Page 108 of La Dolce Vita

Rosetta opened her mouth to object, and Catalina was ready to pounce. But the door flung open and in walked a laughing Mirabella with Giovanni. Everyone paused at their appearance. Giovanni wore no shirt or shoes. His pants were wet. They dripped from his hips. And Mirabella wore a wet spaghetti strap dress that was plastered to her body. She also had on Giovanni’s wet shirt to cover her breasts. Her hair was flat to her head with smooth flat bangs.

"Catalina! Rosetta? You're here?" Mirabella said. Rosetta reached her first. She hugged Mirabella, who hugged her back. Giovanni frowned at Catalina and then Dominic. He didn't say anything. But he questioned them both with his eyes.

"I thought you were in Paris?" Giovanni said. "And where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all day."

"Long story," Dominic said.

"Let's talk first thing in the morning," Giovanni said and pulled his wife back from the girls.

"Grazie, Gio! Donna!Tante graziefor inviting me to stay. I am so happy," Rosetta said.

"It's late, everybody. I agree with Giovanni; we'll talk in the morning," Mirabella giggled as Giovanni dragged her away. He caught her by the waist and swept her up into his arms and she squealed.

"Goodnight!" she waved at them before she was gone.

Catalina couldn't speak. It felt wrong to stand there and smile for her brother when she knew he could be hurt so deeply.

"Let's go to bed," Dominic whispered.

"Okay," she agreed. When they arrived at their bedroom, she shed her anxiety. The bed she shared with Dominic, any bed with him, was one of the few places she felt safe. She didn't bother to ask for her suitcases that were left downstairs. Instead, she stripped and got under the covers. The guest room had a small full-size bed. When Dominic got in with her, he claimed most of the available sleeping space. Which meant she had to be against him at all times. She craved the closeness. But the moment she closed her eyes she saw another man's face. So she slept with her eyes open for as long as she could.

"Domi?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered and kissed the back of her head while cradling her breast in his hand.

"If we are at war will we kill Armando?" she asked.

"Possibly," he replied.

"Good," she sighed and forced herself to go to sleep.

***

Morning –

Giovanni was an early riser. And so was his son. He carried a grinning Gino down the stairs. In the middle of the night, both boys woke in their playpens which substituted for cribs, and then joined them in bed. He didn't mind. Not after the time, he shared with his Bella.

"Eat. Eat." Gino bounced in his arms. The toddler took pride in being the first up. He had Daddy all to himself.

"Yes, yes I know." Giovanni stopped one of his men walking toward the door. "Domi?" he asked.

The young man pointed to the other hall. "Second room, Boss."

He nodded his thanks. The villa had six rooms, and all were quite small. Even the one he shared with his Bella. The visit made him miss Melanzana even more. He knocked on the door twice with his fist. Gino dropped his curly head on his shoulders. After a few seconds, Dominic came to the door in his boxers.

"Kitchen. Now," Giovanni said.

Dominic rubbed his eyes and pulled on his dick. He nodded that he would join him. Giovanni went into the kitchen with Gino and put him down on the floor. He found some eggs from the fridge and some leftover veal from dinner. He got out some cheese, butter, and cherry tomatoes. He tossed one to Gino and his boy caught it, grinning. Gino popped it in his mouth and started chewing. He raised his tiny hand to ask for another.

Giovanni chuckled and gave him one.

"Morning," Dominic said.

Giovanni glanced back at his adopted brother. Dominic looked defeated. His eyes were red and swollen. He dropped in the chair at the table and put his face in his hands.

"What is it?" Giovanni asked and began to light the flame on the gas stove.

"Got a call yesterday, after I visited the doctor. Catalina went to Sicily."

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