Chapter Ten
L eon looked like a thundercloud as he walked into security.
John glanced up and he paused at the look on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to prepare for just about anything to happen. The Council was very interested in what we had to tell them and they will take the proper steps to safeguard the institution they are.” Leon growled.
“But?” John asked as he cocked his head at him.
“Marco is ritardato mentale...a stupido. He thinks Gianno will never come after him. Or he plans to just give him what he wants so he can go off to own pursuits. And that would be one very big mistake, for both of them and the Council.”
John looked troubled by this. “He told you that?”
Leon shook his head. “He didn’t have to say the words but I could read between the lines.
He talked about never being in a position to take the reins when his father stepped down.
He spoke of having other dreams and other pursuits he wanted to do.
Instead, he had to step up and take over for his father.
He almost resents that fact but I know Henri Caldousce taught him well how to step into his shoes. ”
John shook his head. “Even if Marco stepped down, it wouldn’t mean a thing to Gianno. He would still have to kill his brother to make sure he didn’t come back.”
“Si, I know that and you know that but I don’t think Marco knows it. Gianno would kill him and weep like a fool at his funeral. This is not a position you just walk away from.”
“No, it isn’t. This position is for life,” John said. “You know you have to report this to the Council, right?”
Leon looked troubled. “Si, I know this. I just don’t know how they will take it. They could strip the Caldousce family altogether and that would just piss Gianno off even more.”.
“Why would Gianno even care anymore?” John asked. “That was years ago and he fucked things up himself when he shot his brother.”
Leon shook his head. “You don’t understand something here.
I clearly remember that taking over his father’s position was all he could talk about when he was growing up.
He was always so proud to be Henri’s heir.
And now if the Council takes that away from him, he has no other plans.
It might be the one things that pushes him over the edge and he will fall into insanity. ”
John just shook his head. “And where does that leave Rowen and her brother?”
Leon shrugged. “That’s another thing that pisses me off.
Marco never even asked about them. Rowen never had to worry about that.
He never even mentioned Stephano or his kids.
He is fully aware that they live here. To him, they simply don’t exist.” He shook his head.
“And that just doesn’t jive with the Family’s values. Family is family no matter what.”
“I wonder what Henri would have done in this situation?” John stated.
Leon snorted. “I guess I’m not too surprised, they didn’t exist for Henri either. After all, they were part of Gianno’s family. When he cut Gianno out, he must have cut Stephano and his issue out as well.”
John shook his head. “That just ain’t right man, I don’t care who you are, you don’t cut off family. Some of us would kill to have someone out there that cared about them or share the same bloodline. But that came down from the old man, not just Marco.”
“Si, it did and I have to wonder how the Council took that news? They might not have been happy about that.” Leon shook his head. “I guess we’ll see what they have to say after they have a chance to read the emails.”
“Already sent, boss.” John shrugged.
“Well, let me know if they send something back,” Leon said as he walked out.
D onavan showed Rowen and Calli to the apartment above the shop.
Calli sat down in the living room with the dog.
Rowen looked around and nodded. “You keep a very tidy place.”
Donavan shrugged. “I don’t like a lot of clutter. But I think you should know something before we get too comfortable here.”
“Oh, what’s that?” She asked.
“I did time in prison,” he admitted.
Rowen paused then turned to look at him. “What for?” she asked.
“For murder, actually. I know that is the worst crime, but at the time I had no real choice. Growing up, it was mostly me and my brother Flynn. Dad drank a lot and mom walked out. My father wasn’t an easy drunk and we often went to school with bruises from when he hit us.
I sheltered Flynn a lot. One day, dad started hitting Flynn and I couldn’t take that.
I grabbed my bat and started beating on the old man.
By the time I was done, he was dead and both me and Flynn were finally safe.
I did twenty years and when I was released, I found out Flynn was dead but he left a couple of kids behind.
I had to find them and I learned that Flynn turned out to be as weak as Dad ever was.
Even worse though as he made his living in nefarious endeavors that actually hurt people.
I also found out that Flynn sold his daughter to a kiddy porn ring.
But she was stronger as a child than her dad ever was.
Leon gave me a chance at a good life and I took it.
I hope that doesn’t make you feel unsafe here. ”
“Why would it?” she asked. “You did what you had to do to protect your brother the same as I would. I know dad has hurt Calli but he doesn’t do it when I’m there, so I can’t stop it.
But when I went home this morning, Calli was in his bedroom crying, but I know my father did something to him.
But Calli can’t or won’t speak so he can’t tell me. ”
“Why doesn’t he like to be touched?” Donavan asked. “I heard you telling the guys that earlier.”
Rowen shrugged. “He just doesn't, that's all.”
“Maybe it’s because your dad was roughing him up all the time?” he suggested.
“Maybe?” She tilted her head as she thought about it. “But I never saw any bruises. I was always looking for injuries.”
“There are more ways to hurt someone,” Donavan said softly. “Than just physically.”
Staring at him, she slowly nodded her head. “There is, yes.” She then looked over at her little brother. “He’s such a good kid. He can take care of himself for the most part. He likes to watch people before he trusts them. He doesn’t trust too many and he absolutely hates doctors.”
Donavan snorted. “Smart kid. I never trusted doctors either.”
Rowen chuckled. “No, I guess I never met a doctor I liked much either.” Then she shook her head as she glanced at her brother and the dog.
The dog hadn’t left Calli’s side since they met and this did surprise her.
“The fact that he’s so taken with the dog is astounding to me.
That dog hasn’t left his side once since they met and Calli doesn’t seem to mind. It is amazing.”
Donavan nodded. “I think so too. Meena trains dogs, so I’ve seen many of them here on the property.
Sometimes a dog can sense things about people and maybe Cheri just knew he needed her as much as she needed him.
” Shaking his head he admitted, “I know Meena has been trying to train Cheri into becoming a service dog, but Cheri has her own ideas about that. Maybe she has chosen to be Calli’s service dog?
The two of them hit it off right away, didn’t they? ”
Rowen nodded. “Yeah, they did. Maybe this is what they both need. I can’t be with him all the time but maybe she can.”
“I guess we’ll just have to see how it works out between them.” Donavan shrugged. “I don’t know about the two of you but my belly is gnawing on my backbone, thinking it's lunch, so how about I make us some lunch?”
Rowen smiled and nodded. “Yeah, it's been one hell of a morning, right?” She looked at him and asked quietly, “I can cook if you show me what you got.”
Donavan nodded and smiled with relief. “That’s good, because to be honest, I can’t cook. I’d burn water if that was possible.”
Chuckling, she told him, “Then lead me to your kitchen and let me handle the food.”