Date: Sun, 07 Oct 2001 19:04:01 -0400 From: Tom Cup Subject: Kevin - Series Chapter 17 The Lion of Bolognia -- Kevin Part 2 by Tom Cup Copyright 2000, 2001 by the Paratwa Partnership: A Colorado Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, except in the case of reviews, without written permission from the Paratwa Partnership, Inc, 354 Plateau Drive, Florissant, CO 80816 This is a fictional story involving youth/youth or adult/youth sexual relationships. If this type of material offends you, please do not read any further. This material is intended for mature adult audiences. Names, characters, locations and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. ************************************************************************ This story is part of the Tom Cup Library Please visit the member's area of the Tom Cup Library for Chapter 9 of The Lion of Bolognia (Kevin Chapter 23); Chapter 27 of "Calvin"; Chapter 12 of "Angel"; "David's Christmas Present" (Revised with new additions and chapters by Tom Cup); Chapters 6 of "A Place Called Home"; Chapter 2 of "In Memory of Steve". Also available Tommy -- The Return -- Chapter 2, "Stephen Miller's Journal" Chapter 1; "The Day My Life Began" and many more series and short stories! Once again, thank you for your support, and as always, your e-mail is much appreciated. ************************************************************************ To support this and other stories by Tom Cup, join the Tom Cup Library at: http://tomcup.iscool.net *********************************************************************** The Lion of Bolognia Chapter 3 Kevin Chapter 17 By Tom Cup Franco rarely allowed himself to feel. Feelings got in the way of his mission. The mission was everything. "Patience," he reminded himself, "Patience is the key." He had been patient and that patience had paid off. He was the Lion's chief lieutenant. Alfredo had been granted permission to "see" the Lion's daughter and was a confidant of the Lion's eldest son, Marco. Even Vincent was aiding in the mission by his close association to the Lion's youngest son, Antonio. "It's only a matter of time," Franco told himself as he looked at the picture of his long deceased father, "I will regain all we lost and more." He placed the picture in the safe, from which it came, and replaced the painting to hide the safe's location. He smiled knowing the first part of his plan was nearing completion. It was true that the night's events would bring chaos throughout the family but he would step in and back Marco as the new Lion; gaining even more respect from the troops. Marco of course would need him and keep him close at hand. He would wait once again until he could strike, and with Alfredo as Marie's bride, he would assume control of the family. There was only one small problem that Franco could not resolve: Antonio. The boy had shown no interest in the family business and that was a plus, but still he was a Bolognia male, and the rightful heir, once the Lion and Marco had been dispensed. Doing away with him and keeping the family in tact was the trick. There were many lieutenants that resented Franco's raise and would use any excuse to break family ties. Some might even think to gather under the boy and proclaim him as Lion. He would not risk a war within the family. "My greatest revenge," he smiled, "Will not be in the destruction of the family but in the taking control of it." Franco had not been pleased with the knowledge that Vincent and Antonio had become lovers. Neither boy knew that he had discovered the truth of their relationship. He had gone through great pains to keep this information from the Lion; not because he feared the Lion's reaction but because he realized it fit into his plans. He would tolerate it until he could use it to destroy Antonio while saving Vincent. These were the thoughts churning through Franco's mind even as the Lion and Julia, against his well-known advice, climbed into their car for a quiet drive alone. The breaks failed that night and they were both killed as their car plunged over an embankment and burst into flames. It was Alfredo that began to realize that his younger brother had become a problem. In the weeks after the accident, whenever he went to comfort Marie over the lost of her parents, he would find Vincent not with Tony, as expected, but with Marie. Franco also became alarmed as Tony began spending more and more time with Marco. The two had never been close but with the lost of their parents a bond was growing that Franco had not anticipated. Nevertheless, he continued his work of unifying the family under Marco, earning Marco's thanks and favor, while keeping closer tabs on Tony. The boy showed an uncanny understanding of the art side of the business; and with Marco's agreement, he was focused there. "It is the wisest place to put him," Franco encouraged, "He will be out of harms way in the legitimate side of things." Marco knew what Franco meant and did not say. Tony had always been considered to "fragile" by his father to enter into the real business. Marco did not doubt his father's wisdom and took it to heart, and though Tony now showed an under current of fierceness and inclemency, he refused to place him in harms way. As for Franco, many times the Lion had warned him that he was not to be trusted. "Then why have you made him your chief lieutenant," Marco had asked, "We should have him retired." The Lion had laughed and shook his head, "He is the strongest and wisest of the lieutenants. That makes him both valuable and dangerous, but do not be rash. He has increased revenue in many of the most difficult areas of the business, that makes him valuable, but he has also gained many loyal soldiers and that makes him dangerous. What you must remember is that there are many that resent his rising so quickly. You must gain their support despite what I have done. In this way, the family will remain unified." He had done what his father had said and, through the years, gained the respect of many of the lieutenants and soldiers that would have otherwise felt alienated