Forbidden love for a Barkley

Part Thirty Four:

"Jarrod's Plan, pt. 2: Rimorso Eterno"

The knock on the door turned out to be one Paulie Mangano and by the looks of it, he was obviously willing to hear Jarrod out on his plan, thus putting his differences with and hatred for white people aside. The eldest Barkley child was very pleased with this, because maybe it was a sign that the rest of the Mangano family may come to think of the Barkleys as good people. Obviously, as expected, Carmine refused to come over and while Jarrod assumed it was due to his injuries to which he could very well understand seeing as Nick was also on the mend, Paulie quickly shot that down, stating his brother was just being his usual stubborn self before switching topics by expressing how amazed he was at the beauty of what he saw of the Barkley household so far and asking how Nick was. His wanting to know Nick's well-being shocked Jarrod, because for a while, he along with Carmine, Massimo, Luca, Arturo, Enzo, and Vito believed Nick was solely responsible for what happened to Stefania and possibly wanted him dead to which after Jarrod declared his surprise, Paulie explained that after giving it some thought, maybe he and his family misjudged Nick which led them into talking about Stefania and Nick's slow growing relationship. Meanwhile, upstairs, Stefania was massaging Nick's shoulders, but her heart wasn't in it due to the fact that there was something bothering her. Once Nick asked what it was, she revealed that she felt shame and fear since what happened to her; shame, because she feels she disgraced her family and fear, because she is afraid Nick won't want anything to do with her when or if she begins showing signs of a pregnancy to which Nick expressed how surprised he was that she would think such a thing let alone insinuate it. As of now, while Paulie and Jarrod were in the study about to go over the latter's plan, the former was retelling the story of his father Emilio's murder. The questions that remain are as follows: Will Paulie manage to finish the story or will he have to stop due to the trauma and pain?, Will Stefania explain more about her feeling of fear?, Will Carmine make a surprise visit to the Barkley household?, and most importantly, will Nick reassure her otherwise? Stay tuned and find out!

Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Carmine Mangano Sr, Carmine's friends, Paulie Mangano, Italia Mangano, Emilio Mangano, Serafina Mangano, Chet and the men Heath rounded up, Jess and Mavis Chaney, the Animal Team, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, and the Mangano family. Also too, as you can very well see (yet again Lol), this is the second part of another multi part chapter saga.

(Flashback to part 33)

"Who says I'm hiding anything?" Stefania asked.

"Stefania." Nick said.

"Oh, who am I kidding?" Stefania sighed, stopped massaging Nick's shoulders, and walked over to his door.

"Stefania, what's the matter? What's on your mind? Whatever it is, I can take it and you can tell me." Nick insisted.

"Oh, I don't know if I should say it." Stefania turned away from him.

"Stefania, you can tell me anything. You got to believe that." Nick slowly stood up from his bed and limped over to her.

Stefania didn't say anything and just let out a sigh.

"Hey..." Nick gently turned her to face his direction and lifted her chin so that way they had eye to eye contact, "Talk to me. What's the problem? What's bothering you?"

"Oh, Nick." Stefania turned away from him, "Nick...I've been thinking about it a lot and-"

"Thinking about what?" Nick asked.

"Ohhhh, a lot of things. I have nightmares about what happened to me and everything after that. I can still see the faces of McMahon, Williamson, McIntyre, Hyatt, and Dodie Gunderson whenever I close my eyes. Those scary faces! Then, I think about what Zeb and Dodie did to me and how I could...I could...I could be carrying a child months from now." Stefania started.

"Well, all things considered, I can see how that would be troubling you, but you didn't need to feel you had to hide that from me, Stefania." Nick put his hand on her shoulder, "I mean after all, we are in a slowly growing relationship and in a relationship, both parties tell each other what is going on with them and basically, pour woes and sorrows out, especially stuff you can never tell a family member, because they just won't understand."

"I know that, Nick but I just can't shake the feeling of shame and fear." Stefania added.

"Shame and fear?" Nick raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Nick. Shame and fear." Stefania nodded while biting her lip.

"But why?" Nick asked.

