Chapter Two Ms. Regatta
Julianna
I drove up to the black rod iron gates of the estate. I studied the scrollwork design of two half moons along with rose embellishments made of bronze, balanced at the very top of the gate. With the words Luna Oscura – which means Dark Moon – on a plaque below it.
Impressive was all I could think as I gazed around at the opulent entrance. I’d only been at Descalia corporate headquarters up until now and I met Romeo Descalia at Alberto Mancini’s estate a few days ago. This would be my first time at the Descalia mansion. Finally, I rolled my car window down.
The guard at the gate recognized me and he smiled. “Hello, Ms. Regatta.”
I gave him a nod. “How are you, Geseppi? So you do double duty? Working here and at the Mancini place too?”
“I’m good, bene oggi. No, I work for Descalia, he’s like a capo dei capi. You know, a big Italian boss. I was just there for extra security. This is my usual job.”
“Bene, bene,” I replied in Italian.
Smiling, he said, “They have quite a few visitors presently, so park near the garage and you won’t have to walk so far. I believe they have all the parking areas taken.”
I raised my eyebrows when hearing this. “That’s a lot of parking.”
He shrugged. “Extended family, I think?”
I felt really curious about this. More Descalias? I waved at him and drove through the opening gate. The long driveway was the kind only the rich knew. Acres of land and rolling green lawns. Stephano Descalia, the head of the family, hired me a month ago. He’d said he’d already heard great things about me, even though I’d only been practicing law for three years.
It was the case I’d led just last year. I defended his cousin, famously known as Houdini Mancini. The name had been bestowed on him for the rumoured legends of him literally making people disappear. At the time, he had been arrested for several crimes, one of which was murder. I had been hired two years before as a junior partner by Sweeder, Simon and Devaul law firm. Criminal defense for high profile corporations and others was a specialty of the firm. I defended Alberto Mancini and got the case thrown out on basically a technicality. This made my name huge in certain circles. Let’s say in underworld circles of power. I wasn’t thrilled being famous with that crowd. However, I knew what kind of cases the law firm took from time to time.
Descalia now had me on sort of a retainer. There were no charges against him currently but in lieu of that, I was to work with his son on all the family estate issues. There would also be corporate law to deal with as Descalia had not one but three corporations. It was interesting in its own way and there were vast amounts of information and files to go over to ensure legal contracts were being followed correctly. Then there were new contracts almost semi-monthly to study then clear as legit and fair for the Descalias. Maybe not high profile and exciting like criminal defense but the things I’d been learning about the Descalias was astounding already. The amount of money that it meant for many people employed by the Descalia Corp in itself was incredible as well.
Then there was Romeo Descalia. My face flushed a bit as I drove around to the garage area to the right. I don’t think I’d ever met a man like him before. And believe me, men were a dime a dozen in my line of business. There weren’t many females at our firm, or in the higher ups at Descalia Corp. Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art there? I laughed at the Shakespearean reference. Considering my given name was Julianna, I suppose that was close to being like a Juliette. While smirking about this small joke, I parked the car.
Yes, I joked about it and yes, Romeo was very hot, but that would be as far as it would ever go.
I never dated within my job or work. It had been a steadfast rule for me and one I’d followed since I started interning as a lawyer. It would just save me the cruel headache of being involved with someone that could affect my work. Or perhaps destroy my reputation. I didn't want to jeopardize all my schooling and hard work, just for a few hot dates. Still, Romeo was damned sexy. I chuckled.
Looking around, I saw several motorcycles and wondered what that was all about. I wasn’t aware of Descalia having connections with an MC. His cousin Mancini had the Rebel Saints, but I never knew Stephano had any MC affiliates.
Finally, after traipsing up the many and very large steps leading to the front doors, I stood with my arm raised, ready to knock.
The door opened and I actually blinked. Maybe stared would be more correct. An actual old world style butler stood there. How did I know he was a butler? Well, the bowtie, waistcoat, a vest, tailcoat, and white gloves sort of gave it away.
“Hello, Ms. Regatta,” he greeted me.
And he had a British accent!
I nodded my head and couldn’t help but smile. “And you are?”
“Max,” he replied as he formally moved aside to motion me forward. “Mr. Descalia is expecting you. So if you will follow me?”
