Gianni kissed his father's ring before carefully removing it from the frigid finger and placing it on his own hand in a tradition passed down through generations of Di Alberto men. The coroner zipped up the black bag and wheeled the body away. He told the police he had come home to the carnage and he didn't know anybody with a motive to murder his father. A lie of course, but in his world you dealt with these issues yourself. You had your own form of justice. An eye for an eye!

Who the hell did that Luke Snyder think he was? Gianni was shocked and livid! He had been completely blindsided! He had no idea the little twerp had it in him to order a hit on the Di Alberto family! And there was no way he could be allowed to make them look like fools! Weak fools at that!

If the Grimaldi's wanted a war? A war they would get!

...

"You're looking good kid. Happier…"

"Joshua, why were you following us? Why didn't you just approach us?" Noah sat down at the holding room table as he spoke.

"Needed to be sure…"

"Sure of what?" asked Luke.

"Sure the cops weren't around, hoping I might show up…"

"I'm sorry about that by the way." Noah sighed, "Luke's been having a few problems with work and we've been on edge so we…"

"I understand." Joshua didn't look that good. Months on the run seemed to have taken its toll on him.

"I want you to know that I've made a statement in your favour. I told the police how you saved me. Hopefully it will help get you a leaner sentence."

Joshua nodded at him. "Where's the kid?"

"We left him with Jasmine." Luke explained, "He trusts her so…"

"Joshua, we need to know what's going on." Noah began, "Why did you kidnap him?"

"I was working a job in Branson the year before your father put me on your tail."

Noah shifted uncomfortably. He was grateful to Joshua for saving his life, and by doing so giving him his chance with Luke, but it still felt strange to think this man had watched and followed him for an entire year. It still felt creepy. And he suddenly realised that this was the most he had ever heard Joshua speak.

"I was to follow the kid's mother. Report what she was up to, but she never did anything but work, drink and whore around."

"And the boy?" asked Luke.

"He's nothing to her… less than a dog… just a waste of space… something in her way. She hits him a lot and she leaves him with unsavoury characters, neighbours and such."

Both men winced at that.

"But you left him with her to come to Los Angeles?" Noah asked. "If you cared so much why didn't you take him then?"

"Had nowhere to take him…"

"What do you mean?" Luke frowned at Joshua confused, "What make's now any different?"

"Because I began to think the boy might be yours…" he motioned his head towards Noah.

Luke gave Noah an "I told you so" look and Noah sighed loudly, "Oh for god's sake you two! The kid isn't mine, okay? I told you Luke, I never…" Then he froze for a minute as an idea came to him, "Joshua? Why did you think that? Why would you make that connection?"

"I didn't at first. But then while I was watching you I started to notice that some things were the same. It seemed possible and I thought I could help the boy."

"But WHY did you think it was possible? There must be more to it? You can't tell me you went to all this trouble, took such a risk off a hunch based totally on looks?"

"It was your father who hired me to watch the whore."

Luke's head whipped around to face Noah, eyes surprised.

Noah looked stunned. Then after a while he swallowed hard. "Luke?"

"Yes?"

"We weren't the only ones in Branson that summer… I met my father there. It was when he ordered me to join the army and refused to pay my tuition."

Luke gasped, "Then…?"

"Then it's possible that… I think… I think it's possible…" Luke stretched his hand across the table to squeeze Noah's as he spoke, "Oh my god! He might be my… my brother."

Luke spent a few minutes thinking that over and suddenly his forehead wrinkled, "It makes sense Noah… I mean it would explain the resemblance… but something's off…"

"What's that?"

"Noah if your father knew he had a young son in Branson, do you really think he would have just left it at that? Think about it? A baby son?"

"A son he could mould into the man I wasn't…" Noah finished. "You're right! If he was my brother then there's no way my father would have left him there! Especially with a prostitute! I mean that's the whole reason he killed MY mother!"

"I don't think your father knew about the child." Joshua suddenly stated. "I never told him. When I saw the resemblance in you and first started to think you could be the child's father, I did wonder whether that was the reason the Colonel had me follow her. But I know for sure it can't be. If he thought the child was his son or even his grandson, he would have wanted to take possession of him. That's the kind of man he was. But he never once asked anything about the boy. He never said anything about a child. His focus was totally on the mother."

"So then we don't know why my father was watching her?"

"No." Joshua agreed, "Perhaps she had something on him or she had something of his that he wanted back? But whatever it was he decided to let it go. Once he sent me to watch you he never mentioned her again."

At that point an officer entered the room to announce their time was up.

