I know I promised this chapter pretty quick after the last one, but I struggled with it a little. You know when you have a scene in your head but you just can't get it down? Yeah, that was me. Anyway, here you all are, better late than never!
Thank you for the continued support in all the reviews, favourites and follows. You guys are awesome!
oOo
"That's your third one," William commented dryly, stirring his cold cup of coffee without looking up to reach Arthur's eye. Arthur had been in the process of lighting yet another cigarette to calm his nerves, but his brother's words made him stop and slam down his hands down on the table in irritation.
"I'm agitated." He snapped back needlessly as if his response was not indicator enough of his foul mood. He pointed one hand at the clock on the far wall while reluctantly butting out the cigarette with the other. 'He's late, it's suspicious as hell. Remind me, why I am risking my career on a fools errand, Will?"
"Because it's the only option we have right now. And you should keep your voice down, people are starting to stare."
By people, William meant the customers of the small, downtown diner that they were sat in. The place was common and friendly enough, with white washed walls and coffee stained tables it had a distinctly used feel to it. It was close to the train station and just far enough out of the city centre to host a few uncommon faces amongst the regular bunch so the two officers blended in with the varied town hoppers and travellers. In normal circumstances Arthur wouldn't have received a backwards glance, but as it was the usual cheerful waitresses were starting to cast worried glances in their direction at his barely constrained frustration.
Arthur couldn't help but feel wound up and on edge. The place seemed nice enough, but he was half expecting the whole of the Vargas clan to hop through the window at any minute. Every time the door opened he jumped out of his seat and god forbid if someone went into the back room or the bathroom. Any of them could be a danger- hell, even the little old lady sat with what seemed to be her grandson by the door could be part of this whole big scheme. Arthur had obeyed Vargas' cryptic commands to bring only one man he trusted and tell no one else, but he felt exposed without his team waiting outside. No one even knew where they were for goodness sake. In that way he glared at every poor soul who passed their table like a bulldog, sharing the same look for the front door and clock over the counter like they had caused him personal harm.
It didn't help that the minute hand on the clock was way past where it should have been.
"But he's late." He spat out the word in a curse. He reached for his cup of tea and stirred it in order to do something with his hands that wasn't putting it through the table. The drink was stone cold; he hadn't even drank any. "The letter said to meet here at one and it's now half past. If that doesn't sound like a set up then call me a liar. We could be jumped at literally any minute, sorry if I'm a little tense."
Arthur ground his teeth in William's general direction as his brother sighed without looking at him.
"If we were going to be jumped I think it would be on time, don't you? Why keep us waiting otherwise?" Curse him for being the voice of reason.
His brother sounded annoyed at his mood but Arthur didn't really care. "Why wouldn't they?"
William turned slowly in his seat to look at him and Arthur deeply resented how much he looked so much like his father at that moment. It was if the old devil had crawled from his grave to sniff at him in disapproval. It made Arthur feel uncomfortable, and he looked down at the well-used table of their private booth rather than at the door or William's frank stare.
"If you have already made up your mind about this whole thing, then I suggest we leave now to save ourselves the embarrassment." Arthur opened his mouth to argue but William stopped him with a raised hand. "You're already expecting the worst from this meeting, so why would you trust anything that the kid has to say when he gets here? If you've got the cuffs waiting under the table, how can I trust you to let him speak? We might be putting our careers on the line here, but he contacted you remember, and we both know what that means."
Arthur wasn't stupid, of course he knew what that meant. If this whole thing wasn't a set up then Lovino was going against his family and everything they stood for. Betrayal in itself was enough to get yourself in hot water, but this was reporting to an officer, the police, the most persistent of enemies of any Mafia family. They were a whole new level of things that just weren't done. Arthur knew from experience that informing to the police was equivalent to putting a loaded gun in your mouth and pulling the trigger- definite suicide. Grandson or not this meeting was certainly a one way street to a bad ending.
Of course, that was one of the main reasons Arthur couldn't believe this was happening. It was so illogical how one young man could go against everything he knew to save the life of one innocent. It was dangerous on his part and downright bizarre as far as Arthur was concerned. It could only be a ruse, because why else would Lovino Vargas, soon to be head of the empire his Grandfather had slaved over for nearly 15 years, bother with someone so insignificant as Peter? What was in it for him?
There must have been something behind it- whether that something was of bad or good intent remained to be seen.
But William was still watching him closely, and in that way he had to relent.
"Fine, I'll cut him some slack. But if this turns out to be a trap don't hold me back when I start waving a gun around, and don't tell me I didn't tell you so."
"If you're right then he can kill me first." William smirked, but there was an underlying tension to his smile that showed he was just as worried as Arthur about this whole thing.
All too suddenly their conversation was cut short as the door at the other end of the diner opened with a cheery bell ring, and two men dressed in black walked in. Arthur couldn't help but hold his breath and tense up for the absent gun at his side. Lovino Vargas stood out from the pair immediately in both looks and stature; there was something in the way he entered the room that made all eyes turn onto him. Just like his dark features it was most likely something he had inherited straight from his Grandfather. Arthur did not know the other man with him, but he wore his hair unfashionably messy and had a large smile on his face which he directed at the waitress who attempted to seat them. Arthur was pretty sure he had been there on the night he had gone to Roma's house, but he had no idea what relation he was to Vargas. Across the room, Lovino locked eyes with Arthur who sat up straighter in his seat as he made a beeline for their booth, the other man following in tow.
