Chapter 13- Iola…The Story
A man across the road from the elder Hardy's residence smirked when he saw Joe exit followed closely by his older brother and father. This man couldn't wait for the fireworks to begin.
Liam stared at the Russian man as he sat himself in front of the boys and then he began to talk.
"First of all you can call me AR, my name is Alexander Rousassa, you will address me as AR or sir, do you understand!" he asked, his voice like steel.
"Yes sir" answered both boys meekly; the tone of this AR's voice left no room to be meddled with.
"Good, I am going to tell you a story now about the slime that you call "Father", Liam." Liam shifted uncomfortably, but still managed a small defiant look as he focused on his captor. "It involves your father and a lovely young lady by the name of Iola Morton. Fourteen years ago, both of your fathers went with their lady friends to a public mall to help with a campaign for one of your senators.
Young Joseph, with his typical American cavalier attitude, decided to flirt with a girl, even though he was going out with Miss Morton. Miss Morton asked Joe for the keys to his car so that she could go and retrieve something from it. Your piece of dirt for a father tossed the keys in the air and she grabbed them and stormed off.
He went after her, along with that useless uncle of yours. They both should have been faster! When Miss Morton opened the door of the car, it exploded and took the life of that poor young lady. An unfortunate incident, really, that was intended for your father and his brother.
Oh, your father tried to save her, Liam, he loved her more than he could ever love your mother, you know." At these horrible words, Sam scooted over a little closer to Liam, somehow thinking that he could offer support. Liam, however, seemed unaware of everything except for the awful tale that was spilling out of this vile man's mouth.
"That meddlesome uncle of yours ruined everything. He held his headstrong brother back from the flames, even knocked him out to keep him from that car," the Assassin continued with disgust in his voice. "Your father got in the way and saved his cowardly brother's life as well as his own!" The angered man spat at Sam as he said these last words. His face was red and he leaned into the frightened boy's face. All traces of defiance were gone from both boys now as they closed the remaining distance between them on the dirty floor. Liam groped his arm toward Sam and clasped his hand tightly.
"Look at you, cowards, just like your fathers!" the Assassin sneered. The boys didn't care though. They just tightened their grip on each other and continued to listen to this hateful man.
"Your stupid father should have died that day!" Alexander Rousassa grabbed Liam by the shirt now and shook him violently. "Instead, he killed my brother!" He threw the boy back and released him as he screamed these last words. Sam now reached over with his free hand and placed a protective arm across his cousin's chest. "Your whole family sickens me! I will have revenge for my brother's death!" With this, the man strode from the room, slamming the door tightly shut behind him.