"Joshua," Noah asked quickly, "Can you write down the boy's address in Branson please?"

"Don't take the boy back! If you can find a way… then keep him with you. It's not a good life for him."

"Don't worry Joshua. We'll do our best for him." Luke said, "But we just want to check things out for ourselves. Most of all we need to confirm whether or not the boy is Noah's brother. And at least find out his name!"

Joshua nodded and quickly scrawled an address down on the paper Noah handed to him. "She works at a laundry mat ten minutes from her house and she's out most nights, except if a trick is meeting her at home."

"She brings customers to the house?" Noah asked, feeling sick inside.

"Don't underestimate what that boy has seen or the things done to him. Like I said… she doesn't care about him. He's better off far away from her."

Luke and Noah left the room feeling totally exhausted. Noah had a brother!

"There's no denying it Noah! That boy IS your brother! I'm sure of it!"

"Yes, I think so too. I think I always knew it deep down. But we still need to check things out in Branson."

"It's not going to be easy with…" and Luke gestured towards the two uniformed police officers who had been assigned to protect them.

"No. We might have to wait until this thing at your work is resolved. But that means…?" Noah was looking at him hopefully.

Luke smiled. "Yes! Okay! We keep the kid a little longer!"

Noah grabbed him in a bear hug, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" and he kissed him all over his face with glee.

Luke laughed out loud, "Think about it Noah! If it turns out to be true then we have a legal reason to fight for custody! Maybe there is a chance he IS ours after all?"

"I love you so much, Luke!" Noah kissed him deeply and gave him a gentle hug.

"Okay, time to go then."

They had driven to the police station in separate cars since Noah needed to drop off some discs at the studio.

"Are you heading straight home?" Noah asked.

"I have to meet somebody first, but then afterwards how about I pick the boy up and take him to the seaside like we promised him? Meet me at that ice-cream place at four?"

"Sounds perfect!" Noah's mood had really lifted since that morning. He might have a brother! The stunning little guy that they had come to love so much might be his brother! He knew he should be careful not to get his hopes up until they knew for sure, but he couldn't help it. He kissed Luke goodbye in the parking lot and turned the music up loud in the cab of his truck as he drove to work.

Perfect!

...

"So do you have any idea how many ships have these hidden compartments?" Luke asked Julius as he watched the man feed ducks by the side of the lake. They were seated on either end of a wooden bench. Luke was trying to get his head around all the information Julius had given him about the smuggling.

"About six I think. If it was all of them then they'd no longer need Gianni working from inside headquarters. Gianni has been responsible for the installation of these hiding places. They are making a tidy sum per shipment so the more ships they can sink their hooks into the better. Thus their insistence you rehire the bastard"

"Shit! Damn Damian!" He smacked his hands together in frustration then calmed and said, "Anyway it no longer matters. I'm selling the company."

"You don't need to do that." Julius stated.

"What?"

"You don't need to sell the company. You won't have any more issues from that family."

"You seem pretty sure. Why would you say that?"

"I always deliver what I promise, Mr Snyder. That's why I'm never out of work! Never mind the details… You no longer need to worry. I have asked the family to back off."

Luke was confused. "But why would they? Are you trying to tell me that they're giving up? Just like that? After everything they've pulled to frighten me into cooperation?"

"Let's just say they no longer wish to take on the Grimaldi family." Julius sniffed and passed a large piece of bread straight into the beak of a giant duck.

Luke didn't like the sound of that at all, "What the hell have you done?"

"I did what was needed Mr Snyder! This isn't a game! There is only one language these people understand and that's violence!"

Luke felt his stomach twist… Just what had this man done? And in HIS name! He prayed that what Julius told him was true and that the danger was over, but he had this nagging feeling that Julius might have made the situation a whole lot worse. "I'm still going to sell the company. I don't know how many of these syndicates are involved and I don't want any more to do with it."

"It's your choice what you do. My job here is done I believe."

Julius stood with one final nod and left Luke sitting on the bench.

...

Luke stood barefoot in the sand just within reach of the final wash of the waves. The child, clasping his left hand, would move forward towards the water with awe, and then quickly run back away from the approaching wave, gripping the bottom of Luke's shorts with his free hand and hiding behind him. It was adorable and Luke couldn't help laughing at him. "It won't hurt you, you know? I'm right here so you can let the water touch your toes."