William was seated at the end of the row with Arthur beside him, so only he was able to stand as the pair reached the table. He did not hold out his hand but the severe nod he sent Vargas' seemed enough for the young man who slid into the seat, followed by his second. This two by two seating arrangement meant that Arthur was left glaring at Vargas across the table. It seemed an age since the last time they had properly seen each other on that night in his kitchen where Vargas had unwittingly been spilling golden nuggets into his lap. A lot had changed since then-
"Would any of you boys like a drink?" Arthur had not seen the waitress follow Vargas to the table but she seemed intent on keeping them all hydrated. Neither Arthur nor William had touched their drinks enough to warrant a new drink, and therefore politely declined. Vargas shook his head but his companion turned to the lady and smiled pleasantly.
"A glass of water please, ice if you have it."
The waitress smiled and dashed off to get the order. The man had an accent behind those curved lips, one at Arthur couldn't quite place. Mexican? Brazilian? Whatever the case he wasn't a pure blooded American by a long shot. Where on earth did Vargas find these people? Did he stand with a net at the end of the docks as all the immigrants were off-loaded, waiting for the most gullible and pig-headed?
With the waitress gone, the table was left in an awkward silence. Arthur couldn't help but grind his teeth and glare in Vargas' general direction. Everything about the young man seemed to annoy him, right from the way he hadn't styled his hair for the meeting meaning it was in a wavy mess (no hat either), down to the way he hadn't removed his outdoor jacket. It was the height of summer for goodness sake, he was half tempted to ask if he was planning on going somewhere or whether there was something he was hiding, namely a gun. But that wouldn't have been appropriate for these so called peace talks so Arthur had to placate himself with staring and making Lovino look extremely uncomfortable until the man's second tapped his arm and made him jump.
Vargas seemed to catch the silence and grimaced, looking between the two brothers in apology.
"I'm sorry we were late gentlemen," His voice sounded odd, strained in fact like he'd been shouting a lot. "My grandfather didn't leave while late and the walk over here took longer than expected. I hope you weren't waiting too long."
"No problem," William lied quickly, casting Arthur a small glance as if daring him to declare otherwise.
"I thought this place would be the best for our meeting. My grandfather doesn't own this diner or anything close by meaning I shouldn't be recognised. It's safer that way; for all of us. Plus it's neutral grounds so we have the freedom to talk openly about this whole thing."
Vargas coughed suddenly and harshly into his hand, his eyes watering slightly at the effort but he carried on as if nothing had happened.
"This is Antonio," Vargas pointed a hand at the other man as a form of introduction. "He's my... friend."
"Actually," the man butted in. "I'm his bodyguard."
It was Lovino's turn to glare at his partner, but he was saved from any comment when the waitress returned with the water on a tray and a bright grin that was at odds with the general tension of the table. She placed the tinkling glass in front of Antonio and then sauntered off to look after a new group who had just entered the diner, most likely in search of lunch. It was only after she had turned her back that Antonio slid the glass over to Lovino's side of the table without comment.
It was probably because of that gesture that Arthur really took in Lovino Vargas, and he found that he looked like trash. His face was pale and his eyes were rimmed with red, black smudges marring the usually olive skin beneath. The lack of hair style and the fact he kept his coat on, coupled with the raspy breath and cough, suddenly made a lot more sense. If Arthur didn't know any better, he would have said that the young man in front of him was ill. Quite ill in fact.
Not that it made any difference to how he felt about him of course. he was still the heir of his enemy and Arthur wouldn't be put off by any illness in getting what he wanted.
"Enough chatter, let's actually discuss what we came here about."
Antonio and even William looked affronted at Arthur's tone, but Lovino trained his eyes steadily on his own.
"I'm sorry about everything that has happened," he started, a likely story but Arthur let him continue. "You probably won't believe me when I say it but I had nothing to do with what happened to Peter. My grandfather doesn't ask for permission before doing anything, and he took this step without my knowledge. I think I have a plan to help."
Arthur distinctly felt the lack of physical back up and couldn't help the need to feel a little threatening. He leaned forward as far as his seat would allow.
"And what if I call you a liar?" Antonio might have made a noise of anger under his breath but Arthur only had time for those oh-so-familiar eyes across the table which stared back at him unblinkingly. "What if I put you in cuffs right now and drag your ass to the station?"
It was an empty threat, okay so he did have handcuffs in his pocket, and yes he would be more than pleased to arrest the man before him, thrilled in fact, but he also wanted to see how he would react. It was a test if anything; if he was a liar he was bound to act annoyed or ashamed. He was therefore slightly disappointed with the lack of squirming in the man before him.
"By all means," Lovino responded, his eyes tired. "Put me behind bars, but that will not help Peter right now. I understand how hard this is, but you need to trust me Inspector."
