A backdrop of rugged terrain, green forest and meadows, and an inclusion of manicured lawns and cultivated gardens completed the palette.
The Bugatti cruised to a stop at the designated parking area. Tensing, on edge, he peered through the front glass and then left the car. Not too far away, two armored guards stood posted at the side entrance of the house. As he advanced towards them, they both acknowledged him with a curt nod.
It was only a few scant seconds before Mauricio, Vitali’s courtly assistant, materialized from the shadows and approached him. He wore an expensive black suit and tie. His platinum blond hair was slicked back and heavily gelled. Although he smiled, it didn’t quite reach his cold blue eyes, and the man’s demeanor rivaled an icy glacier. Again, like everyone else, the man was just Vitali’s puppet.
“Good evening, Sir Titan.” Mauricio made a slight bow and his posture was ramrod straight. “We assumed that you would be staying past the late hour. So, we took the liberty and readied the Chateau, the guest area on the sixth floor. It’s awaiting your company and pleasure, dear sir---”
“You wasted your time. I’ll be leaving as soon as business concludes here.” Tensing further, he gave a tight smile. “But, thanks for your hospitality.”
“Very well, the offer stands if you change your mind.” Mauricio pivoted on his heel and began walking in the direction of the house. “Follow me. Your father awaits you in the living quarters.”
In silence, they treaded towards the house.
Naturally, upon entrance, the mansion was lavishly furnished and designed.
The flooring glistened with a high sheen and was a combination of black and white tiles throughout. Diamond-studded chandeliers hang from the high vaulted ceilings, offering a stylish quality, and illuminated the room with stark white brightness. A black curling stairwell led to the upstairs areas, winding to seemingly no ending point. To its right, an elevator was built into the walls for an ascension journey. Arched doorways led to various rooms on the ground level, and Roman columns were staggered at precise positions. Renowned paintings adorned the walls while priceless figurines and statues were placed strategically to bring a creative flow. The furnishings throughout the entire mansion were modern cube modular designs.
Their long strides carried them through one of the arched doorways, and they suddenly met the wide glistening hallway. Once they neared the living area, they slowed before stopping outside the double-panel doors. Through the closed door, the music was muffled, and the tune was purposely haunting.
Obviously, Vitali was in one of his moods, he mulled, stiffening.
Music, money, and wine were the fixtures of his father’s game play.
Certainly, he was part of the game.
But, how?
“And here we are, promptly at 8:00,” Mauricio announced with a forced smile, grasping the gold knobs, and pushed the doors open wide. “All festivities shall commence hence forward.”
As soon as the portal opened, they were greeted with an unblemished view of the mob kingpin himself. Facing the roaring fireplace, cheroot in hand, Carlo Vitali stood erect with a straightened posture. He was dressed in a long black Saudi-style kaftan and matching trousers. In the background, Italian opera played at a deafening crescendo. Intermittently, he’d move his free hand along with the tempo.
Stiffening beside him, the attendant raised his voice above the music. “Mr. Vitali, sorry to disturb you, sir; however, your guest has arrived.”
Vitali turned and faced them with a start.
Without a doubt, he’d been lost within the throes of the music.
The mob kingpin dropped his look of irritation upon spying him.
“That will be all Mauricio,” Vitali retorted in a sharp tone, dismissing the attendant at once, and then waited with patience as the man left. Fixating a smile on his face, his estranged father approached before embracing him in a tight hold. Then, clapping his back, he stepped back and regarded him openly. Still, the tension radiated from him. “Titan, it’s a delightful and wonderful pleasure to have you here. I feared that you’d change your mind before evening.” His father’s eyes ran over his white tuxedo, and approval gleamed in his eyes. “For once, you heeded my words. You clean up good, my boy. You should do it more often.”
“I wouldn’t get used to the idea,” he said coolly, running his eyes over his face. “…that is me complying to your orders. As for me coming to night, I contemplated the idea of not coming. But, I am here. Obviously, tonight is riddled with good fortune for you.”
Hopefully, good fortune would be kind to him, too.