"Shame, because if I end up carrying a child, I'll be the first in my family to carry a b*ard and my papa will not have a grandchild of his be a b*ard. I will have disgraced my family if I turn up expectant and unmarried. Plus, what will I do with the baby? What will I do with them?" Stefania continued.

"Stefania, there is nothing to be ashamed of, because you had no control over what happened to you. It was through no fault of your own. If anybody should be ashamed, it is McMahon and his gang of lowlives who I still plan on hunting down." Nick walked over to the window and stared out of it.

"I know, Nick but...I just feel so filthy and plus, what happened to you afterward...I just can't forgive myself." Stefania shook her head.

"Stefania, what happened to me afterward is not your fault at all. In fact, it's nobody's fault." Nick smiled.

"It's nobody's fault? Nick, my papa, my zio Paulie, my tramp of a cousin Italia, and their friends gave you a bad beating and roughed your little brother up among other things. They did that to you and your brother and you're not mad?" Stefania clearly didn't understand Nick's reaction.

"I know they did all of that, Stefania and while I admit that it was a bit too far, I understand where they were coming from. After all, those friends of your father's and uncle's have high respect for you and vow to protect you. Your uncle Paulie...he's your uncle and he adores you very much. As for your father...well, he's your father and you're his little girl. That all goes without saying and I respect all of that. Now, your cousin Italia, I still can't wrap my head around her. She acted aggressively towards me then she got all flirtatious. I don't get it." Nick still stared out of the window.

"I appreciate your respect for all of it and what you said was true, but still, they are wrong for what they did to you. Two wrongs don't make a right." Stefania pointed out.

"You got me on that one there, Stefania. However, I'm not holding a grudge against them." Nick turned to her, "Now, you said you also felt fear besides shame. Why?"

"I'm afraid that if or when I start showing, my family will no longer love me and you won't want anything to do with me anymore! You'll want to be with another girl!" Stefania tried to hold back any tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"Stefania...I'm very surprised at you." Nick was a little taken aback.

*Meanwhile, in the study with Jarrod and Paulie*

After shooting the breeze some more and expressing how amazed he was at the beauty of the study let alone what he saw so far of the Barkley household, Paulie finally decided to get down to business in regards to Jarrod's plan. Unfortunately, it meant he would have to relive the murder of his father Emilio and the lynching of his brother Santo all over again. Despite wanting to avoid it all, he knew it was best to get out what really happened versus what was or could be said by the perpetrators and their friends.

"Jarrod, let's get to talking about your plan." Paulie ran a hand through his hair.

"Paulie, by the sound of your voice and the tone, even though you are itching it know what the plan is, I can tell part of your heart isn't in it." Jarrod told him.

"Well, to be honest, you are correct. I mean yes, I am eager to see what your plan is and how we can move forward with whatever it is, I also know that I am going to have to relive the murder of my papa and brother Santo. I really don't want to relive their murders plus too, it doesn't feel right pursuing it without Carmine, because he was the first one to see it both times and to add to it, their murders were so traumatic." Paulie sighed, "Each time I close my eyes, I have nightmares. Nightmares about my papa and my brother Santo. Just horrible nightmares."

"I understand, Paulie. If it'll ease things, you can feel free to tell me what you saw and remember." Jarrod suggested.

Paulie sat there and didn't say a word.

"It's okay, Paulie. Take your time. The plan can wait." Jarrod assured.

Paulie nodded and sighed, again before putting his head in his hands. It was obvious that the painful memories were starting to play out in his head and by the looks of it, the pain was still very fresh now as it was when the murders of Emilio and Santo took place.

"Paulie, as I said, the plan can wait." Jarrod stood up from the desk, walked over to Paulie, and put his hand on his shoulder, "Take as much time as you need to collect your thoughts and whenever you're ready, I'm all ears."

Paulie, voice now starting to break, said something, but it was muffled.

"What was that?" Jarrod asked, sympathy filling his eyes.

"Carmine, papa, and I...saw that Serafina was...in trouble! We saw them...attacking her and papa...wanted to...save her...despite his old age. Carmine and I told him no...but he still went to try...and fight them off." Paulie said, head still in hands.