"Trust you?" It was William's turn to sound confused. "Lad, it seems almost impossible that this whole meeting can even be happening right now. Your grandfather being who he is, well that's a box we won't open, but your brother's little cryptic messages and everything else- it's going to make it hard to trust anything you say. Arthur and I agreed to give you a chance, but we were half expecting to have to fight our way out of this place. You're not someone we can just trust that easily, you're going to have to give us more than that."
Vargas bowed his head slightly. "I am sorry it seems that way but my brother was necessary. I had been indisposed for over a week and I was unable to make the journey to the store."
Vargas was openly admitting his illness there, but Arthur was still unswayed by the information. It was probably bias, but he couldn't help himself. Lovino looked so much like Roma it was impossible for him to not feel some sort of dislike for him. Everything was the same, perhaps apart from the shape of his eyes. They hit Arthur with force, but he would not be budged until given proof or an explanation what this whole thing was about.
Perhaps sensing he was getting nowhere fast, Lovino sighed.
"What do you need?"
Your grandfather behind bars, this city without organised crime, more money in his pocket, his family to be happy, his little boy back in his arms-
"I need information."
"I am not willing to part with any information on my family, business or otherwise." Lovino's voice was calm, but there was a line drawn before them on the table with his words. "This- agreement- between our two parties is founded on Peter and Peter alone. I have a plan to get him back to you without my Grandfather suspecting your involvement and taking things further. He will be none the wiser and this mess will be fixed. We need to work together though, and that means you need to take me as I am. Believe me, it's better than the alternative."
But he was the enemy and it turned Arthur's stomach to even be here. Years of distrust would not and could not be shifted with promises and words."Who says I even want to work with you?"
He chose to ignore William's small groan. The conversation had switched from being the two pairs to be a face-off between himself and Vargas across the sugar scattered table. Over the top of the tea stained surface, Lovino scowled and despite his sunken, tired eyes he managed to look a little threatening.
"Inspector, let me make myself clear." He said evenly as his bodyguard moved into a more active stance, sitting straighter in his chair and puffing out his chest. "We will either work together on this plan, or not at all. I know it will be difficult to trust me, but I need you to believe me when I say that I care deeply enough about your son and others like him to take part in this scheme and jeopardise myself and others in the process. If you cannot compromise with me on this then I am not willing to lend you my knowledge. And you cannot do this without me. You and my grandfather will take everything from each other, starting with the death of your boy: and Peter will die without this plan."
Arthur, and even William, had to take this in for a moment, sharing a long look in each other's direction. William's ageing face stared back at his own, and Arthur never felt so old. Vargas' dark words had a profound effect on them, pushing them into a guilty silence. Normally Arthur might have exploded in anger at Lovino's lack of cooperation and the threat of his son's death, but he couldn't help but feel the honesty in his words. Somehow he knew it; despite all his searching and care Arthur was not willing to back down from this, and the conflict would cost him his son.
A pause and a decision.
"I don't like it." He ground out sullenly. "If my superiors knew what I was doing-" It was sacrilege, it was unsafe-
But Peter-
"I would advise you to keep your bosses out of this. Whatever we discuss, whatever happens, is off the books- mine and yours. No one, unless you trust them enough, needs to be involved. I have five men, just to keep you updated. All have a part to play in the plan and I trust them all."
"Off your books?" William asked, perhaps a little too loudly as an little girl seated a few seats down with her parents turned to look at them, pig tales bobbing with the sudden movement of her head. Arthur kicked him under the table for the slip, and not too gently.
Lovino on the other hand actually rolled his eyes, but it was Antonio who spoke up from his assumed silence.
"You can't possibly think that Roma knows we're here today?" His eyes were wide and alarmed. "Mios dios, there's no telling what would happen if he found out we left the building, never mind if he figured out who we came to see. He thinks Lovino is still in bed! We could only leave when we knew he was out, if we hadn't known he was making a business trip today we wouldn't have been able to plan this far in advance. You're meant to be the inspector for his case right, surely you know what sort of man he is?"
William cleared his throat in embarrassment.
"But you're his grandson and his successor..?"
He left the question dangling over the edge of an uncomfortable silence. Lovino's gaze never faltered, he was unfazed even as he took a sip of water from the glass. The noise of the cup hitting the hard table surface had a certain level of finality about it that made a sliver of ice slide down Arthur's shirt.
No, he couldn't... Arthur knew all about the ways of the family but a reaction like that confirmed everything he had known and hated for all these years. As a father himself, and Alfred nearly Lovino's age, it was impossible to think...
"My grandfather is very eager for me to succeed him, that much is true. He's been trying to persuade me to have a more instrumental role for years," Lovino's tone was frank, but Antonio seemed the more uncomfortable of the two with the new topic and chewed his lip slightly. "But in the end there is still my brother if all else fails. I don't doubt that he would take this betrayal horribly if he knew, and frankly I don't want to think about what he might do if he did."
A shiver, barely noticeable, passed through Lovino's frame without reaching his face. It was the only sign Arthur had of any emotion behind his words as he was so deadpan, but everything we was saying was completely interesting and he found his attention fixated on the young man.
