Vincenzo was dribbling the ball as he was looking at Tristan approaching while Emanuelle O'Neil was walking to the building.
Vincenzo stared at his rival and friend walking towards him. Tristan was like a brother to him. They had been through so much together but he wondered if their friendship was going to survive what was coming up. He had to tell him he loved his sister. Tristan needed to know before everyone else. He was just waiting for Vitale to make it official. He looked into his friend's eyes and threw the ball at him unexpectedly. Of course Tristan caught it. Not many people could.
Vincenzo stated " It's impossible to surprise you. You are always prepared."
Tristan started dribbling towards him " Not always. I am not prepared for your surprises... I hand it to you Vincenzo. You surprised me today. He is not even welcome to your father's territory, yet you are not even angry and you dont seem like you feel betrayed." Tristan then took a shot at the hoop and threw the ball.
Vincenzo watched in admiration how his ball went straight through the hoop flawlessly. Tristan had class. In every way. He wondered how classy he was going to be if he found out he loved his sister.
Tristan gracefully and with the air of authority walked towards Vincenzo. He resembled his father at that point in Vincenzo's eyes. Tristan carried himself with the same air of authority and with determination in his eyes while he was focusing on him. Vincenzo saw Tristan as a rival, opponent and as a friend too. He more than anything admired him like a brother too. Vincenzo could feel it that a new chapter was going to start in their lives soon and they werent going to be playing basketball like they used to. They werent going to be doing school work in the libray late after everyone went home. Vincenzo was going to miss the old times. But he didnt even have time for that. He had no time for dwelling about the past. Organised crime didnt give you time. Life was battlefield and his battle was only begining as he was approaching age of eighteen.
Tristan had Vincenzo's attention. He walked to his friend. He stood in front of him " I am going to ask one question Vincenzo. You have to answer to me honestly..."
Vincenzo asked "Is it about my grandfather? I told you now is not the time..."
Tristan shook his head "No. Its about mine. My grandfather betrayed you by allowing you be present in the same room as the man your father dissaproves of. he is your blood. But he is forbidden to get in touch with you. My grandfather helped him get this close to you... If I was in your position I would have taken revenge on whoever made you get close to your grandfather... So are you going to take revenge on my grandfather?"
Vincenzo didnt expect this quation. He was taken back "Come on Tristan. You should know me better than this..."
Tristan asked "Do I? You must answer the question."
Vincenzo replied "I would not hurt your blood, unless they hurt mine."
Tristan responded " Why not? My grandfather risked your well being by allowing your grandfather who is not allowed near you get that close. My grandfather commited a grave mistake. It all happened on his territory. It was his responsibilty. You and I had no control or authority over the sitauation. It is his responsibility. My family is not your blood. Why would you not hurt them?"
Vincenzo looked into Tristan's eyes and took a step closer to him. He whispered "Maybe because your blood is more dear to me than you think Tristan. It maybe hard for you to imagine but soon you will realise it. Now, lets not discuss what happened back there. I have bigger things to worry about." He then turned around and walked to the basketball. He picked it up from the ground and faced Tristan "Let's play."
Tristan asked "What things are you more important than what happened tonight?"
Vincenzo shrugged " What is going to happen tomorrow night is what matters now."
Tristan asked "what is happening tomorrow night?" He was getting more curious.
Vincenzo threw the ball with not much force behind it towards Tristan "Let's play and I tell you about what I heard from the airport..."
Tristan caught the ball and started dribbling becoming more curious "Go on."
Vincenzo explained "You know that meeting in Harlem between all representatives of organised cime within the alliance and associates?"
Tristan asked "What about it?"
Vincenzo grabbed the ball from Tristan suddenly and targetted the hoop. He took his shot and scored. He turned to Tristan "That meeting is brought forward. Its tomorrow night. Everyone who was meant to arive offshore has already touched down at the airport. Its a good tactic. They tell FBI the time and place thats false while the real meeting is days earlier. Alot happens tomorrow night Tristan. Are you ready for changes?"
Tristan nodded "I am. Are you?"
Vincenzo turned to pick the ball up to pass it on to Tristan. He replied as he glanced up at the only lit up window of the Rosario mansion "I am. I am not sure if others are..." He could tell his father was watching him. He felt strange. His father was on edge. His father always wanted to keep his life and his family's lives in his own hands. But it was an impossible task at times. The life in the criminal underworld didnt leave choices in their life paths. Vincenzo wished he could tell his father he was ready. He was ready for anything. He feared nothing. His father had done all he could to protect him. He was grateful and appreciative of that. Now it was time for him to start to protect his father. He was of age soon. He turned around and threw the ball to Tristan while feeling his father's eyes on him.
