Page 5 of The Rescuer

“Andrea, no, please!” Tanner saw the librarian heading straight to them.Joseph is going to harm him, he thought, terrified, then turned to his friend, stuttering, “He'll hurt you.” With those words, he bent his knees.

“No, kid” Malaspina helped Tanner to his feet and walked him away. “There is only one man you'll kneel to and it's because you respect him., not because he asks you to.” The Sicilian stared into the guard’s eyes. “You willnotkneel to that bastard again; do you hear me?

“Yes, Andrea.” Tanner nodded, his eyes shiny again. “Thank you for reminding me who really deserves my respect.”

Luca patted the guard on his shoulder. “Hey, we'll always have your back. Don't you ever forget this.”

“Capo is…well…Capo. He'd never expect you to kneel before him, but he deserves that respect.” Malaspina spoke calmly and affectionately. “He'd never have you kneel in fear and is a good man.”

Tanner nodded in understanding again, then got close to Luca. “The guard who made me kneel…he’s my abusive stepbrother. After all those years, I’m still afraid of what he may do to me and the people I care about.”

“The scum needs this job because it's well-paid.” Luca winked, an evil gleam in his eyes. “I’ll talk to Lothier and ask him to give the fucker hell.”

“Get out of my way, you bookworm.” The sound of Joseph’s voice made everyone turn to where it came from, and they watched in shock as he pushed Brian. “Pathetic librarian. What a lousy pair you and the weakling make,” the man hatefully spat.

“Hagman!” Lothier barked, making Joseph flinch. “Apologize to Tanner for disrespecting him, then move your ass to my office. Now!”

“Yes, boss.” The guard went next to his stepbrother, hands balled into fists, tears of frustration burning in his eyes. “I’m sorry for…for treating you like I did.” Not waiting for the other one’s answer, he turned around and headed to guards’ headquarters, head down, shoulders squared.

Luca shook his head, amused at the sight Joseph was offering. “Some people never learn,” he said in Sicilian, looking at the librarian.

“I wish I was able to fight already,” Brian said, his voice tinged with impatience and irritation. “I'd kick his ass.”

“Lothier will kick his sorry ass out if he finds out he was disrespectful to you.” Luca grinned evilly. “However, it amuses me to see how humble he is with Tanner.”

“Watching Lothier kick his ass would be funny and satisfying.” Brian winked. “Even funnier if I could do it because he'd never expect it.”

“Capo, don't do something you may regret later.” Malaspina’s voice, usually so calm, was almost pleading this time.

“All right, Malaspina, you win. I know I'm limited right now, so I won't do any pot stirring, I promise.” Brian’s reply came in a reassuring voice. “It's still funny to imagine it though, is it not?” he continued on in a playful tone.

“That's the librarian I love and respect.” Luca gave the librarian an affectionate smile. “I wouldn't mess with Doc Alasdair if I were you.”

“Thanks.” Brian sighed. “I wish I could go watch the sparring matches, but Spitfire gave strict instructions in the form of one word: rest; so it’s four hours here and the rest at home either reading or sleeping. Doc Alasdair is scary when he’s mad.”

Malaspina slowly shook his head. “You can say that again, Capo.”

“Ten years ago, I passed out because of my own stupidity and broke my arm.” Brian gave a melancholy smile at the memory. “When I argued about time off he threatened to make it two weeks, and if I didn't listen, he'd keep me in the clinic until I did. Scary, I tell you.”

Laughing and joking, the men headed to the library. From the corner of his eye, Brian examined Tanner; in the short minutes since his stepbrother apologized, the man changed visibly. He looked more confident, his body posture was that of someone who knew their purpose and place.Hell, he even seems taller, the librarian thought, happy about the transformation.

Took them out. Brian’s smile froze when he remembered the expression Ottavio used when he mentioned Il Burattinaio’s nephew. The librarian realized Joseph Hagman was sent there by Don Giovanni’s firstborn to take Tanner out of the game. Letting out a long, frustrated sigh, he wondered what dirty trick Ottavio had up his sleeve.

CHAPTER 4

“Good morning. Please give me a book to read, any book. Here’s ten dollars for a subscription.” The boy, no older than sixteen, spoke an English mixed with a lot of words in the Sicilian dialect. He put the bill on the counter.

“Keep the money.” Brian gave the teen a friendly smile. “Do you have any preference? A favorite type of book you like to read more?”

“No. Any book in English or Italian.” The kid accompanied his words with a shake of his head. “And I want dictionaries, too. Do you have schools for illiterate people? I don't know how to write very well.” The last part was spoken in a neutral voice.

“I'll get you the dictionaries you asked for.” Brian thought for a second. “I do know a school and can take you there. I can also help you with reading and writing if you need a tutor.” He extended a hand in the kid’s direction. “My name’s Brian, by the way.”

“Thank you. I’m Raven.” The boy gave the librarian’s hand an energetic shake. “I can work around your house and pay for the tutoring. Any work. I'm strong.” He flexed his muscles.

“You don't have to work at my house,” Brian softly spoke, his heart breaking for the kid. “I want to help you because I can tell you love books and want nothing more than to learn. Maybe you can help here or at The Base kitchen as a volunteer, but let's get you settled first.” His voice softened even more. “Are you hungry?”

“The Base kitchen? What's that?” Raven frowned, then waved his hand dismissively. “Never mind me, I ate a sandwich. I'll mow some grass and make some money. I'm a man; I know how things work. Just give me the books. I'll find a way to pay you for lessons.” His voice was filled with savage determination.

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