Charlie sat down in his seat at the East Cat Cellar in Philadelphia, it had been a couple of weeks since he had taken the DiCaprio boy under his wing and put him to work, mostly it would be running notes between some of the Midas Associates, simple stuff that kept him out of the loop. He made sure to keep it lowkey, he was not going to allow the boy any more damage than what had been put onto him, already he had learned to mask his emotions, something that even he had trouble doing to this day and it already spoke of how his time with the Potts Gang had truly molded him into a perfect little killer. 

"Oh, does Isabella know when to save 'em? Heh, Sonny DiCaprio, how will you affect this little world of ours with your involvement."

Charlie made sure to keep Sonny out of sight, keeping him with Alphonse Varietta and that was all, he trusted no one else besides Al and perhaps Benny in Detroit, but considering he was running the joint for him, he could and would not be involved with the business at hand. He leaned forward, motioning for some coffee to brought to the table, as the waiter had looked at him with a nervous smile, knowing that he could not deny anything to the Left-Hand of Joe Adonis. 

"Coming right up sir, would you like anything else? Perhaps a scone or muffin?"

Charlie hid his snort of amusement before shaking his head, knowing that he wanted nothing else, he was here for business and whether it was friendship or family business, it was still business. He could not allow his personal feelings to get in the way of the meeting here today, even though Isabella was the one that hired him to find Sonny, he found the boy to be a delight in the last couple of weeks, knowing that he could perhaps keep the boy out of the life for a while before finding something more suitable for him, as he did with Cassie. 

"Here you go sir, by the way, you should know that there is a boy over by the bar looking at you with nerves, I just wanted to inform you of this situation..."

Charlie sighed, knowing that nothing could be done to stop the curiosity of the kid, for the first time in a while, he was going to lay eyes on the woman that was a mother to him and well...Charlie was perhaps the mediator of the two, but make no mistake, he was to make sure that Sonny remained with him. He looked over to the kid with a smile, before shaking his head, motioning for him to look at Alphonse, to which he did so with a clear sign of disagreement contorting his childish features. 

"Ah, is she always this late? Or is it just the fact that everyone is late to meet me?"

He grumbled, always knowing of the fact that people seemed to be late to his meetings and wondered if it was anything that he did personally or something along those lines, but whatever it was, he was in no mood to find out now as he drank his coffee and awaited the arrival of Isabella-Luciano.

Bella had been lucky.  Gavin actually made it home within an hour of the time he was expected.  His work actually wrapping up when he said and so she didn't need to bring Aurora out with her today.  The meeting with Charlie was, of course, in safe territory but nothing was certain these days.  The world had changed too much to count on anything anymore.  One day, when she least expected it, she'd walk into the barrel of a gun and not get up and she prayed she had a sitter for her daughter when that day came.

Still, Bella had been running a little behind and so she was forced to put her hair up in a simple ponytail and not fiddle with her make-up.  She was as simple in appearance as she ever dared allow the public to see her.  She, of course, had an image to maintain as the Godfather's Left-Hand Man.  

Entering East Cat Cellars felt like coming into her own house, that's how often she'd come here lately.  It really was a second home to her.  The moment she was seen the bartender was pouring her usual.  She cast her eyes about the room until she spotted Charlie and quickly went for him, a smile on her face that touched the corners of her big brown eyes.

She was dressed in a simple pant suit, black and white, classy but not overly expensive.  A practical outfit for a day out and about doing work for her boss and following up on her own projects.

"Charlie!"  She chirped as she walked over to him and kissed his cheeks in familial greeting.  "Glad to see you back around Race Street.  How's business?"

Charlie's eyes had raised in such comic disbelief that he looked like a fish out of water, his mouth agape and his eyes wide, he wondered what Isabella thought this meeting was for, but quickly armed himself up and his face became blank. He was so clearly out of his depth once Isabella had gone for a hug, he had been used to the familiar greeting of fake smiles, handshakes, and stabbing in the back. Of course, that was his other business, right now? He was with a friend and yet the instinct to put distance between them was so great. 

