61. War Not Over ( Bonus Part 18)

Andreas was doing knee ups on parallel bars in his room. His room had some exercise equipment to keep him company even though his room was isolated and not exactly as luxurious his room in Milan.

He was deep in thought as he had been doing, push ups, pull ups and knee ups consecutively. It was like breathing and eating for him when he exercised but it also helped him concentrate.

He noticed the door open and immediately he came off expecting to see Vienna since it was after dinner time but instead he saw Tristan entering the room alone.

Andreas said "You?"

Tristan said "I am sorry to be a disappointment. I take it you are not happy to see me. It's my father's house... So it's inevitable for me to come around."

Andreas rolled his eyes and walked away towards a boxing punch bag. He started putting on his gloves and said "I am disappointed. Where is my cousin?"

Tristan walked towards him "I can tell her you said hi."

Andreas ignored him and stood in front of the punch bag as he threw punch after punch. "I don't want anything from you. But if you tell me what you want and then get out, it would be ideal."

Tristan walked to the otherwise of the punching bag and watched him closely. Andreas noticed how Tristan's eyes moved. He was very observant. He would have given anything to read his mind. He was sizing him up. There was no question about it. He was watching his moves with intent to learn about him.

Tristan said "I want to give you another chance to make your intentions clear."

Andreas sighed "Since when do you ask twice? ..."

Tristan said "My father told me I should talk to you again. He doesn't believe you meant what you said. He doesn't think this is the kind of talk that would come from Arturo Agostini's Son. Why did you threaten my mother when you don't mean it? That's what my father thinks I should ask."

Andreas stopped boxing and turned to Tristan "What do you want? An apology?"

Tristan said "That would be a start."

Andreas took a deep breath and looked away "It seemed like a good idea for a split second to tell you what could happen if I had no inhibitions. I didn't think you will blow up. Your father is right. I didn't mean it. I may believe in revenge but I do believe in justice too. I am sorry Tristan. But I know in your vocabulary sorry doesn't mean a thing. You don't accept apologies."

Tristan stated "It's not about apologies. It's about you and what you want. You still think there should be retaliation for some actions such as this."

Andreas nodded " My mother is innocent. I want justice for her. I don't ever want anything like this to happen again."

Tristan said " But it can happen again. You can't prevent it from happening when your mother is the one also at fault."

Andreas looked at Tristan with disapproval and frowned "Don't you dare judge my mother. I don't judge yours." He then went back to punching the punch bag harder than before.

Tristan said "You keep asking why no one killed Jackson. I told you that your father didn't kill him. Did it ever occur to you that this may have something to do with your mother?"

Andreas stopped and turned "What are you saying? As you said killing Jackson could have repercussions..."

Tristan said "Yes. But your father could kill him or try to at least. He is a man who doesn't fear repercussions. He fights for his woman to death. Think about it. If it wasn't for your mother none of this would have happened. She didn't want Jackson to die. When she was younger she did love him before marrying your father."

Andreas said "You don't know that. You were not born back then. My mother would never love an immoral psychopath like Jackson. Why would she want him to father her children. I don't believe that."

Tristan said "I told you to look closer to home if you want to find answers. Your mother loved Jackson. She still have feelings for him. There is no doubt about it."

Andreas said "What is this Tristan? Is this your way of testing how far you can go to insult my mother? She is innocent. She would never love a man like Jackson. My mother is not that kind of woman. Jackson was a sadistic psycho. My mother was not into this kind of men."

Tristan said "I agree. Your mother wouldn't fall for men like that. But what if Jackson hid his true colours? He hid it well. Then he hurt your mother. He broke her heart. She saw his true nature. There were some feelings there. Your father didn't kill Jackson because of your mother and because maybe there weren't  any opportunities to make sure he will succeed 100 percent. When you strike Jackson you must strike accurately or pay dearly.... Who knows? Either way... I think your mother having feelings once upon a time for Jackson had a part to play for Jackson lasting this long. Your mother would have mourned his loss. Don't deny it. You can't deny how your mother has asked for updates on finding Jackson's body. I think she wants him alive."