"My grandfather you know is not a man who deals with betrayal well, especially not from so close to his ranks." And what else could be closer than his heir? "He is liable to be aggressive in some form, if not to me then to others. Things have changed now. This is why gentlemen, I need your promise at this is all strictly between us: your silence for your son, and if you could manage it a favour too."
Arthur huffed even though his heart was beating like a racehorse in his chest. "I knew there would be a price for this Vargas. I'm not lining your pocket if that's what you think, I don't have that sort of cash."
Antonio hissed something under his breath that he didn't catch, but Lovino clearly did. The young man held up his hand to halt any further aggression, leaving the bodyguard to stare daggers at Arthur. He was pretty sure that had he not intervened then the foreigner would have grabbed him over the table. This came as quite a surprise to Arthur as this man clearly respected Vargas enough to listen to his orders, and also to protect his honour when it seemed threatened. Lovino couldn't be much of a monster if he could inspire men to take up arms for him rather than forcing them to do so in fear, could he?
"It might surprise you to learn I am not concerned about money. I am funding this whole scheme with my own savings; if my grandfather is good for anything it's that he doesn't really care how I spend my money." Lovino didn't seem as offended as Antonio did on his behalf and he shrugged at the statement. He was perhaps used to crass statements about his wealth and brushed it off easily. "Actually, my favour ties in nicely with the plan to get Peter out of this mess and shouldn't take much doing, if you wouldn't mind doing it?"
William shifted uncomfortably. "That depends on what it is."
"There's been a few issues at home." Lovino charged straight into the explanation. "Issues that have made it very difficult on a member of my household: our maid, Elizabeta. She's an old friend of mine, I've known her since I arrived in America. We were younger together, and we've been very close for a long time. She's like a sister to me and she needs somewhere safe to go."
Arthur wasn't sure about this turn of events. There was clearly more to the story than Vargas was willing to let on. An issue was a small dispute in a normal family home; who knew what sort of chaos was flaming under their roof. What on earth could even make it so bad that she would have to leave home? Or even leave the family she had served for so long? He didn't know how comfortable he would feel housing a criminal or something of the sort, then again she was a maid of the household and probably nothing to do with Roma's empire.
Her name seemed familiar though...
"Safe how?"
"Safe enough that she won't be found. She is heavily pregnant; it's partly from concern for the child that I am asking you to take her away from this mess-"
Wait a second, pregnant, issues at home and no mention of a man- it all clicked together in Arthur's mind. He distinctly recalled Vash telling him about their man Roderich's wife who was expecting a baby. It was part of the reason the butler had agreed to start informing on his long standing boss. Where the hell was Roderich and why was his wife on the run, unless..?
He didn't say anything. Arthur found he couldn't, and in fact he didn't need to. He could tell by the sudden tension at the table and the look in Lovino's eye, their man in the know was dead. Somehow, Roderich was gone...
Lovino carried on as if nothing had changed. "The plan is a simple one really if you consent to helping Eliza. We get them out of this city and somewhere safe where my grandfather doesn't have any influence. Peter you can leave to me, I know where he is and have an idea how to get him out of there and on to the next stage easily enough. They will be travelling by train, I have already picked the city and organised all the tickets and other travel documents."
"What do you need us to do?" William found his voice quicker than Arthur who was still sinking into the feeling of loss that came with the death of the butler that had helped them so much. How could he be dead, they only spoke a week or so ago? How did Roma even find out?
"Get them out of here safely, send them somewhere where they can be looked after. Someone you trust should take them to make sure they're settled and happy as well. They won't be able to come back here for a long time..." Lovino allowed a second for that to settle on top of Arthur like a shroud. Even if they saved Peter he would still be sent away..? Of course he could not walk the city as he had before, but he had always- no, no he had known it and just hadn't wanted to think it. His little boy was lost to him for now; but life apart was always better than death.
"I cannot promise my Grandfather won't find out quicker than expected and send his men to stop everything. I have a few ways to hold them back, but I need your help making sure this scheme happens."
"How are you going to hold them back?" Arthur knew Roma and he did not wait before shooting and he could not see how that would change, plan or not.
"Ludwig, my brother's bodyguard will join them on the search for the boy and lead them off the scent for as long as possible while Feliciano covers for me at home." Lovino explained calmly. He certainly knew every part of this plan very well and seemed certain it would work, Antonio on the other hand was looking more and more ill at ease by the second. "And I personally will be taking Peter to whoever will accompany him and Elizabeta on the train. If my grandfather's men find us sooner than expected, they will at least pause before shooting their boss' grandchild. At least this is what I hope."
Arthur couldn't help but hiss. This was suicide, it had to be: and yet why could he not help but feel a small tingling of hope at the pit of his stomach. He watched in silence as the young man before him took another, needy gulp of water to soothe his probably parched throat. He did look so very ill, and really he was Arthur's own son's age. In another life the two men could have been in school together; Lovino could have just been another boy working in their store after all. Fate had fallen hard on his shoulders. Perhaps, if things had been different, Arthur might have just liked him that little bit more...
"Why are you doing this, really?"
Lovino placed down his glass and a half smile played on his tired lips for the briefest second.
