I visit with the otters for a little while before I head to the clubhouse. Spending time with them is calming. And they’re always so happy to see me.
“Okay guys, I’ll come see you again later,” I say to them as they squeak at me.
I make my way to the clubhouse. Every building on the property was built by the families. They’ve made sure everyone has a home.
“Hey, Tristan, if you’re hungry, there’s food on the bar,” Enea Mancini says as he sits down with his plate.
“I’m good, thanks. Leighton made breakfast, it was so good I’m probably going to forget how to take care of myself soon.” I laugh.
“I hear you. I’m not sure I could cook a full meal for myself anymore.” Leonardo laughs.
“Did you want to have a formal meeting?” Giacomo asks.
“I don’t think so. I just have a request, if you’re okay with it, I don’t mind doing it here.”
“If you don’t mind us eating while we talk, it’s fine.”
“Nope, I don’t mind,” I say as I sit on one of the couches.
“So what’s going on? Is everything okay?” Enea asks.
“Everything is good. I want to thank you for letting me stay here. After Levi said that he was getting out, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. But you’ve all given me a home, and that’s something I haven’t had since I lost my parents.”
“We’re glad you’re here, Tristan. And you’re going to make a great deputy.” Antonio smiles.
“I appreciate that. What I wanted to ask is if I could bring my parents here. I know Lake Renegade cemetery is for family and residents. But I would love to have them here with me,” I blurt out as fast as I can.
“Of course you can, you’re a part of our family. You just need to pick out a spot and then talk to Salvatore and Lorenzo to have them do the paperwork that’s needed.”
The relief that floods my body is overwhelming.
“Thank you so much. I really wish they were still around—I know they would have loved Lake Renegade.”
“Well if you believe in the afterlife, they’ll know what you’re doing for them. And I’m sure they’re proud of you and the man you’ve become.” Enea nods at me.
“I appreciate you saying that. I had a good life when I lived with my coach and his family. But it never truly felt like home for me. Even when I joined the Marines, there was always something missing.”
“There’s been quite a few of the family that have said the same things. And when you meet my papà and my father-in-law, you’ll see why Lake Renegade is so special. When they came here, they represented two different mafia families. They chose to come together to create this town. And then made the decision to change some of their ways,” Enea explains.
“And even when we tried to leave Lake Renegade to start new adventures, we’ve all come home again.” Salvatore chuckles as he comes into the room.
“I can see why you’d come back. If I grew up here, I don’t think I’d leave.” I laugh.
“Most of us that did leave, thought that it would be easier because of our jobs. But Lake Renegade has this way of relaxing you when you’re here. So we all found ourselves coming back on our days off,” Apollo says as he makes a plate.
“Didn’t your mama just make you breakfast?” Zeus says to Eros.
“Yes…but this one was calling my name. It would be rude to ignore it.” He shrugs at his dad.
I laugh at them as Eros and Ares come into the clubhouse.
“I told you I smelled bacon,” Eros says to his brother.
“You showed up back at home with bacon hanging out of your mouth. You were probably smelling that.” Ares rolls his eyes.
“No. Look, there’s bacon.”
“Why are you two here?” Apollo laughs.
