Chapter 138 - Baby Mama

Don Marino left the hospital soon after. While sitting inside his car, he rubbed his forehead. Closing his eyes, he asked," How is the negotiation with the head of other families going?" 

His new consigliere paused before sighing out, "As always, Edward is acting like a son of a bitch. He said he didn't trust the new boy just like you." 

The new boy referred to Santiago. Inside their circle, seniority by age and rank was given very importance. When it comes to old and powerful Mafia families, they hated outsiders poking their noses in their own business. It was not hidden to anyone how Marinos were encircled by the problems caused by Bratva, Irish family head and not to forget the Mexican cartels too. They were causing unnecessary problems as Marinos made the error of doubting them for the kidnapping of Persephone Marino. Apparently, the men who lead these illegal organizations had egos the size of the globe. The consequences of the vanity of these men were mostly borne by their families, especially women and children. 

Never in the history of the New York Mafia until Persephone Marino, a bride, was ever abducted by the rivals from the church. So, they had been subjected to various kinds of injustices not just outside, but in their families too, but kidnapping a bride? 

It was a sin. But someone was wicked enough to commit this sin too. But what about the consequences? 

It wasn't only the Marino family who was bearing the consequences alone, but Persephone Marino too. She was the one burdened the with the responsibility to provide for a baby that she along with everyone believed was born out of the rape. 

Truth be told, if Santiago didn't get to know until the very end that he had impregnated his ex-captive, the consequences would be borne by that innocent child too. He would always be dubbed as the child born of sin. A child of a wicked man and a heathen. 

Everyone knew how to destroy but construct a life? It was too tough, even for the almighty Don Marino. He only knew how to destruct not to construct. He destroyed his family and is still destroying it. 

"It's unquestionable that Kingsley will try to stop Vitello at every cost, "Don Marino said, opening his eyes. "But I want to see how Vitello will convince him." 

Don Marino wanted to know to what extent Santiago was willing to go for their cooperation. If he could get something in return for one of his useless daughters, then the bargain wasn't very cheap. 

"You seem to trust him a lot," The other man responded. He didn't sound very happy with his verdict. He found Santiago quite mysterious and expensive. For cooperation, Don Marino had to give the hand of his daughter to him. He didn't think that the cooperation was worth the bargain that they made. Sophia Marink was Don Marino's Ace. 

"Trust?" Alessandro Marino scoffed. "I trust his ability, connections and the power that he is hiding." 

"You were right about one thing. He indeed is close to the Monarch of Maisea," the other man said as he showed him the picture on his iPad. "He had been seen with him many times. Seems like he held a pretty powerful position back there. Are you sure he could be trusted, after all, he is an enemy?"

Who doesn't know about the young Monarch of the island Nation called the Maisean Empire? He was a capable king who rose from ashes a decade ago and in his reign, he tripled the economy of his country. How could he not be applauded? 

However, Don Marino wasn't one of his praisers! 

"Enemy?" Alessandro turned his head to look at him. "Marinos weren't alone who wanted to capture that small island, there were three big families of Italy too. It was a pity that they were defeated badly by a bunch of unarmed people in the end. As for the question, whether he is an enemy or ally… I was the least interested in that island...whether it was decades ago or now…" 

"I advise you to be careful of him," His consigliere said. "He is an ambitious man. If he can bite the hands of the man who is feeding him (king), then like a snake he can bite you too." 

"How can the king of that small island be compared to me?" Alessandro looked at him as if he had heard a joke. "My wealth is twice the economy of his whole country." 

His consigliere found himself speechless before this retort. Santiago knew that Alessandro Marino could offer him more than the King which might be the reason why he came to his side. 

And he was so sure that Santiago wouldn't dare to play with him. After all, he was the master of the games these kids can ever think about. 

… 

Santiago was working out in the gym when he received the most anticipated call. 

"Boss, the trap is laid," The voice said in his ear. 

"Then, wait for the big bad wolf and the little innocent lamb to fall into it," Santiago said with a wide smile. He got up and wiped the sweat off his body with the towel before exiting the gym room. He was about to take a step forward when he saw a very angry Emmanuel coming his way. 

Santiago could literally see smoke coming from his ear. And he was walking like a mad bull towards him. 

"Mr V, how can you do this to my Percy? She has always been good to you. How can you cheat on her? Did she deserve that?" Emmanuel fired accusation after accusation. "I always respected you but…"

Santiago punched his shoulder a bit lighter but Emmanuel still grimaced in pain. "What did you say? Your Percy? Is she your woman? Do you own her? How dare you call her your…" 

"I-i…" Santiago's furious look was scaring Emmanuel. 

Fortunately, Romeo came on the spot at the right time. He circled an arm around his boyfriend's shoulder before saying," Mr V, there is someone at the door waiting for you." 

"Not just someone but Mr V's baby mama and his illegitimate son," Emmanuel glared. 

"What did you say?" Santiago asked him once again. 

"You have guests waiting for you in the living room," Romeo informed before dragging his boyfriend to their room. If Emmanuel didn't control his anger, it wouldn't be long before Mr V beat him up. 

"I can't believe he did this to my Percy," Santiago heard Emmanuel's faint crying voice. 

Hearing him calling his Red, his Percy, Santiago lost it and threw his slippers at Emmauel's ass. 

A couple of minutes later, when Santiago emerged from his room and arrived at the living room, he found Romeo coming out of the kitchen with a tray of snacks and three kinds of drinks. 

Just what was happening? 

And who were the guests? 

He heard a very familiar voice and so he turned his head only to find Cameron, Valencia and little Santiago sitting on the couch. These three? What were they doing at his house? 

Valencia glanced up as a weird feeling entered her gut. She couldn't stop herself from feeling it. What was happening to her? As she heard the steps, she turned her face to see a tall man with dark hair and blue eyes which were somewhere between icy blue and ocean blue. His gait was regal just like his stature. She couldn't help but look at him one more time. Why was she so fascinated by him? Have they met before? 

"That's Mr V," Cameron murmured, his head hung low. 

Romeo placed the tray before them on the table and urged them to have it. 

Little Santiago didn't bother asking his mom as he picked a drink along with the snack, and went back to studying this big fascinating man. How cool would it be if he was one of the marvel heroes? 

"Cameron?" Santiago called out his name in his usual cold voice but today there was a hint of warmth in it that Romeo or any other person wasn't able to read. 

Cameron, whose face was still black and blue, stood up and smiled. "I'm sorry for visiting without a proper reason but my sister wanted to express her gratitude for saving my life." 

'Saving his life?' Santiago looked at Cameron as to what he meant by that. 

"Oh, how forgetful of me," Cameron said, palming his forehead. "This is my sister Valencia Reynolds and her son Santiago Reynolds." 

Emmanuel, who was peeking from his room, opened his eyes wide when he heard another carbon copy of his boss speaking. His eyes then fell on another mini carbon copy of the two men and narrowed his eyes on the mother-son pair. If he saw correctly, the little boy didn't resemble his boss much except for his eyes and jaw and perhaps...forehead too… His nose, lips and other facial features were different even from his mother… Detective Emmanuel was studying all the necessary things when Santiago was stuck in a dilemma. 

…