I nodded and followed. Man, did I try not to stare at his outfit and his shiny black shoes, but I never expected this. An actual British butler? And boy, was he tall. Alberto Mancini had this very tall and large man by the name of Iso that you could say guarded the front doors at his estate. He was very polite but scary as hell. Not any kind of butler that was for sure.
We went past the ostentatious staircase then down a wide hall and I heard loud voices. They were coming from behind a set of mahogany doors that looked slightly ajar. I slowed down and stopped to listen.
“We release him and then attack,” Stephano said.
“But that means facing many unknown guns and a possible war, Papa,” Dante’s voice said.
“Si, I know, son…that is the whole point.”
“The whole point is to save our dad,” a woman exclaimed.
“Si, perhaps,” Stephano replied. “But aren't you all tired of this man? He has made a game of taking you all down. I say we have it out and do battle while he is present. Not just fight his men and allow him to go.”
“I hate to say it but I agree with this man,” a deep voice spoke.
“Talon!” the woman I heard before, snapped at him. “This is our dad’s life at stake!”
Max cleared his throat to get my attention.
Caught eavesdropping, I snapped my head up and stared at him.
He extended his arm to the side, toward the hallway. “Mr. Descalia instructed me to take you to his office—”
The doors next to us opened all the way and a familiar voice said, “Hey, there.”
I looked up to see Romeo. “Hey,” I greeted him then openly admitted, “Sorry, I did stop here to listen.”
Grinning at me, he replied, “I love that about you. Honest to a fault.” He stepped aside and motioned toward the room he’d just stepped out of. “Come on in,” he invited.
I raised my hands up at him and said, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t. Geseppi texted me, so I knew you had arrived.” Romeo motioned again with a sweep of his arm for me to enter the room.
I looked up at Max.
With his hands behind his back, the butler stated, “I am not in charge, madam.”
Madam… I stared at him, his somber, stiff britt voice and the whole effect of him was all too much for me. I laughed.
He did not react as he simply stood there.
Romeo chuckled and shook his head. “I often forget that people wouldn’t be used to Max. He’s quite the man around here.”
Max stared at him but his expression did not change. “I am unsure if your father wanted Ms. Regatta in this meeting?” he asked.
Taking my arm, Romeo tugged me forward. “I will take the heat for this Max, no worries.”
“Very well, sir,” Max replied as he gave us both a respectful nod then walked away.
Romeo moved me into the room.
I immediately saw Stephano and gave him a smile.
“Ms. Regatta,” he said. “It is so nice to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you again too, Mr. Descalia. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“No, Romeo was correct to bring you in. You are on retainer, so I have no fear about confidentiality.”
I stared at him while feeling a little concerned. “While this is so…I cannot be party to anything illegal.”
Stephano chuckled. “I don’t think that is happening at this moment anyway.”
I heard about guns and a battle. I sure would like to have them avoid that scenario. “Can I help?” I asked. “With whatever problem this is?”
“Not with any legalese at least,” Romeo said.
I looked over at him. Then past him to some of the people in the room. Two women were there and they looked alike as well as two, tall wide shouldered men who looked like bikers. Then I saw Romeo's brother, Dante. I’d met him before.
“First of all,” Romeo said as he beamed at me. “This is Giovanni, my long lost brother.” He turned and stepped aside.
I smiled at Romeo then my smile dropped. This man looked almost identical to Romeo. My eyes widened.
“And no, they aren’t twins,” Dante said with a chuckle as he must have noted my surprise.
Giovanni nodded at me. “I’m two years older than Romeo. You can call me Legend.”
I stared at him. He was just as good looking as Romeo, but more serious, maybe. “Legend?” I asked.
Nodding, he explained, “I’m with the Requiem MC over in Sugar Land Texas. That’s my road name so to speak.” He gave me a dazzling smile.
I stared at this smile. Wow, almost the same dazzle as Romeo.
Romeo laughed and said, “He’s a doctor, believe it or not. We are all so damned proud of him.” Turning, he waved his hand at the two large men who looked like bikers. “Then these are extended family members: Talon and Redemption.”
I nodded and smiled at the bikers then I turned to introduce myself to the women, “I’m Julianna Regatta, Mr. Descalia’s attorney.”
“And I’m Glory,” one of the women said. “Engaged to Legend. Then Redemption here is my brother.”
