Lost Lombardi

Chapter 64

Rosi decided to move back to her place until Dino recovered and Pietro could discuss with him what had actually happened. Rosi felt guilty about what she had done in the past, and she didn't want to try to rejoin the family without Dino's acceptance. Pietro looked a bit upset about her moving back but said nothing.

"If Dino doesn't want me to connect with you all, I won't," Rosi said to Pietro.

"Alright then. If that's your final decision," Pietro replied, unhappy.

After Dino found out, Pietro thought that he and Rosi might be able to renew their relationship, get married, and live as a family. He was tired of being alone. Even his relationship with Katerina wasn't very romantic. He had been dating her mainly because he wanted to get married, as Don was urging him to start a family. It wasn't that he disliked Katerina, but there was no chemistry between them. They seemed to stay together out of obligation. On Katerina's side, she did whatever her parents asked of her. She also wasn't in love with Pietro; it was all arranged.

Pietro had been angry at Rosi until he learned the truth. But after hearing it, he felt he could forgive her. Yes, she had been foolish, but she was only eighteen and had trusted her parents as any normal girl her age would. They were just young and naïve. Pietro was grateful that no harm had come to Dino and was glad for Dino's presence in his life.

Although Kacper and May wanted to see Dino, they weren't allowed to visit. The doctors didn't want too many visitors for Dino as he needed rest to avoid worsening his illness. Only parents were allowed, so Pietro and Rosi had the chance to visit. But since Dino didn't want to see Rosi, only Pietro went to see him every day. He made sure to keep the others updated on Dino's condition.

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After Dino had fully recovered, Pietro brought him home. Don hadn't expected Dino to come visit as he used to, but he was happy to see that Dino was better. Dino looked weak, with dark circles under his eyes. He didn't have the cheerful look he used to, nor did he smile. He walked slowly, seeming more worried about something than physically tired.

"Do you think you should stay in a room downstairs?" Pietro asked, glancing at the stairs.

"I'm fine, Papa," Dino replied in a weak voice, starting to climb the stairs slowly. At the hospital, he had been on a saline drip and was only allowed to eat some soup the last few days. Now, he could eat regular food, but he wasn't eating much yet. Pietro followed him to his room.

Dino felt happy to be back in his comfortable room and lay on his bed with relief.

"Are you tired?" Pietro asked.

"No," Dino replied. "Did Luca kill the Johnsons?" he asked, looking at Pietro.

Pietro bit his lip instead of answering. "Why do you ask that?" he finally said.

"He shot him, didn't he?" Dino pressed.

"Don't you think you should rest instead of worrying about them?" Pietro replied, uneasily.

"But I want to know," Dino insisted.

Pietro sighed. He looked at Dino's fingers and ran his own over them gently. "Well, they're dead," Pietro said, meeting Dino's eyes. Dino's expression shifted to shock, as if he hadn't expected that answer. His mind flashed to Luca's smirking face and remembered Luca whispering to him, "Don't look." Dino felt a chill of fear at the thought of Luca.