Page 62 of La Dolce Vita

"Wait what?" She frowned. "You have photos of me?"

"Of course, I had to know who you were before I arranged this."

That's a bit bizarre don't you think?"

"It's my job," he countered.

"Your job is it investigate doctors?" she scoffed.

"My job is to protect Giovanni Battaglia and the family. From any and every one. Now answer the question. Why did you dye your hair?"

The doctor's perplexed frown deepened. Her finger combed her hair from her face. "Ah, well, it's a woman's prerogative. I've gone between brown and red hair for years. I decided to switch back. Is my hair color a problem?"

"It might be. This is a mistake," Dominic stood and turned to leave. "We won't be needing your services."

"Signor!Slow down. Please." She got up from her chair and went to her desk. She approached him. "I lied. I know of the trauma. I just needed you to tell me in your words. Her last doctor said she was kidnapped. If she is suffering episodes of rage or depression, maybe mood swings, unexplainable night terrors, you were right to come to me. Let me meet with her. Talk to her. If it doesn't work out then..."

"You're young, inexperienced, and a foreigner," Dominic spat. "Now add liar to the list. She is married to one of the most prominent men south of Napoli. If he agrees to you meeting with her, you will only have one shot at proving yourself useful to us. Do you understand?"

"Not fully," she smiled.

"Maybe you should do a little more research on our family," he advised.

She nodded. "Maybe."

He looked her over again. She was beautiful, just as beautiful as Fabiana.

"I dyed my hair from brown to red because I have a medical school reunion in France in two weeks. I wanted to look like I did back then," she said. "I lied to you about not knowing of her trauma because Dr. Sanford took me into his confidence and warned me of broaching the subject with you prematurely."

He wasn't sure what to make of her. What were the odds he'd find a doctor that looked so much like Fabiana? Was this a good sign or a bad omen?

"You're wrong about my inexperience. I can help her. Give me a chance," she said.

"The first meeting will be with her husband. Giovanni Battaglia. He will decide if there will be a second. Expect a call with directions."

"Directions to where?" she asked.

"To where he wants to meet.Ciao."

"Ciao,"she murmured behind him as he left. He passed through the door headed to the other when he glanced back. The doctor stared at him.

***

"You think you know him? You think he loves you as much as you love him? Do you?" Kei asked.

Mirabella sat on the edge of the bed staring at Kei as he paced the floor in a long black silk robe. She couldn't stop looking at the ghastly iron glove on his hand. It gleamed in the dimly lit room. She was exhausted. She was terrified. But she didn't dare close her eyes. She stayed still and watched him.

"He'll find me. He'll never give up. And yes, he loves me more than you ever could!"

"YOU DON'T KNOW HIM!" Kei turned on her. His good eye was wild with madness; an eye patch covered the other. "I haven't been just watching you. I know more about him than you ever will. He's from my world, Mirabella. He has as much darkness in him as I do. Do you think you're the only woman?"

"Shut up!" Mirabella shouted.

Kei laughed. "If I hadn't come to rescue you and Little Rabbit you would have seen who he is."

"I know my husband!" Mirabella said.

Kei shook his head slowly. "You know an illusion. The same kind of illusion I showed you in New York." He stepped toward her and she scooted back on the bed. "They call me the Dragon. That's my beast. What is his?"

---