I looked over at her and asked, “And is she your twin?” I motioned my hand at the woman who could honestly be her lookalike.
The two women laughed.
Her lookalike shook her head and explained, “I’m Liv Walker. We’re cousins.” Then she turned to Glory and asked, “You got engaged?”
“Yes!” Glory grinned and extended her hand to show Liv the ring. “He finally woke up.”
Legend laughed at her remark.
“You are engaged?” Stephano asked as he stared at Legend.
“Yes, father,” he replied. “But we can talk about all of it later.”
“Si, si,” Stephano agreed quickly as he turned to me. “Ms. Regatta. Have you ever heard of Deacon Walker?”
I gawked at him. Why on earth would these people know that man? “I have. Why do you ask?”
Everyone in the room stared at me. Some of the stares weren’t kind ones either.
Feeling put on the spot, I took a step back. These people didn’t act like fans of the man. I wasn’t either really but I knew when I met him that he could lead me to solving a mystery that had haunted my family for a very long time.
“No, no. Ms. Regatta,” Stephano tried to assure me. “Your knowledge could provide us with information that will save a life.”
“My father’s life,” Glory said.
I looked at her then around at them all and I knew I needed to walk a fine line here. “I met Agent Walker maybe a month ago. I do not know him. I’ve met him, is all. He was at a deposition. This involved the Firm I work for. But I’m unsure about knowing anything that could help all of you.”
Romeo shook his head and said, “She also cannot talk about what the context of this deposition was, Papa,” he explained to Stephano. “If it involved her firm, she may not be able to tell us what the nature of this was.”
“Well, he was not a client,” I told them. “He was giving a deposition on a case, involving the FBI and their evidence.”
“I just don’t fucking understand this,” Redemption spoke up. “How could this psycho-killer still be an FBI agent?”
Considering what I knew, I wasn’t shocked at his description of Agent Walker. But I was curious as to how they knew him. I looked over at Redemption and asked, “Psycho-killer?”
“Hell, yeah,” Redemption conceded. “This man has so many crimes under his belt that even your famous law firm could not get him off.”
I stared at him. Could it be? Coming here might help me to find out the truth? “Are you sure we are talking about the same man?”
The biker named Talon nodded his head and replied, “Yes, the very same.”
“Can I ask what all he did?” Curiosity killed the cat and all that. Yet, I knew Agent Walker wasn’t legit really.
“We don’t have that kind of time,” Redemption said as he shook his head. “That list would take an hour.”
“He kidnapped me,” Glory spoke up. “To trade me for his mother.”
“Trade?” I stared at her while feeling confused. “For his mother?”
“Yeah, and since you’re in criminal law maybe you’ve heard of his mommy ,” Redemption quipped.
“Ophelia,” Talon interjected. “Better known as the notorious O crime boss.”
I had definitely heard of this woman. Famous for drug peddling, human trafficking and many different illegal activities in general. I should know who she was as I’d been tracking her for the last year or so.
Romeo saw my expression and said, “Sorry about the shock, Julianna, but it is all true.”
“She had been torturing our family for more than ten years,” Talon explained. “She killed our uncle, our father and framed my brother so that he was sent to prison for seven years.”
“Yes and we never knew about Deacon at all, until Deacon took Glory,” Legend added.
“Well, the truth is, we Texas Walkers never knew about the Louisiana Walkers until Deacon took me,” Glory added.
I raised my hands up at them. “I don’t doubt your words, I just think we cannot be talking about the same man.” I had to say this. I needed more info on Deacon and his mother.
Stephano stepped over and raised his phone to show me a video.
I stared at the screen and gasped. It showed the very same Deacon I remembered from a month ago, pacing in what looked like a jail cell. I snapped my head up and stared at him. “He is in jail?”
Stephano lowered the phone then looked over at me and smirked. “In a manner of speaking.”
“Manner of…” I gasped and looked from him to Romeo. “Please don’t tell me you have him in a cell!”
Romeo scoffed and placed his hand on his chest. “Me? Have him? Oh, no. No, no.”
I released a huge breath of relief and patted Romeo’s shoulder.
“I think you misunderstand, Ms. Regatta,” Stephano said. “Romeo had nothing to do with that. But I do presently have this Deacon Walker in my custody.”
I slowly shook my head and whispered, “Santa Madre di Maria!” Holy Mother of Mary!