"Them? Who are "Them", Paulie? Ballinger, his daughter Jessica, and their bunch?" Jarrod asked.

"Not Jessica Ballinger or Hiram, her papa, that time, but Matthew Sturgis, Jack Clevenger, and Stan Reardon were the ones who started it. Especially, Sturgis." Paulie started.

*Flashback to that time*

It was a beautiful day in Stockton. Upon getting settled, Serafina Mangano decided to help her family out by going and getting some supplies. She was in the middle of picking some stuff out when a hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Serafina was startled.

"Whoa. Sorry 'bout that, honey. Didn't mean to startle ya there." the man chuckled.

"Va bene, signore. Mi sono sempre spaventato per piccole cose. (It is quite alright, mister. I always get scared over little things.)" Serafina told him.

"Whoa! Whoa! What kind of language is that?! We speak english here." the man sounded a little angry.

"Mi dispiace. Parlo solo un po 'di inglese. Non è troppo buono. Parlo principalmente italiano. Io e la mia famiglia siamo dall'Italia. (I'm sorry. I only speak a little English. It is not too good. I primarily speak Italian. My family and I are from Italy.)" Serafina replied.

"I said we speak english!" the man slapped the supplies out of her arms.

"Signor, I just arrived from Italy with my family. We are learning your language little by little. Now, please help me pick up my supplies, so I can be on my way." Serafina reverted to the little English she could speak.

"Oh, not so fast." the man grabbed her arm.

"Signor, you are hurting me." Serafina said.

"Look, I just want to get to know you, because even though you're one of them foreigners, you are mighty pretty, honey!" the man pulled her close.

"Please, signore, please. I just want to get back to my family. Please, turn my arm loose." Serafina pleaded.

"Oh no, honey! I'm taking you all for myself!" the man held onto her very tightly and started forcefully kissing her neck.

"No! No! No! No! Please!" Serafina pleaded some more while trying to break free from his grip.

"Oh, come on! Let's have a good time!" the man started to get aggressive with her.

"MATTHEW!" another man shouted before walking over.

"Ah gee, Jack! Do you have to spoil it every time I am with a girl?" Matthew sounded annoyed.

"Yes, because whenever you're around a girl, you always get into a mess!" Jack slightly raised his voice before turning to Serafina and getting a creepy smile on his face, "And what's your name, honey? You sure are pretty."

"Serafina Annabella Mangano. Signor, could you pl-" Serafina was cut off.

"You sound foreign!" Jack's smile disappeared as fast as it came on.

"I'm from...It-It-Italy." Serafina sounded nervous.

"Oh, you're one of them, aren't you?!" Jack shook his head, "One of those no goods that comes into our country and steals from us Americans, eh?"

"I-" Serafina was cut off, again.

"Answer me!" Jack slapped her.

"Whoa! Easy, Clevenger. You don't want to mark her up, yet." Matthew told him.

"Shut up! She's one of those no goods!" Jack barked.

"But she is still pretty! She may be one of those no goods, but she is one pretty gal." Matthew protested a bit.

"I do admit for a no good, she is pretty." Jack nodded.

"Please, please, let me go!" Serafina begged.

"Oh no, we're gonna have fun first!" Jack pushed Matthew away, grabbed Serafina, ripped her shawl off, and started forcefully kissing her.

Serafina started fighting against Jack every way she could and shouting in Italian.

*From somewhere nearby*

Serafina was shouting loud enough to get the attention of her uncles Carmine and Paulie & her grandfather Emilio, who was watering his Mule, Giorgia, from a trough. Concerned, Emilio guided Giorgia away from the trough and started to get mounted only to be stopped.

"Papà, resta qui. Paulie e io andremo da Serafina. (Dad, stay here. Paulie and I will go to Serafina.)" Carmine told him.

"Perché? Pensi che io sia troppo vecchio, ragazzo mio? (Why? You think I'm too old, my boy?)" Emilio asked, tilting his head to the side for a moment.

"Papà, hai fatto un sacco di cose tutto il giorno. Hai bisogno di riposare. Sai che mamma avrebbe detto lo stesso. (Dad, you've been doing a lot all day long. You need to rest. You know ma would've said the same.)" Paulie insisted.