"I have already told you." He said, and reached into his pocket to draw out a piece of paper. For the first time since the other man had sat down, Arthur did not flinch at the movement in expectation of a weapon but rather held out his hand for the offered sheet. He cast an eye over if briefly; it was a full schematic for the day with timings and places and everything on it. It was more than Arthur could have ever done, and it totally protected the giver's family and identity. Lovino Vargas was at least smart as well as clearly suicidal. If his grandfather found out though-
"Are you sure about this?"
"Do I have your promise to help Elizabeta?"
"Of course-"
"Then I am sure."
oOo
If it wasn't for his head cold, Lovino would have said that the moment he and Antonio exited the diner into white, clear sunlight, he could breathe a little easier in the knowledge that things were starting to fall into place. As it was, breathing was hard, as was standing, so he hurried onwards quickly moving away from the diner. Momentum and purpose kept him firmly upright. Lovino barely paused as he joined the flow of the pavement traffic, seamlessly blending into the crowd as another ordinary member of society. It helped that he bowed his head low and avoided everyone's eyes; he had lived in the big city long enough to know that a casual glance in the wrong direction could be enough to get you spotted. It was always safer to watch your own feet. Antonio followed behind him at a reasonable distance, only really reaching his side as Lovino changed course to cross the road, lightly touching his back to probably stop him from just darting out.
Okay, so perhaps he was going a little fast. He did feel out of breath and wheezy but there wasn't much time to get to where he needed to be. They had been late to one meeting and now they were late to another. Lovino reluctantly consented to Antonio's silent demand for patience and waited for a gap in the traffic before rushing out and they reached the other side of the street without incident. Antonio was the first to speak, cautiously under his breath.
"Well, that went better than I expected it to. The inspector is certainly a stubborn one."
Lovino coughed roughly into his hand before croaking a response. It had taken it out of him to keep a straight face back there when all he had really wanted was to lie down there on the table and sleep, and for the moment it was his chance to be an invalid, all as long as he kept walking at a reasonable pace.
"I knew he would be. I'm glad he saw sense in the end though, even if it hurt him to side with a Vargas. I am kinda glad he didn't shoot me, that's always a plus."
Lovino was aware of Antonio wincing at the poorly timed joke, and he dropped the conversation to just focus on walking and breathing at the same time. Part of the reason they'd been held up was that Lovino struggled with the journey and public transport was out of the question in case they were spotted. What should have been a quick walk for a pair of young men had become a stumble that took twice the time. Even now the effort to hurry was making him feel light headed and ill but he swallowed it down.
"You know," the bodyguard said after a short silence with the slow, soothing tone of a man talking to an injured animal, looking at Lovino out of the corner of his eye, hands behind his back. "Perhaps two meetings in one day wasn't the best of our ideas. I would feel better if we went home-"
Lovino stopped in his tracks causing an old lady behind him to swerve to avoid him. She tutted her way past as the crowd parted around their prone figures. Antonio looked sheepish under his gaze and Lovino was glad; he damn well should.
"We cannot go back with a job half done, it won't help him at all." Lovino knew the street was loud enough to mask their conversation but he didn't want to risk names so out in the open. "Everything needs to be finalised by the time the week is out."
Antonio pulled him gently away from the edge of the pavement and to the safety of the inner hedge that surrounded the park to their right. They were so close to their meeting place now, and yet they were still discussing this... Lovino couldn't help but lean against the jutting protrusion of the small wall that guarded the park hedges from the outside path. He hoped Antonio didn't notice how he had to close his eyes over the wave of dizziness that stopping had caused and take a second to just breathe.
"Lovino," he began, and Lovino resented just how reasonable Antonio's tone was as he lightly touched his hand in what he supposed was meant to be a comforting manner. "I just don't think you're up to bargaining with him today. We need him and we have to make sure we have him. I know you want it done quick, and Peter doesn't have a lot of time left, but-"
"It has to be done before the end of the week." Lovino repeated wearily. He didn't like standing still, even with the sun blaring down on him he still felt chilled. At least walking kept him warmer, keeping still made his head ache and limbs scream. Antonio might have been talking sense but they both knew it was folly, especially since this meeting had been so specially arranged. They only had one chance at this and he had to take it.
"Grandpa has booked our annual tickets for the opera." It was where Roma had gone this afternoon in fact, a trip to the country to calm his nerves after a stressful week followed by the ticket collection and business trips. It was an all day arrangement and Roma would not be home while late. These trips had been going as long as Lovino could remember, as the opera was a place to see and be seen, and also a great cover for business. They went at the end of every summer so that the could see certain partners before they left town for the season. It had fallen so well in terms of their plan it was as if God himself had arranged it.
"He won't make any decisions before then, he'll want to enjoy the opera first but after that Peter is screwed. Arthur won't back down even if it means losing his boy and Grandpa wants to send a message. Peter and Eliza need to be gone before all that kicks off. And maybe, just maybe, the opera will be a chance for grandpa to feel more in control again once he's lost the boy, meaning he might not chase it up. We could get away with this, Antonio. But we need to have this meeting first."