Hoping that she did not notice his discomfort, he plastered an obviously strained smile and hugged her back half-heartedly. His eyes holding faux kindness and amusement, it was clear that he would need work on his greetings because this was as weak as the common man who thought he had a silver tongue to charm half the escorts out of The Black Horse. 

"Isabella! It's great to see you, heh, the business you ask is going well for me. The Tops is flowing with Business and The Ultra-Luxe is to be getting its grand opening soon enough, business has been booming. How is your side of things, business-wise?"

 He asked back with his eyes holding actual curiosity, this was where he excelled in, wanting to know more, but considering this was one of the family, he held it back a touch, knowing that if he appeared like a serpent on the grass and tried to latch onto her, well, it would not be the best for business. Out of the corner of his eye, he could notice that Sonny had stiffened in his seat, with Al holding his shoulder, clearly wanting to remain hidden until Charlie called them over.

With his dull grey eyes holding kindness, he took Isabella by the forearm and guided her to where they would be seating, allowing her to sit first as he grinned. 

"But before you tell me of business, would you like something to drink?"

A smirk twitched at his lips before it turned fully into a kind smile, one that was genuine for a change. 

Bella nodded.  "Gin and tonic will be fine.  I can't take in too much, I have a long day ahead of me for Jack and I like to have a clear head before I hit the business district to check in on operations... but a little bit won't hurt."  

She sat down comfortably in the seat and when her drink came she accepted it with a genuine smile.  "Business is good.  I've had some hits at the new employment agency, things have slowed down at the lofts but that was to be expected, I haven't been out to Sapphire in some time... I have to admit that the loss of Marie has made me less eager to visit the last place I spent quality time with her." 

She sighed.  "I'm sorry.  Even after all this time I miss her... she was, well, like a mother to me."  she shook her head dismissing the sad thought.

"The rail company is as strong as ever but I fear the automotive industry is going to put rail travel down for good inside ten or twenty years so I may sell my shares before too long.  I can't be the only person who is feeling that way.  I mean just look at the streets.  They're just full of cars!"

"Of course, all that has to wait... daily life has been just too crazy for me to think about diversifying or changing where I have my money at the moment.  I feel like I don't have a damn free second to myself anymore and sometimes I wonder what the hell I use to do with my days before Aurora came into our lives."

Charlie smiled as she spoke of not taking too much Alcohol, it was like him having too much Hot Cocoa, he found that he had become a sarcastic and somehow hyperactive little twat when he had too much of the good 'ol Hot Cocoa. He shook his head, bringing himself out of the rather desirable daydream of his favorite hot beverage. He noticed that as she talked, she began to get sadder when she discussed the business of Sapphire out in Las Vegas, it was a place that the Step-Mother and Daughter had often visited together. He sighed, bringing his hands together, feeling bad for bringing up a bad memory with her. 

"It's alright Isabella, we cannot bring her back and for that, I apologize for saying, but the best that you can do is live how she would have wanted you too. She would want you to take care of Aurora, after all, you are already proving to love her dearly and with that, you carry the memory of your Step-Mother for a great deal of time..."

He sighed, bringing himself out of that little speech, he knew that Al and Sonny would be able to hear him, but this was a rather private moment While he did not share the same bond with Marie, he found that he respected her, hell, even wanted to go back in time and save her from that fate, yet, the gods are cruel and would often make us regret things. What would have happened had he stayed in Chicago? Would he have been able to talk with Marie? Maybe, maybe not, he would never know. 

"Well, if the shares of your rail company are going up for sale, then please do consider me, I have some business and goods that require transportation and the usual way of Midas would not be able to work. It'd be good to own something legit besides the Casino. Of course, that can be discussed later."

He leaned forward, hearing of how she wanted to change in earning her money, he had a couple of ventures that she would receive a hefty sum in return for backing. Only when he heard the scraping of a stool, and the familiar tone of his associate, shouting for the kid to get back to where he was, only Sonny did not listen and stalked over to their table, his face shrouded in anger...

Charlie whispered under his breath in a why me tone...

"Well, it seems you just want to stick it to me, don't you bastard Gods?"

Bella kept face steady when what she thought was Charlie's underling came over to the table.  It took her a moment to recognize the features that had grown & changed over the last few years.