"Tua madre, che Dio l'abbia in gloria, era una tale ansiosa come voi due ragazzi. Guarda, non mi farà male andare a vedere cosa sta succedendo a Serafina. (Your ma, God rest her soul, was such a worrywart just like you two boys are. Look, it won't hurt me to go over and see what is happening with Serafina.)" Emilio waved his finger at Carmine and Paulie.

"Ma papà-(But dad-)" Carmine was cut off.

Emilio got mounted onto Giorgia and rode over to where the commotion was happening. As soon as he approached the area, Emilio got an alarmed look when he saw his granddaughter getting manhandled.

"EHI! (Hey!)" Emilio shouted.

Jack ignored him and kept on forcefully kissing Serafina before taking her to the ground with him. Serafina kept on slapping, punching, and scratching him in the hopes that he would quit, but to no avail.

"Toglietevi di mezzo mia nipote! (Get off of my granddaughter!)" Emilio shouted, again before starting to get off of Giorgia only to be stopped.

"Where do you think you're going, old man?!" a third man walked up to him.

"Quell'uomo sta facendo del male a mia nipote! (That man is harming my granddaughter!)" Emilio told him.

"Hey, if you're going to talk to me, you're going to speak English like the rest of us in this country!" the man backhanded him in the face.

"Signore, mi lasci parlare con mia nipote. (Mister, let me get to my granddaughter.)" Emilio tried to get off of Giorgia only to be stopped again, this time by Stan, who was holding him back by force.

"Hey, Stan, be careful with that old man." Matthew told him.

"Oh, hold your water, Sturgis. I won't hurt him if he won't get all ornery." Stan dismissed him with a hand gesture, "I don't recall you ever caring about an old geezer beforehand."

"Oh, I have no use for them, but we're not going to take care of people unless the moment calls for it." Matthew replied.

"Doesn't the moment call for it since this old coot and that girl Clevenger is pleasuring himself with are no good foreigners?!" Stan asked.

"It sure does, but I'm waiting for Clevenger to get finished with her, so I can have my turn." Matthew smirked.

"Basta! Basta! Per favore! (Stop! Stop! Please!)" Serafina begged.

"Serafina, cara bambina, sto arrivando! (Serafina, dear child, I'm coming!)" Emilio tapped Giorgia with the reins.

"Oh no, you don't!" Stan violently tugged on the reins, ripping them from Emilio's hands.

Emilio grabbed part of the reins and tried to get them out of Stan's hands, engaging in what looked to be a tug of war.

*From where Carmine and Paulie were*

Carmine and Paulie were walking away from a dress shop when they saw Stan and their father engaging in a tug of war over the reins and stopped in their tracks.

"Paulie, papà è nei guai! (Paulie, dad's in trouble!)" Carmine went to go help Emilio only to be stopped.

"Carmine, hai sentito papà. Ci ha detto di restare qui. (Carmine, you heard dad. He told us to stay here.)" Paulie grabbed his brother's arm, "Sai quanto è indipendente e quanto si arrabbierebbe se andassimo ad aiutarlo. E poi, che mi dici di quel vestito che volevi prendere per Andrea? Il suo compleanno è domani. (You know how independent he is and how mad he would be if we went over to help him. Plus, what about that dress you wanted to get for Andrea? Her birthday is tomorrow.)"

"Paulie, al diavolo il compleanno di mia moglie! Lei capirebbe. E poi, da quando ascoltiamo papà?! È nei guai e dobbiamo aiutarlo! (Paulie, the hell with my wife's birthday! She'd understand. Plus too, since when do we ever listen to dad?! He's in trouble and we gotta help him!)" Carmine ripped his arm out of Paulie's grip.

"Carmine, ho preso questa brutta abitudine da te! Eri sempre-(Carmine, I caught that bad habit from you! You were always-)" Paulie was cut off.

"Paulie, quell'uomo ha appena strappato via papà da Giorgia! (Paulie, that man just pulled dad off of Giorgia!)" Carmine's eyes got big after seeing Stan violently yank Emilio off of his mule.

