Aftermath by S W Frank

Author:S W Frank [Frank, S W]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781484845905
Published: 2012-10-25T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

 

 

 

Darren’s physical exam went well, considering the teen had a cracked rib and couldn’t play ball until it healed. The boy was angry, basketball was his life and Nico felt for the kid. He drove the rental car, glancing occasionally at the sulking boy as they traversed from Third to Second Avenue toward the Fifty-ninth Street Bridge.

Darren insisted on going to school after the exam, it was late morning so he told Ari he’d take him. She wanted to make an appearance at the office and try to assimilate into her normal routine, especially after the drama with Gregory.

Aaron had skipped out early, hopped the train to school but not before a stern warning that his dad was going to be on his case and he better improve academically or he’d have hell to pay. Yeah, Nico grunt, that kid of his had the thrill-seeker gene and a Giacanti to the core.

Darren spoke, “What were you like when you were my age dad?”

Whoa, this was an out of left field question and Nico pondered it. “What do you mean?”

“Like, did you play sports or have a hobby, things like that.”

Learning how to kill is that a sport?

“I played soccer and drew pictures in my spare time”

“Why didn’t you become an artist?”

“Humph, long story.”

“We have an hour.”

The boy’s putting me on the spot.

He decided not to lie to his son anymore. The truth surfaced. “My adoptive father said it would only detract from what I’m meant to do.”

“And what were you meant to do?”

Darren sat up, listening with rapt attention. He didn’t know much about his dad’s life and spending time in Palermo and hearing everybody talking, he sort of wondered was there more to his dad than he shared. He loved his dad and wanted to get to know him better. Not only the surface image but the pain that forged the killer people feared. To Darren, the imposing man had always been just dad.

“Darren…I had a complicated childhood. It’s not easy to talk about son.” He went silent. His mouth held tight in a thin line. What was the kid doing to him?

“Dad, it’s okay. Whatever you tell me is confidential. I won’t love you less. I promise…I just want to know.”

He told Darren some of the family history in a condensed version. The violent parts were omitted. Semira and her affair with the king of Italy and their love children were the feature attraction. He shared how his father, Alberti gave him to Ernesto, the Butcher to learn the ways of a protector of the Giacanti family. An honor bestowed upon only a blood relative. Something he did not know then.

“The things I had to do Darren, I don’t want to talk about. I just don’t want you to ever be like me.”

“Did he beat you dad, that man, the Butcher?”

“He treated me like a son, except the lessons were harsh and sometimes I feared I wouldn’t survive.” Nico said, shifting in his seat at the uncomfortable line of questioning.

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