Chapter Eleven
D onavan took her by the elbow and led her to the kitchenette. She looked through his pantry and fridge and shook her head. “Man, you’ve got to eat better than this.”
“What can I say? I never learned to cook at home or anywhere else.” Donavan shrugged. “So the right kind of groceries never helped me.”
“Get out of here for now and let me think for a minute. I’ll let you know when it's done.” Rowen shooed him out of the kitchen.
Donavan went back to the living room to wait with Calli. He sat down on the sofa to watch TV for a while then something caught his eye and he turned his head slightly to see Calli on his laptop, trying to spell words. Quietly, he watched the boy.
When Calli looked up there was a hopeful expression on his face.
Donavan tried to remember back to the time he had a deaf cellmate and he taught him how to use sign language to communicate with him. Donavan slowly began to use his fingers and hands to speak.
Calli nodded at him as his hands moved more rapidly and Donavan had to ask him to slow down.
Just then, someone knocked at Donavan’s door and he got up to answer it.
Meena stood there smiling as she had a couple of dog dishes and a bag of food for Cheri, along with a leash and a few toys. Nodding at Donavan, she said, “I thought if Cheri was going to stay with Calli, he might need these things.”
“Thank you so much.” Donavan smiled back at her. “Dang, I never thought about the dog, I mean I’ve never had a pet before.” He turned his head to look at the kid. “Calli, Meena brought Cheri some things she needs.”
Calli went over to the doorway to see the dishes and the food. He took the things and left the room, so he could set up the dishes in the kitchen.
Rowen came out and thanked her again. “I’m so grateful for the dog. Calli never owned one before, so we have a lot to learn about being parents of a dog.”
Meena smiled and said, “Cheri is a good dog but she just needed to find her place and I think she’s found it now. She has had some training in protection so there’s that too. I hope she and your brother become good friends.”
Rowen smiled and said softly, “Maybe this is what he needs too. I couldn’t protect him from our dad because I had to work but now that he has her I have a feeling he’s gonna be okay. You don’t know what a relief that is for me to know he’s safe.”
“I have an idea about this though.” Meena shook her head.
“I grew up just like your brother, never knowing if I’d be safe sometimes and it was the dogs that got me through that.
I never met my dad until I was about your age but I still had a lot to learn.
Good luck. I know something bad brought you to my dad’s door this morning but I hope you know you can count on him to protect you now. No matter what happens.”
“Leon has a fierce reputation, ya know?” Rowen said as she smiled.
“When I first came, I was too afraid to actually come inside to see him. Then Calli insisted that we warn Leon. Then I saw that he is all about family. What’s coming is going to be terrible enough to get through.
I just hope it can be stopped before it goes too far.
People are gonna die but I hope it’s the ones who deserve it the most that get their asses smoked. ”
“I hear ya, girlfriend.” Meena nodded in agreement.
“I hear ya but karma has a way of bitchslapping those who really need it. I have a feeling your grandfather is gonna find that out real quick. Might even be he’d wished he stayed inside those cement walls that have housed him for all these years.
Anyway, have Donavan call me if you need any help with Cheri or if you have any questions. ”
“Thank you, again.” Rowen nodded as she smiled at her.
Meena gave her a nod, then smiled at Calli. Kneeling down, she patted Cheri on the head. “Be a good girl.” She stood, then turned and left.
Rowen glanced at Donvan and said, “Lunch is ready.”
A fter lunch in the main house, John went looking for Leon.
Out in his private garden again, Leon groaned when John showed up. “What now?”
“I just intercepted another message from Gianno. He told Stephano his men would show up tonight as his release day has been moved up to the day after tomorrow and he wanted Stephano to be ready for them.”
“Maledetto questo stronzo,” Leon swore as he got to his feet and growled, “Lock this place down. Then let the Council and Marco know about this new development. Get as many of your forces here as possible together here. Let Rowen and Donavan know as well. It could be soon that Stephano gets here for phase one.”
“Phase one?” John asked.
“Si, my good man. He'll want to hit me first then go to New York City to hit his brother in phase two.” Leon shrugged. “That’s what I would do anyway.” Then he paused.
“Wait a minute, if he has enough men he might hit both places at once.” He thought about this possibility.
“Beh, dannazione! Si, he would probably hit both places at the same time if he’s as gone as Stephano thinks.
” Leon turned to John and said, “Warn Marco that he might be hit as well tonight. Gianno would probably want his place secured before he walks out of that damn prison.”
“And if he won’t listen?” John had to ask.
“Then there is nothing we can do about that. All we can do is warn them, both the Council and Marco. What they do about it is up to them. But I want security to be tight around here.”
John nodded.
And Leon snarled, “And get someone to watch Stephano wherever he is in the city. I want pictures of the men who are coming to him. So, we can check on them before they come storming over the walls here. Leave no stone unturned, I want to know who is coming after me.”
John nodded. “I already have someone watching Stephano. I’ll get pictures for you and when I get them, I’ll run them through the penal system to get their records.”
“Si, John. You know your job well. Saved my life more than once or twice.” He patted his large arm. “You were always family even before you married Meena.”
John slowly shook his head. “It has always been an honor, Sir.”
Leon scoffed. “Stop with the sir business.”
“Signore Vincinti then,” John teased him.
“Not Boss and not sir.” Leon stared at him.
John shook his head as he smiled. “Well, I will back out of your garden for a while.” He turned and went back into the house.