The boy looked nervously up at him and then back at the water. He planted his little feet firmly and waited for the next wave. Luke felt sure he would run again, but this time he stood firm and allowed the water to approach. He watched with amazement as the water washed sand over his feet, sinking him slightly, and then he took Luke completely by surprise by flashing him the most striking smile! It was the same smile Luke saw on Noah's face every time they saw each other. Luke felt his heart flood with love for the tiny being that was slowing coming out of his shell. Everyday more and more personality would show itself to them, like a magic little flower bud slowly opening up in the wake of morning sunshine.

"You see?" Luke asked! "Fun, right? Maybe one day you will let me teach you how to swim like them?" He gestured toward a few young children sitting in the shallows and giggling as the water softly knocked them back into the sand.

The boy looked doubtful but nodded anyway.

Luke smiled at him, "Come on little man! Let's go for that ice-cream! Noah will be here soon."

He didn't smile again but Luke saw his eyes light up at the mention of Noah's name. Luke laughed, "Looks like you and me already have something in common!"

He was pleased to see that their usual booth on the balcony was free and he quickly grabbed it, lifting the boy up to sit opposite him. His head only just peered over the top of the table. Luke noticed the uniformed policeman take the booth two down from them. He was really starting to hate the shadow!

"Have you been to a restaurant before?" Luke asked and the tiny head shook in a no. "Well! You'll love it!"

He ordered a bowel of strawberry ice-cream, Noah's favourite. He figured the child would never finish a whole serving and Noah could have the remains when he arrived. The waitress winked flirtatiously at him and he smiled in response. "And could you bring an extra spoon for the ice-cream please?"

"We have special kiddie spoons!" she announced, "He can even take it home if he likes."

As she disappeared to fulfil their order, Luke checked his watch and wondered what was keeping Noah. Then he passed the time by watching as the child absorbed the sights and sounds around him. Luke felt sure the child was extraordinarily smart. He had recently begun to wonder whether the muteness was by choice. He would look into getting the child a speech therapist and then… He caught himself suddenly. He was already thinking about the child as though his living with them was a done deal. He really hoped they could come to some arrangement, but he was cautious to hope too much. They were only going to end up broken hearted if they lost him.

"Would you mind bringing me a coke please?" Luke asked the waitress as she brought over the ice-cream.

"Sure thing!" she smiled and placed the bowl in front of the amazed child.

As the first spoon of ice-cream passed his lips his eyes grew wide with enjoyment and delight and he started to shovel the pink substance into his mouth as though the bowl would be seized from him at any moment.

Luke bit his lower lip to stop from laughing, "Slowly my boy! Slowly! There's no hurry, you know? It's not going anywhere… It's for you so you just enjoy it, okay?"

The child paused with the spoon midway to his mouth, his face was smeared with the cream and he licked with satisfaction at the corners of his lips, making tiny sighing peeps. Luke had never seen a child in such a state of sheer enjoyment. He watched as the little guy did all he could to please Luke by slowing down, but he eyed Luke like a puppy guarding his dinner bowel.

A different waitress arrived with Luke's coke just as he spotted Noah running up the boardwalk. "Hey!" Luke smiled as Noah slid, panting, into the booth next to him and kissed him hello.

"Hi!" Noah laughed. "Wow!" he said, spotting the messy child, "Really enjoying that aren't you?"

"Yip! You could say that!" Luke laughed, "We had a nice time in the water too, didn't we?"

The boy seemed totally taken aback at being spoken to at all. He nodded and continued attacking his desert. Noah sat staring intently at him as though seeing him for the first time and Luke knew that in a way he was…

Eventually Noah turned to smile at Luke, "I ran here from the car! Sorry I took so long… I got caught up at the studio. God but I'm thirsty!"

"Here…!" Luke handed him his coke, "Drink this. I'll get another one."

Noah gulped the black drink down in seconds.

"You really were thirsty!" Luke exclaimed good humouredly. "Better order your own bowl of ice-cream too…"

"Yeah!" Noah agreed, "Doesn't look like this little one plans on sha…" his voice caught and he chocked.

Luke patted his back. "Hey? You okay?"

"Yes, fine, I just fel…" but he chocked again and this time he violently clutched at the table as his body tensed up.

"Noah? What is it?" Luke asked searching his features. "What's happening?"

Noah turned to him, his pupils visibly enlarged, his faced filled with terror.

"Luke?" He said the name through a cough that forced a white foam to squirt out between his lips and dribble down his chin.

"Noah?" Luke frantically grabbed at Noah's shoulders as his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell sideways into him; his entire body convulsing violently. His arms flailed and knocked the coke glass and it flew through the air smashing loudly on the concrete paving.

"NOAH?" Luke screamed, holding Noah's head "HELP! PLEASE! SOMEBODY HELP!"