He had been stood still too long and the shake had started back up in his body again. Nearby a clock tolled half the hour. There was still a chance their man was there for their meeting, and with that chance meant that this whole plan would run more smoothly. The bodyguard knew this and with Antonio's eyes locked onto Lovino's own, he practically saw the fight leave the Spaniard's eyes. Antonio nodded swiftly, pushing down obvious frustration as he steered Lovino ahead of him and into the park.
Most public places had a plethora of people lounging in them during the summer months, but this park was mostly a quiet one. It was quite a small park for one, a walk round the place could take no longer than ten minutes. The closest apartments housed older people and young families, who were unlikely to take in the heat of the day because they were working or because it was cooler inside. It meant that the place was almost empty, quiet and sheltered from the sun it was like stepping off of the street and into a secluded bubble. Across the top of a well tended bushel, Lovino could just make out a small family coaxing ducks by the pond, and as he was scanning the park an old couple wandered past with their arms linked. They nodded pleasantly at them and Antonio tipped his hat in greeting right as Lovino finally spotted them and his heart stopped a little.
They could still do this. He pushed Antonio on the arm to get his attention. "There, look."
But in his usual observing-but-not-looking-like-he-was way, the bodyguard nodded to show he had already seen the pair. Lovino had to resist the urge to hit him as the Spaniard made the first move, walking openly towards the man and woman on the bench close to them; the man absorbed in a newspaper, and the lady looking intently at the flowers which were bedded before them.
They were just behind the pair and Lovino was getting his thoughts in order when the man spoke up.
"You two have a very interesting way of getting a man's attention. Have you by any chance considered a career in novel writing? I bet you could give that Conen Doyle fella a lesson in mystery."
Lovino couldn't help but pull a face of dislike when the newspaper was thrust downwards and the speaker turned in his seat to reveal the pale, grinning face of Gilbert Beilschmitt. Beside him, Birdie turned also, eyeing them curiously from under a feminine wave of hair, her gaze lingering particularly long on Lovino. The female 'costume' somehow seemed right for this meeting, under the book as it was.
"Wow, you look like shit my friend." Gilbert commented, pulling a false-concerned expression that made Lovino want to headbutt him again. But that wouldn't have been a good start to the meeting at all. Instead Lovino allowed the pair to stare at him even though he felt uncomfortable; at least the Inspector hadn't been able to look past his own fury to give a damn about his physical health.
"It seems like the grapevine was right for once, you have been unwell. Ivan won't be pleased to find out you're not dead though, he was kinda looking forward to it. Although to be honest you do look-"
Antonio, despite being a bit of an idiot, at least had his back and defused the situation somewhat. "We're not here to discuss that," Was is Lovino or did he sound just that little bit cross? "You got my message then?"
"The cryptic little note in the paper?" Gilbert raised his hand to shake the offending object at them, and he briefly caught the impression of the wanted adds page. "I didn't really think that was your style-"
"You're right, it's yours." Antonio said quickly, stepping forward. They were quite far away from the other two still and it probably looked a little odd to any passers by who might see their conversation from afar. "Which is why I suggested to put it in there, I know you read the paper and that you would be likely to see it. We were worried you wouldn't come."
Gilbert heaved himself out of the chair and laughed. There was smug turn to his mouth as he looked back at them that Lovino really didn't like. "Well, curiosity might have killed the cat but that certainly hasn't put me off. I must admit, I was interested in what the little heir had to say to me after nearly breaking my nose."
Lovino could almost taste the poison to Gilbert's words. He found the opening staring from Gilbert and Birdie very off-putting, even more so than when Arthur had been sat across from him and wishing murder upon him. At least on that occasion they both knew what the other wanted. This time it was a game of cat and mouse, and Lovino was certainly the mouse begging for his piece of cheese.
He had to speak up. "I wanted to make a deal. I have a problem Antonio says you might be able to deal with-"
He was stopped by a pale hand rising into the air. "Please, let's not do this across a park. We're gentlemen aren't we? Or at least you're meant to be, little heir. Let's talk this out man to man, no seconds, just you and me having a few frank words about business."
Antonio spoke before Lovino could even open his mouth. "I am not consenting to that Gilbert."
Birdie let out a whistle, one that was monotone and dull and did a funny gesture with her hand that was like a birds beak closing which made Gilbert laugh; although not much seemed to make him unhappy.
"As Birdie says, if we can't talk alone then we can't talk at all." Was that what that meant? "We need to approach this conversation like equals or it doesn't go ahead. How am I meant to know that this isn't some sort of set up? You have my word I won't lay a finger on his head, although I'm sure a strong breeze would probably knock him over right now."
Antonio made another move to refuse but Lovino, expecting it, got there first. "Fine," It made his shaky legs even more so to agree to the conversation alone but what choice did he have? If this was how it would have to be then so be it. "Fine, I agree-"
"Lovino-"
He didn't speak, partly because it hurt to do so, but partly because his expression spoke volumes. They had literally had this conversation moments ago. If Antonio was not willing to agree to this conversation going ahead under Gilbert's terms then it wouldn't happen, and it needed to. Their plan relied on it.
