Cole
He was agitated. Cole Brandt nee Delano, was a desperate man
He had found out that his father was planning to have him transported to a remote area in Australia, sea salt mining of all things, in Karratha. It sounded like the back of beyond. Not for Cole the drudgery of work and from what he guessed, his father was not going to allow him to sit about in a fancy office. No, this would be work, work and more work.
For F*ck’s sake, he swore as he paced nervously, now that he was in a small room in the Club still under the watchful gaze of his father’s people. And of course, that white-haired Amazon, Daniele.
He had to get out of here and fast. His father had agreed, grudgingly, to send him in a week, not the very next day. But that was because his partner and friend in Australia, was away at the moment and he needed to be back to oversee Cole’s relocation.
He needed to get word to the Monk. Britney, he had learnt that morning had been spirited away to Mexico again. Danielle had been very pleased to break the news to him in her usual sadistic way.
He cringed. His aunt must be devastated. Both of them had planned and invested so much in this gamble; they had imagined a comfortable life, a life of ease, living in the palatial houses of Delano.
When they had first been approached by Brother Paval, it had been like a dream come true. But now, he could taste the ashes in his mouth. Everything was going wrong.
Lucien Delano had proved to be a deadly opponent when crossed; the man had moved ahead of them. Yes, mainly because it was Cole’s fault, he mused bitterly. He had dared to fondle that dreadful wh*re, Proserpina Delano, his father’s wife, who had been flaunting her big tits and large hips and that come-hither smile
He scowled fiercely.
Now was not the time to dwell on his mistakes. he had to do something, had to let the monk know about the developments; surely Brother Paval would be able to help him.
Think, Cole think! he told himself
The need of the hour was a plan and f*ck, he needed one. There was no way he was going to be hiding out in a remote place in Australia, mining f*cking salt! And his father would definitely see that he would be working his butt off, he thought grimly.
Pacing furiously he smote his palm into his fist and then ran his hands over his greasy ponytail as he thought of a way out. There had to be a way out, surely?
*
Ria
After all the work she had done with Piers the night before, snooping around Paddy’s notes and jottings, she knew that she had stumbled on something that Paddy had been doing, Something that had led to the accident. Determined to unearth some more information, she approached her father who was in his study along with James Schwartz. With a pang, she realised that Philippe was not to be seen.
Lucien Delano looked up with a frown as he watched his daughter, all golden curls and with a curvaceous figure like that of her mother, approach him. She looked unnaturally serious, he thought. This recent event had turned his family life on its head.
He was deep in discussion with James Schwartz, the omnipresent tumbler of whiskey in his large hand as his valet, Gustav hovered around, unobtrusively.
“Not returning to college this week?’ he asked crisply as she came to him and gave him a hug.
She shook her head as she said, ‘Pappa,’ she replied earnestly, ‘I think the attack on Paddy had something to do with Cole, Pappa.’ Lucien watched her, narrow-eyed, rocking on his heels. Handsome James watched them silently and the air was crackling with the seriousness of what she had said.
Then he grunted and she gave a gasp as the realisation dawned on her belatedly.
‘Pappa, you knew that?’ she cried in surprise.
He shrugged and watched her, his face as unreadable as ever.
‘I am not the Don for nothing, pumpkin,’ he said mildly.
She stared at him as Schwartz chuckled, his usual sunny disposition not so evident.
‘Uncle Schwartz,’ beamed Ria.
All the Delano children were very fond of James Schwartz, having grown up seeing him in their house almost all the time.
He grinned his lopsided grin and said, “How’s my favourite gal?’ as she stepped to him and he encircled her in his warm embrace.
“That’s Aiyana, right?’ she joked.
A shadow passed over his head. But he went on in his usual jovial manner,
” Aye, wee one. She left this morning. Returned to Texas, lock, stock and barrel.’
Proserpina entered at the same time, having gotten back with Claude from the hospital. She looked drained but her eyes brightened as she saw her husband and his best friend.
Schwartz grinned lightly but his face was clouded. Ria held her father’s hand and looked into his eyes but Lucien looked as unconcerned as ever. The Mafia Don gave a snort and looked at his friend.
“She would never have done for you.’ he muttered in an uncharacteristic fashion for him and Proserpina frowned at him.
‘Your Mumma knows.’ added Handsome James.
Ria stood up and crossed to him, winding her arms around her favourite uncle’s waist, and looking up at him. If only he could find a woman who would make him happy, she thought sadly. He really deserved it! He loved Mumma, everyone knew that and it was an equally familiar fact that he cared for him as a friend, but her eyes only saw Lucien Delano. He was the sun to her earth, as Camile had one declared poetically.
Claude
He was back home by the afternoon and had a huge lunch waiting for him. The entire family was there, although Proserpina was still looking heartbroken. She had spent her morning in Paddy’s room, and the sorrow of seeing the inert body connected to the tubes, lying helplessly on the hospital bed, all but killed her.
But she had outdone herself and made sure that all of Claude’s favourite dishes were served. The country-fried steaks were crumbly and done the way he loved them best, dusted with light spices, which was followed by the sweet potato turkey meatballs and of course, the family favourite macaroni and cheese. But being a person who preferred vegetarian fare, Proserpina had also prepared the Thai dish, Pineapple fried rice and crispy fried veggies in a batter which was her secret recipe. She was fond of saying that it was the best way of ensuring that her husband ate vegetables for the Don relished the dishes too.
Grinning from ear to ear, Claude surveyed the food. His mother had been in the hospital for a few hours, keeping a vigil beside Paddy but she had prepared the food with the help of her staff, just for him. Lucien Delano, who had also, to everyone’s surprise, turned up for lunch, raised his brows quizzically at his wife. Since he never came for lunch except at exceptional times, it was a big deal.
‘This is your idea of resting, Woman?’ he growled and she moved to him, as always, dimpling, cheeks flushed as she said quietly,
‘These are some of your favourites too, Lucien.’
Maja sighed and wished she had such a caring man in her life. Her eyes darted again to Schwartz, who was laughing at something Piers had said.
As though he had heard her words, he looked her way and she felt her face turn beet red. Unnoticed by the two, Proserpina caught the looks and she smiled to herself.
Ria, who was in the middle of spooning rice onto her plate, dropped the spoon with a clatter as Philippe’s deep baritone sounded at the door. She whirled about to look as he addressed her father,
“Boss?’
Lucien wiped his lips and fixing him with a look, he growled,
‘Take Ria and Piers with you when you go to meet that friend of Paddy’s.’
She gulped and looked away, hoping that no one had noticed her heightened colour. Spending time with the Capo was going to be a bittersweet experience…