by his father's appointment of Franco as his chief lieutenant. He would keep Franco close to himself but he would never trust the man. Tony understood Marco's concern for him but the death of his parents, the separation from Vincent, and friction with Marie, had focused him in away that none of the family had expected. He threw himself into the art end of the business and quickly gained respect among those closest to him. But it was not enough. He didn't realize it but he had a point to make. "I am more capable than my father ever knew," he thought, "One day I shall prove this." At first some of the minor lieutenants clung to him in hope of winning his favor for future gains. They quickly realized that there was more to the boy than they thought. As seven of them sat joking with him, he suddenly became ferocious and said, "I know you do not believe me to be a capable Bolognia." They all quickly denied this and swore their allegiance to him and the family but Tony stopped them with a wave of his hand saying, "It does not matter to me. I know I am thought of as the weak link but this I swear, I shall be ever bit a lion as my father. I will devour those that oppose this family and protect those that show it love." The next day two of the seven were found dead in their beds. It was discovered that they had been requiring more for protection in their territories than was allowed and keeping the extra income for themselves. It had been Tony that made the discovery and ordered them retired. "What the hell were you thinking!" yelled Marco pacing back and forward as Tony stared at him, "An order like that should have come from me or Franco!" "I am a Bolognia," Tony said quietly, "Everyone needed to understand that, even you. Just as you will not tolerate harm coming to the family, neither will I. I swear to you, I will do as you say from this day on but the point had to be made. I am not a weak link." Marco nodded but did not smile. "Do you fully understand what you have done?" he asked. "You have crossed a line that cannot be stepped back across. The men think I ordered you to do this, to prove your loyalty to the family. Even now, I suspect, many think I am in here granting you the territories of the two you retired. It is a dangerous game, Tony. I can no longer keep you out of harms way." "Why should I not be granted these territories? I have done nothing but protect the family's interest. As far as me being in harms way, so long as you are in harms way I will be in harms way. It cannot be avoided. Besides, I cannot allow anything to happen to you." Marco laughed, "It is not for you to protect me but for me to protect you, little brother." "Oh?" asked Tony, "Does not the Lion need it's claws?" Marco sighed and whispered, "We have soldiers for that." "What am I then?" "You are my only brother and the last of the Bolognia males." "This is why you need me. You should marry and have children. We both know I will not go that route." Marco looked at his brother. They had avoided this line of conversation for years and yet Tony was bring it up. He nodded, "Vincent?" "Just a childhood phase," Tony lied, "You are the Lion now and the firstborn. It is only right that the family continue through you. While you ensure this, I will do what must be done." "And Franco?" asked Marco now more eager to hear his brother's mind than he ever thought possible. "He will continue as he has but you must deny Alfredo Marie. It would only strengthen his hand. Besides this, our sister wishes another." This more than anything shocked Marco. He had not even considered that Marie would not want to marry Alfredo not to mention that she was interested in someone else. "Who?" he asked. "Vincent." Nearly everything fell into place for Marco at that moment. Tony had not given up on Vincent voluntarily. Vincent had found a new love in their sister. Tony's change in disposition made sense to him. In giving up Vincent he had given up his childhood and all that went with it. There was violence in eyes where before there had been only concern for others. There was ice to his tones where there once was the warmth of a child at play. There was determination where once there had been irresolution. It almost made sense to him. "Vincent is still Franco's son. What difference does it make?" "There are several differences. Vincent is even less interested in the business than I was. Because of this he will be happy to settle down with Marie and make babies far away from here. Alfredo would not. He does not truly love Marie. He only see her as a means of gaining more control over the family." Marco nodded. "But the most important reason," Tony continued, "Is that our sister loves him. She has a right to be happy." "What about you, little brother?" Marco asked, "You make plans for my and Marie's happiness but make no plans for yourself. Why is this?" "I cannot have what I want. I have come to understand this so I have chosen what I can have and still be content. I will see my brother and sister happy in their old age." And then it occurred to Marco that perhaps it was not simply losing Vincent, that caused the change in Tony, but the loss of their parents also. He had not allowed himself to think on the accident but had gone to work right away insuring that what his great grandfather had started would continue. Tony had grieved, was grieving, and that grief had brought him to the place he now stood. He would be the wall that stood between them and the outside world. His pain was secure and made up the bricks of which the wall was made. The years of rejection by their father had laid the foundation and the loss of everything he truly loved had cemented the bricks into place. Though Marco grieved the final decision he made, he gave Tony the territories and Tony became the mouth and potency of the Lion. ***** Alfredo threw Vincent through the den's door as soon as he arrived home. Vincent tumbled into the room landing in a crumpled heap on the floor. "Get up," Franco commanded. Vincent slowly rose to face his seated father. He glanced back at Alfredo who was securing the den door. Neither his father nor Alfredo seemed particularly happy. "You will stop seeing Marie at once," Franco stated to Vincent's wide eyed amazement, "She was promised to Alfredo. You have gone where you should not." "She doesn't want to be with him and the Lion said she was free to choose." "Shut the fuck up!" order Alfredo. Franco raised his hand, "Do you think this is about what you want or that bitch of a Bolognia? We have worked for years to get what rightfully belongs to the House Livorno. Neither you nor she will stand in the way of that. A Bolognia killed my father and took what belongs to this family. I will have it back. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Against all odds, in the last two years Tony's strength has grown to almost equal mine. We must act now. With her brothers dead, she will need comforting once more. You will not be there but Alfredo will. In time, she will grow to love him and they will marry and foster children. Livorno children. The mighty Bolognia family will fall and the House of Carlos Livorno will take its place. You will step aside." "Papa, no. They're my friends." Alfredo step up and slapped him sending him once again sprawling to the floor. He then reached down and jerked him back to his feet. "Friends? What friends do not speak to each other for over two years? You are no longer counted as Tony Bolognia's friend. Everyone knows this and why. Do you think that I do not know what kind of relationship you have had with this Tony Bolognia? You have acted the bitch so now you will behave as one. You will do as I command or be sent to live the rest of your life in a monastery. Do you understand me?" Vincent nodded as his eyes filled with tears. Many thoughts flowed through his mind. He first thought of taking Marie and running off with her but knew that would infuriate not only Franco and Alfredo but the Lion and Tony also. He could not risk that. Then his mind turned to Tony. He had tried over and over again during the last two years to become close to him again. He longed for him and though Marie had been a comfort they both knew, that without him, part of their lives would always be missing. But what of his family? His father had just told him that his grandfather had been killed by a Bolognia. He wondered when this had happened, what was stolen, and how long Alfredo had known. His tears continued to flows as the walls of his room closed in on him. He would lose everything, forever, including Marie and Tony. What did it matter then if he was sent to a monastery, he wondered. "I will be in one anyway." It was a choice between love and family. In the end, Vincent chose love. ***** Marie ran through the house to warn Tony of the danger that awaited them. She was too late. Franco and Alfredo had arrived on pretense of urgent news for the Lion. They fired on Marco immediately and had their guns turned on Tony when Marie burst into the room. It was a momentary distraction but it gave Tony enough time to fire on Franco killing him. He fully expected to die when he heard the shot go off and regretted so many things in that instance. He wanted to tell Vincent that he still loved him and to beg Marie's forgiveness. But it was Alfredo's body that dropped that night from the single shot fired by Marie. They both dropped their guns and embraced as the tears freely flowed from Marie's eyes. The guards arrived moments later their guns drawn by of no use. Tony would replace them all in the morning. "We found this one outside," one of the men said bringing in Vincent. Tony nodded and looked away. "Wait!" screamed Marie, "He called and warned me Tony. It's how I knew. Please." "Marie his family just tired to kill us." "This is my family," whispered Vincent, "The only family I have ever known." "We cannot let him live," spoke one of the lieutenants, "One day he might decide that blood is thicker than water and try to avenge the death of his father and brother. The family demands they all be put to death for the death of the Lion." "Demands?" responded Tony and the lieutenant looked away. Tony, he knew, had grown to be as respected as the Lion. Some even dared to whisper that he was more dangerous. Whatever the case, there was no doubt that he would be accepted as the new head of the family. He had proven himself and even though he claimed to be only the Lion's mouthpiece most knew that the real guidance of the family, since the death of his father, had not come from Marco. Marco just wasn't that wise, but Tony was. "He's right," Vincent whisper, "It's the way things are done. I just want you to know that I have always loved you, Tony. Do to me as you will." "Then," said Marie, "You must kill me too. I bare his unborn child and do not wish to live without him." Tony stared at them and the silence in the room roared in his ears. He could feel the eyes of them all on him. He reached out his arms and was handed a gun. He pointed it at them and said, "Do you think I would hesitate to kill you both if I thought it was for the good of the family? Even you, my beloved sister? No, I tell you I would not. Does any man in this room doubt that I would do this?" No one responded. "Then hear me Vincent, I spare you your life for the sake of the warning you gave and for the sake of my sister. But you will not have her. This I declare for the good of the family: your child will be raised to think his father dead. He will be raised knowing only Bolognia. You will not come here unless ordered, and then only to do my biding, for you owe me your life." "No!" cried Marie. Vincent nodded and said, "Let it be known that I pledge my life to Antonio Michaelangelo Bolognia and that he is as merciful and wise as he is strong." He turned to Marie and smiled before saying, "Your brother has given me my life. He can give no more. We should be thankful for his favor." It was of no comfort to Marie. She watched as Vincent approached Tony and knelt to kiss his hand. Send comments to: tom_cup@hotmail.com To support these writings, please go to: http://tomcup.isCool.net or http://www.boyztown.net