Chapter 19 Alessio
ALESSIO
“Where are we going?” I asked as I drove Klaus through Chicago. I’d found him getting into his car after he’d stormed out of Matteo’s and knew the fool would drive wasted.
I couldn’t let that happen, so I promised we could drive anywhere he wanted to go if he just got into my car.
Which led us to this moment.
“I-I don’t know,” he said, staring out the window at the world going by. “I don’t even know where to begin to look for him.”
I was quiet for a moment as I thought over everything.
“Perhaps I could call Vincenzo. He may be willing to speak to me,” I murmured.
I’d drugged him months ago in the hopes of keeping him away from Matteo’s angry rampage and had fought with Teo about bringing our sons into the fold.
I did not want harm to come to my boy. He may hate me, but he was still my son.
Everything I’d ever done was for him.
He likely didn’t see it that way, though, but I would accept that if it meant he remained safe.
Klaus looked over at me. He knew as well as I did that Vincenzo was unlikely to pick up a call from me, but I’d try anyway. I’d been giving him as much space as I could after the Bianca ordeal.
“Do not upset him or yourself with my issues,” he grunted.
I shook my head and quickly hit my speed dial.
I didn’t really think he’d answer, but after several rings, his groggy voice came on the line. He’d clearly been in bed.
“Father,” he mumbled. “What’s wrong?”
“I would like to speak with you if you have a moment,” I said.
He sighed and was quiet for a moment. “I will join you if you need me to. In the fold—”
“That is not why I am calling,” I said, interrupting him.
“Is it B? Is she OK?” He sounded more awake now, the panic evident in his voice.
“Bianca is well. She is sleeping peacefully,” I said, hating the worry I was causing him.
He blew out a breath. “What do you need?”
“Could we meet?” I didn’t really think he’d agree to it, especially after everything that had happened between us. I was grateful for his answering the phone.
He didn’t answer me right away. “Are you going to drug me and then dump me off somewhere this time?”
“No, son. I only want to talk.”
“Fine. Where do you want to meet?”
“Blades,” I said, naming Matteo’s club. “Come alone, if you would. I do not want any trouble.”
“Sure,” he mumbled. “I’ll see you within the hour.”
“See you soon.” I disconnected the call and looked over to Klaus.
“Vincenzo is coming. He is a good boy. He will tell us.”
Klaus grunted, not looking convinced, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he went back to looking out the window, his thumb gently rubbing circles on his darkened phone screen.
I really hoped Vincenzo talked.
We waited in the VIP section of Blades for an hour, neither of us saying much. Klaus had a few more drinks and kept looking down at his phone, but he didn’t send messages or make any calls. If I had to guess, he was looking to see if his girl was messaging him.
I spotted Vincenzo walking toward us. He looked bigger than the last time I saw him. Not so much taller, although he was quite tall, but like he’d been working out more.
He still reminded me of his mother. He had her pretty dark eyes.
Whenever I looked at him, I was reminded of what I’d lost all those years ago.
It broke my damn heart. Maybe that’s why I kept as much distance between us as I did.
Although it was nothing compared to the distance Klaus kept between himself and his sons.
I stood and greeted him with a hug.
“My son,” I murmured affectionately as he gave me a quick squeeze back. I gestured for him to sit.
He cast a look at Klaus and stiffened.
“All is well. We only want to talk,” I said as I took my seat.
He hesitated for another moment before sliding into the booth across from me, which left Klaus to sit in the center.
“How have you been?” I asked him.
“I’ve been better. I’d be great if you released B back to us, though.” He stared me down.
I smiled at him. “I did not invite you out to negotiate. Bianca is well. She is cared for. She wants for nothing.”
“Except her family.” He glowered at me. “Dom and Fallon need her, too. They’re the babies’ dads.
This isn’t right. And Levin.” He looked at Klaus.
“Levin is going to be a dad, too. So am I. What did any of us ever do to you guys to make you hate us the way you do? Because Dom isn’t Matteo’s?
That’s not Dom’s fault.” He breathed heavily, his hands twisted into tight fists.
“We do not hate you,” I murmured. “You are my son. I love you dearly, Vincenzo.”
He swallowed and stared back at me, silent as a tomb.
I deserved that. It didn’t mean it hurt any less. Deciding I should just come out with it, I exhaled and spoke.
“I called you here tonight because we have had word that Stefan is alive and that you’ve spent time with him. Is this true?”