He was taller now, quite a bit, he'd shot up like a weed really, he had the height of a nearly grown man.  His eyes were fierce and he had a look about him that was familiar, a look she could not mistake for anyone else in the entire world.  

NOW I know... he's named for his Grandfather!

Her mouth opened ever so slightly as realization dawned.  How had she NOT seen it before?  Did the boy know who his father was?  Was that why he'd never said?  Was that why he'd not run off when she'd brought him home to Detroit with her?

She looked to Charlie, wondering why the hell the man had brought the boy here.  Had she not been clear she wanted this left in the past?  Had she not put enough emphasis on how delicate this matter was and how much discretion was required?  How could he possibly have fucked this up so badly?  Just check on the kid... it wasn't a hard ask especially for the amount of cash she offered

She took a drink of her gin and waved to the bartender to send another, finding her footing at last.  She wrapped herself in an illusion of calm as she spoke softly, "Please, won't you join us Santino?"

"Well, if this isn't awkward, I have no idea what else is...Waiter, can I get a glass of scotch, neat!"

Sonny looked to Charlie with a raised eyebrow, wondering what reason he would have to be awkward in this situation, it was her that had to be uncomfortable and awkward, the one that left him, but instead, he plastered a small smile on his face, knowing that keeping his true emotions off of his face was the key factor in this, just as she was doing with her illusion of calmness and soft tone, it was clear that his appearance here had wracked his nerves. 

"Mr. Pavanno, I have no idea why you feel the need to drink, as you have no reason to truly feel uncomfortable, yes, my former patron here hired you, correct?"

Charlie was starting to sweat, his eyes wide, before turning to the waiter, telling him to speed it up with that alcohol, because he was not going to sit here between a Dragon and a...Lion, he was merely a cat and was ready to use his quick agility to get to his car and allow the Mother Figure and Son to figure their shite out.

"Well, that is correct, Bella did hire me to find you, wanting to check in on your safety."

Sonny scoffed, almost finding it unbelievable, as he could not truly see the woman that he had sought refuge with looking out for him anymore, he found her something else, he had found her strong and almost a wall, she was someone that he aspired to be in some ways. She held and ruled a legacy with an Iron Fist, but then came that day and he could no longer see The Dragon or hell, Isabella Luciano, daughter of Salvatore. No, he saw something else and mayhaps that was the problem, he had set an expectation for her, one that she failed.

"Well, Mr. Pavanno, if she wanted to check in on me, why did she not do so herself? Why not did she come and save me herself? Was Aurora more important than I? Was Philadelphia more important than I? Only, there is no need to answer the question or those questions. It's true, I can see it written on her face. Perhaps I should have just died in Detroit?"

He said so coldly that it came out in a soft whisper before he watched Isabella, waiting for her reaction, wanting to know how she would view him now, he was not the same boy that did the odd jobs for her, but still, he had viewed her as his Mother and perhaps some part of him still did, perhaps some of him did not want to let go of her just yet...

"You're right."  She said flatly confirming every ugly thing he threw at her. 

"But I told you on the day that I left Detroit that I was selfish.  I told you I had no business leading a Tower of Ivory... or anyone for that matter, let alone trying to raise a young man as a single woman."

She scoffed, "How I ended up raising a dead woman's daughter..."

She saw his facial reactions and instantly knew that he'd mistook her mention of a baby as one she'd given life to herself - having chosen to build a family after abandoning him.  Never knowing she'd taken in yet another orphan because she had to, not because she had any choice. 

"... or Jack Mezzo's left hand is purely the work of a very fickle universe, certainly neither eventuality were of my own design.  I didn't ask for any of this ... but here we are.  Me helping to lead a city and raising my dead step-mother's little girl and you ... nearly a grown man."

She watched his face closely,  "I presume you learned to read as I instructed that you should do?"  When she saw how his face twitched she nodded.  "Good."

She leaned back in her seat.  "The journal I gave to you will be a far better teacher in the way of this life than I would ever have proven to be.  Lucy DiCaprio was a far better woman than I... she should have been Godfather before her time was cut short.  It remains one of the greatest injustices my bloodline has ever seen.  Hell, she should have been a lot of things."

