You do know about my original fantasy novel, The Crimson Orb, don't you? It's published under the name Joyce Hertzoff and is the first in a series.

Anyway, here's this week's chapter. Hope you enjoy. Leave a few words if you wish.

Chapter 168.

Edgar took off after breakfast, but cleaned up before he went so Jess and I were able to get back to more fun things. But it was not to be. True to his word, that it wasn't over with his children, Peter Giordano interrupted us at the worst possible minute to announce he was pulling up to our door and wanted a word with his daughter.

We grabbed our clothes and quickly dressed again so we were waiting by the door when he rang the bell.

"What do you want?" I snarled at him.

"Out of my way, House. This is between me and my daughter." He shook his head and squinted at me. "She had a good head on her shoulders until you showed up, filling it with all sorts of crazy ideas."

"They're my ideas." Jess pointed her thumb at her chest. "No one put them there. And everything I've done since I left Dorsey has made my life so much better. I certainly don't need you coming along and messing things up the way you have for all of us for so many years. Nina's better off, and so is Petey. We don't need your help or your interference."

He glanced briefly at me. I hadn't budged. Then he concentrated on his daughter. "I get the feeling you two know what's going down here in the near future. If you want to continue playing at being a business woman, fine, but know this, little lady." He wagged a finger at her. "Mine is going to be the winning side, and you'd be best off if you join us. I guess you've gotten to know the Locarnos and their friends, but they sure won't help you when they're busy fighting us off."

"By us you mean you, Bernini and Molino?" She tilted her head to the right. "I think you're all in for a rude awakening and it won't be long. You don't have the clout or the connections Locarno has here, or even the business sense."

"Believe what you want, but in the end, don't come running to me." He glared at me once more and left.

I dismissed everything he said. "Empty threats."

"I hope so."

"Do you really believe they'll win?"

"No, but it'll be a bloody fight and who knows who'll get caught in the crossfire."

"So what do you want to do?"

"Under normal circumstances, lay low. But we can't, can we?" She looked up at me. "We've already become active participants."

I came to a decision, one I didn't make lightly. "I'll talk to Locarno. I agree with you about his reach and abilities. I'm sure he'll have some suggestions for us."

"You don't usually rely on anyone elses judgment."

"I'm afraid this time I'm out of my league." I shook my head. "There's nothing even remotely medical about this situation."

"How would you handle it if there was?" She studied my nose, or so it seemed.

It was a good question. "Hmm. Probably do a DDx, but I've already done that and it hasn't told me anything I didn't already know."

"Is there anyway to test the situation, look for weaknesses in their strategy?"

My lips began to turn up. "Interesting. Yeah, maybe there are."

We finally got back to what we'd been doing before we were rudely interrupted. Normally, it's a great distraction to make love to Jess, but I kept stopping every time something new occurred to me.

"Greg? What is it?" she asked after the third time my fingers stopped their ministrations.

"It can wait."

"No. Your mind is elsewhere. Frankly, mine is too. Plenty of time for more of this after we resolve this mess." She pulled away and looked at me, a smirk on her face. "Let's look at this logically and practically."

"A little too clinical for me, but, okay, go ahead. What did you have in mind?"

"So, Molino is coming to the states. He's been here before. I wonder where he stays?" The speculation in her voice was interesting.

"Maybe he has a pad somewhere in Jersey."

She nodded. "Most likely. What about Bernini? Did we ever determine where he's been staying?"

"Frankly, I never thought about it."

She chuckled briefly. "I won't say you're falling down on the job, but that kind of missed detail isn't like you."

"Jess, am I slowing down?"

"What? No! You're still sharper than anyone else I know."

"That may not be saying much. Is there something else I missed that I shouldn't have?"

She shook her head. "You've been very thorough. But we should look into what residential properties Molino or Bernini hold."

"What about your father?"

"Him too. If you remember, when he first came to Princeton and was looking for a restaurant, we pointed him in Marcello and Ricky's direction."

"We did, didn't we? I wonder what he told them, or if he ever went to their office." I opened my phone and speed-dialed Rickey. "Hey, kid, you have a minute?"

"For you, House? Anytime. How can I help you?"

"Did Peter Giordano ever contact you about purchasing or leasing properties in Princeton?"

"Peter? Not that I recall. He may have talked to my uncle. Want me to ask?"

"Yeah, and get back to me with his answer. Thanks Ricky."

"Can I ask what this is about?"

