Page 9 of La Dolce Vita

"She's your sister," Marietta said in horror.

"She's nothing to me.Puttana!Nothing. You are my priority," he lifted her face in his hands. "I have been selfish. You need me to be selfless. Trust me. Have faith, Marie. Protect our baby, and I'll protect our family."

She nodded.

She rose on her toes and brought her lips up to meet his. The kiss they shared healed her heart, and she had a little faith restored again. She hugged him. He hugged her with his chin gently resting on the top of her head.

"You're pregnant," he said. "The doctors have already warned you about how delicate the first part of the pregnancy is for you. No stress. Do you hear me? Just happiness. Lots of happiness for you,cara mia."

"Mmm, yes, happiness," she said. And to her delight, he scooped her up into his arms again.

"Want another ride?" he asked.

"You sure you're up for it?" she asked and held on to his neck. Lorenzo chuckled and carried her back inside. She rested her face against his chest. He walked into their bedroom and laid her on the bed gently. He joined her. He held her as she lay on her side with her back to him, and his hand kept caressing her belly. There was no hurry for either of them. The intimacy was the best prelude to sex.

"Carlo returns from America today or tomorrow," Lorenzo said. "I'll have some business with him and Gio, and then I think we need to go back to Bellagio. A week or two of me and you together."

"Did he find Shae?" Marietta asked and turned to face him. "Did he say anything?"

"Shae ended this affair. He's over it."

"No I don't think he is," Marietta said.

"How would you know?" Lorenzo asked.

"He's my friend too Lo."

"He's not your concern. It's best that we leave it at that," Lorenzo said.

"I want to talk to her. What she's been through..."

Lorenzo put a finger to her lips to silence her. "Carlo created a fucking mess in America. I had to call in favors to get him and Shae out of it. That's all you need to know."

His finger left her lips. He began to lick and suck her nipples.

"We are partially responsible for her troubles I understand that," he stopped his kisses to fully open her robe. "Never involve yourself in the lives of the men that work for me. Yes, he is family. But he is still an employee. You have no relationship with Carlo. Understand?"

"You're right. I agree. But it wasn't my problem it was hers. And Carlo cares for her. He wanted to go. We can keep this from Giovanni. Right? I don't want to create another situation like Renaldo had in America. It has nothing to do with the family business."

"How do they say it in America?" Lorenzo tapped his chin. "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?"

Lorenzo chuckled.

Marietta laughed. "Okay I get it. I'm done meddling in other peoples affairs."

"Va bene,"he agreed. He opened her thighs. "Carlo's tough. He takes a beating and he always gets back up. If Giovanni finds out what he did for Shae in America he can handle himself," Lorenzo said.

"Grazie," she said. When he cupped her sex and began to fondle her, she closed her eyes.

"Not everyone can have what we have, Marie." He looked into her eyes when he spoke. "Not everyone should have what we have. You make me a better man. I swear to you on my life, on the life of my sons, nothing in this world will ever take you and our family from me. Don't worry about Isabella." He put a hand on her belly. "Save your energy for the baby and me."

She settled into his arms on the bed and yawned. Her body wasn't as sore as it was before. She felt a sense of peace. "I love Capri so much."

"I know,cara,one day I'll buy the entire island for you. Now rest..."

"I thought you wanted to make love again?" she yawned.

"Later. I'll have you later."

---