Page 21 of The Rescuer

Ottavio huffed contemptuously, shaking his head. “Hey, librarian, you better read some more books. I'm a member of the Sicilian Mafia. If you touch me, all those who side with you now will be the ones who will kill you. They have to, because in our world, you are a nobody.”

“He really has no clue who I am, does he?” Brian spoke in a half-surprised, half-amused voice. Without being noticed by the others, he had moved closer to Dominic, who gave him the letter.

“No, he doesn't.” Luca huffed a short laugh, then his expression became stern.

“Ottavio Sforza, you are a shame to the Mafia.” Cold and flat as it was, Don Calogero’s voice boomed through the library. “You are not worthy of that illustrious name. Don Giovanni, your father, was The Council's War like his father before him. You don't deserve that position because you disrespected Don Luca, Don Martino, and Don Brian, three of the most prominent members of The Council.”

“Educator, I think this is for you.” Brian spoke in a thick voice, giving Don Calogero the letter. “You can read it now or later.”

In a solemn voice, the old mafioso started to read his dear friend’s letter. From beyond the grave, Don Giovanni reconfirmed the validity of Luca’s blood contract. In his heart, he considered the young man part of his family from the moment he’d first set foot in Palazzo Sforza at only fifteen.

The regretted member of The Council used affectionate words when he spoke about and to Martino’s fiancé, calling him son several times. It was Don Giovanni’s way to publicly acknowledge Luca’s status as the pillar of the family, the one in charge with defending Lucrezia’s interests and honor, the preserver of Sforza moral values and traditions.

No, it can’t be. Life is unfair, Ottavio bitterly thought as he was listening to his father’s posthumous message.It wasn’t supposed to be like that. Papa should have given Ruggero Rinaldi’s bastard to me, not to the little brat. I’m the only one who loves him, who would have kept him safe, had he submitted to me, mind, body, and soul.

Don Calogero finished reading the letter, and Luca put a knee down, promising to honor Don Giovanni’s memory and to carry on his legacy. Brian came close to the kneeling man, and Ottavio watched in disbelief, frustration, and anger as he put the ring that was passed down from the head of the Sforza family to his firstborn on Luca’s finger.

Martino’s older brother wondered who the librarian was. Most likely, someone with a great prestige and authority in their world; there was no way his father would leave such a treasured possession in the hands of someone of lower rank or entrust a straniero with that ring. Ottavio felt he’d already found out the man’s real identity, but in spite of all his efforts, nothing came into his mind.

“Ugh, I hate contacts.” Brian’s voice brought Don Giovanni’s firstborn back from his thoughts. “I had a feeling you were coming. That's why I put one in.” The librarian removed the contact lens, blinking a few times.

“Shit!” Ottavio stared in shock at the man’s mismatched eyes. “You can't be. They’re all dead! All of them. All the sorcerers!” He shook his head. “You are not real. Don Calogero, he's an impostor, you can't believe him. The Cavallieris were executed by the Austrian army!”

“I think he finally got it.” Brian grinned. “Or better said, remembered.” He watched in delight how Martino’s older brother shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his cheeks deep red from embarrassment.

“Yes, my friend.” Luca gave a small smile, nodding his approval, then turned to his brother-in-law, eyes narrowed and darkened. “Ottavio, you are in deep trouble. You offended three members of The Council. And there is, of course, Don Giovanni's letter...” He started to unbuckle his belt, much to the man’s horror. “Don’t worry, I won’t stoop as low as you think I will.”

“Come on, dickhead, this is your lucky day.” Tanner grabbed Ottavio by the arm and dragged him to the library’s exit while Malaspina and Dominic were holding his men at gunpoint. “You’re in for a beating you won’t forget too soon.”

“Please, let me first. I’m going to be easy on him.” Luca hit the air with the belt, the cracking sound making Ottavio flinch. “Just ten times, and you’ll be off the hook.” He continued with dark humor.

“I’m sorry you had to witness this.” Brian wrapped the teens in an affectionate gaze. “From the moment the rescue team got you out of that place, you were safe. No one will come after you or threaten you in any way. I and everyone else are always here whenever you need someone to talk to or listen to you.”

“Thank you.” Gaspardo disentangled from Don Calogero’s arms and hugged Brian. “The men who freed us brought a lot of tasty sandwiches and pastries, which we ate on the way here, so we’re not hungry anymore. But we could use some sleep.”

“How are you, kiddies?” Lawrence stepped into the library, a soft smile on his face. “Your dorms are ready, and I’m your cool driver.” He gestured to the yellow van parked across the street.

“Thank you, my friend.” Brian offered the biker a grateful smile. “As you can see, we had unexpected visitors, but everything is fine.” He gestured to Ottavio’s guards, who Dominic and Malaspina had disarmed and were still holding at gunpoint.

“Take them to their master.” A sweaty, slightly panting Luca walked into the library. “Tanner is in top shape.” He smirked. “It’s a long time since I’ve seen him so unleashed.”

Brian waited for Lawrence and the kids to leave the library, then cleared his throat. “It’s not over. For anyone else, the whipping, the beating, and what happened here would be a harsh lesson, but we are talking about Ottavio here.”

“You are a wise man.” The smirk on Luca’s face vanished, replaced with a serious expression. “I agree with you.”

Brian cast a look in Baldassare’s direction. “We have to put one more guard on War, protect him at any cost.” He told Luca in a low voice. “Don Giovanni was particularly insistent on this matter.”

“Yes, I understand his worries, and I think Dominic would be perfect for the job. Unless, of course, you have someone else in mind.” The Sicilian’s answer came on the spot.

“But guys, I'm safe enough.” Baldassare protested. “I don't need another guard. Please??” He gave the two men his best puppy eyes.

Brian replied by telling the teen he had strict orders from Don Giovanni, to which the young member of The Council backed down in surrender. He knew his uncle, when the man was alive, didn’t take no as an answer and was fiercely protective, so for Baldassare, it was no surprise Don Giovanni did everything in his power to keep his family safe, even beyond the grave.

Maneuvering his wheelchair, Baldasare came closer to the librarian and Luca, who were talking about what just happened and how Ottavio would react to losing the advantage offered him by keeping the heirs as hostages and to Don Giovanni’s letter. His father painted a target on his back, giving The Council his permission, in writing, to physically eliminate him for the many crimes he committed.

Ottavio needed time to regroup, find new allies inside and outside Old World Mafia, and rethink his strategy, Luca said, which would give them time to do the same. Their position was much stronger than that of their enemy, especially after Don Agustin Van Necker’s men and Don Mauricio Serrano’s associates pledged their allegiance to Brian as a sign of gratitude for keeping Joris and Esteban safe.

Another surprising but very powerful and loyal ally was the O’Hara organization. After Reardon’s death, his men chose Edwin, their boss’s widower, over Kevren, his own flesh and blood, so The Council could count on their backup and support whenever they needed.Just like how it happened today, Brian thought, looking into the ceiling.Thank you, my friend.He smiled inwardly when he sensed Reardon’s presence.

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