Chapter 3
Andres
Last night was greatest night of my life.
I still smile when I think back to Axl calling me father.
He was finally accepting me as his father.
I know I didn’t treat him as a loving father should in the beginning, but I didn’t know any better.
I was only doing what my father did to me, which is no excuse.
I should have broken the cycle the day I saw him in his mother’s arms, but I was a coward who could stand up to my own father.
I thought I was doing what was right by protecting Axl and Elena by not claiming him, but it only made matters worse.
Every day I live with the guilt and regret of what happened to those three boys and their mother.
I could have saved them, but I didn’t. I let my pride and jealousy get in the way because I felt betrayed that my first love married another and my first-born son, blood son thought of another as his father.
Axl was just like me in every sense. Not just from his looks but his temperament.
He was just like I was before my father stripped me of all my humanity and turned me into a heartless killer just like I tried to do with Axl but the difference was my son held onto his humanity.
I saw it and I tried to break him from it but he still held on.
That is what makes him a better man than me.
Axl is everything I have had dreamed of being.
Being around him and the rest of the family has made me realize this is all I’ve ever wanted...
to be genuinely loved without anything something in return.
I love my sons, my daughters, my granddaughter and our extended family.
There was nothing I wouldn’t do for my family.
“Andres, love are you ready?” Brittney asks stepping into the living room.
This woman here was the other love of my life.
I never thought I could love another the way I did Elena but she has brought that out of me.
When I was married to Anjelica, it wasn’t because of love, it was because she was who my father had arranged for me to marry.
I thought I could grow to love her especially after she had my children, but it was never there.
We were together for convenience, but never once did I step outside of my marriage.
I believed in my vows even though my heart did not.
When I found out about her betrayal, that gave me the out I had been looking for.
I divorced her ass and got full custody of Andres Jr. and Calla.
Hell, Monica and Keirra have been more motherly to them than her sorry ass ever was.
“Andres?”
I spin in Brittney’s direction. “Yes, I’m ready, sweetheart. Has the driver loaded up all our luggage? We’ll only have to pick Andres Jr. and Calla up from Axl’s then we’ll be set.”
“Yes, Maxillo has taken the last pieces out. He’s such a gentleman.” Brittney says coming to me then wrapping her arms around my waist.
I tightly hold her in my arms. “Maxillo is a good man. He’s had a troubled past, no parents, no siblings or family but in despite it all he’s very honorable.”
“The poor dear, well at least he has you all, that’s what counts.”
“True. Since grooming Axl to take over, I have tried many times to let him go but he won’t go. Maxillo has been with me since he was eighteen and for some reason, I really don’t want him to go either.”
Brittney giggles placing her palm on my cheek.
“That’s because you care about him, Andres.
Just like you care for Axl, Felix, Adam and Lorenzo.
Maxillo may play the part as your bodyguard but in reality, he is protecting the only father figure he has ever known...
good or bad because I’m sure you were an ass to him just like you were to Axl. ”
I lower my head because what she said was true, there were times I was an ass to Maxillo and he never once bucked up to me, he took it all in.
Shit, someday I’m going to sit down and have a conversation with him because I knew of his past and when he found out the truth I don’t know if he will still want to stand by my side.
A honk from the car has us looking out the window. “Well, it’s off to Italy we go.” I kid.
Brittney snickers as she lets go of my waist and grabs my hand pulling me towards the front door.
One thing I must say is this will definitely be a trip for the ages with me introducing my eldest son as the new head of the Romano family, the introduction of my three other sons, Felix, Adam and Andres Jr. and finally telling the old man he no longer has a say will be written down in as the biggest takeover in the Romano family ever.
“Everything’s packed, Boss.” Maxillo says from the doorway.
“Thank you, Maxillo. We’ll be right out.” I spoke. He nodded before returning outside. “Well, let’s get this show on the road or should I say air.”
With six kids and thirteen adults I thought the flight would have been pure chaos, but Estelle kept the kids entertained on the eighteen-hour flight with movies, fun time and reading stories to them.
She was truly a nurturer of children. As for the rest of us we watched a few movies and the ladies talked about some of the sights and shopping districts they wanted to see but Axl and I kept eyeing each other knowing that it wouldn’t be that simple.
