Kellie lingered a moment and then headed towards Dante at the back of the church.
Kellie took the flask back from him for another sip. She closed the flask and gave it back to him. Dante put the flask back in his jacket.
"I know I probably shouldn't have eavesdropped," Dante said, "But I'm pretty sure if Charles could tell you himself he'd tell you that you already to lived up to being the person he knew you could be."
"Well I'm the one that probably needs to believe it right," Kellie said.
"You'll get there," Dante said, noticing several men in suits approaching. They appeared to be a set of bodyguards and an older heavyset gentleman.
Dante got in front of Kellie.
"Stand down, detective," the gentlemen said, "I've only come to pay my respects."
"Maximus Giambetti," Kellie inquired as Dante still looked uneasy.
"Senior?" Dante questioned, "I thought you were banned from ever coming to the U.S."
"Your brother asks too many questions," Maximus said, "No respect."
"Dante," Kellie nodded, indicating for Dante to leave her and Maximus alone.
"I'm going to make sure Johnny knows he's here," Dante said.
"He knows," Maximus said.
Dante walked away to find Johnny.
"Kellie Riley Corinthos Scott Morgan," Maximus said, shaking her hand, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Though I believe we'd both agree these are not the circumstances under which we would have preferred to meet."
"No," Kellie said, softly though still wary of Maximus's intentions, "Allow me to express my condolences over the loss of your brother. He's probably the best man I'll ever know."
"No, Tigrotta," Maximus said, "You do not owe me condolences. I'm the one who should be expressing condolences to you. I'm sure you know Charles and I weren't exactly close."
"I'm aware," Kellie said, "It was quite the surprise when he told us he was your biological half-brother."
"I tried to keep my distance while maintaining an eye your family," Maximus said, "It seemed necessary at the time to ensure you had all the backing you needed to stave off the families and Garrett Esoterra. I knew about Charles for years, but didn't reach out to him until it was obvious you and his son were together and staying married."
"Charles had said you wanted him to know if we needed help from you, you would provide it," Kellie said
"Precisely, when you married my nephew, you married into the Giambetti family," Maximus said, "And all the protection that comes with it. The same as your cousin, Sage, when she married my son, Milo. I may no longer hold obvious power in the states, but the name Giambetti still means something."
"So I've heard," Kellie said, "Your phone call with the families when I informed them I'd married Jason before they tried to force me to marry one of them was impressive. The information you run across is unparalleled for someone that is supposedly retired."
"One never really retires or leaves our business now do they," Maximus said.
"No," Kellie said.
"So do you plan on taking your place at the table with the five families?" Maxmius asked, "Whether it's as your own family or as head of the Corinthos organization?"
"I can't believe you'd honestly think I'd answer that," Kellie replied.
"I figured," Maximus said, "But I had to ask. For what it's worth you would make an excellent head of the family if you want it."
"Nice try," Kellie said, "So when you and Charles actually connected, did you stay in touch at all or…."
"About once a year, we'd have a phone call with each other and occasionally there were other calls if something came up," Maximus said, "After I got him to Italy under the guise of a legal matter."
"Did he know you were behind that?" Kellie asked.
"Not until my people picked him up from the airport," Maximus smiled.
Kellie laughed, "I think I know when this was. It was an odd trip and he was so cagey when he came back. There was no discussing that trip with him."
Kellie shook her head.
"I don't think Charles always knew what to do with you," Kellie said.
"No, he didn't," Maximus said, "I tried not to push."
Kellie looked at him skeptically.
"I may have pushed a little," Maximus said, "Thankfully, Max and Milo were able to forge a relationship with him being in Port Charles."
"They were good for him," Kellie said, "Especially after Tyler passed away. I'm just sorry that we didn't know Tyler, Max, and Milo were cousins before he passed."
"The funny thing is you were all still family even though you didn't know that," Maximus said, "You all looked out for each other. I want to be sure that doesn't stop with Charles death. That's my other reason for coming here today. If you need anything and I mean anything, I want you to promise to call me. I've already given your bodyguard, O' Brien, my contact information so you can get in touch with me."
"That's not necessary," Kellie said.
"We can always hope not," Maximus said, "But it's always best to be prepared. You certainly can't rely on your father to do what's necessary these days. While your Uncle Lorenzo was formidable in his day and has ensured he has what he needs to do business, protect himself and his family to an extent, we both know once he went legit, certain actions were off limits. As for your husband, verdicts still out on him at the moment. He needs to make a big move and soon."
"Whatever my husband's plans may be," Kellie said, "I'm definitely not discussing that."
"Of course," Maximus said, "My apologies if I offended you in any way. That was never my intent. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like a moment alone with my brother and then I will be off."
"Of course," Kellie said, "I'll make sure you're not disturbed. You are welcome to stay for the services."
"If only," Maximus said, "However the key to getting in out and of the country unnoticed is not to stay too long in one place before your government realizes I am here. Detective Falconari will eventually report that I was here. I will not put you in the position of asking him to cover for me."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Kellie said, "Thank you for coming and everything else."