"Carmine...MADRE DI MISERICORDIA! (MOTHER OF MERCY!)" Paulie shouted after turning his attention to the situation and saw Stan push Emilio to the ground, knocking the older man unconscious in the process.

"Stiamo arrivando, papà, Serafina! Tieni duro! (We are coming, dad, Serafina! Hang on!)" Carmine and Paulie ran as fast as they could in order to get to their father and niece in time.

*Back where Serafina and the horrible men were*

"REARDON!" Matthew shouted.

"NONNO! (GRANDFATHER!)" Serafina shouted.

"Reardon, what did you do that for?" Jack turned to Stan.

"He pulled a knife on me and he's one of those no goods like that girl." Stan was obviously lying through his teeth.

Serafina tried once more to fight her way out of Jack's arms in order to go to her grandfather, but was stopped when Jack put his weight onto her.

"You're not going anywhere!" Jack pinned her down.

Serafina shouted a few things in Italian and scratched his right cheek.

"Man, she sure is a feisty one!" Matthew laughed, before getting serious or impatient, "When is it going to be my turn with her, Clevenger?!"

"You'll get your turn eventually, Sturgis. Just give me five more minutes." Jack said, before tearing the left sleeve of Serafina's dress off, exposing her shoulder and camisole.

Before Serafina could let out another scream, Carmine and Paulie came rushing to the scene. This caught the attention of Jack almost immediately.

"Oh no! Two more no goods are showing up!" Jack groaned before turning to Matthew and Stan, "Sturgis, Reardon, hold them off!"

"PAPÀ! SERAFINA! (DAD! SERAFINA!)" Carmine and Paulie shouted as they arrived to the scene.

"Whoa! Whoa! Stand back, you no goods!" Matthew, with the help of Stan, blocked the two Mangano men from helping Emilio and Serafina.

"You pushed our papa down and your friend is harming our niece!" Carmine cracked his knuckles before lunging at Matthew only to be knocked out by Stan from behind.

Paulie jumped onto Stan's back and pretty soon, the two men were rolling on the ground, throwing punches. As people gathered around and watched, the fight between the two men was starting to get bloody and about to escalate only to came to an abrupt end when another man pulled Stan off of Paulie.

"That's enough, Reardon! His kind isn't worthy of a fight!" the fourth man said.

"Ah, but, McIntosh, we-" Stan was cut off.

"You, Sturgis, and Clevenger are creating a scene for the rest of these people and you know the boss doesn't like it when crows are created!" McIntosh slapped him on the back of the head before going over to Jack and pulling him away from Serafina, "Alright, the party's over, Clevenger! Come on you guys, let's go!"

"Robert Theo McIntosh, remind me again why we're friends!" Jack reluctantly stood up.

"Let's go!" Robert walked off, Matthew, Stan, and Jack reluctantly following suit while gladly stealing Giorgia.

"Zio Paulie, zio Carmine. (Uncle Paulie, Uncle Carmine.)" Serafina slowly stood up, walked over to where her uncles and grandfather were, and sat beside the unconscious Emilio.

"Oh, la mia testa. Paulie, Serafina...sta bene? (Ooh, my head. Paulie, Serafina...is she okay?)" Carmine slowly regained consciousness, sat up, and got beside his unconscious father.

"Sto bene, zio Carm. Nonno, non lo so. Ha ancora gli occhi chiusi. (I'm alright, uncle Carm. Grandfather, I do not know. He still has his eyes shut.)" Serafina replied.

"Papà, svegliati! Papà...per favore svegliati! Forza, papà! (Dad, wake up! Dad...please wake up! Come on, dad!)" Paulie pleaded while trying to get Emilio to wake up.

"Papà, non farlo! Papà...non farlo, per favore! (Dad, don't do this! Dad...don't do this, please!)" Carmine begged.

"Nonno, per favore! (Grandfather, please!)" Serafina begged.

"Serafina, vai a chiamare un dottore. Presto! (Serafina, go get a doctor. Hurry!)" Carmine told her.

"Sì, mio zio. (Yes, my uncle.)" Serafina ran as fast as she could to find a doctor.