Getting info on the Ricci situation was of high precedence.
“And good fortune is what I need tonight,” Vitali added with a cryptic message and sauntered away from him. After reaching one of the towering shelves, he grabbed a remote before lowering the music, and then, he gestured towards the various seating. “Why don’t you sit down while I grab you a drink? What will it be?”
“Whiskey Sour.”
Settling in the armchair, falling silent, he watched as Vitali moved to the wet bar.
The wet bar was huge, stocked with liquor and beverages of all sorts.
Hell, they shared one commonality.
They both loved to drink themselves stupid.
“Whiskey Sour? Why not be adventurous and try a different drink? Know what I’ve learned about you over the years. You’re a creature of habit, boy. Always sticking with the same lame ass things,” Vitali muttered knowingly, taking his time, and removed the necessary items. Then, a strange light played in his eyes as he surveyed him across the room. “Ever since you were a shit-nosed kid, you were basic. Predictable.” Laughing caustically, he placed the drink mixer onto the bar. “Tell me. Do you wipe the shit from your ass at the same time every morning?”
Tensing, he struggled against the violent anger simmering inside. Hadn’t this always been his father’s go-to whenever they were together? Insult, insult, and more insults…it’d been that way since he was a kid. But, he wasn’t a kid now, and he sure didn’t plan on taking any beatings.
“That your game? Getting me here just to intimidate me? You know what they say about bullies, Vitali?” He reared forward in the chair. “Bullies have a tremendous amount of insecurities themselves. So, their idea is to harm or hurt those that they perceive as being inferior.” A dangerous gleam lit his eyes. “But, one word of warning---I’m not the so-called shit-nosed kid anymore. Let’s just say that I’ve developed a mean streak over the years. My monstrous side is shone to only those who deserve it. Be careful, or you just might meet it.”
“Well, well, I see that I’m not the only one harboring an inner beast. Finally,” Vitali said with obvious approval, raising a fist, and then shook it triumphantly. “Those balls between your legs are rock hard! Without a doubt, you’ll screw over the enemies that deserve it.” Again, a cryptic message laced his words. “Yet, we’re hardly enemies, are we, Titan? No, we’re more than that. Over the years, we’ve developed a relationship that only you and I understand---one built with a mixture of love, hate, respect, and admiration.” He grasped the two alcohol glasses and approached him again. Carefully, he passed him a glass. “We are true father and son, though it’s a fact that we’ve been reluctant to embrace. That is until now. Our unspoken bond---it shall never sever.”
“Know what?” Tipping the glass back, he downed some liquor. Though, the music had been lowered, it still seemed loud. “You really should stop listening to this opera crap. It’s really warping your brain and making you crazy. Somehow, ludicrous ideas are springing inside your head. For one, that crappy idea of us bonding is completely bogus.”
“Again, your thinking is small-minded and limited in scope. As for my music, to no surprise, your assessment is dead wrong.” He fluttered a hand in the air, staying in sync as the music played in the background. “My music is very therapeutic. Guess you could say that it grounds me and shows my purpose. Simply, it invigorates my mind and spirit.
”
He arched a brow. “I suppose that I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Titan, you are staunched in a generation that understands nothing,” Vitali remarked, and his eyes seemed to glow. “Know what? Why don’t you try it? I have an extensive collection and some pieces that I’m willing to part with. The hope will be that it brings you some much needed clarity. Perhaps, the opportunity will function as some sort of bridge between us and strengthen our relationship.” Vitali sighed before sinking down onto the sofa. “Humor me tonight, why don’t you? Meet me halfway. For once, can we act civilly towards one another?”
“Hate to sound a bit petty, but you were the one who started it. Better yet, why don’t we cut to the chase, Vitali? Be up front with me and tell me why I’m here. What exactly are you after?” he asked point blank and cradled the glass loosely in his right hand. Then, narrowing his gaze, he pointed a finger in his direction. “You wanted me here for a specific reason. Sure, the Ricci situation is important. But, what is it that you want from me?” His glance roamed around the room before moving to the door. “Something tells me that it has something to do with this mystery guest. Where is he by the way?”