Depending on how the introduction went, they might have to spend their time at my estate for the remainder of the time.
When we finally arrived in Palermo, just as I requested, there were five cars waiting to take us to my home in Cafelù. Axl approaches me and asks in a hush tone, “Why are there so many cars here, father?”
I wanted to smile at him calling me father but instead I locked eyes with him and kept a straight face.
“Axl, this is the old country nothing gets past my father, so I know as soon as we touched ground he was notified.
I felt it would be best if you, Felix, Adam and I rode in separate cars.
Albert will ride with Felix and Lorenzo can ride with Adam.
Maxillo will ride in the fifth car to watch over the others.
He eyes me. “Do you think this is really necessary?”
“Yes, I do. If my father tried anything it would be to come for us and I do not want the women and children to be put in any harm. I have instructed the drivers to take different routes to my estate. I’m sure everything will be fine but I not taking any chances.”
“I agree.” Axl concurs.
“What’s going on?” Felix asks as he and Adam join us.
“We’ll be riding in separate vehicles from the ladies and kids.” Axl informs.
“What? Why?” Adam questions.
“It’s just a precaution.” Axl replies.
“A precaution for what?” Adam hisses.
Axl swivels his head in Adams direction. “Not now, Adam. I will explain everything later. Right now, we need to get going.”
“Fine” Adam says as he returns to the others followed by Felix.
Father sighs. “Axl, I know you want to tell your brothers everything but being the eldest son and the head of the family sometimes you can’t divulge everything. There will be times you will have to choose what you want them to know for the sake of the family.”
Once everyone was settled into the cars, we left the airport with each vehicle heading in different directions to my estate.
So many memories hit me as I take in my native countryside.
The hills, mountains and the beauty of it all is where I knew someday, I would do as my father and retire to the old country.
Thoughts of my youth ran with me as we travelled along the old country road.
This was peace and I wanted it but first I had to make sure Axl would be recognized as the true head of the Romano Family.
I knew my biggest obstacle would be my father, but if I needed to push his old ass out of the way then that’s exactly what I was going to do.
We were the first to arrive at the estate.
The house was as beautiful and immaculate as the last time I was here.
Giamo Bianchi, my grounds keeper and his wife Luna, who is the head cook and housekeeper, waited at the end of the walkway.
They were an older couple who have been with me ever since I bought the property.
My father has in the past tried to have them betray me but each time he has approached them, they have come straight to me with his bullshit, every time proving their loyalty to me.
“Ciao, Sig. Romano! (Hello, Mr. Romano)” Giamo greets as I exit the car.
“Ciao, Giamo!” I return. Just as the driver closes the door the other four cars pull into the driveway. I walk over to Giamo and shake his hand then turn to Luna. “Ciao, Luna” I kiss her cheeks before giving her a hug.
“Ciao, Sig. Romano! Come stai (How are you)?” Luna eagerly asks placing her palms on my face. She was such a sweet lady. She often reminded me of my own mother who passed away many years ago.
“Sto bene, grazie, Luna (I’m well, thank you, Luna)? Sei bellissima come sepre (You’re looking beautiful as always).” I compliment causing her to blush.
“Sto bene (I’m well), non doveresti mentire a una donna anziana, Sig. Romano (but you shouldn’t lie to old woman, Mr. Romano).” Luna replies with her heavy accent as she swats my arm.
I chuckle. “Non dico bugie (I tell no lies), Luna, sei bello (you are beautiful).”
Axl and the rest have gotten out of the cars and are making their way to us. I step forward getting ready to introduce everyone when Luna gasps when she sees Axl.
“Sig. Romano, ti assomilia (He looks just like you)!” She says as she approaches Axl then places her hand on his bearded cheek. “Ha persino I tuoi occhi (He even has your eyes)!”
“Sì, Luna lo fa (Yes, Luna he does). Vorrei presentarvi il mio figlio maggiore, Axl (I’d like you to meet my eldest son, Axl). Axl this is Luna; she is the head cook and housekeeper here and is like a mother to me.” I state.