Bella looked into her glass, "Things that you, if you follow her example, might one day accomplish God willing."   She picked up her gin and took a sip.

"As for why I hired Charlie,"  She looked back to the boy, "Well, I'm afraid that as always my actions are purely self-serving ... so no doubt I've managed to meet your expectations by that little tirade of yours."

Bella called out to the waitress, "Bring the young man a beer."

"You came to talk.  So we're talking.  Now... sit."  This time it wasn't a polite invitation and either out of curiosity or habit of obeying ranking mobsters, the boy sat down sandwiching Charlie between he and Bella.

"So my question is, are you going to let my lack of human decency and utter selfish nature shape you or have you done so already?  If you read the book I'm sure you've read about Mr. Whitehill.  He was the man who took Lucy in after her parents died?  He used Lucy... he was a mobster who she saw as a father figure, but in the end, as it is with so many of our kind, he could never live up to the ideal created by the mind of a sweet child.  He could only ever be who he truly was - a murderer... a traitor to his own."

"Lucy... now, she could have gone a lot of ways after Billy Durden raped her."  Bella finished her gin and picked up the second glass.  "She could have kept Kathleen... but she gave the girl away.  She ran off to be a gangster and make her name.  And even then she fell in with Pollution and his boss... Disorder."  Even now the name left a looming shadow over the world.  Disorder had been struck down by the hand of God and whether you loved or hated him, everyone knew his name. 

"She cut her teeth with some of the best... right here in this city.  Lived through eight fucking crew wipes and three cities.  The woman hunted rogues in every major city on this continent and others.  She became known for teaching the young, building better things for the whole of the world in the same way my current boss does.  She ... she was the real deal.  And you could be that too... if you want OR,"

She thanked the waitress for the beer and passed it to the boy. 

"Or you can wallow in whatever happened in Sicily, hate me for leaving you and for whatever happened back in Detroit when we parted ways.    I can't tell you who you are, or what to do kid... most days I can't keep my own shit in a line contrary to what everyone seems to think.  So... why don't you get off your chest whatever you need to say to me and then, if you have the stones to finish that beer with me and Charlie here, we can talk what sort of future you want either as a friend of ours or on the straight and narrow.  Not because I'm a good person, I don't really matter one shit in this equation Santino, but because I'm smart enough to know that you're someone who is going places and you've got a name in this world... and that means something.  I mean, look how far it got a no-one like me?"

Aurora had already taught her so much about being a parent and a good person, so much more than she ever thought she'd understand.  There were a million other things she should have said, could have said, and wanted to say... things about caring for him, about her own pain and confusion in Detroit that lead to her running away from everything that mattered, about emotions that she hadn't had words for back then ... but none of them would have helped the young man beside her.  All of that would have been for her.  What he needed right now, was stability.  Whatever shit he'd come out of in Detroit wasn't pretty and she could only assume that was why Charlie disobeyed her instructions and instead wrote his own script for how this was to play out.

No use in crying over spilt milk though... she'd do what she had to do with whatever lay in front of her now.

Charlie watched Isabella, his eyes narrowing on her, he knew what she was doing and why she was doing, he could see it, yet he had a feeling that Sonny, even though he had been living the harsh life in Detroit would not see what she was doing and he had a feeling that Isabella intended it to be that way. He could see that she was somehow pissed or perhaps mad at him for bringing Sonny, but he was going to allow her to act like this to him, hell, he thought that she would have been kind. His awkward and weirded behavior had been thrown out the window, in its place stood something incredibly different. 

"Well, Sonny, you're going to be quiet from now on, because even though your tirade was spoken from honestly and heart, it's not always the best approach with Mrs. Byrne here, considering that her temper still acts up. When she does not get her way, she believes that force or words can then convince said person to obey. It's funny, certain things never change, do they, Mrs. Byrne?"