I explained to him about what we needed to know going forward. "We also need so info on any holdings Molino has. We know about his auto shops, and something about his interest in Bernini Fruit."

"I can search some of the real estate information. It's basically public record. Gimme a couple of hours."

I decided we could spare that much time. "Bet you're busy? Sundays can become pretty hectic in the property-selling business."

"Well, I have a couple of appointments this afternoon, but I'm free now. I'll see what I can find out and call you back."

"Thanks, Ricky. We'd appreciate it."

"How'd Jess and Nina's party go last night?" the young man asked.

"Aside from an unexpected intrusion by her father, it went well." I glanced her way. She wasn't smiling.

"What did he want?" Scorn filled Ricky's voice. "Doesn't he have his own business to start up?"

"You heard about that."

"Yeah. My uncle said something about Bev working for him, but didn't give us any details." He took a breath. "Why would Giordano care what his daughters were doing?"

"You do know Giordano is associated with Molino, don't you?"

"Oh! Of course. But just because Jess and Nina are friends with my family doesn't mean they're now their father's enemies."

"I'm afraid so."

"Oh! So how did you handle him?"

"Jess stood up to him, and so did her brother. In fact, he didn't stay long." I paused before adding, "Unfortunately, he decided to show up this morning to threaten Jess and Nina. He honestly thinks Molino will win."

"Well, that's not going to happen. My grandfather already has plans in motion." Ricky swallowed. "I'll let him know what Giordano did."

"He's already aware of what Bernini's goons tried yesterday. This is just another part of their attack."

"Yeah, I heard something about what happened at the sisters' office. I should have realized it meant Molino and Bernini were targeting them. House, we have to do more than we are. Grandfather's plans will work on the large-scale problems, but this is getting personal. Any ideas?"

"We've got a few plans of our own that may or may not do the job. The more we do, though, the better our chances."

"Well, if you need my help, let me know."

"Will do." I ended the call wondering if there was something else he could do. Already he was getting me some information. He was also concerned enough to do what he could to protect Jess and Nina, besides the members of his family.

Which got me thinking. I hadn't heard from Julio in a few days. I wondered how Tina was doing. Sure, she had a bodyguard courtesy of her family, but I would have thought she'd be targeted as a female and from Molino's viewpoint probably the weakest of the Locarnos.

"I'm going to call The Melting Pot," I told Jess. As luck would have it, Tina answered.

"Hi, Tina. It's Dr. House."

"Oh, hi! Julio and I were just talking about you and Jess. Well, more about her, since we're providing food for her next party. How did the last one go?"

I repeated what I'd told her brother. "Giordano seems determined to hurt his own children because of the side they've chosen."

"I can't understand that. Family is everything. I love mine." She was quite vehement.

"Yeah, well I think you've had a very different experience than most."

"Mr. Bertoli told us about what happened at Jess and Nina's office yesterday. How terrible!"

"He was a big help."

She chuckled. "He'd do anything for his daughter."

"Another good father-child relationship."

"Yes. Even though she's been out of the country for the last few years, and was raised by her stepfather, I think they're very close."

Time to refocus the conversation. "I expect your bodyguard is keeping a close watch on you."

"That he is. Maybe a little too close, if you know what I mean."

It was my turn to laugh. "Once this is over, we can all get back to our former lives."

"Sometimes I wonder what sparked this feud. Julio talks about the animosity in his cousin's voice when he ordered him to come to the states. Vendettas like that have to have a start." Smart girl.

I nodded once, even though she couldn't see me. "That's what I've been trying to determine for months now."

"So, what now?"

"I believe your grandfather is about to go on the attack, and the rest of us will have to stay out of the way or we'll be caught in the cross-fire."

"You can't mean literally!"

"But I do. After yesterday, and Bernini's earlier attack on your brother, I think Molino won't hesitate to employ violence. Your grandfather will retaliate in kind."

"That's scarier than I thought."

"You'll be safe as long as you stick close to Bertoli and your bodyguard."

"And everyone else?" She sounded concerned. "I know Ricky and Uncle Marcello have guards, too, but what about the rest of you?"

I could say we had our own protection, but it hadn't worked quite as well as I'd hoped the previous day. "We'll be careful. I don't know if you heard, but Molino is planning a trip to New Jersey. He won't bother with the likes of us. He's got a much bigger fish to fry."

"My grandfather," she said. "But he can take care of himself. He couldn't have lasted this long if he couldn't."

"I hope you're right."