The thought of what a budding friendship with that family would do to Becky and Victoria gave me the warm and fuzzies, followed closely by shame. Wouldn’t I be using them if I just befriended them to get back at others? There’s already a difference in the way I’m being treated, and it’s only been a few days. People who never gave me the time of day before are suddenly asking me questions in class, and I’ve seen more teeth through fake smiles in the last few hours than I care to in a lifetime.
By the time lunchtime came around, I was a nervous wreck. Seeing Gabriel arrive at the classroom door before class was dismissed didn’t help, especially when the whispers started.
DRACO
“Fontane, you made it. I hope I haven’t made things difficult for you, calling you here on such short notice.” Average! Not bad looking, but the eyes look worn, and there’s a slight sloop to the shoulders. His smile, though, is sincere.
“Not at all, forgive me for saying it, but I’ve always wanted to see the inside of this place. From the outside, it looks like something from the movies but inside is even better.”
He looked down at the smooth shine of the white Statuario marble with the painting of a family at play in a garden with something approaching awe. The pope has the Sistine chapel, Sophia Russo has Van Helten. “I’ll tell my wife you like what she’s done with the place.” I walked him to the downstairs study since I didn’t know him well enough to take him deeper into my home.
“Have a seat.” I gestured to one of the two chairs across from my desk. Nervous! Even when I cloak what I truly am, it’s still hard for some men not to sense or feel. I’ve been told it’s like coming face to face with a tiger in the wild. I don’t see it; my wife and kids sure the hell don’t act like it. Ergo the reason for this little sit-down.
“So, I guess you’re wondering why I called you here.” Look me in the eye. A real man doesn’t hide the windows to his soul unless he’s ashamed or guilty. Which one are you? For fucks sake, Draco, give the guy a break; he’s not a hit. Habits formed over time are hard to break. I’m trying here. What the fuck do I know about this shit?
“I was wondering, but before we get to that, I’d like to extend my thanks for your kindness towards my daughter. Gia’s a bright girl, but after we lost her mother, she’s been very shy and withdrawn. She doesn’t go out as much as girls her age, doesn’t seem to have much interest in anything, in fact, so I’m glad to see her showing an interest in making friends.”
“My kids have that effect on people.”
“I bet. I met your son last night; he seems like a formidable young man, very straightforward in his manner.” He laughed, but he had no idea. “I met your daughters this morning as well.”
“Oh?” So that’s what that panicked phone call was about earlier. Of course, I have to pretend I don’t know what my kids are up to since I’d been warned not to send their detail with them to school in the mornings.
I, of course, agreed since they claimed it looked odd to their friends. But I never know when or if my enemies will find me here, so there’s no way I’m taking any chances with their safety. Instead, I came up with a compromise. The road to school is pretty much the same each day, so I have my men stake out a spot that meets them before they reach the halfway point and follow them from a distance.
If Gabe hasn’t noticed yet, I’d be surprised, but he hasn’t said anything. He knows why I’m doing it, even if his sheltered sisters don’t. When the detail called me in a panic because they didn’t see them at the location within five minutes of their usual time, they’d called me as if their lives depended on it.
I trust my son, so didn’t have the same fear, but I too had no idea where they were. Gabe finds and removes tracking devices like he went to school for that shit. “I didn’t know the kids were stopping by this morning.”
“Yes, they came to pick Gia up for school. I get the feeling they’ve never met a stranger.”
“That sounds about right. I hope they weren’t any trouble.”
“Not at all; they’re very welcome.”
“So, onto the reason, I asked for this meet.” Shit Draco, it’s not called a meet. What the hell do these humps call this shit again? Never mind, it’s not important. “As a father of young daughters, I like to keep on top of what they’re getting up to. I figured you’re like myself in that aspect, and since my wife and daughters have taken a liking to your kid, I thought it best we meet so your mind can be at ease when she’s here with us.”