“Ah, the element of surprise, dear son.” Offering an odd smile, Vitali leaned back against the cushions. “It’s the one thing that makes life very interesting. But, you’re right, I do have something to ask of you.”
He stiffened in the chair. “What?”
“Temporarily, your business services and skills are needed. In short, you’ll be shadowed by this individual.”
“What?” he asked, taken aback. “Are you being serious?”
“Actually, I am.” Vitali’s expression was unapologetic. “I hold this person in high esteem. Actually, and it’s even surprising to me. But, she’s come to mean a great deal to me---”
“Hell no.” Draining the glass, he slapped it on the side table. “I’m not babysitting one of your juicy flavors of the month. What does she need? A limo ride to the nearest department store? A trip to the nail salon? Why don’t you get one of your devoted flunkies to handle that task?” Frowning deeper, he shook his head. “No, I’m not doing it.”
“Need I remind you that I hold the majority of stocks in your company---”
“A mere one percent advantage.” He went rigid in the chair. “Trust me, that won’t be for much longer.”
“Please, just hear me out.” For once, Vitali was the pleading and desperate one. “She really wants to understand me as a man, and that entails knowing how I operate. She’s passionate and ambitious. Incredibly beautiful.” The criminal’s face took on a faraway look. “I don’t know how to explain it---she represents a challenge to me.”
“Is that your twisted way of saying that you love this woman?”
“Love?” Vitali scoffed before breaking into outright laughter. “Of course, I don’t love her, fool! But, she’s useful in the sense that I maintain my youth. She’s a striking arm piece and nothing more.” The crafty smile spread across his features. “A man of my stature has only one need for a woman---to ram his balls deep inside of her. But, I suppose some tiny nonsensical part of me is amused or charmed by her.” His eyes snapped back to his face. “She needs to get her feet wet. But, rather than hurling her straight into the fire, I want her to experience the legitimate parts of my business first.”
“Your desperation shows, Vitali. The fact that you’re coming to me says as much.” Then, arching a brow, he pushed up from the plush chair and stood. Ignoring Vitali’s heated look, he passed him a cool one instead. “Unfortunately, for you, though, padre, my answer still stands as a big hell no---”
“Sit your ass down! You will not disrespect me in my house!” Vitali hissed through tightly clenched teeth, and the veins stood out in his neck. Working his lips fast, he withheld more expletives. Quickly, he leapt from the sofa, nearly spilling the alcohol in his haste. “Don’t over play your hand, boy. Hasn’t past experience proven that I’m not to be toyed with? Certainly and always, there’s just punishment for your outright defiance.”
“That actually sounds like a threat, Vitali. You know what? Why don’t you get specific and explain how you’re going to handle me? Let me guess,” he taunted, voice growing cold, and took a dangerous step forward. Again, he struggled against his anger, but was finding it difficult to. “You’re going to use a clothes hanger and dig it into my skin until I bleed red. No wait.” He held up silencing finger. “You’ll take your belt off and use it like a whip and strip me of my hide.” Then, his gray eyes chilled like ice. “Better yet, you’ll throw acid on me and fuck my face over. Just like you did Mama.”
“Don’t bring that shit up.” Suddenly, a ripe agitation played on Vitali’s features. “Not tonight when we can’t really hash it out---”
“Why don’t we make the time, then?” His steely gaze was defiant. “It’s a subject that I wanted to have an in depth discussion for a long time now---like how you ruined my mother’s life and made her feel defenseless and worthless.” A dead calmness oozed from his words. “I’m sure that we can handle it man to man.”
“Bastardo! Isn’t it way past time to quit rehashing this time-old conversation?” A definite cruelness seized Vitali’s features, and it seemed that he was near his own breaking point. Staying his hand and not flying into a violent rage was clearly taking a toll on him. In any given moment, however, his bough could potentially break. “That shit’s in the past. È finito---over and done with! Everyone’s gotten over it, including Lola. Why don’t you?”
