Page 127 of La Dolce Vita

"No. No. That won't work. It'll get you killed. It'll get Dominic killed."

"Then what do you want me to do? Sleep with him? I'll never do it!" Catalina spat in disgust.

Marietta stepped to her. "Then go out there now and tell Dominic about the tapes. Hell, tell Giovanni. Because it’s bound to come out. Might as well do it today."

Catalina wavered. She couldn't answer. She couldn't even conceive of doing what Marietta said.

"I don't care what happens to Armando. If we have to kill him, we kill him. But we don't do it that way. Do you understand?"

"So what? I go to Paris and meet him? He gives me his stupid bargain, and I accept? And then what? Huh? How the hell does anything I say or do with Armando change anything? He wants to use me against Giovanni. He wants to destroy him."

"We have only one chance at this. Killing Isabella. She gave him those tapes, and she has more. Stop focusing on getting the tapes. Focus on her. When you get with Armando, you find out where she is. He's helping her, or he's in contact. Get that information and I'll do the rest."

Catalina frowned. "You really think you can stop this?"

Marietta nodded. "I think I can. I just need your help." Catalina accepted the hug Marietta offered but felt no emotion in doing so. She loved Marietta, but she knew the difference between Marietta and Mirabella. She knew it, and it made her sad.

"I'm going to bed," Marietta said.

"Good night," Catalina mumbled.

Marietta started toward the door to the bedroom and stopped. She glanced back. "Catalina."

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry. For all of this. I'm sorry."

"Me too," Catalina said with a small smile.

***

Marietta felt a cold hand press against her skin. It was strong, fingers firm, but the caress was soft as it glided over her thigh. She had slept on top of the covers in her panties, minus the bra. She'd spent most of the night crying and not sure why.

"Lo?"

"Marie, you sleeping?" he asked and kissed her shoulder.

She turned over and looked for him. In the darkness, she could see only a little of his face. She could, however, smell the liquor on his breath. She tasted it on his chapped lips as they brushed over her own. His hand eased over her hip to her butt, and he squeezed the fatty part as he dragged her in close to him. Her belly bumped his abdomen.

"Hi, honey," she said and stroked his jaw.

"Mmm," he said.

She was crushed by his embrace. His tongue eased into her mouth, and the kiss deepened their union. She reached down and unbuckled his belt and lowered his zipper.

"I love you so much, Marie," he said between breaths while kissing her. Before she could gather her thoughts or brace for entry, he thrust into her. Marietta didn't mind that he skipped the warm up he always gave her body before they made love. Lorenzo licked her mouth and then her neck. His measured thrusts were slow and easy. He balanced his weight with a hand to the headboard and another to the pillow. With a curve to his back, he thrust in and out of her as he sucked and kissed her. She clung to him feeling safe and desired all at once. He healed her fears. Lorenzo guided her body into the rhythm and the climax was sudden and overpowering. She gripped his arms and locked her legs around his waist as she was thrust over the edge into bliss.

Once done he peppered her face and lips with kisses. He took longer than necessary to withdraw, but she didn't mind. Eventually, he collapsed over to his back, and she snuggled in close.

"How did it go tonight?" she asked.

His labored breathing became a light snore. He was sleep. Marietta lifted her head from his shoulder. She studied his face. Her gaze traveled down his taut body. Even though he was taller and stronger than most men, she saw his vulnerability. What more could she do to save them both? Her fears and emotions were a steady slide downward. She'd had many dark thoughts and moments in her life. Now she had a reason to be happy, and she couldn't take the time to enjoy it. Would loving him and being loved by him always be so hard?

Marietta laid her head on his shoulder and tried to sleep once more. Instead, she cried.

***

The door opened. Catalina set the book aside and waited. Dominic entered without looking her way. He hung his head as he walked to the closed closet door where she had hung his robe and clothes. Catalina had waited for him. She saw the cars drive out with the clan bosses leaving an hour ago. What took him so long to come to bed?

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