Page 81 of La Dolce Vita

"So I've heard," Giovanni chuckled. "How is she? The pink lady?"

Carlo looked back at Lorenzo and then to Giovanni. "It's over between us."

"Yes, I've heard this before," Giovanni said and walked away.

"Shae and I are done. My head is clear, Boss. Let me prove it," Carlo said.

Giovanni cast his gaze back to Carlo. He gave him a forgiving nod. "Prove it to me tonight. He went to the desk and wrote down the address to the villa. He turned and extended the paper to Carlo. "We have aDelilah."

Carlo’s brows shot up.Delilahwas a code word for a special kind of job Giovanni wanted. Carlo hadn't had one of these assignments in a long time. He used to like them. Giovanni couldn't tell how Carlo felt now or if America had softened hiscapu. Carlo moved the toothpick around in his mouth and smiled.

"Be discreet and leave no witnesses."

"If we have a female? What should I do with her," Carlo asked? The rule was no harm to women or children. No trafficking of women. They were strict codes enforced after the Calderone war.

"Let me know the circumstances."

"I'll handle it. Renaldo and I..." Carlo began.

"Renaldo is on an extended vacation," Giovanni announced to them both. "For a month or longer with pay. Make sure of it, Lorenzo. Carlo, take Umberto."

"Wait? Since when does Renaldo take a vacation? Gio, I have him working on Isabella. He can't take off!" Lorenzo protested.

"It's done. Carlo, make this timely," said Giovanni.

Carlo nodded and walked out. He closed the door behind him. Lorenzo groaned and slapped his forehead. "Aye, it's the baby. He left because of Kyra and the baby."

"The man has greater priorities. I think we both can understand why" Giovanni said.

"True. I guess we can. What is this Delilah? Who's the target?"

"Senator Banfi," Giovanni said.

"I heard he was at Catalina's birthday party. Some of the men saw him cozy up to Armando."

Giovanni grimaced. "He put his hands on Mirabella?"

"What?" Lorenzo asked.

Giovanni waved off his comment. He had intended to punish Banfi, humble him. But when he saw him touch his wife, even briefly that plan was accelerated. The senator was lucky Giovanni hadn't smashed a bottle and used the glass to cut his throat. "It's time we deal with the senator. Have a seat." Giovanni instructed. He sat near the window in a smoking chair. Lorenzo joined him. There was a knock at the door. Mirabella stuck her head in. He nodded that she could enter, and she did. Giovanni reclined back and took a long look at his wife. He did like the changes. The hair cut with the bangs, but straight and long at the sides of her face. She wore a bright orange summer dress that tied at the back of her neck and was slimming to her beautiful curves. Making love to her had been on his mind every day. He longed for the days he could take her anywhere he chose and fucked her until the lust in him subsided.

"You two haven't had lunch, I have something for you," Mirabella said.

She delivered a tray of sliced cheese, prosciutto, olive spread, and bread. She'd also brought a decanter of wine, glasses, and a glass of water. It was the wine that caught him by surprise. His wife encouraged him to drink less. She put the tray down on the coffee table. Before she turned to leave, he reached for her hand. Mirabella cast her large brown eyes down at him. He pulled her toward him. He didn't care if Lorenzo observed. He wanted to smell her skin. Have her say she loved him above all else. He wanted to feel like she was still his. Mirabella smiled for him. She leaned in. His gaze was eye level with her breasts. He forced himself to look into her eyes. She kissed him. He was right. One taste of her and he could feel his second wind of strength return.

"I love you, Giovanni," she whispered. She kissed his brow and her hand left his. She stared at him for a moment before giving him a wink and then turning and leaving. Lorenzo began to stuff his face.

"Let's make this quick. I haven't eaten today," Lorenzo said.

When Mirabella was gone, Giovanni sat forward and reached for some of the food. After chewing and swallowing several bites, the headache he had lessened. He ignored the wine and picked up the glass of water. Lorenzo frowned at his choice but didn't question it.

"Where's Dominic? Have you spoken to him?"

"No. How could I? I just got in from Sicilia. I came straight here," Lorenzo said while chewing on a mouthful of food.

Giovanni frowned. Dominic was to meet with Mirabella's doctor. And then return to tell him if the appointment should be kept for tomorrow. His not being there felt wrong.

"How did Armando react to your visit?" Giovanni asked.

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