Page 249 of La Dolce Vita

"This is my fault. I’m the one that threw her out of the family. I can’t get my head around what she’s done. I need you to find her. Bring her home. And then we’ll talk about what happens next. This thing with Armando, it’s not a casual thing Bella. He’s using her to get to me."

“And it’s working,” Mirabella mumbled.

"It’s not that simple Bella. You have to understand.”

“What I understand is I’m your wife. And you need me. You all do. I’m not going to lose my family over this. I won’t.”

He took her hand and lifted it. There were no tremors. But they both knew she was not well. The battle for the survival of their family would be a stressful endeavor for the both of them. But she had his love. And it was going to be enough.

"Okay," he said and put his arm around her. She hugged him and closed her eyes. She said a silent prayer for them all.

ChapterThirty-Eight

The Death of a Battaglia

Sorrento, Italy

Marietta listened at the door. She heard enough. Lorenzo told Giovanni that he wanted to meet at the old lemon and olive oil factory. Catalina and Mirabella often referred to it when they spoke of Franco. The conversation ended. She hurried and left. She waited for him in the living room. He walked out looking flustered.

"So, he's going to meet you?"

Lorenzo nodded.

"What time?"

"Ten, tonight," Lorenzo said and sat down.

"Are you sure you want to do it this way?" she asked.

"He sounded different. Like he wanted to meet, to talk."

"Or did he just sound like a man who pretended to want to speak so he could kill you?" she asked.

"Marie."

"It's an evil plan, Lo. He is not going to forgive you. He isn't. He isn't!"

"I have to face him like a man. Not ten years later after I've been hiding my family like a coward. A man. I have to do it now. I know my cousin. He can be reasoned with. He can."

"You're going to bet your life on this?"

"Yes," He kissed her. Trust me. I'm going to shower and lay down. Can you fix me something good to eat?"

She stood from his lap. "Like the last supper?"

"Very funny," he chuckled and smacked her rear. "Be back, love."

Marietta didn't wait for Lorenzo to go upstairs. She went straight to the room with the phone. She had thought Mirabella crazy at first for suggesting she call Armando. But now she knew differently. Lorenzo couldn't be convinced any other way. She needed help.

"This is Marietta. I want to speak to my brother. He's in Napoli? Really? Did he leave a number for me? Grazie"

To her surprise Armando had arrived. Now she had to make the decision to betray her husband's trust and call his mortal enemy. She decided to save his life.

***

"Are they sleep?" Giovanni asked.

Mirabella put a finger to her lips. She nodded. The family had exhausted the kids. After plying one child from a cousin’s arm, and another from an aunt, she herded them all upstairs for their baths. Their tummies were swollen with fresh pasta dishes and pies. Gianni didn't even want his pacifier. She gave them their baths and put each to bed. She and Giovanni left their room. She closed the adjoining door to her bedroom.

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