Charlie removed the beer from Sonny, not wanting him to drink anything, hell he may have been overprotective, but the boy was under his care now and he would not allow these topics to be discussed about in the open. He leaned forward, his smile that of a serpent, willing to stare down the Dragon herself for the boy that he found in such a sorry state, the boy that saved him, perhaps he owed him a few, but that did not matter to him. He was not going to be discussing the business of their world with this boy right now. 

"Mrs. Byrne, may you refrain from speaking of such things with Sonny here? Even though he may know of his heritage, he still has to make a decision on the path he wants and if he is influenced by us, it does not make it his choice, it is simply us pulling his strings and will that make us any better than the people he worked with in Detroit? All to find you. Huh, you can at least show some kind of sympathy, not this act, not this. You can do the same to gangsters, thugs, goombas, and all the other shitbags, but you know this boy. He is not some street-rat and he is not some associate, he is a boy you raised."

Charlie spoke with the passion in his voice, it was clear that he was getting worked up, how dare she? This boy had come here for her and she had thrown it in his face, yes, the passion and energy in the room had probably fueled them more than ever, but it was something that Charlie would have endearing, only this was Isabella Luciano, someone whose emotions was probably all over the place and plus the drinking would not be helping at all. Just as he was about state another thing, he was interrupted when Sonny placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Mr. Pavanno, she was stating what she meant from the heart, right? She's selfish, right? Something that I doubt, Isabella Byrne, is not selfish. You don't know her like I do Mr. Pavanno and that is why you cannot see it, but I do. You said for me to make my own decision, right? Well, Charles, my decision was made the moment you took me in, you remember the words I told you?"

Charlie nodded, remembering the words clear as day, the words that were like daggers in his heart right now. The words were coming back to him like he had been punched in the face and flashes came to him, he looked to Sonny with wide eyes, before his hand reached out for the beer and Charlie gripped it, looking at him for reassurance, before Sonny simply smiled at him and took his beer, drinking it calmly, staring down Isabella...

"Shall we begin?"

The words that Charlie dreaded had come from Sonny, he looked between the two and could not help but wonder, had he failed already? To protect the boy from this world. Yet he had a feeling that protecting the boy was not going to be the case, it was a matter of lessening the damage that the boy would no doubt cause...

Bella grit her teeth as Charlie called her temper out in front of the boy.   She was sincerely getting tired of people throwing her temper in her face, especially when she was perfectly calm, God damn it!  Who the fuck did he think he was anyway?  The little shit... she hoped all of this was some act, meant to compliment her own to push Sonny in a good direction.  

If it's not, so help me I'm going to put my foot up your ass Charlie Pavanno!

When Sonny came round and stuck up for her, Bella softened and her anger lessened a great deal.  When he asked if they were to begin, Bella nodded.

"Step one,"  She spoke in a cool tone, "You need to deal with whatever you ran from back home.  Now, if you bugged out trying to come find your father, I assume you found what you were looking for in that department and I'm sorry... but you probably have people back in Sicily who are worried sick about you.  Those people may not mean much in your head right now, but whether you love them or not, those people have a very long reach and it will one day help or hinder you.  A man protects and cares for his family... it's time to face the mess you made.  You need to go home and set things to right because while you can get a job with any two-bit thug on the streets, you'll never be made in this thing of ours so long as your family in the Old Country is set against it."

"Step two,"  She cut off his protests, "You return here as a man of means and integrity.  You stand on your own feet as a man of honor, a man with a legacy on his shoulders... and something to prove.  There's not a Don in the damn world that wouldn't take a Soldato like that, but it's my hope you'll come back to Race Street and one of the families here.  We'll set you up right and, provided you do what I asked of you, I'll sign over the businesses and bank accounts that once belonged to Lucky Lucy to you... as her new and rightful heir."

"The rest, after that, is up to you... but I'm not crossing the DiCaprio family and if it means making sure you got a good start in this thing of ours, I will personally write to every Don in the United States to let them know who you are and that your family is looking for you.  There's not a single Don on these shores that would take you in for risk of pissing off the families in the Old Country."