Antonio pinched his mouth together, clearly torn by the circumstances but under Lovino's firm gaze he relented. He nodded and took a step back as Lovino moved to meet Gilbert who had already stepped out from behind the bench and had begun moving around the park. He had to hurry to catch him up and was almost thankful when he continued walking. He felt better on the move and he would be able to concentrate better. Walking so close to Gilbert, even at a reasonable pace though was odd enough as it was. His nerves were on edge. Never had he thought they would be in such a position, and perhaps the same was true of Gilbert who kept his mouth shut until they were far enough away from Antonio and Birdie for them to not hear what was said.
"We better get this over with quickly, little boss man."
That struck a nerve.
"Believe me the sooner I get rid of you the better." The abuse slipped out before Lovino could stop it but it bounced off Gilbert's ego like water off an window. He wasn't the type to be offended it seemed, where he had expected a cold eye Lovino got only a nod of understanding.
"Personally I don't want to keep those too waiting." He explained. Their pace was casual and smooth but Lovino's heart was still pounding in his chest like they were running. "Bridget isn't one to be overly anxious in these circumstances, but Antonio seems very concerned for you."
Bridget must have been Birdie's name, which threw Lovino almost as much as the fact that Gilbert was being so conscientious. Lovino looked over his shoulder at the pair who were waiting by the bench, although neither of them were sat down. They weren't focused on each other, but rather their attention was fixed on watching Lovino and Gilbert make their way around the park. It was comforting in a way to see that Birdie looked equally unsure as Antonio, as if she wasn't as concerned Lovino might have thought that this was a double cross after all.
"Have you known her long?" The dark eyes under the dyed hair, plus this whole dressing-as-a-man thing fascinated Lovino enough to ask. Plus he wasn't overly confident he could talk about the plan just yet.
Gilbert blinked and looked bemused at the polite, everyday nature of the question before answering.
"We've known each other a few years now. I helped her out of a rough patch back when I first started working for Ivan. I'm not saying of course the patch we're in now isn't as stony as hell but at least we're not alone. I've never been one to pick the easy road and she is happy enough to travel along it with me. What's the story with you and my old pal then?"
Antonio's eyes were firmly fixed on Lovino's own and before he broke away to look back at Gilbert, he caught the impression of a supportive smile forming on the other man's lips.
"He saved my life," It felt weird talking about these sort of things to a man like Gilbert, who was for all purposes an enemy of the family. "He happened to be walking nearby when Ivan's goons tried it on, a total accident really. He's kinda just stuck around after."
Gilbert laughed loudly. "Antonio never struck me as a guy to just 'stick around', Freund." His tone was surprisingly serious as he glanced back in the others' direction, only to return with a smirk adorning his lips. "He must be staying for something."
"Maybe he has a serious need for dangerous and unpromising situations."
"Perhaps." Lovino did not like the way that Gilbert was scrutinising him, especially since he was the one to start the conversation and it had turned into an examination on himself. He turned the conversation quickly back onto its original course, as much as he really didn't want to be having this talk, and with Gilbert of all people.
He took a deep breath. "So, the reason I called you here-"
"Let me guess," He drawled as they walked through a particularly dense patch of trees that dotted out the sunlight over their heads. Gilbert couldn't help but make himself even more annoying than he already was through his interruption."You have a grand and impressive plan to stop Ivan increasing his territory in the city, which will thereby save your grandfather's business and your fortune. Everything will be returned to rights and you want me, as one of Ivan's closest men, to lend his brave and compassionate hand to help you in your endeavour."
What on earth? "No-"
"Perhaps something a little simpler then?" Lovino had to grit his teeth again his yell of irritation. This was why he had wanted Antonio to support him, this man was impossible. "You said I would need my skills, so you have somehow found a piece of art or jewellery from one of your contacts. It's obviously worth quite a bit, clearly stolen, and therefore on a normal market it's unsaleable, so you want me to strike you a good deal, hm?"
Gilbert was playing with him and it was infuriating. It was one of the reasons he hadn't really wanted to involve him in this mess, it was bad enough as it was without him making a joke about it. But Antonio had built up a case for involving him that Lovino couldn't disagree with, so he ploughed into the truth.
"My grandfather has abducted the youngest son of the inspector who has been building a case against him in a bid to get him to leave our family alone. They're both as stubborn as mules, but only my grandfather has the upper hand so the child is as good as dead." Lovino was aware that he shouldn't perhaps tell everything to this other man, but he did like how Gilbert had suddenly gone very silent.
"On top of that my maid's husband was accused of being a snitch, so my grandfather had him removed. It is only a matter of time before he fixes his attention on her as well. I need the child and her out of the city. I already have the Inspector's backing in this, but if you agree to help me you will make things a whole lot easier."
Speaking about it all made Lovino realise what a mess they were really in, and that doubled with walking so much made him breathless. It was a second or two before he proceeded that Gilbert was no longer with him. Lovino looked around blindly for him, and found him stood a few feet back with his mouth slightly open in shock. He must have stopped walking at some point. It struck Lovino, that where Ludwig would have remained stoic and calm his brother was the complete opposite and played his emotions on his sleeve: they had the same nose though and it was odd to see it in the middle of the park as he admitted his plan of betrayal.
