hugged Kyra. "You look beautiful."

"Ready to have this baby. I miss everyone. I feel like a prisoner. Thank you, Don Giovanni, for letting Renaldo take off work to be with me. I really appreciated it."

"You and the baby are what's important."

Mirabella was surprised. She had no idea that Renaldo was sent home to care for his family.

"Come in!" Kyra said. Mirabella continued to hold Giovanni's hand.

"He's been here all night?" Mirabella asked.

"Yes, and Catalina called. I told him and he went to meet with her this morning," Kyra said.

"Is my sister here?" Giovanni asked.

"No. I don't know what happened, but he came back here upset. He hasn't left the room since."

"Take us to him," Mirabella said.

Giovanni dropped her hand. She looked back at him. He seemed hesitant to go forward. "We'll talk to him together, Gio. Like we planned."

Why her husband was reluctant she didn't quite understand. Maybe he hadn't realized how badly things were for Domi. Or maybe he was uncomfortable with Renaldo and Kyra witnessing hisconsigliere’sweakness. It was always about appearances with these men.

Together they went to the door. Giovanni opened it for Mirabella. She walked inside. Dominic lay flat on his back staring at the ceiling. The curtains were drawn, and the light was out. His depression was so heavy she could smell his tears and sorrow in the air.

"Domi? It's me. Mirabella."

His head turned. He looked at her and then Gio. He sat up. He wiped his face when Giovanni walked inside. "Ah, what are you doing here?"

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