"You will call if you need help," Maximus said, "Maybe someday I will convince you and your family to visit Italy perhaps with Milo and Sage and their children."
"I'll consider it," Kellie replied.
"Good enough for now," Maximus said, "Until we meet again, Tigrotta."
"I'll make sure you're not disturbed," Kellie said.
"I'll only need five minutes," Maximus said, then raised his voice louder, "Tell your goomba husband I said hello."
"What?" Kellie asked as Maximus walked away towards the casket, ignoring her.
Kellie shook her head and closed the doors to the sanctuary as she walked out.
She turned to see Jason had arrived with the kids, Francis and Max.
"I heard him," Jason replied, "Is he staying?"
"No, in five minutes I'll open the doors," Kellie said.
"Who was that?" Jamie asked.
"Uhh. That was a cousin of Grandpa Charles," Kellie said, "He happened to be in the area and asked for a moment to pay his respects. If you want to go in, Max."
"Nope, I've learned that if he did not communicate with me he was going to be here, I don't interfere," Max said.
"I want to meet Grandpa's cousin," Alyssa said as more people began to enter the church.
"He has a flight to catch," Kellie said, "Maybe another time if it works out."
"But mom," Jared protested as Jordan and Mac entered.
"We're sorry to intrude," Jordan said, "But the state department seems to think that Maximus Giambetti, Senior might try to show up here. You haven't been in touch with him, have you Max? Or Jason or Kellie by chance."
Max shook his head.
"Excuse me," Diane said, overhearing the conversation and joining them, "Is the PCPD today of all days harassing my clients when they are laying a beloved member of their family to rest."
"The feds asked us to keep an eye out," Mac said, "We had to ask."
"Why is the door to the sanctuary closed?" Jordan asked.
"It just hadn't been opened yet," Kellie said, "You're welcome to open it or I will."
The kids just watched the entire interaction as Kellie opened the door to the empty sanctuary.
"Our apologies," Mac said, "We will make ourselves scarce. We are planning to keep an out for any one that might stick out or provide lead on who Cyrus Renault was working with."
"I'd expected that," Kellie said.
"We are truly sorry for your loss," Jordan said, "Charles really was a good man."
"Thank you," Kellie said and then turned to the kids, "Let's get you all seated."
Kellie and Jason ushered the kids into the sanctuary and got them settled.
Jason pulled Kellie to the side.
"What did he want?" Jason asked.
"Aside from paying his respects," Kellie said, "Making sure I could contact him if I needed anything. Same arrangement he had with Charles."
"Good to know he'll still extend protection to you and the kids," Jason said.
"Why did he call you a goomba?" Kellie asked, "It seems like there's a story behind that."
"It's a long, long story," Jason said annoyed.
Meanwhile, Mac and Jordan convened outside the church.
"How much do you want to bet he was here?" Jordan asked met.
"I don't think Dante was just asking for kicks about whether Maximus Giambetti, Senior, was still banned from entering the U.S.," Mac said.
"We'll have to ask him," Jordan said, "But personally chasing a retired mobster for the feds for likely doing nothing more than paying his respects while flaunting it to law enforcement isn't something I really care about."
"Giambetti, Senior definitely isn't the one who shot Charles," Mac said, "Or initiated it. There was no bad blood we know of between the brothers and he can't do business in the U.S., so he's not going after Sonny. Not to mention he wouldn't put his own sons in the crossfire. We know that he's made it publicly known Kellie and her kids are under this protection."
"Dante," Mac said, seeing Dante walk by.
"Is there a reason you were asking if Giambetti, Senior, was still banned from being in the U.S.?" Jordan asked.
"Curiosity if he were to show up," Dante said.
"Did he show up?" Mac asked.
"A member of the Giambetti family from Italy showed up," Dante said, "I never got a confirmed name. I went to make sure my sister's guard knew this guy was here when he requested to speak with Kellie alone. He might still be here for all I know."
"If he was here, he's gone," Jordan said, "He wouldn't risk staying for the service. That's where he'd get caught."
Meanwhile, Lorenzo had managed to meet Francis in one of the churches storage rooms.
"Have you heard any word on Jason's business plans?" Lorenzo asked.
"You will tell me," Lorenzo said as Francis considered what to say.
"Everything's in place from what I hear," Francis said, "Jason just needs to pull the trigger."
"He's hesitating," Lorenzo said, dismayed.
"He wants to give Sonny every opportunity to change course," Francis said, "I don't blame him but."
"He needs to make the move sooner rather than later," Lorenzo said.
"Agreed. I don't know what more we can do to convince him," Francis said.
"Leave that to me," Lorenzo said, "You should probably get back to the kids and Kellie."
Francis nodded and left.
Then Lorenzo made a call.
"That matter we discussed," Lorenzo said, "We are moving forward on it. If Sonny Corinthos shows up at Charles Scott's funeral, you know what to do. And preferably before he has the opportunity to upset my niece or Monica Quartermaine."
Author's Note: Tigrotta means "Little Tiger" in Italian. It felt like Maximus Senior would come up with an italian term to call Kellie by.