Andreas said "Not this time. She won't want him alive. I think he did enough to ruin any chances of sympathy. Alright. I get it. You say my mother had some feelings for Jackson at some point. I don't care enough about that to ask her regarding this. I trust what I saw with my own eyes. When we were at Jackson's mercy, my mother only had fear and terror in her eyes. There was no love. Maybe she would shed a tear if we find Jackson's corpse. My mother is human afterall. Maybe she had some attachment. But she doesn't love Jackson. I am sure of it. Now ... Are you done now? Or you would like to accuse my mother of sympathy for a monster some more? Be satisfied

Tristan nodded. "I am done yes. Are you?"

Andreas sighed "I am never done until you find his body. It's the Irish territory. It's your responsibility to make sure a body is found and identified."

Tristan said "There is nothing yet. I will update you."

Andreas said " That's not good enough. I don't like how laid back your attempts are. If his body is not found we need to assume he could be alive..."

Tristan said "To me his shadow is lurking around us whether he is dead or alive. Even from beyond the grave he may have planted traps for your family. I am taking it seriously. Your safety and security is my priority Andreas."

Andreas said "Have you done any interrogations yet? Has anyone of your people seen him alive? If he has escaped someone may have seen him."

Tristan shook his head "Highly unlikely. I am pretty certain he has killed any witnesses if he has escaped. To me finding his body is not going to make a difference and him being alive won't make any changes to my plans. I prefer finding him alive since as you know he is worth more. He can answer for his crimes... I do agree with you. If there is no corpse found he is most likely alive..."

Andreas said "Where does this leave you and I? You have a family member who doesn't follow your rules. What are you going to do about it?"

Tristan said "I am co-operating with your father, with my father and Francesco Rosario. I am not holding back my resources. I am not denying what's happened. He has broken the rules. He is an outlaw and on the top of my wanted list. Any more questions?"

Andreas said "No. We are good." He then went back to punching the punching bag as he said "You can let me come to your house you know. I won't ever hurt your mother."

Tristan said "I believe you are not a threat to my mother because my father thinks so. But you are staying here for now." He then turned to walk away.

Andreas stopped boxing "Why? If I am no threat why are you keeping me at the guest house?"

Tristan reached the door and rested his hand on the door knob "Because I feel like it." He then winked at him.

Andreas sighed and watched him leave. Tristan was getting a kick out of exerting control on others. Well, Andreas was sure he could have the opportunity to return the favour when Tristan touched Italian soil. But again he was Vienna's man. He was almost family. He was to treat him like one.

The phone in the room rang suddenly and Andreas wondered who had his number. He picked it up and it was his uncle Ambrogio. Andreas was much closer to him than he was to his uncle Alessio who was married to his father's sister, Alicia. But his uncle Ambrogio who was married to his father's cousin Portia was much closer to him.

There was concern in Ambrogio's voice "Are you still in one piece?"

Andreas chuckled "Why wouldn't I be?"

Ambrogio said "There is a prize on anyone who delivers you to the Irish underground who are loyal to Jackson."

Andreas said "They can join the line. My father's enemies want my head too."

Ambrogio said "You don't understand how desperate they are. Your mother is on their wanted list but your father is protecting her for now away from here under the pretence of a vacation. You ... are at the O'Neil mansion in the heart of the Irish capital... You are safe there. Only if you stay there and not go rogue looking for Jackson. That's what Jackson's gang would want."

Andreas said "Sounds great. I go out there. I lure them out. The loyalists can be caught and we can go home to Milan. Job done..." He then shook his head "Sounds too easy."

Ambrogio said "This is serious Andreas. Leave it to Tristan to track any traps and threats left from Jackson. Then you can return to Milan when the route is safe."

Andreas said "Uncle. This is the Irish capital as you said... Being here is the best chance to catch them while they try to prey on my family. This is when the prey becomes the predator."

Ambrogio said "Your father will not spare you if you go against his wishes. His wish is for you to stay at the O'Neil house until he gets back. You will not disobey your father."

Andreas said "Thank you for your concerns. Say hi to aunt Portia. Uncle Ambrogio. I don't wish to discuss this further. I will make my own choices."

Ambrogio said " Don't go anywhere. You are safe at the O'Neil house."

Andreas sighed "I can't go anywhere. Tristan has locked me up."

Ambrogio said "But you will try."

Andreas said " There is one way to find out..."

Ambrogio said "Promise you won't do anything without your father's permission."

