After their relaxing round of golf, Pietro and Dino headed over to the private lake at La Cumbre Estates for some jet skiing. Dino had never tried jet skiing before, so he felt excited and nervous as they approached the sleek, powerful machines waiting by the dock.

"Ever done this before?" Pietro asked with a grin, already knowing the answer.

Dino shook his head, looking at the jet skis with a hint of unease. "No, but it looks fun."

"It is," Pietro assured him. "But it's also something you have to respect. Don't worry, though—I'll show you the ropes."

Pietro walked Dino through the basics—starting the jet ski, steering, and, most importantly, maintaining a slow speed until he became comfortable with the controls. Dino listened carefully, his father's calm and confident demeanor putting him at ease.

They both got on their jet skis, with Pietro leading the way at a slow pace. Dino followed, a bit shaky at first, but Pietro stayed close, offering encouragement. "You're doing great, Dino. Just keep it steady."

As they ventured out onto the lake, Dino started to feel more comfortable, getting used to the feel of the jet ski. They glided over the water, the wind whipping through their hair, with Dino growing more confident with every passing minute.

But then, as Dino attempted to make a gentle turn, he accidentally applied too much throttle. The jet ski suddenly lurched forward, catching Dino off guard. The machine jerked to the side, and for a split second, it looked like he might lose control.

Pietro's heart skipped a beat as he watched from nearby. "Dino, ease off the throttle!" he called out, his voice filled with concern.

Dino quickly pulled back on the throttle, and the jet ski slowed down, coming to a wobbling stop. He sat there, breathing heavily, the scare still fresh in his mind.

Pietro pulled up beside him, his face showing a mix of worry and relief. "You okay, son?"

Dino nodded, his expression a bit shaken. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just... I didn't mean to go that fast."

Pietro reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Dino's shoulder. "It's okay, Dino. That was a close call, but you did the right thing by slowing down. These things can be tricky at first."

Dino looked up at his father, grateful for the guidance. "I didn't realize how sensitive it was."

"Take it slow until you are comfortable with it," Pietro said.

Dino nodded, feeling reassured. "Got it. I'll be more careful."

Suddenly, Pietro realized that having a child meant great responsibility. If something terrible happened to that child, it would be truly heartbreaking. An uneasy feeling crept into Pietro's mind about Dino's well-being. Dino had faced health scares before, like a severe allergic reaction to food. But this time, it was different. The near-accident on the jet ski was a stark reminder of the dangers Dino could face. Even though Pietro hadn't been as close to Dino during the food allergy incident, it still hurt. As their relationship deepened, the thought of any harm coming to Dino was even more distressing.

"Okay, now it's enough jet skiing for today. Let's go and do something else," Pietro said.

"But I like this," Dino said.

"I just don't...," Pietro started.

"Papa, I'll be careful. I promise," Dino pleaded.

"Okay then. Be careful, or I'll beat your ass," Pietro said, and Dino laughed, looking at Pietro.

"Thanks, Papa. You are the best," Dino said. Pietro, taken aback by the unexpected compliment, felt a lump in his throat. For a moment, he couldn't find the correct response.

"Happy to hear that," Pietro finally said.

"What the hell are you thinking about? You are smiling alone," Rocco asked Pietro while they were spending Sunday evening in the Lombardi garden, relaxing, smoking and having some whiskey.

"He said I'm the best," Pietro said, still staring into the distance.

"He? Who the hell is he?" Niko asked with shock and even leaned forward from his chair.

"Dino. He said I'm the best Papa," Pietro said, looking at the other two proudly.

"Oh... so what's the big deal," Niko said, slumping back into his chair with a shrug.

"Have any of your children ever told you that? I bet not," Pietro said, blowing some smoke proudly into the air and looking up.

The other two looked at each other's faces and started to think if what Pietro said was true.

"Ha ha ha. None of your children ever said that to you. Look at your fucking faces," Pietro laughed loudly.