Page 63 of La Dolce Vita

"Don't come near me..." she panted and continued to scoot away.

"What is his, Mirabella? He's no different than me. He's no different than Cutter. We are all the same men. No different. He would have shown you. Eventually."

"You okay?" Marietta asked.

"Huh? Oh? Yea, I'm all right," Mirabella said. Memories were flashes that surfaced at any time. But the memories of Kei's ranting and ravings were the most emotionally draining. She felt cold inside.

"You sure? You look a little freaked." Marietta said.

"I'm good. Just thinking, nothing wrong, ah, with me," Mirabella said.

They were headed to the villa built on the same land as the vineyard, but separate from the home Rocco and Zia shared. She'd only visited it once. She had no idea what condition it was in, but if Giovanni chose it for the visit she had to believe the place would be fine.

The kids traveled in the car behind them. Umberto drove, and Giovanni was in the passenger seat.

"You haven't said much since we landed," Marietta closed her magazine. "You worried about this doctor visit?"

Mirabella glanced over to her sister. The truth was she hadn't spoken since Giovanni returned home at four in the morning. He eased into bed as if he never left. She was certain he knew that she went after him. The men had probably told him of how she argued that he shouldn't be out at night alone. But he behaved as if nothing had happened in the evening. And acted as loving as always.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Marietta snapped her fingers in front of Mirabella.

"I'm fine, just got a lot on my mind," Mirabella whispered.

"Of course, you do. You aren't crazy. Don't worry about this doctor."

Marietta reached over and squeezed her sister's hand. Mirabella’s gaze returned to the beauty of Tuscany. The hills and olive groves glistened under the sun. The further they drove into the countryside the more it felt like time and space peeled away.

"Physically how do you feel? Any stomach cramps?" Marietta asked.

"Surprisingly I haven't had any today. I think I’m getting better."

Giovanni glanced back at her. He heard her. He winked. She smiled for him. His stare lingered a moment and then he turned around. And in her mind, she asked:Where did you go last night?

"Me too. I think you are getting much better," Marietta said and gave her a nudge.

Mirabella smiled. "Thanks.”

***

Palermo, Sicily –

Lorenzo was walked inside the palatial Mancini estate by Ignacio Benetini, under the trained sight of a gun. Ignacio tossed him a piercing glare from over his shoulder. He was a runt with too much ego to be useful in his position. Lorenzo glanced to the men at the top of the stairs who glared at him. And the other men in the galley he passed. The one with the gun to his back forced him to walk faster when his gaze lingered.

It was odd, but he never saw Armando Mancini with women in his home. Not even the aunts and cousins he had. The place was like a den for the scum ofla cosa nostra. When he took over this region, Lorenzo planned to bulldoze the place to the ground and build a palace for his queen to rear his children. He smirked.

Of course, Ignacio, Armando’sconsiglierewas a buffoon. He spent more money on gambling and fucking whores than focusing on his role asconsigliereto Armando Mancini. If the old Don were alive, Ignacio would never have made it past his earner title. Ignacio opened a door for him. He passed through. Armando hung up the phone and stood.

"Buongiorno!"

Lorenzo nodded. Armando approached. Lorenzo shook his hand and kissed Armando on the left and right cheek with a tight grimace. Armando chuckled as if he suspected how uncomfortable Lorenzo was in showing humility.

"How are my sisters?" Armando asked.

"They send their love."

"And Giovanni? I hear there's been some inquiries from thePolizia di Stato. Trouble in the Campania?"

Lorenzo took a seat in the chair before Armando. "Nothing Giovanni isn't prepared to deal with."

---