Page 78 of La Dolce Vita

"What is this proof you have?" Catalina asked.

"Meet me tonight. I'll give you the proof," he said.

"I can't do that! Dominic is on his way. My family will not let me out of their sight. I can't."

"You're a smart woman. I'm sure you can find a way. If not then..."

"This is a trick. You get me to sneak out and meet you, then what? Do you attack me? Kill me? What?" she asked.

"If I wanted you dead you would be dead. This a gift. Take it or leave it."

"But my question to you, Don Mancini, why give me a gift? What is it you want in return?"

Armando nodded as if impressed. "I will tell you my price when the time is right. It'll be up to you if you decide that you wish to pay it."

Catalina didn't know what to make of him or the offer. She knew she couldn't trust him. He was toying with her. She would have to be careful.

"Villa Mare Blu, in Mondello. Domi is sending me there. To the west of the villa before you reach the beach is a rose path. Blue roses. They bloom all year round. The path goes deeper into the forest, but if you stay on it, you'll reach my mother's grave."

"Your mother is buried there?" Armando asked.

"She wasn't allowed to be buried next to Papa. And don't pretend you don't know this."

Armando stared at her but didn't respond.

"We should meet there. It'll keep us from being seen. The beach is too risky."

"For you or me?" Armando chuckled.

"Do you want to meet or not?" she asked.

"I'll find the rose bush and yourMadre'sgrave. You just make sure you're there," Armando smiled.

"I'll be there. Tonight. I don't know what time. But I'll be there. And if this is a trick. If you do anything to trick me, I swear to you I'll kill you myself."

"No trick,cara. This is me being one of the good guys," he smiled. She crossed her arms and refused to give him a smile in return.

He turned to leave, and she grabbed his arm. "Don't go out there. I can't have Rosetta seeing you. Wait until she and I leave. And I'll meet you."

Armando nodded. He stepped aside. She glanced at him once more to gauge his sincerity. The devil had none.

"If you don't show up, Catalina, I won't ask again."

"Fine," she said and left. Rosetta paced out front. She glanced up with a concerned frown, and then glanced back to their cousins who were just arriving with their guns tucked into the front of their pants.

"Let's go," Catalina took her by the arm and led her out. She glanced back to the dark boutique as she and Rosetta were placed into cars. Armando never emerged. But he was there. Watching.

ChapterThirteen

Good Intentions

Chianti, Italy

The road to hell is paved with good excuses. It's what his mother would say to him each and every time he tried to explain away his actions or her disappointment. She saw through him. No woman could look into his eyes and read his soul like his dear sweet mother. Catalina had come close many times. His sister stepped in and gave him the nurturing he needed when they buried their mother. She cooked his meals, nursed his temper, and protected his heart from women that were in constant pursuit of claiming it. She was his barrier against the emotional dependency that had weakened his father. That was until he met and married Mirabella. A wife and kids weren't supposed to be in the cards for him. The road to hell was a journey he'd have taken alone. But Mirabella made him believe he could have it all. And he became masterful in concealing his true nature that he kept chained inside.

"Pa-pa!" Gino said.

He tugged on Giovanni's pants leg, reminding his father that he was not alone. Giovanni stared out of the second story window down at the small gathering of men near the barn. Lorenzo had arrived. Carlo was there too. The men stood around talking, most of them seemed jovial. None of them suspected what was waiting for them. And of course, Giovanni had his good excuses.

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