17. The Irish Unity

Niall O'Callaghan, one of distant cousins of Tristan was sitting and watching the news on TV at the lobby of the hotel where most of the Irish families were staying. His cousin was sitting across from him reading the newspapers.

It was after breakfast now. The heads of the Irish families were having meetings amongst themselves at that hotel about the agenda of the meeting that day. Not everyone was allowed to be present. It meant to put less responsibility on the young members of the family when they had excluded them from involvement. There was less strain on them. If any words from the meeting was to leave the meeting room and fell upon the Italian ears before it was meant to, then the penalty was severe. The Italians and Americans also had their own meetings before they were to be called upon by Sterling Johnson. Of course he had booked a church service in prior to the major meeting as an invitation to unity or peace, neither which were likely. How could there be peace without bloodshed or sacrifice? The Letizia Marciano's issue had been the unexpected bombshell of yesterday's meeting that had divided many. There was much to discuss by families besides the Letizia dilemma but there were plenty other issues too that had to be addressed."

Tristan noticed his cousin's silence and turned to him " You are always talkative Niall. What's the matter. The permanent move to America has made you quiet for the past few months. Do you miss Australia?"

Niall looked at his cousin " No. I am not homesick Tristan. But I miss the Australian ways. What is wrong with these people. Am I really meant to lead my grandfather's business in New York with these people as Italian allies? Can't they hear themselves? They really don't think anything will ever be the same if they make any of their outrageous suggestions practical. Lucianos should take the land offering. Money is the best option. It's mind blowing they expect Tiziana to just walk into Juliano's arms. What do you make of all this?"

Tristan shrugged " I think this is a time bomb. We will see it explode at the church. I don't know what Sterling Johnson is thinking trying to create peace. Some people don't want peace. They want war. We are Irish. It has nothing to do with us. We don't even have to take sides. If they try to drag us into their mess, I am sure it won't end well for them."

Niall replied " Your father will take sides... Won't he?"

Tristan said " Of course my father is on whichever side Francesco Rosario takes. We are allies."

Niall looked around and then when he didn't see anyone at ear shot he spoke in a low tone " Lets talk about Vincenzo. What do you make of his grandpa giving Vincenzo those looks. He didn't seem happy with your sister pairing up with him. Isn't your father going to warn him off?"

Tristan stated " He already has sent him a warning. Vincenzo and his grandpa know of the consequences if my sister is harmed. His grandpa will never accept my sister. How can he? He would never trust the Irish. But he has not enough power to be of concern. The Don is the one that is our concern. He rules over many loyal associates and allies of his all over Italy. Many Sicilian families in Sicily and in Italy take his word as law in terms of code of conduct. As you know Don Vitorio is a silent influential figure in the south of Italy. He is the traditional ruler and Arturo Agostini is northern Italy has the north with a modern approach."

There was just silence after that between the boys. As time went on they just kept looking at their watch and were getting fed up of waiting. Just then Cristina appeared in the hotel lobby. Niall stood up quickly and walked to her " Cris. What are you doing here?."

Cristina sighed " I think I want us to take a walk. A lot of decisions are going to be made in the meeting today. I am worried my uncle Cristofero will make some choices that would mean war... He will take the Scorpious's side because of the Constantinj alliance with the Voltolini family."

Niall sensed she was on edge so he slowly wrapped his arms around her and held her in a tight hug " It will be ok. We will handle what's to come..."

Just then Vincenzo's voice stopped them " Aussie don't hold her too tight. Watch it."

Niall broke away from her as he looked at Vincenzo coming inside " It's good to see you this morning. Obviously you are in a good mood. Normally you just hit me when you see me with Cris."

Vincenzo was impressed. Cristina let him call her Cris. Not many people were allowed to. So it meant she trusted him.

Cristina came to Niall's defence " He wasn't holding me too tightly." She then took Niall's hand and announced " Niall and I are just going for a quick walk."

Niall followed Cristina to the door and smiled at Vincenzo " See you man."

As Niall walked by, Vincenzo kicked him hard making him groan " Ow." He almost tripped but held himself balanced. Cristina didn't notice as she was looking away.

Vincenzo muttered " Aussie. Watch your step." He then addressed Tristan who was looking at newspapers " Do you have time to talk?"

Tristan looked up " For you, I always have time." He then stood up " Let's go somewhere quieter." He then without another word walked away to a far corner and opened a door " This is the game room. Let's talk here."

Vincenzo walked past him and whispered " The Irish hotel sounds looks more interesting. Sterling Johnson gave you the one with most history."

Tristan closed the door as he entered and watched Vincenzo walk to the darts section.

Vincenzo picked up a dart and threw it towards the wall. It hit the bull's eye.

Tristan walked to him and picked up a dart " So... What do you want to talk about?" He then threw the dart and hit next Vincenzo's dart. He then looked at Vincenzo expectantly.

Vincenzo put his hands into his pockets and stared into Tristan's eyes "  This maybe our last meeting for a while. I don't know how bad it's going to get. But it all depends on the Don. I have no idea what he is going to decide but it can't be to the benefit of the Irish. It never will be. You watch out and keep the Irish Unity at all costs."