“See, that is my exact problem,” he said coldly. “I don’t want to get over it.”
“You don’t have a choice in the matter, Titan, and neither did Lola back then. She clearly deserved it!” Vitali gave a hard echoing hand clap and then pointed a warning finger at him. “Don’t be a fool like her and learn the hard way.” An ugly sneer curled his lips. “Seeing as you have this compulsive and obsessive fascination with it, I want you to remember this sound truth.” He looked at him dead point. “I hold no remorse for my actions towards your mother. If I had the choice to do it all over again, I would. After all these years, I can still hear her screaming in my head, and there’s no living memory more satisfying than that one. I brought that bitch down to her knees.”
As he looked at him, the fiery hatred burned his soul. “Fuck you.”
“Such harsh words on an otherwise lovely evening, isn’t it?” Vitali laughed callously. “How did we get on the subject anyway? Can we please not talk about Lola?” He shook his head in exasperation. “She’s always a poor point of discussion for us. Your devotion to that hapless bitch is mind-boggling to say the least. She doesn’t deserve that type of blind loyalty---”
“What do you deserve then?” he interrupted, sliding a cold gaze over him. “Let’s talk about that.”
“Why don’t we both take a collective breath and relax? Forgive me for my rash behavior. I will apologize for it. In my world, it’s just instinctive reaction.”
“And we both know what your instinctive reactions are, don’t we?”
He forced himself to take a calming breath.
When it came to Vitali, he was easily provoked, and though warranted, he couldn’t continue flying off the handle.
If he did, there’d be no suffering on Vitali’s part.
Making him suffer was the endgame…
It was a fact worth remembering.
“For once, you’re right,” he agreed with a frown. “Now isn’t the time or place.”
“Why don’t we call it a draw? We’re equally to blame for the argument. You and me---we’re like oil and water,” Vitali chuckled in amusement. “We don’t mix well in close corners.”
“Once more, we’re in agreement.”
“I have no doubts that you’ll understand my viewpoint one day. When you become involved with a woman and have children, wield your power early or you’ll run the risk of losing control over her. Throw a child into the equation, and then it su
rely becomes a fine mess.”
So, that’s what he’d been?
A fine mess?
Watching him, he stayed silent.
“Parenting is a difficult concept, especially when you have one parent filling a child’s head with poisonous ideas.” Stiffening, Vitali paused for a second. “Such as the case is with Lola. Over the years, she’s been petty and vindictive, falsely accusing me of things, and because of her actions, you’ve accepted a wildly-colored perception of me. It’s a version that I don’t approve of, I must add. I’m not the horrid monster that she makes me out to be.”
Didn’t being an abusive bastard make someone monstrous?
In Vitali’s world, the answer was clear.
“Hope is not lost,” Vitali went on casually. “We have the time and opportunity to build a better relationship. However, at the moment, other pertinent matters take precedence and are on the table---like the Ricci one. So, now, will you please sit down?”
With reluctance, he settled in the armchair again and was satisfied to find that his ire had cooled somewhat. Still, though, he openly scrutinized his estranged father. “You’re right. Ricci is one thing we must discuss.” But, as he eyed him, it was obvious that Vitali’s attention was now elsewhere. “I’m curious as to what topic could be more important than that one. This woman---is there a problem with her?”
“No, there’s not a problem.” Scowling, Vitali glanced at his watch again. “It’s not like her to be late, and she knows that I expect punctuality. I’m going to check and see what’s keeping her.” He sailed towards the door. “You’ll be on your own for a brief moment. Make yourself more comfortable.”
“Will do---I’ll sit here and be a good boy.”
The door closed behind him.
Restless, he jumped up and snatched the empty glass from the table. Then, in a slow lazy gait, he strolled to the wet bar. Rather than going behind it, he stayed on the serving side of the counter. After grabbing the liquor bottle from the counter top, he refilled his glass with the straight whiskey. Then, raising the glass, he toasted the empty air. “Here’s to a night of mystery, and with all hope, I’ll survive it.”
Rise of the Titan Page 32