Andreas said "That's irrelevant. It's not an option to be made. It's already been made... My father is most likely going to hear this conversation pretty soon. He is watching me here. I know it. I wait for him to contact me. Goodbye uncle." He then put the phone down. He knew full well his father had him under surveillance. There was no way Tristan would have continued keeping him there if there wasn't a good reason. He had no doubt the order came from his father to keep him there for longer. It made perfect sense.

Andreas went back to punch the punching bag expecting a call and he wasn't disappointed about an hour later phone rang. He picked up and was welcomed by his father's demanding and authoritative voice. If he left his location he was going to be no longer worried about Jackson. He had to worry about what his father was going to do to him.

*******

Vienna was waiting for Tristan in the guest room. It was after dinner and she was meant to leave after having tea. It was already dark out there. Normally she wasn't allowed to stay out late at anyone's house but of course the O'Neil house was the exception. She had been sitting on the sofa waiting for Tristan as she watched TV. Where was he? Brewing the tea? After tea she was meant to go and see Andreas. But the longer their tea time took, the less time she had with Andreas later since she couldnt go home too late.

The door opened and finally Tristan came back with a tray of two mugs of tea and a few slices of cake with Irish cream. Tristan closed the door and walked to Vienna "Did you miss me?"

Vienna smiled as she watched him place the tray on the coffee table "Not really. I was having more fun watching TV." It was a joke of course. But Tristan didnt like such jokes.

Tristan looked at the television and said "You watch double O seven..."  He then turned to Vienna... "I dont like him." He then turned the TV off making Vienna gasp "Tristan..."

Tristan turned to her "Yes Vienna."

Vienna asked "Why did you turn the TV off?"

He sat next to Vienna and said "cutting in half with an axe is more desirable. But I wont..."

Vienna said "You would cut the TV in half for what?"

Tristan said "Not the TV." He leaned close and whispered "007."

Vienna said "Tristan. You are not funny..."

Tristan held Vienna's hand and looked into her eyes " Are you staying the night?"

Vienna shook her head vigorously "Are you mad? My father wont let me stay the night. Eversince you turned seventeen, he doesnt like me even stay the night when Clarisa is around."

Tristan said "I have changed but my honour and respect has not..."

Vienna said "You are getting closer to eighteen..."

Tristan said "This is only February... I wont turn eighteen until august... And then we will start college..."

Vienna said "We? Well. My father may change his mind any time. If he feels I should do my first year of college while in high school then I will see you there when I turn eighteen."

Tristan said "I will try to convince him then not to stop you from coming to college with me. Clarisa is going and the prospect of Vincenzo's Italian fraternity located right next to her is accepted. As long as he doesnt go in... My father wished for him to go to college in Italy but it seems he has it covered long distance..."

Vienna bit her lip "It would be interesting... You will be with the Irish boys fraternity right next to the Italian girls sorority with me in there... We can go for morning runs... Its safe and I am so happy we can experience college..."

Tristan said "Not really... Because of the threat of security our families had to join forces with others to make a protected block surrounded by barbed wires and there are dogs signs so no one dares come near... there is 24 hour security... Thats the lengths we go for looking normal...

Vienna said "It will still be interesting... If you ask me, the dogs Vincenzo trained is more than enough... Who needs guards 24 hours and barbed wires when his crazy dogs are guarding the gates..."

Tristan was looking down at Vienna's hand "Vienna... I want to take you shopping... To buy you a ring..."

Vienna blushed "My father will kill you if you buy me a ring..."

Tristan said "Not an engagement ring... I just like to buy you a ring... from me that has my name on it..."

Vienna said "Maybe a bracelet... Not a ring..."

Tristan said "What are you afraid of? A ring with my name on your finger... I already gave you one when I asked you to be my girl..."

Vienna said "Yes and I am wearing it around my neck hung on a chain. I made the ring into a necklace.. My father's request..."

Tristan corrected "Your mother's request..."

Vienna said "Tristan... No rings please... I dont want trouble... My mother is not in good shape. She is not healthy. If I go home and say Tristan is taking me ring shopping so I can have his name on a ring around my finger, she will panic."

Tristan stated "Thats the idea..."

Vienna said "Tristan... You cant..."

Tristan chuckled "I am only joking... I dont want her to panic..."

Vienna said "Good."

Tristan said "But I am still getting you a ring... with my name on it...'

Vienna said "Tristan..."

Tristan leaned closer "You keep saying my name and I will have to kiss you..." He then attached his lips to hers.