Page 58 of Ti Amo

“Sí,” Franco answered.

“Giovanni asked that you go with me today instead. He’s thinking of expansion. Extending business. I think you should scout out this new location.”

Franco checked the time on his watch. “I have a meeting with an American export company this morning.”

“It’s cancelled.” Dominic said, stepping into Franco’s face. “You will go with me.”

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes on the scene. Franco looked a bit fearful. Dominic gave him no room to refuse. Franco was a naïve kid. Lorenzo knew men of his world when they were in predator mode.

“Andiamo!” Dominic ordered.

The two men strode away. Wiping his hand down his face to stay away the burden of fatigue Lorenzo continued on to his room.

“You’re back?”

Lorenzo turned to find Giovanni behind him. He nodded.

“Is it done?”

“Yes.”

Giovanni gave a half smile and exhaled. “Clean up. Don’t let the family see you this way.” His gaze travelled over his mud caked shoes and dingy trousers. Lorenzo ran his hand back over his head. Fleeing out of Bologna had almost been mission impossible. Bonaduce’s men had swarmed them. He and Carlo were lucky to be alive.

“Meet me inVilla Rosso. We will talk.” Giovanni turned and started off.

“Gio?”

His cousin paused. He didn’t turn to address him.

“It’s done. We can all move on. Right?”

Giovanni walked off.

****

In the past Dominic had made it a point to avoid Franco. His guilt over his actions with Catalina weighed heavy on his heart. But today his mind was clear of shame. Rage consumed the rational side of his brain. The idea that this bastard would dare put a hand on her turned his heart to stone.So he liked to beat women?Dominic’s glare shifted to Franco and the man looked nervously away. Dominic sneered. He’d show him a thing or two about being weak and helpless.

“She told you didn’t she?”

“Told me what Franco?”

“That I know about you two.”

“What exactly is it that you think you know?”

“She’s my wife and you took her to bed, before and after we married. You’ve been between us from the beginning. I never had a chance.”

“And what of you and your sins Franco?”

“Whatever she said to you is a lie!” Franco shouted. “I’m a man, one that has been wronged in this situation. Arturo is nothing but a worker at the factory.”

Dominic frowned. “Who the fuck is Arturo?”

Franco shook his head. “I want to see my Don. I want to tell my side of the story.”

The car veered off the main road making a drive up the winding narrow street along a mountainous cliff. Dominic accelerated. “Did you hear me? I want to see Giovanni. I have a right to be heard!” They continued up the mountain taking on more speed. “What did she tell you? Did she say I hit her? She hit me, and it was a reflex reaction. For Christ’s sake, she’s my wife, and she taunts me with her feelings for you. She’s lying about me! I swear it!” he shouted.

Franco tried to open his door. Dominic swerved closer to the cliff and the door was knocked shut. Franco immediately grabbed at the wheel. The men struggled and the car swerved again nearly colliding with an oncoming passenger van. Dominic threw up his elbow and connected with the side of Franco’s skull. The man buckled, almost loosening his hold of the steering column. Strength returned, and Franco fought him.

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