Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers, and I am only borrowing them. There are several original characters that are mine, and I claim them as mine.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who review as guest as well as those of you who don't allow PMs. I love the reviews and want to tell you that I read and appreciate them all. Thank you all.
Spoilers: Anything from the books 1-12 might be used for the most part, but I won't rule out anything from all 19 of the books. Please note that the time-line for the books has been altered to fit the story, and people and incidents might have been added.
I would like to give a special thanks to Jenn from BCRU. She has been doing quotes from book 9, and the quote in the first chapter here is what gave me the idea for this story. Hope you enjoy. Thank you also to Dreemseeker for all your input as Beta. Thank you to the ladies at BCRU for answering my questions as well.
Chapter 7: Complications
Giovanni Bianchi's POV:
I stood staring out the huge picture window where I would frequently catch Rene. What was it that he saw when he stood here staring out at the view? Was he looking to the left where Boulderberg Road ran, and to the northwest Bear Mountain, could be seen? Or did he see the Hudson off to the right on the eastern side? Was he looking at the flower garden I'd had designed at his mother's request? Or was there something beyond that which drew him to this spot so often?
I loved my son. He was the one good thing that came out of my liaison with his mother. I regretted I'd never come to love her as I'd once loved my Concetta. She had been my world until that day when she failed to show for our wedding. My heart turned bitter on that day and I swore no other would get the chance to hurt me so. That's why, when my father came to me three days after my wedding failed to take place, I agreed with his plan for me to marry Allegra. My father was happy with this decision as it would allow him to marry our family to the even more powerful Colombo family.
Rene had asked many times what I had against the Rosolli family. How could I tell him that I blamed them for my Concetta not showing up on that fateful day? On that day she chose her family over me. I still didn't understand what they had against our family. I thought we would have made good allies. My hands clenched. I was strong enough now to crush them. My how the tables had turned. Oh, they hadn't gotten weaker, but with Tommaso Scillato as my ally, I could take over everything the Rosolli's held dear.
I wondered if Rene had found out anything useful about the Rosollis. He'd been gone for nearly three weeks now and should have checked in by now. I'd questioned Dom a couple times but he didn't seem concerned. He understood Rene in a way I never could.
I was proud of my son, always had been. Even at four he was a handful. He'd gone missing one day and several hours later came strolling home leading a puppy by some makeshift collar and leash he'd fashioned from fallen leaves. I was so angry we hadn't been able to find him and was harsher in dealing with him than I should have been. To teach him a lesson I'd had one of his uncles get rid of the mut. When Rene brought the leash and collar he'd made home with him, there had been a look in his eyes that made me cringe inside—like I'd just ripped the innocence from my son's eyes. He'd insisted we bury the leash, even if the puppy couldn't be accorded the same respect.
That was certainly an omen of things to come. He never wanted to be part of the business. I insisted on making him aware of everything that went on, more for his own safety than anything else. I decided Dom would fit the role of head of the family well enough, but I also wanted Rene to know he was always welcome. When he graduated from college, I handed him one hundred thousand dollars and told him I'd give him five years to make a success out of his business. I knew he would succeed but I had to admit, I didn't think it would be so quickly. He paid back every penny of what I'd given him, with interest. My brothers were equally proud of Rene. They respected his not wanting to just accept what was handed to him, and his desire to build his own empire. We were all okay with his opting out of the family business, and his cousins were showing their adeptness in taking over the reins with Dom as their leader.
I let my gaze wander over the scene outside the window once more before turning and making my way to my study. There were plans to make, and I needed to make my son and nephew know that I was growing weary of waiting.
Stephanie's POV:
I pulled up in front of the Bonds office and looked around to see if there might be anyone following me. I had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach and the last time I felt this way was right before Scrog kidnapped me. I reached into my bag and pulled out the panic button Ranger had asked me to start carrying. I bit my lip and debated whether I really wanted to panic the guys for no good reason. I mean, I had no proof I was being followed. And if it was one of the guys I'd feel a bit foolish. Of course, the guys following me never gave me a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I laid my forehead against the steering wheel as I fought an inner debate. I was just about ready to make a run for the bonds office when there was a pounding on the driver's side window. I jumped and then sat up to look at who was pounding on the window. What the hell was he doing in Trenton? My eyes went down to make sure the door was locked as I slowly reached out to turn the key that was still in the ignition. Cold shivers raced down my spine and I knew I needed to get out of here. I was worried about Connie though. If he was here, if I left, would he then go into the Bonds office after Connie? I hit the panic button and prayed the cavalry would get here before he could get in the vehicle.
Literally two seconds later, the sound of tires squealing as they took a corner too fast was my first clue that my rescue was here. The man standing at my window looked up, he had a patch over one eye but the other one widened momentarily before narrowing once again and turning to me. His gaze caught mine as he used his forefinger and moved it across his throat before pointing to me and smiling. He ran to a car a few spaces down and hurriedly climbed in before tearing out of there.
My heart was beating faster than the last time I tried running with Ranger. A tap on the window had me jumping again, and I turned to see Bobby and Lester standing beside me. I powered down the window and gave them a weak smile.
