Page 254 of La Dolce Vita

“A mistake? A mistake! Because of you,Patribled out on the streets. Because of you,mia madredied from grief. Because of you, I wiped out an entire family of Calderones!” he shouted. “I lost my wife. I missed the birth of my daughter! You got Fabiana killed...”

Lorenzo shook his head. “I fucked up.”

“You did more than that. You proved to me that we were never brothers. Never.” He aimed the gun at the top of Lorenzo’s head.

“This isn’t the life we were supposed to have.” Lorenzo looked up at Giovanni. “La dolce vita.That’s whatPatripromised. That’s what we created. I am loyal to you. I’m here because I know there’s a price to pay. I’ll pay it. But don’t take me from my family. Don’t make my son grow up without me. Gio. Have mercy.”

“There is none. Not for you.”

Ten Minutes Earlier --

“Drive faster!” Marietta shouted.

The speed of the two-seater sports car was already dangerously pushing the needle over. She didn’t care. She felt it. They didn’t have much time.

“When we get there you stay in the car.”

“Will you protect him?” Marietta asked.

Carlo didn’t answer.

“If Gio is going to kill Lorenzo, will you stop him?” she demanded.

Carlo kept driving.

“Carlo!”

He glanced over to her, and she saw the truth in his eyes. He would not. He wasn’t going to protect Lorenzo. He was racing to get there to protect Giovanni. That’s what they all wanted. To be the most loyal to Giovanni. Even to their own peril.

“Remember years ago when you told me that Lorenzo killed Carmine?” Carlo asked.

“I never said that,” she shook her head.

“You said it. You said it, and I didn’t believe you.” Carlo said. “Today Giovanni told the same story. And I didn’t want to believe him. But it’s the truth. Isn’t it? Lorenzo has always looked out for Lorenzo. The only exception he’s ever made was for you.”

Marietta looked away. Carlo took her gun from her. She had no weapon. He was far too strong and mean to stop. She glanced back to the backseat. Carlo's car was a mess. Metal tool boxes and oil stained seats. On top of the junk she saw something useful. A tire iron.

“That’s what I thought,” Carlo mumbled.

“Lorenzo has always looked out for you. How many times did he bail you out? Pick you up and clean you up. He’s been there for you!”

“He’s a traitor. He’s a liar. And he’s not worthy of you,” Carlo said.

“What did you say?”

“I’m saying you deserve better,” Carlo said. Only two cars parked side by side. Carlo cut off the lights and the engine. The moment he did they heard the gunshot.

“Lorenzo!” Marietta gasped.

“Stay here!” Carlo got out of the car. Marietta reached back and grabbed the tire iron. She didn’t think She couldn’t. She grabbed it and got out of the car. Carlo was running toward the warehouse. He must have heard her coming behind him. He stopped and glared at her. She hid the iron behind her back. “I said stay in the car! Go now!” Go back to the car!”

When he turned again, she swung the tire iron like a bat. She hit him on the side of the head near the temple. He dropped unconscious. She didn’t know if he was dead or alive. She didn’t care. She picked up the gun he dropped. It was the same Beretta that Lorenzo had trained her on. She switched the firepower to a rapid fire instead of a single shot. And then she ran inside.

***

Lorenzo looked up at his cousin. The pain in his leg was hotter than a fire poker pressed to his skin. Tears glistened in Giovanni's eyes. And he knew. His cousin was going to kill him. He'd gambled with his life and lost. His child would never know him. Marietta would never forgive him. There was no turning back.

"You will take care of her, and my baby?" Lorenzo asked.

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