Chapter 39

Chapter 39
The door to Emil’s study opened and Antonio walked in looking very red in the face, Marco and Emil exchanged curious looks but decided to keep their thoughts to themselves.
Antonio huffed and puffed before settling in a chair, he crossed his legs and said “You called for me Emil?”
Emil and Marco exchanged looks again before Emil cleared his throat and said “I am sure you all heard about the attack on the Severino family last night”
At the mention of the Severino family, Antonio scoffed before remaining quiet.
“Is there something you wish to say Antonio?” Emil asked.
“No, not really, I was just listening to you” Antonio replied.
“Oh no, you look like you really have something to say, how about you tell us what is on your mind before we carry on with the meeting” Emil said and folded his fingers beneath his chin, his eyes were cool and steady and pinned on Antonio.
Antonio realized that he could not just keep quiet on the issue, he cleared his throat and said “Actually I just had a conversation with your wife and I must say it left me in a rather trying mood”
Emil’s left eyebrows lifted a little before he said “Interesting, do you mind telling me more about this conversation you had with Andrea?”
Antonio cleared his throat again before he said “I just feel she is too arrogant and has the typical Severino behaviors, I had wanted to try to get along with her for your sake but I honestly do not think I can do it”
Emil was quiet for a while then he said “I understand that your hatred for the Severino family runs deep and I can not ask you to start loving them overnight but all I ask is that you do not do anything reckless because of your anger and hate”
Antonio looked at Emil and said “Do you perhaps think that I will let my anger and hate get in the way of my judgement and I might hurt your precious bride?”
“Pick your words carefully Antonio” Marco said.
“Perhaps I should not, you both are suddenly acting so chill with the Severinos all of a sudden, did you forget how many deaths and pain the Severinos caused to our family?” Antonio said, his face going red with anger.
“And we have given back everything we have received in equal measure, did you perhaps forget that? You should not try to be biased about the whole affair, if they have caused pain and deaths, we made sure to pay every single one back so what are you on about?” Emil asked, he was starting to get angry at Antonio.
“Let us all calm down and try not to fight amongst ourselves, we are all here because Emil had something to say” Marco said, hoping to diffuse the tension that had built up in the room.
Emil gave Antonio one last look before he cleared his throat and said “I found out who was behind the attack on the Severino family so I wanted to ask both your opinions on what we should do with this information”
Antonio scoffed and said “It is not our problem, let them solve it on their own”
“So, what then is the reason for the truce between both families?” Marco said, his question was directed at Antonio.
“We did not promise to fight their battles for them” Antonio said.
“Antonio is right, we did not promise to fight their battles for them but we also promised to help each other as a family” Emil said.
“So, what do you propose we do?” Marco asked.
“I only promised to help them find the person responsible and I have so I will share that information with them and whatever they decide to do with that information is up to them” Emil said.
“That seems fair” Marco said.
Emil and Marco both turned to look at Antonio who sat in chair brooding.
“And what is your opinion on this Antonio?” Emil asked.
“I agree with Marco, it seems fair” Antonio replied.
“Then it is settled” Emil said.
Antonio stood up and said “Then it is fine if I leave right?”
Emil gave him that hinted at displeasure but he simply said “You can leave”
Antonio nodded and walked out of the room.
“I am worried about Antonio” Marco said to Emil.
Emil massaged his forehead and said “Antonio won’t do anything stupid, he is a lot smarter than that, it is just temper acting up again”
“Yes, but he has never tried to talk back to you, he had always behaved himself but today, he had been very close to saying something disrespectful and that is what worries me” Marco said.
Emil had noticed it as well but he did not want to dwell on it, Antonio had always been temperamental and Emil mostly overlooked it.
“This is the first time he is acting out of character, let’s watch him closely and see how he acts from now” Emil said.
Marco pondered on this for a while then he said “Okay I will make sure to pay close attention to him from now on”
“Thank you, Marco, what will I do without you?” Emil said with a smile.
Marco smiled and said “You do not need to thank me brother, I am happy to help anytime”
Emil smiled as he thought about how responsible Marco was and how he could always count on him when he needed him.
Marco smiled before standing up, I should get going, I need to make sure the guests from the party are finding everything to their satisfaction.
Emil nodded and smiled
Marco walked out and shut the door behind him.
Emil pondered on the current issue between Antonio and Andrea, it was a sensitive issue and one that he had to handle carefully.
He decided it was probably for the best he finds Andrea and know the full extent of her conversation but first, he had to make a call to Dante Severino, it was best to tell them that the enemy was right under their roof so they could get to fixing it as soon as possible.
He picked up the phone and dialed Dante Severino, the phone was answered on the third ring “Don Ferrari, I did not expect to hear from you so soon” Dante Severino’s deep voice flowed from the other end.
“Well I guess luck is on our side, I found your culprit Don Severino” Emil said.
There was silence from the other end for a few seconds before Don Severino spoke again “Who is it?” he said, his deep voice sounded low and dangerous.
“A bodyguard in your employ, he goes by the name of Lorenzo Puccini” Emil said.
“I am sorry but did you say, a bodyguard?” Dante Severino asked, he could not keep the surprise from his voice.
“Yes, but he is actually Lorenzo DeLuca, I am not sure if the name rings any bell, they used to be a powerful family some years back, he is son of that family, I think he has some personal vendetta against your family, I am sure you have the resources to get the full story” Emil said.
The other end suddenly went quiet and Emil had to say “Don Severino, are you there?” to get his attention.
“Yes, yes Emil, I am still here, thank you for telling me this, I will never forget it” Dante Severino said.
“Just keeping the promise, I made” Emil said.
“I will see that this matter is properly handled” Dante Severino said.
“I am certain you will” Emil said.
“Thank you, Emil” Dante Severino said once again.
The two men said their goodbyes and the call ended.
Now that he had settled that particular issue, it was time to find Andrea and find out the extent of the damage between she and Antonio.