"Dai, vecchio idiota. Dai, vecchio testardo! Sei troppo duro per questo! (Come on, you old fool. Come on, you stubborn old man! You're too tough for this!)" Carmine tried to shake Emilio awake.

"Carmine..." Paulie had a knowing look in his eye.

"No, Paulie! Non osare insinuare nulla! Papà è molto duro! Ce la farà! (No, Paulie! Don't you dare insinuate anything! Dad is very tough! He'll pull through!)" Carmine barked.

"Carmine, non c'è-(Carmine, there's no-)" Paulie was cut off.

"Paulie, non farlo! (Paulie, don't!)" Carmine slapped his brother on the arm.

"Carmine, loro...loro...(Carmine, they...they...)" Paulie paused in order to wipe away tears that were already spilling down his face.

(Now, but back to the present)

As soon as Paulie was finished telling the story, he was sobbing uncontrollably despite his best efforts of trying to hold his emotions in. Jarrod felt nothing, but great sympathy for Paulie, Carmine, and the Mangano family as he and his family knew what it was like to lose a loved one in such a sudden and in both cases, a cold blooded way. In the case of the Barkley family, it was the murders of Tom and Beth. Moved to tears and biting his own own lip, Jarrod rubbed Paulie's shoulder before grabbing a blue handkerchief, handing it to the latter, and taking a deep breath.

"Grazie, Jarrod." Paulie took the handkerchief and dabbed his eyes with it.

"Paulie...I-I-I'm so...I'm so sorry and I know sorry doesn't cover it." Jarrod took another deep breath, "I know how it feels to lose a loved one to murder. Well, actually, my family and I both do."

"Your mama said something like that at the bridge." Paulie sniffed.

"Many years ago, we suffered a great loss. My father...my father was murdered by a former friend who he was feuding with for months prior. The feud is another long story that I'd rather not delve into at the moment. All I'll say is that both that former friend and my father were in such a bad feud that, as we found out in a tragic way, there was only one way to end it...death. Yup. That former friend of father's was mad about a poker game and the accidental death of one of his sons at the hands of Nick." Jarrod let out a very breathy sigh as the memories started playing out in his head.

"That friend's son died at the hands of your brother?" Paulie asked.

"Uh huh. By accident, of course. You see, he was drunk and Nick was trying to help him get home, but...well, when you're drunk, you do foolish things and the deceased did a foolish thing by trying to challenge Nick and others to a fight. Nick grabbed him by his shirt, but he pulled my brother down and as soon as they hit the ground, the deceased hit his head. He was dead instantly and people at first called my brother a murderer until they realized he would never hurt a soul. Ever. However, the same cannot be said for the deceased's father or family members. The father hunted Nick down and shot him with an arrow. Luckily, my brother survived, but father vowed revenge, saying something like and I quote: 'I'll get him, if it's the last thing I ever do and don't try to stop me! He got one of my children, any one of you or your mother could be next!' unquote. You see, father was very protective of anybody he cared about, loved, or felt was railroaded. He truly meant it when he said he would defend someone to the dead." Jarrod continued.

"Your papa sounds like a good man. I take it he was killed trying to get revenge on the man who tried to kill Nick." Paulie replied.

"No, not right away. You see, mother managed to talk him out of vengeance and into staying by his son's side to which he surprisingly did. However, just, because he stood down didn't exactly mean his feud with that man was over. Oh no, the feud was on, but there was a ceasefire, if you will. It was only fair, because the man needed time to grieve his son just as we all needed time to see whether or not Nick survived the murder attempt. Once all was done, the man caused more trouble that ranged from here at home to our mine in Strawberry and eventually, went as far as to kill our two closest friends: Septimus Clayton and Millard Drysdale, the doctor before Dr. Merar took over. God rest Septimus and Millard's souls." Jarrod walked back and forth, before stopping and looking at a portrait of Tom he kept in the study, then picking it up, "Poor father. He felt very badly about Millard and Septimus. He felt he owed it to them to inform their families, bring their bodies back, and face off against their killer himself, even at the risk of his own life."

"Damn, Jarrod. Your papa sounds just like mine. Never back down from anything, even if it could cost them their life." Paulie wiped away more tears.

