“Yes, yes, I forgot, he hasn’t been in the village for many years, almost as long as you have been alive, I think.”
“I hope nothing happened to him. What kind of man was he? Is he the type to go after your son for what he did to my mother?” Think on that and let me know what you come up with.
“I can look for him for you; yes, I can do this.”
“Would you? I would appreciate it, and so would my mother. She hasn’t seen him in years. Not since she had to leave her home.” He frowned and nodded at my subtle reminders of what his snake of a son had caused.
“I understand. You will come back? How will I meet you again? You cannot leave like this. How will I find you?” He was starting to panic.
“Why don’t I give you my number so you can call me whenever you’d like?”
“Are you sure you would not stay for a little bit longer? You’re breaking my heart, niputi.”
“I will try to return once school has recess in a few weeks.”
“Yes, for the holiday, yes, this is perfect. Our family….”
“No, not the holidays but maybe after, for a few days at least.”
“And you will stay with me, yes, at the palazzo.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea; what will your family think?”
“You are Ricci; they will think nothing.” He’s exactly what I expected, straight across the board. I knew that for him, he was scenting fresh blood. One son is a screw-up, the other is off in Egypt digging up Ramses or some shit, and the only grandson is doing his best to follow in his father’s footsteps. He’s not quite there yet at seventeen, but close.
His sister, only one year younger, doesn’t seem to have much going on except trying to break into the modeling world, but she looks like Felice, so good luck with that. I’m sure I outshine them all, and he will soon know it too. But on my time.
“Well, I guess this is it; here’s my number.” I gave him one of the business cards I’d had made up with my mother’s last name. If he looked for Gabriel Antonelli, he would be led down a rabbit hole into a maze of lies and deception, though the credentials were real.
“This is you? Software engineer, what does that mean?” He looked down at the embossed card with pride.
“It’s too much to go into now, but I will tell you later. Here, I bought you a gift.” I reached into my breast pocket and brought out the little jewelry box I’d bought for him.”
“For me? But I’ve brought you nothing. I….”
“I don’t expect anything nannu.” Instant tears filled his eyes, and the hug I gave him sinched it before I turned and walked away.
* * *
DRACO
* * *
For two days, I had no idea where my son was. His team claims he leaves the hotel early every day, long before they arise and return in the late afternoon. None of them could tell me where he goes and what he does there. Something I should’ve expected but was frustrated by all the same. There was only one way for me to find out, but I was too pissed off at my parents to talk to either of them.
This only enhanced my annoyance with my wife, but I knew that stemmed from fear. Fear of something happening to my son. Now I have her fears to abate as well since she’s been freaking out with all the new developments. Usually, I’d be the one to comfort her, but since I lowkey blame her for this taking place, it hasn’t been easy.
On top of that, I’m trying to keep all this away from my girls because one run-away kid is enough to deal with. These two would legit get on a plane and go after him, and that won’t be good for anybody. Lancelot has been on edge because Gabe hasn’t been around, and when they speak, he’s very vague. He’s another one that will hop a plane, too, if it comes to that.
So here I am in the middle of all this chaos, with my hands tied and snapping at everyone around me because if I can’t shoot it or fix it, I’m all outta ideas fuck! I put it off for as long as I could, but by midmorning the third day, I was about to crawl outta my skin, so I bit the bullet and went to see the two old people who’d given me life and now seemed hellbent on taking it through agita.
I haven’t told Garrett like I’d threatened because he’s a mama’s boy who’d somehow end up blaming me out of frustration since there’s no way in hell he’d go after her. I wish I knew where Gia was because I might need a break after this mess is over—just kidding! But that too is another thing that’s been bothering me; after all this time, there’s still no sign of the kid. I don’t want to think the worse, but hell, if Gabe can’t find her, my guys keep coming up empty; I don’t know if she’s still alive.