"You're telling me," Gilbert seemed to come back to himself and walked slowly to catch Lovino up. "that you want me to help you disobey your grandfather?"
"I'm not disobeying him if he never told me to do otherwise." It was a nitpicking point, but it was one that Lovino had to keep reminding himself of to keep himself sane. Thinking about it too much made him feel light headed- or was that just how he felt in general today? He didn't realise he was swaying until Gilbert reached him and put both hands on his shoulders to stop him moving. His dark eyes were concerned, and not just with his physical state.
"Let's sit you down, you look like shit." He muttered. Lovino allowed himself to be steered towards a thankfully close by bench and sat himself down on it. As he caught his breath he saw Gilbert waving his hand to dismiss something, and following his gaze Lovino saw Antonio stop in his tracks from where he had been attempting to move forward. The Spaniard's face was pale and worried, and Lovino half heard Gilbert mutter something scornfully that sounded suspiciously like 'just stuck around' before he sat down next to him. To the casual on looker they would have looked like two acquaintances relaxing on a park bench, the reality was a little less glamorous.
"So, you're going against your family then?" He got straight to the point. Gilbert understood this a whole lot more than Arthur and William had, and it hurt to hear those words used against him. "I understand you think your intentions are good, and I'm failing to find fault with them, but jeez Lovino, don't you think this is a bit extreme?"
Lovino closed his eyes to let that wash over him. Perhaps he was being a bit extreme, but he had been even more so with Roderich. He owed it to his friend that no one else would suffer from this whole affair. If Lovino could pull this off he would be able to rest a little easier; but that still didn't stop the fact he was going against everything he knew.
"What do you suggest I do instead? I cannot leave these people to my grandfather."
Gilbert tsked loudly and stretched out his legs in front of him. "I'm speaking from the other side, and in any other situation you probably shouldn't listen to me, but even I know this goes against everything."
Lovino coughed into his hand and internally moaned. Couldn't Gilbert just agree so he could go home? "Which is why Antonio said to speak to you. He's says you're good at that, the best."
He was more than aware that asking Gilbert to do this would be asking the enemy for help, but also asking Gilbert himself to go against Ivan as his boss. He was sure that the other man would not be pleased with one of his men helping out the Vargas clan and the police with them, but Antonio had been the one to suggest this whole side to the plan. He was appealing the the better nature of a man he really didn't like at all and he was unsurprised when Gilbert scowled at him.
"I am, but I've built my life around getting out of messes. I don't think you quite understand the nature of what it is you're doing here. You're risking everything you are on the lives of two people-"
"Three, Eliza is pregnant-"
"Irrelevant." Gilbert scolded, although his face told another story. He was clearly disturbed by this whole story, more than maybe he was letting on. "Two, three or even fifty, it's a large gamble to take. What do you even have in mind here?"
"We'll get them out of the city and somewhere where grandpa doesn't have any influence. I've already arranged the tickets and they will be joined by a police escort, in case they are followed."
"And Roma will just hand over the boy with open arms will he?" Gilbert asked. Lovino couldn't help but feel spoken down too, and despite the pounding in his head he fought back.
"Of course not, but this is where you come in." He explained. "I need someone not linked to the family to steal him away, an outsider who is willing to do right by someone. I know where the boy is, and who has him, but it would be easier to have someone else take him away. I cannot ask someone from my circle in case they are seen. My grandfather already has issues with your boss, and if you are seen taking the child it will be just another incident. The plan is for me to fake a trip to see the child, you will get him away and on to the next meeting point."
Gilbert mulled this over. It took a moment before he spoke again, and all he managed was an unsure, "That's it?"
"That's it." Lovino sighed. He was struck with a need to make a better case and added on quickly. "The boy is only young, and Eliza has been my friend for a long time. I cannot allow what happened to Roderich happen to them. But I also cannot make you help me even though this scheme will work better with your help than without it. Antonio assures me you are a good man. I have my doubts, but you are more than welcome to prove me wrong. This is between the two of us, no families, no ties, just one man to another. Even though it hurts me to say it, I need your help."
Lovino found his eyes drawn back over to Birdie and Antonio who were dutifully watching their conversation from the other side of the park. He thought a little about what Gilbert had said, and wondered for the hundredth time why Antonio was indeed staying with him when all he brought was more pain and anguish to his life. He was so caught up in these thoughts that he jumped when Gilbert, who had been deep in thought, let out a frustrated groan and rubbed his face as if trying to rid something from it.
"I was more than ready to say no to you today, just as a payment for hitting me in the face." Lovino's heart flew to his mouth as the other man turned on him in annoyance, eyes bright with emotion. "But damn it if you aren't the man I thought you were. I will help you, but you better start talking business and let me tell you, I don't come cheap."
oOo
I tried to have an air of mystery with who was involved in this big scheme, hopefully that came across well. If it was at all unclear, Antonio and Lovino put an add in the wanted adds section of the newspaper for Gilbert, something cryptic that only he would see/understand. I like to think Gilbert would love that sort of thing!
The plan itself will be unfolding over the next chapter or so! Hopefully I won't struggle as much this time round.
Thanks again for all the reviews etc. they mean the world to me to know that people enjoy what I love doing :)
Until next time!