Bobby took hold of my wrist in a familiar hold that let me know he was taking my pulse. Lester was scanning the area as he asked, "What's the problem, Beautiful?"
"Did you see the man standing beside my door when you pulled up?"
Les nodded. "Yeah. He seemed in a hurry for some reason. Do you know why he didn't want to stay and make friends?"
With Connie's permission, Ranger had informed all the guys of what had happened in Vegas and the possible ramifications that could be coming this way. I knew they would understand what I was about to tell them so I simply said, "It was the man that started this whole thing."
All of a sudden Bobby was on his phone and Lester's hand was on his weapon, ready for anything as he motioned me out of the SUV with his free hand. They lost no time in escorting me into the Bonds office.
When we entered, Connie looked up from her computer and at the serious look on the guys' faces she asked, "What's going on, Steph? Are you okay?"
I nodded. I didn't want to worry her any more than was necessary, but knew if I didn't tell her she'd be even more worried. "The guy from Vegas just approached me."
Her eyes narrowed and she went to look out the window but Bobby put his arm around her and turned her back to her desk. "No one's going near the window or door until we have backup to get you ladies to safety."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth then we were invaded by the men in black, Aka Ranger and his band of Merry Men. My eyes widened in surprise as Rene followed Raul into the Bonds office.
Connie's POV:
When Stephanie entered the office with Lester and Bobby, the first thing I felt was fear. When she told me she'd been approached by that creep, I knew who she meant. I went to go look out the window but Bobby turned me back to my desk saying we were going to stay out of sight till reinforcements showed up. I knew he was right. But I hated not being in control of my life.
It was only a matter of minutes before Ranger and the guys showed up. I was doubly surprised to see Rene walk in near the end of the group. His eyes zeroed in on me and as soon as our eyes connected he seemed to relax.
Ranger went right to Stephanie and wrapped her in his arms. He leaned down to ask her something, but his voice was too low to be able to hear. She leaned into him and the look on his face made me envious of my friend. I looked away only to find Rene's eyes on me. He glanced over at Ranger before turning back to me. I could only imagine what he was thinking. For the first time I understood Steph's frustration at Ranger's blank looks.
Rene and I had been spending time together this past week, getting to know each other. I was finding him intelligent, and fun to be with. So far, the only negative was the fact that his last name was Bianchi. I could really fall for this guy. It didn't bother him that when I wore my five inch heels, I topped him by a good three inches. Rene was a very handsome man and I had the feeling that had we met under different circumstances, I would have welcomed his attention.
I was brought back to the present by a whispered, "Are you wishing you were in her place?"
I turned to meet Rene's gaze and wondered when he'd moved so close. Keeping my own voice down, I answered truthfully. "It's complicated. I do wish I had what she has, but I don't have a thing for Ranger. He's my friend and that's where it ends. What I envy Steph, is that she has someone who loves her and would do anything for her."
Rene's eyes showed understanding. He placed his hand on my waist.
Ranger knocked on Vinnie's door and when the little weasel came out, told him that Stephanie and I were taking an extended vacation. Vinnie wasn't too happy about that but he finally relented and said he'd let Joyce handle the skips till Steph was ready to come back but he wasn't able to let me have the same time off. He didn't have anyone but Lula to replace me and she'd been MIA for the last few days. Steph and I knew Lula was on a cruise she'd won but we weren't telling Vinnie because he thought she was sick.
When Vinnie refused to let me have the time off, Rene looked at him with narrowed eyes and said, "I don't think you understand. This isn't optional. Connie's life might be in danger and she will be taking a few days off so we can make sure of her safety."
Vinnie apparently wasn't seeing the same thing that most sane people would when looking at Rene. The weasel puffed himself up and apparently felt safe since he was the same height as Rene. Vinnie smirked before replying, "I think it's you that doesn't understand. Connie has a job to do and she doesn't have Ranger here who'll rearrange my nuts if I don't give her the time off. She stays."
Rene moved me so I was standing beside Stephanie and then he turned back toward Vinnie. He stepped up until he was nearly toe to toe with Vinnie and in a dangerously soft voice, Rene said, "You don't understand. Connie is my wife and you will afford her the respect she deserves. I may not be Ranger, but I promise you this, when I get through with you, there won't be any nuts to rearrange because they will be gone my friend. Oh, and by the way, if I hear you have breathed one word of this to anyone…" Rene paused and gave a small smile, "I'll introduce you to your departed loved ones."
Vinnie scowled, "Who the hell are you?"
Rene smiled. "I'm your worst nightmare. But you can call me Mr. Bianchi."
You could see the minute understanding dawned. Vinnie's eyes practically bugged out and he did a fish imitation.
Ranger chuckled as he turned to Rene and said, "I see it didn't take you long to figure out how to make him do that."
Rene smiled, "If he knows what's good for him, he'll head my warning."
Vinnie finally found his voice to say, "Take all the time you want. Christ. I need a vacation. Leave me a message when you guys are ready to come back and I might open back up." With that he went into his office and slammed the door.
Once the guys made sure the coast was clear, Stephanie and I were rushed out to the vehicles and we were on our way to RangeMan.
