Page 126 of La Dolce Vita

"So, you met with him? Behind uncle’s back?"

"It was only for coffee. One day in the market while your mother distracted the men who watched us when we shopped. I didn't have much time. He told me of his life in America. Of his new wife and little girl. He cried and said he loved me, and was ashamed that he was too cowardly to fight for me. That he always would love me. I never told Rocco about the meeting. But it healed me from the past. Freed me to really love Rocco, and move on."

"It's a terrible love story," Catalina said.

"We are human, Catalina. And part of that means that some things belong to us, and only us. If it doesn't cause any harm, you can have your secrets."

"And if it does cause harm?" Catalina asked.

"Then don't keep them. These men, your uncle, your brother, your cousins, Dominic, all of them. They don't understand secrets. And they find out most of them."

Catalina eased off the bed. She walked over and hugged Zia. The old woman hugged her back. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I love you, Zia."

"Ti amo, Catalina."

***

"Why are you still up?" Catalina asked when she entered the house.

"I've been waiting for you," Marietta said.

Catalina feared she would be. She had stayed the entire evening with Zia. They rolled and cut pasta, laughed and talked over her memories of her mother, and bonded over Zia's lavender tea while her aunt told her more stories of the family she lost when she married into the Battaglias. Never had she felt closer to her aunt. And without knowing it, Zia had given her strength to decide on what to do about Lorenzo.

"We need to talk," Marietta said. She wore a long house robe. Her long curly locks were tied down behind a headscarf, and her eyes were red with fatigue. Marietta was pregnant. The doctors had already warned them about her stress levels.

"Yes, let's talk, but not here. Come to my room," Catalina said.

Marietta followed her into the hall and then to her room. "Did you see the bosses arrive?"

"I saw them when I walked back to the villa," Catalina said.

"So, you know what the men are out there doing?"

Catalina shrugged and sat on the bed. "Having a meeting?"

"They are out there right now telling the clan bosses that we are Mancinis. They are out there right now deciding on war with the Mafia. Tonight is the night."

"How do you know?" Catalina frowned. "I thought Lorenzo doesn't tell you everything?"

"I'm not stupid, Catalina! And neither are you. It's happening!"

"Fine, so what?" Catalina sighed.

"So? Have you decided? Are you going through with our plan?" Marietta demanded.

"Yes, I've decided. And no I'm not going through with our plan."

"What?"

"I'm going through with my own plan," Catalina announced.

"What is your plan?"

"To help Dominic kill your brother," Catalina said. "To gain Armando’s trust, so I can see him carved to pieces! I'm going to Paris, and I plan to tell him what he wants to hear, anything he wants to hear to get those tapes. But there will be no mercy for him once I have them. I'll tell the men that he showed up there and attacked me. I'll..."

"That's a stupid idea, girl!" Marietta hissed. "Armando is too smart for it."

"It is not. We are at war. You said it yourself. He meets with me, and I cry rape then..."

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