"Father was a very very tough man and hard headed, too. Heh, Nick and to a lesser extent, Audra, inherited that trait from him. Mother has always been afraid that due to inheriting that trait from father, Nick will God forbid end up like him, if he isn't careful." Jarrod ran a hand through his hair, "Anyways, before I begin to trail off a bit further, father went off to have a showdown with Septimus and Dr. Drysdale's killer in Strawberry despite the fact that we all were voicing our concerns to him and staunchly against it. If he only listened to all of us, father would be still be alive now."

"Sounds like my papa. If he listened to Carmine and me, he'd still be alive, too." Paulie sighed, "Sturgis, Reardon, McIntosh, and Clevenger murdered him in cold blood! I live with rimorso eterno!"

"You're damn right they did." Jarrod nodded in agreement, voice breaking a little, "Paulie, did you tell Sheriff Fred Madden about it and if I may ask, what does rimorso eterno mean?"

"Rimorso eterno is Italian for everlasting remorse and to answer your other question, no, Jarrod. We never met Sheriff Madden before, but we did encounter a sheriff named Frank Halloran." Paulie replied.

"Frank Halloran?" Jarrod's eyes got big.

"Yeah. Do you know him?" Paulie was taken aback by Jarrod's reaction.

"Know him? Paulie, he was a deputy sheriff who lost his badge two months ago due to being accused of shady dealings, getting inebriated on the job, and refusing to help victims, especially those who happened to be other than white, thus showing he was a bigot. Unfortunately, the bigotry wasn't reason enough to get him thrown out of any kind of office, because besides being a deputy sheriff, he was also the mayor who only served an extremely short term and got voted out immediately due to money laundering allegations. He was always known by his nickname "The Boss"." Jarrod told him.

"Did you say he was known as "The Boss"? That's what I heard Sturgis, McIntosh, Reardon, and Clevenger refer to as they were practically running off after murdering my papa, knocking Carmine out, and assaulting Serafina. Do you think-" Paulie was cut off.

"I don't think, Paulie. I know that's who they were referring to, because he has ties to Hiram Ballinger, who funded his mayoral campaign and Hiram's daughter, Jessica, is rumored to have had an affair with Halloran, who, as per usual when these things play out, had a wife named Gabriella. He cheated on that poor girl on a regular basis and when he was home, he was said to be very abusive and extremely controlling towards her, especially when drunk or after she would confront him about his whereabouts. So, you have that connection right there." Jarrod replied.

"Yeah, you do. Sturgis, Clevenger, Reardon, and McIntosh murdered my papa and the corrupt deputy sheriff Halloran is buddy buddy with the Ballingers who are friends of those others." Paulie started putting two and two together.

"Uh huh and that's why Halloran didn't help you and your family out after the murder of your father. He knew Sturgis, Clevenger, Reardon, and McIntosh were very capable of what they did and that they often behaved the way they did around you, your father, Carmine, and Serafina. In other words, he knew they were bigoted towards anybody who wasn't white and refused to step in, because he was the same way. Halloran knew they committed a murder and refused to do anything due to his prejudice plus if he were to step in and do what was right, Hiram Ballinger would find out and well, that would mean disaster for Halloran as Ballinger and his daughter are bigots who have it in for anybody non white and non American. They held the murder of Hiram's wife, Patricia, over Halloran's head for a long time, because he wasn't able to capture the killer who shot and wounded Fred Madden prior." Jarrod added.

"Wow! However, what does-" Paulie was cut off, again.

"Hiram and Jessica claimed Patricia's killer was either their recently fired servant who just happened to be of Italian heritage or their neighbor who just happened to be of Russian descent. They were feuding with their neighbor prior to Patricia's killing. Now, whether or not it was their fired Italian servant or their Russian neighbor, nobody knows, because both individuals suddenly disappeared when that was going on and Halloran, their best buddy, was not able to catch the killer. It was, because of that, that Hiram and Jessica would hold Patricia's murder over Halloran's head, saying that he let her killer get away which led to Halloran's bigotry and hatred becoming intensified hence why he refused to help you and your family get justice for your father. He feels he owes it to the Ballingers to be that way and has vowed to get or refuse to help anybody who isn't white or American in order to pay for his mistake in their eyes." Jarrod continued.