Francesco watched his son talk and play with Tristan as he was drinking from his vodka glass. He heard the door open and close. He turned around as he stood next to the window "O'Neil."
O'Neil walked in through the dim light. His face appeared out of the shadows. There was no playful smile on his face. He had a hardened look. He was not pleased. He was on edge and wary. He walked to Francesco's desk and banged his fist against the table "Where is he? Where is Paulo? He needs to answer some questions. I thought you were holding him here."
Francesco walked to the desk and put his glass down " He is in a special unit in a cabin watched in the compound grounds."
O'Neil frowned "So you had no intention of questioning him tonight? Come on Francesco. This has to be dealt with. You can't avoid him Francesco. Go out there and confront him. If you refuse to then at least allow me to do it."
Francesco replied "I appreciate it. I can't involve you..."
O'Neil replied "Nonsense. You are avoiding this for what? You have to get what you can out of him before his people show up. We both know the Don would be sending his forces to get his favourite son. Get all the ifnromation you need out of him. Confront him. Punish him for getting close to Vincenzo and Tristan. Then get rid of him how you wish. Time is running out. Why are you avoiding this?"
Francesco looked at his friend. He whispered "Because... its not about him any more. Its not about my father at all..."
O'Neil sighed "Francesco. Enough. Get me to Paulo. Time is running out. He would be saved by his people soon. We need to get information from him."
Francesco took a deep breath and turned around. He looked outside the window "Â I know enough. I dont need him to tell me anything. I told you. Its not about him. He dont matter any more. Its all about... my son..."
O'Neil was taken back "What?" He then walked around the desk and stood next to Francesco "What are you talking about?"
Francesco replied "You sound surprised. The thought doesn't cross your mind that they come for him before his eighteenth birthday. But they do. They want my son. Now."
O'Neil rasied an eyebrow "They want him? They want him to take the place that you refuse to take. Do they? They know there is no chance you will work with them and they certainly know there is no chance you will let them come near your son. So what is your problem?"
Franecsco turned to O'Neil "My problem is my son choosing them."
O'Neil replied "Impossible. He is your son. He is loyal to you."
Francesco replied "I dont doubt his loyalty. In fact I know his loyalty to me is beyond what I always hoped for. He loves this family more than his own life. He would sacrifice himself for this family. I know he would. That is what I fear. He would choose peace to avoid a war. He would compromise. I know he will. I saw it in his eyes. He is willing to get close to my father so he would protect me."
O'Neil asked with surprise "He told you all this?"
Francesco spoke with pain in his voice " No. But he is my son. I know his heart and soul. I raised him. I know him better than himself. I wish he wasn't who he is. I wish he wasn't beyond all I hoped for. I wanted to raise a son who was strong mentally and physically to withstand the represcusions of my actions all these years. But he has gone beyond that. He has made an impression. He has made a name for himself. People swear on his name in Sicily. People swear on his name in Rome. In New York he is the next Don Vitorino. They want him to become Don Vincenzo."
O'Neil was not convicned "Francesco. You are not alone in this. We wont let them take your son away. We will fight with you. They might force your son to choose them but they wont take him easily without a fight. He has choices and you trust his choices. So do I. Time is running out. Lets get what you can out of him. He knows more than you may think. Let me interrogate him."
Francesco shook his head " Nothing he says is of any worth to me. Time for confessions is past."
O'Neil asked "So what are you keeping him here for?"
Francesco replied " They come for him. They can have him."
O'Neil couldn't believe Francesco "How can you stand here and take the path of peace? Its as though you have given up."
Francesco ran his hand in his hair as he looked at his son playing outside "You did not see the look in my son's eyes at that rooftop. He knows. I am sure he knows about what will happen soon. He knows who he is related to. He pleaded to me to not hurt him but his eyes were not pleading. His eyes were full of concern... for me. I know that look. I know my son. He was concerned about me getting hurt."
O'Neil asked "What if you are wrong? Question your son then. How much does he know about his grandfather and his significance as the Don's favourite. He has spent some time with the man. I am certain its not too hard to imagine your father has shared alot with him. Ask your son."
Francesco turned to O"Neil "I told you. I already know enough. I am waiting. I am ready. I dont look forward to the outcome."