Page 46 of Baratta's Darkness

“Ah, but I knew those few were not for you. The one meant for you could never mistake me for you. Plus, you never tried to kill me for it.” Giovanni says in all seriousness.

“I think he has a point.” I smile at the two of them.

“So how long are the two of you staying?” Gio asks Bar. The two of them walk towards the huge lake and I slowly follow, giving them space to talk amongst themselves.

Baratta

Spending time with my brother is something I’ve not done since we were younger. We both went into the military; only I went a little farther within the government agency that trained me to be a killer.

Gio was the opposite of me when we were growing up. He was always more popular and out-going through school, while I was more with-drawn and antisocial.

Everyone knew that I was quite different. I didn’t cry either. Not even when our dog died. I watched from the sidelines wondering why my brother was screaming as the dog lay there bleeding out from the old bear trap that it had gotten caught in. I remember thinking that the blood was very pretty, almost like paint.

“She seems to be your match in every way.” Giovanni breaks the silence while we walk.

“What do you mean?” I’m curious as to how he sees the two of us.

He looks off across the distance like he is trying to find the right words.

“You always had this...tiny spark in your eyes. It was like you saw the world differently than I ever did. Than most people ever did. You were colder. Never allowing others to touch you for instance. Not even hugs. But you touch her like you have done so your entire life. Easily. You don’t tense up when she touches you back.”

“That’s how I knew she was different the night I met her. It was easy for me when I was with her that night. Then the next morning when I returned to the hotel room to find her gone it pissed me off. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.” I look to my brother as I explain. While we were both very different, he was always there for me to talk to.

“And now you feel free, no?” He smiles.

“Yes. She means everything to me now. We even have a dog.” Gio laughs at the dog comment.

We both look behind us to see Fi picking flowers close to the water's edge. She smiles in our direction when she notices the two of us watching.

“When do you think you’ll ask her to marry you and give me a niece or nephew?”

“As soon as we get back, I need to ask her brother’s permission first.”

“I’ve heard a lot about Blood from Uncle Tony. I’ve also heard about what he did to Ray before they fed his corpse to the alligators. You think you can handle a brother in law as ruthless as yourself?” Gio raises his eyebrows at me.

“I just have to make sure I keep my skills up so that he can’t catch me. I like my manhood exactly where it’s located.” I give a mock shudder causing Giovanni to double over in laughter.

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