Page 257 of La Dolce Vita

"Can I see him? He has to hear my voice. Please?"

"He's critical now. No one should..."

"I want to see him. If he doesn't make it..." her voice choked with emotion. "I have to see him."

The doctor nodded. "We'll get you scrubs to put on. Nurse, please assist Donna Battaglia."

Mirabella wiped her tears. She smiled politely for the nurse. Inside she felt like she was dying.

Straits of Messina -

Marietta held Lorenzo's hand. Armando had his men tended to his leg by tying a tourniquet around his thigh to stop the bleeding. Lorenzo was sweating and feverish. She knew he was losing too much blood.

"Why did you call him?" Lorenzo stammered. His teeth chattered, and his lips were purple.

"Because I knew how this would end. I couldn't, Lo. I couldn't let Giovanni kill you."

"Listen to me, Marie. Listen. No matter what happens, you are never to say you shot Gio. Do you understand?" Lorenzo winced. She dabbed at his face with the rag. "Answer me!" he shouted.

She nodded. "I understand."

"I shot him. I did it. To the grave, Marietta. Never tell anyone differently."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt him. I just wanted to stop him. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, calm down. Think of the baby," he groaned.

"Are you in pain?"

"I'll live."

"We have to get you to the doctor. They have to go faster." She tried to stand. He forced her to stay with him. His grip was so firm. She fought back her tears and went to her knees.

"I love you, Marie," Lorenzo said.

She pressed her lips together. She nodded. "I love you, too."

The door to the cabin opened. Armando walked in. He looked at Lorenzo and then Marietta. "We are taking him to Napoli," he announced.

"What? You can't, you have to take him to Sicily!"

"It's ten hours on the sea tonight. He won't make it. I have a doctor in Napoli. Trust me they won't be looking for him there. Then we will set sail for Sicily. This is the best way."

Marietta wasn't sure if she could trust him. It could all be a trap. She looked to Lorenzo, and he nodded that he agreed.

"Is Giovanni dead?" Marietta asked.

Armando smiled. "He looked dead to me."

She glanced back to Lorenzo who closed his eyes either in pain or regret. She knew her husband was fighting to be strong. But his entire pants leg was soaked in blood. She turned on her brother. "You will save his life. Do you hear me? Save him, Armando. Please?"

"Isn't it funny how I’m always the savior for you and Mirabella, but you treat me like the devil?" Armando kissed her brow like a brother would. "Trust me, sister. I will protect him and you."

She nodded. He gave Lorenzo a wink and walked out.

"We can't trust him," Lorenzo winced and scooted back against the pillow.

"For now, we have to."

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