Page 86 of La Dolce Vita

He did as she said and stood at her side while she plated his food. She always made sure she piled on hefty portions. He loved Zia and Mirabella, but he was a slave to his wife's cooking. No other woman had her touch. Lorenzo’s gaze lifted to her reflection off the kitchen window. He stared at Marietta as she talked to him about her day. Isabella was wrong about their love. He didn't marry her out envy of Giovanni. He didn't choose her as a way to gain power and legitimacy. Marietta was the only woman in his life that filled the emptiness he carried. As he did for her. He would never lose focus of that. He would never lose her.

"Sit down. I'll bring it over," she said and wiped the back of her hand over her sweaty brow. He took her hand and stopped her. He forced her to turn and look at him.

"I love you," he said.

She frowned.

He lifted her chin. "You sit. Let me finish this."

She chuckled. "What's gotten into you?"

"I'm happy to be home with my wife," he said.

Her eyes stretched. He thought the surprise was over his confession. But she took his hand and put it on her belly. "Feel, feel right here, do you feel it, Lo?"

He felt a slight flutter.

"I think so," he said, not sure.

"Come," she said. She forced him to his knees. He put his face to her belly, and he held on to her hips. He waited. She stroked the top of his head. They stayed in the kitchen in silence. They both waited. And then he felt it. A tiny punch! Lorenzo suffered a heart seizure. He held his breath and prayed to feel it again. And he did. Hisbambinowas kicking.

"Yes! Yes! I feel him! I do!" He looked up at her. To his surprise, he had tears in his eyes. She seemed alarmed at the sight of them. She lowered to her knees with her hands to his shoulders. The minute she was on his level, he hugged her to his heart. He kissed the side of her face. "I felt him, or her, I dunno. I felt my child."

She grinned. "I wish you were with me the first time. I was so surprised. We are going to be parents, Lo. I'm going to be a mother."

He cupped her face. Such a beautiful face. He moved her long ringlet curls aside and looked at her. He'd gut any man or enemy that tried to rob him of this happiness. She was a good wife. "Destino. This is our destiny. Ourbambino."

"Bambina?" she smiled.

He nodded."Bambini!Give me both a boy and a girl. Just give me a family of my own, Marie."

She hugged him. "I'll give you anything, Lo. I love you so much."

"Let's eat. Then I want to put you to bed." Lorenzo helped her from the floor. He walked her over to the small kitchen table and pulled out the chair. She sat down like a queen. He smiled. He had no worries. Not anymore. Just one mission. Find Isabella and rip the rotten bitch’s heart out. The last of his enemies. The only true guarantee for his family.

***

The car stopped.

It was darkest in this valley at night. Not even the moon could tell her where they were.Was this place where The Butcher took his victims?She removed her gun slowly from her purse. She held it low and waited. After a few minutes, car headlights drew closer. Adara couldn't see who arrived, but she eased the gun back into her purse. The men said something between them and then she heard the name: Delilah.

The other man who accompanied Carlo was named Umberto. He got out of the car and went to the boot.

"What is happening?" she asked.

He glanced at her again from the rearview mirror. "Ever been to America?" he asked.

"What?"

The boot of the car slammed down. Adara looked back. The woman who was dead or dying in the trunk was suddenly alive and vibrant. She stood there cursing at Umberto and trying to fix her dress. Carlo got out of the car. Confused Adara slid across the seat to see who he greeted. A man hugged him. They acted as if they were old friends. He had two women with him. She could tell because they were dressed like her and the dead girl. They both called out to their friend Delilah. The girls embraced.

From her seat, she couldn't see faces. But none of it made any sense.

The exchange was made, and Delilah rejoined her group as they went back to the car. Carlo and Umberto returned to theirs. Carlo threw the car in reverse and turned to back away. He glanced at her and winked, and then turned back around and swerved out to the dark road at a dangerous speed.

"You don't work for Baldamenti. Do you?"

"I said..."

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