"You mean to tell me this whole thing started all, because of the murder of Jessica's mama?" Paulie asked.

"Well, yes and no. Yes, because Halloran is best friends with the Ballingers as are the others and he made a promise he couldn't keep & No, because like Hiram and Jessica plus the others, he's always been bigoted and shady. This whole thing would've happened regardless of whether Patricia was alive or dead." Jarrod shook his head in disgust.

"That's a shame. That truly is a shame." Paulie replied.

"It is, but unfortunately, there's people like that in this world. I'm sorry you had to deal with Halloran and that whole bunch. If Fred hadn't have been wounded, your father would've gotten justice, Halloran would've been kicked out on the spot, and Sturgis & that bunch would've been charged with murder and sent to San Quentin for life." Jarrod nodded.

"You mean if Madden had handled it, Santo would be alive?" Paulie asked.

"I would love to say "yes", but considering that Santo encountered the Ballingers and that Hiram has a way of buying & paying for people, I can't say for certain that had Sturgis, Clevenger, Reardon, and McIntosh were charged and locked away your brother wouldn't have been lynched. I just can't as much as I want to give that reassurance." Jarrod gave him a sad look.

"All things considered, I understand, see what you mean, and appreciate your honesty. I cannot deny that it hurts, but at least you didn't gloss over it like most lawyer types tend to do." Paulie ran a hand through his hair, "Well, what's your plan?"

"For starters, I know that Fred has a lot of dirt on Halloran. I mean he has so much dirt that piles right up to the ceiling when it comes to Halloran. Plus, not only that, but for a while now, he also has had suspicions that somewhere in the office, Halloran hid some cases and reports from him. If my hunch is correct, we may be able to find a written report on what happened to your father versus what Sturgis and that bunch said. Maybe even notes from Halloran as he was always one to take notes and write down his doubts or thoughts when it came to cases or anything. If I can get my hands on that, I can sort through it then take it to our circuit judge here in Stockton. Judge Amos Hagerty to be exact." Jarrod started.

*Upstairs with Nick and Stefania*

"Nick, why are you surprised at me?" Stefania asked.

"I'm surprised at you, because after everything we have told each other and have been through thus far, you would even think for a minute that I would want to be with another woman if or when you begin to show signs of carrying a baby." Nick told her.

"Well?" Stefania said.

"Well, that's not true. Not true at all." Nick shook his head.

"Oh, don't play with me, Nick. Please, don't." Stefania sighed.

"Stefania, I'm not playing around. I mean it. I would never bail on you. Ever. When I promise myself to someone, I'm loyal, devoted, and faithful to them." Nick replied.

"Yeah, because they weren't expectant after being r*ped like I was." Stefania retorted.

"Stefania..." Nick said.

"They didn't get fat and ugly like I will!" Stefania turned away from him, "You didn't have to deal with that."

"Stefania..." Nick said while folding his arms.

"You were never saddled down to an expectant woman. You never had to deal with the sickness in the morning, the cravings, the moods, the pains, the months, the-" Stefania was cut off.

"Stefania, get a hold of yourself. Where is all of this coming from?" Nick was very surprised to hear his girlfriend talking like this.

"Nick, you're a man. You're of the male persuasion." Stefania started.

"So?" Nick asked.

"So, men tend to abandon expectant women for more prettier ones. They don't want to be saddled down to a woman who moans, groans, has moods, has cravings, and the likes. Men do not want that. They want to be free and have as many girls as they want." Stefania walked over to the window and stared out of it, "You're a man. What makes you any different?"

"What makes me any different?" Nick repeated Stefania's question, albeit slightly raising his voice.

"Yes, Nick. What makes you any different from your fellow men who abandon expectant women? All men do that. You can't tell me that there's one man who wouldn't." Stefania shook her head.

To Be Continued...

Merry belated Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy early New Years, everybody! :D

Audra: Nick, is everything alright?

Nick: I don't know.

Stefania: Nick, you didn't answer my question.

Paulie: What's happening up there?

Jarrod: Good question.

Carmine: R&R, everybody.