Tristan was taken back. He shook his head as he put his hands on his hips " Hold it there Vincenzo. Slow down here. What do you mean this is our last meeting and where is the source of all this? Is this your father's view?"

Vincenzo replied " No. My father always has your father's back. Rosarios in the United States are not like the ones ruling in Italy. You don't understand how complex this is... I even don't understand it but I get glimpses of it when I speak to Vitale..."

Tristan retorted " Oh. That cousin of yours is special. First tell me this .... Is he willing to sacrifice his sister or he is giving up on his girl who you spent so long protecting?"

Vincenzo stated " He won't sacrifice his sister. Don't think of him that way. He has Honour."

Tristan asked " So, is he sacrificing Letizia then?"

Vincenzo replied " No. I said he had Honour. He would go to war."

Tristan chuckled " How is that going to work? You said the Don has the power."

Vincenzo stated " He does but Vitale will fight to the end. He will go to war or sacrifice himself. But he won't let anything happen to Letizia or Tiziana. He has plans. He didn't come out now for no reason. He is now of legal age. He is my uncle Pietro's heir."

Tristan replied " Your uncle is not the Don."

Vincenzo replied " No. He isn't but his uncle Paulo is the Don's favourite. He likes Letizia for Vitale. She showed courage according to him... Vitale has his support. He assured me he always will have his support."

Tristan pushed on " But he needs the Don's support."

Vincenzo stated " He will have it..."

Tristan asked " So. Is it war then? Is this what it is going to come down to? Letizia will destroy everything. This is madness."

Vincenzo said " A war is the last resort. If they don't accept all solutions offered to them, then yes. It's war."

Tristan stated " I don't understand where the Marcianos are going to come in. They haven't done their part. Letizia started this mess. Maybe with her family she should be the one to solve the problem. Why isn't she saying anything?"

Vincenzo replied " Because she could make matters worse if she speaks. We both know how she deals with situations like this. Her solution is that Julietta should be promised to Stefano and in return Juliano should be promised to Vanessa. That would strengthen the Rosarios and Lucianos. But we both know Andreas will take out his gun and shoot everybody if it happens. I for one don't want a sniper after my brother."

Tristan was shocked " This is the most outrageous and unbelievable suggestion. I think it works if she offers herself to Juliano. That should work. But wait ... Juliano won't let her live to see her wedding day. She is not civilised enough for a peace treaty that's sealed by family unions... Why can't she give some genuine apologies to start with?"

Vincenzo replied " She could try. But as I said, it can be a bad thing."

Tristan stared at him " This is quite bad by the sound of what I hear about the Rosario camp... I haven't heard your take on this Vincenzo. You have come here to talk to me but so far I see you talk in riddles. You say it can be out last meeting and then you tell me the views of everyone except your own... So what are you going to do in that room Vincenzo? I refuse to believe that you will stand by your father silently. You protected Letizia for so long and sacrificed so much for her. You earned yourself a reputation of an honourable guy. Now what are you going to do with your influence? You can have an influence. What's your decision? Are you going to stand up and say what you wish?"

Vincenzo sighed " I can't tell you Tristan. I wish I could. I can't because I even can't be sure. My fate is not in my hands. Believe me. I will stand by my father. Always. But I would sacrifice what I have for my blood including my cousins. I never turn my back on my family. Just know that no matter what I do my loyalty is to my blood and then my family... Family includes ... you too. Terza is my girl and my sister loves you. I count you as my family."

Tristan narrowed his eyes " Dont go there Vincenzo. I see you as a brother. You went after my sister and didn't tell me. I still forgive you but you can't expect me to believe you when you say I am your family. We are rivals and will always be."

Vincenzo nodded " I don't deny that. We are rivals but family too. My first loyalty is to my blood but also to family. I just want you to remember this always no matter what happens and what actions I take or rather I have to take."

Tristan sensed double meanings behind his words " What are you trying to tell me Vincenzo? Is there something coming that I should know? A warning would be nice."

Vincenzo replied " Trust me when I say this... None of us get warnings about anything that's to come. Our fate is unpredictable. Just know this... My life is not in my hands fully despite the fact that I have choices. It's the same with you... You have to do what you have to do to keep the Irish unity. I have to do what I have to do to keep the peace between my father and his father's people. Each of us have a different calling in life. You don't have to understand my complex life and I don't need to understand yours. Just promise me you won't forget this that no matter what happens I have your back." He then offered his hand for Tristan to take.

Tristan stared at his hand " You don't mean this."

Vincenzo stated " I do. I only will break my word if you break yours. You hurt my blood and I will come to kill you. I expect the same from you..."

Tristan didn't expect Vincenzo to offer peace. He took his hand and spoke " Very well. I guess I figure you out all wrong sometimes... If you say you have my back I believe you... I have your back too. No matter what happens. This is our brotherhood. I know you have slot of secrets and that makes me wary of you. Even Vienna knows that I am on my guard with you and aware you have capability to wipe my family out. That's why we have to keep up with each other's pace. But I trust you and see you as my brother. It's hard to dismiss all my doubts because you have secrets that I don't. You have always given me answers where you admit you can't share with me what I wish to know when I have kept no secrets from you ever. So I hope one day comes when you don't keep secrets from me Vincenzo."