He froze, his dark eyes moving from me to Klaus quickly before he focused back on me.
He cleared his throat. “Whoever told you this has been mistaken, or they’re straight-up lying to you. Stefan is dead.”
“You rub your fingers together when you lie,” I said softly. “Do not lie to me. I beg you to tell me the truth.”
He looked at Klaus, who stared back at him, looking completely miserable.
“Who told you he was alive?” Vincenzo asked.
“My… girlfriend,” Klaus said softly.
Vincenzo widened his eyes. “Girlfriend?”
“Klaus is seeing someone, yes,” I said. “She said she’s seen Stefan recently. We are trying to confirm.”
“Maybe she’s lying to you. Stefan is dead.”
Klaus closed his eyes and breathed out. All was silent for a moment before he opened his eyes and stared at Vincenzo.
“I have been a terrible husband and an even worse father. These are things I know, but if I could have a second chance at them, I would do things differently. Vincent, if my son is alive, please tell me.”
“What about Levin? Why don’t you love him like you love Stefan?” Vincenzo whispered. “He needed you in his life, and you only hurt him.”
“I am a monster, and none of my reasons are good. I do not deserve forgiveness, but I still want the chance to ask. So please, Vincent, if Stefan is alive, I need to know.”
“And Levin?”
“If he is willing to hear me out, I would also like to speak to him. No games. No harm. Simply… a drink and conversation.”
“We don’t trust you. None of us trusts any of you.” He looked directly at me this time. “It is hard on us because we miss our families.”
“My son,” I murmured, reaching across the table to place my hand over his. I gave it a gentle squeeze. “I love you more than you will ever know. I am like Klaus in that I want forgiveness, but understand if it cannot be given. Just know that I do love you, and I am sorry for your pain.”
“You’re only saying that,” he muttered, yet he didn’t pull his hand away from mine.
“If you know anything about Stefan, please tell us,” I said. “There is nothing treacherous that’s going to happen because of it. I swear it on my life, I would not betray you.”
Vincenzo was quiet, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Would you always love me, father?” he asked, staring me down. “No matter what?”
“Yes,” I said, my hand still on his. “Always. No matter what.”
He licked his lips. “I-I’m in a relationship with Levin.”
I stared at him for a moment, confused.
“What?” Klaus asked, frowning.
“I shouldn’t tell you this, but I think it’s important to know that he is everything to me.
So are Dom and Fallon. Even that shithead Drake.
He’s not part of our group any longer, but I still give a damn.
” He breathed out. “But I am in love with Levin. And he loves me. We’ve been together for a few months now. We’re happy.”
“And Bianca?” I asked.
“She’s with us. It works for us. We’re all happy. At least we were until you stole her.” He gave me a sour look.
“You and Levin… together?” Klaus frowned deeper. “My son is… bi?”
“It’s not my place to say things on his behalf, but I am bi. So if that’s a problem, father, then I’ll go.”
“It is no problem,” I murmured. “If you are happy, then I am happy.”
He gave me the smallest of smiles before he looked at Klaus.
“I feel the same,” Klaus said. “If Levin is happy, then I want that for him.”
“Then you know why my being here and saying anything about anyone is a big deal,” Vincenzo continued. “Saying anything would be a betrayal of the ones I love. I’m sorry.”
“I understand,” I said, releasing his hand and settling back in my seat. “But you’ve said enough.”
He nodded at me. “I-uh, if I were looking for someone, I’d look to an enemy, or a once-enemy. Maybe that’ll take you where you need to go. You know, someone still in the game but not here.”
I nodded. He was giving us a clue on who to contact without saying a damn word. So much like his mother.
“Noted,” I said.
“Klaus… maybe call Levin,” Vincenzo said. “He’s unlikely to give a damn, but you can’t have that second chance if you don’t take the first step. Levin has waited his entire life for you. I think he stopped waiting finally.” He stood and backed away.
“Can we have dinner sometime?” I asked him.
He studied me for a moment. “I think we could.”
I smiled. “Good. I’ll call you.”
“And I’ll answer.”
“Have a good night, Vincenzo. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he said softly before turning and leaving Klaus and me alone at our table.
“What do you think?” I asked, turning my attention to Klaus.
“I think I need to reach out to Nicolai Reznikov,” Klaus muttered before draining his glass.
I had a feeling he was right.