Boss Elias, Principal Peyton, and many others involved in running The Base congratulated the librarian for his brilliant idea of bringing a therapy cat to the library. Her presence there was a good omen, they all told the librarian, and he agreed with them. In spite of the good things, however, the man had the nagging feelingsomethingwas about to happen soon.
CHAPTER 16
“Did you ever kill someone?” Stephanie asked her older brother, who was behind the wheel, teaching her defensive driving. “Well, except Grant,” she grinned.
Brian wasn’t expecting the question, and it took all his skills to not get the vehicle out of control. “Yes, I offed quite a few,” the answer came after a long moment of silence. “Why do you want to know?”
Stephanie ignored his question. “Were they many?” She asked instead, with undisguised curiosity. “I don’t want names and dates, just an approximate number.”
“Well, let’s see.” Brian thought for a bit, then continued. “I killed ten of Ottavio’s men and cut Ottavio's finger off, because he took my ring, before that the guy who came after Edwin…” He paused again, frowning in concentration. “Oh, yes, there were a few more when we raided the motorcycle gang that almost killed Tanner and hurt Luca. The most recent were two of Donna Fabrizia’s guards when I escaped from captivity. Oh, there was also Cole, my ex.” Another moment of silence followed, then the librarian spoke again, shrugging. “I don’t really keep count but um… maybe fifteen to twenty, including Grant.”
Stephanie nodded with a small smile. “That's more like it for a mafioso. Less would have been...unrealistic.” A frown creased her forehead. “How many do you think Lennox killed?”
Brian wondered what caused his sister’s sudden interest in the number of people he and other Mafia guys from her entourage eliminated, but knew better than to voice his question. “Honestly, I have no idea,” he answered instead. “Ian knows him as a man of peace, but time can change people in a lot of ways, so…”
“From the outside, he's the kindest guy I ever met, but I really hate the idea that he could become a second Grant.” Stephanie pressed her lips in a tight line when saying the name of her sibling’s dead ex-husband.
Brian smiled reassuringly. “Lennox would never hurt Bailey, that’s one of the things I’m absolutely sure of.” He inhaled sharply. “Next time you see Bailey, take a good look at them. I remember the fear in their eyes when I first met them.I know that kind of fear very well, and I can tell you it’s no longer there.”
Stephanie smiled radiantly. “You’re right, our sibling is not afraid when they look at Lennox. And the guy is all tender touches and soft words around Bailey, and this is why I am so puzzled sometimes. How can you Mafia guys be so cruel and tender at the same time?” She frowned in confusion when saying the last part.
“The people we killed weren't innocent. The ones we love are,” Brian’s answer came on the spot. He wanted to continue, but was cut short by the buzz of his phone. It was Luca, who volunteered to play the villain as part of the defensive driving lesson. The librarian answered, talking in Sicilian. “Hi, lover, calling to admit defeat?” He smirked against the phone.
“Damn it, librarian,” the other man replied in the same language. “I can’t see your car, where in San Gennaro’s name are you?”
“In front of the vet clinic, waiting for your call.” Brian grinned, then pumped his fist in the air. “You lost us, villain…but tonight, you’ll be the winner.”
Brian remembered the conversation he and Stephanie had as both of them were sitting in The Base’s clinic reception area, waiting for news from Bailey, who was in the delivery room. Lennox, who was all over the place the first time his spouse brought their children to light, was now accompanying them.
Brian admired his brother-in-law for keeping his emotions in check so well, especially since the news they all got from the doctor were not quite encouraging. It was going to be a complicated birth, she warned, because one of the babies was hiding behind the others somehow, and it didn’t appear on any of the ultrasounds, so, instead of twins, Bailey was going to give birth to triplets.
Any man would have lost it at the news, Brian thought, shaking his head, and admitting to himself he too belonged to that category. However, it wasn’t the case with Lennox; after listening to the doctor without interrupting her, the brave guy asked for permission to assist with the surgery. His presence would relax Bailey and would give them strength and confidence, he motivated his request.
Brian’s thoughts took a turn back to the talk he and Stephanie had in the car, during the defensive driving lesson. For someone who, at first, didn’t even want the words brothers or siblings mentioned in her presence, in relation to her and the Cavallieri boys, she was very curious about his extracurricular activities, as Bart liked to call everything Mafia-related.
One thing Brian learned about Stephanie in the almost three years that passed since they were part of each other’s life was that she had a lot of secrets and guarded them fiercely. The man didn’t want to ruin their friendship by asking stupid, useless questions, so he refrained from doing it. In all honesty, he totally understood the young woman; keeping the secrets well-hidden was a Cavallieri thing, and, no matter what she was saying, the two of them shared the same blood.
Brian admitted to himself he wasn’t shocked at all by Stephanie asking all these questions; on the contrary, he was relieved she accepted his way of life and was interested in finding out as many things as possible about it. The young woman was also a quick learner, with an in-depth understanding of the Old-World Mafia’s Laws and unwritten traditions, and that made the librarian extremely proud of her.
Lennox stepping into the waiting room brought Brian’s train of thoughts to a halt, as his attention shifted to his brother-in-law. Voice thick of emotion, eyes shining with a mix of pride and love, he announced the birth of his three children, two perfectly healthy, strong baby boys, and the cutest, sweetest, most beautiful baby girl on the face of the world.
Bailey was also fine, Lennox informed Brian and Stephanie, the shine in his eyes more intense when he said his spouse’s name. They were very brave the whole time, and gave some of their courage to him, too, the man continued, his heart swelling with pride and love for his soulmate and the bearer of his children.
A nurse headed to the three of them, smiling brightly, and announced they could go to see Bailey, but only one at a time, because they were exhausted after the surgery. As expected, Lennox darted to the room where his beloved lay in bed, eyes half-closed, a happy smile playing on their full, tempting lips.
Brian and Stephanie followed him, and they watched the heart-melting scene of Lennox kneeling at his spouse’s bedside, one hand in the crib where the tiny, perfect babies they just brought into the world were sleeping peacefully. The eyes of the two spouses met, and they spoke volumes, replacing the words their silent lips didn’t say.
A mix of relief and joy coursed through Brian at the sight before him, making him sigh in contentment as a radiant smile graced his features. Everything is alright now, he said to himself, it’s time for you to relax a bit. Tonight is the perfect moment to keep the promise you made your sub on the day of the defensive driving lesson, the librarian smiled at the thought.
***********
"Spread your arms and legs. I am going to tie you up. Are you comfortable with that, Pet?" Brian cast a worried look in his Sub’s direction.
“As long as it's not very tight, yes," Luca barely whispered.
"Don't worry, I am not going to hurt you, precious," Brian assured him with a smile. "But first, I am going to take care of your eyes."
Smiling at the memory of the conversation they had the first time they were together as Dom and sub, Brian took one of the five black, long, thick silk scarfs from the nightstand, covering Luca's eyes and tying it on the back of the man’s head. Then, he used the other four to tie his sub’s arms and legs to the bedposts. Once finished, the librarian started to undress, carefully examining the young man lying sprawled on the bed, to see how he reacted.