"So... if you want to make a real go of it, it's time to go back and get the blessing of your blood kin.  Let them see that a boy ran away from them, but a man came home in his place.  The son of Frank DiCaprio has no reason to hide his face and you shouldn't.  Not ever... but you can't stand tall until you do right by your blood.  Now, if there's trouble back home I don't know about... I'm now in the position to help you.  And I will.  Guns, money, soldato... but you gotta be willing to tell me what happened.  Are you willing to have that talk?"

Sonny looked at Charlie for a second, noticing that he was looking at him with barely hidden concern. He knew what the Cat man had wanted for him, but perhaps he needed to realize that he was not a carbon copy of him. He could not make his own choices without being influenced, he had enough experience with the bastards in Detroit that had wanted to use him for his name and from there, he had no idea what use the gang would have for him, perhaps he would have ended up dead. 

He leaned forward as Isabella spoke with her cool tone, although if he was not mistaken, he could tell that she wanted to beat the utter shite out of his guardian. He sighed, although once he defended her and told Charlie that he did not know Isabella as well as himself, she softened and became somewhat kinder. Although she still maintained the cold stance, perhaps she did not want to allow too much of her caring nature to show, either way, he was happy that she had somewhat lessened her attitude. 

"Do I really have to tell you? What I ran from, well it needn't be discussed with so many ears around us, perhaps in another space, where even the walls don't have ears. Otherwise, I would be broadcasting something that I do not wish to allow out into the public. You taught me many things Isabella and indiscretion were among one of the lessons that I needed to learn."

Sonny sipped his beer once again, oddly enjoying the taste, not wanting to inform Charlie or Isabella that his drinking had actually begun a couple of months ago when he was still with the Potts gang and even then, well he never had that much experience with drinking beer and found the taste to be shite, but he warmed up to it. 

"I understand what you are saying, Isabella, The legacy that you refer to, It's my goal to do it justice and hope that I can make the correct choices with the certain people that I meet, no doubt that I have to make them see me as a man of honor, a man of justice, a man like them, correct? Me coming back to work with Race Street, well it's a possibility that I believe I will like working for in the future."

He heard the next words, the word that washed over him like an ice bath. To his very core, the word heir. The word that he had never thought to hear from Isabella, it was true, he was the next in line. He looked to Charlie, who leaned back, letting him handle the situation as he had deemed himself responsible enough to deal with it.

"Heir? Isabella, wow. I never suspected hear that word from you. It seems like this day is full of surprises."

He leaned forward, hearing what Isabella said next, he went pale, almost like he was afraid of something, but he armed himself, the paleness quickly going away and his eyes holding fake amusement, trying to put some humor into the situation. 

"Isabella, as I stated before, such things should not be discussed with the walls having ears. Perhaps another time?"

It was clear that he was not asking, but he was telling her another time, perhaps he did not want to discuss with Charlie next to him, or the comers and goers of the East Cat Cellar, either way, Sonny was nervous and not ready to discuss what made him run away from home with Isabella, but it was either that she forced hm or either convinced him to talk.

Bella smiled at the boy, allowing herself to show a little pride in him.  

"You're a good," she nearly said kid as she usually did when complimenting him.  "... guy, Santino."  she nodded, satisfied with the word she settled on.

"Now speaking of privacy, Charlie and I need to discuss our business.  If you don't mind, why don't you enjoy that beer over at the seat you were sitting at and let him and I have word privately.  This place is owned by Godfather Mezzo and is full of our people... you're among friends here so take a load off... okay?"

She glanced at Charlie and then looked back to Sonny.

"If you're going to be in town a while before we send you back to Sicily, if you'd like, maybe you'd join my family for dinner at some point?  I'm not a great cook but I've had worse."  She actually smiled at Santino this time.

Charlie noticed her falter and he could not help but smirk, noticing what she wanted to say and simply leaned back, drinking his lukewarm coffee. He only stopped once she had mentioned him, clearly wanting a private conversation and he braced himself, knowing that he was going to get chewed out, or better yet, killed in front of their own guys, but either way, he was going to be facing a dragon. 

Sonny looked between them and noticed that they were clearly angry with one another, or their emotions were running high, it was clear that this was going to be about him, he was kinda smirking on the inside, considering that it showed they cared for him or the fact that Isabella was pissed at Charlie for disobeying their orders.

"Understood Isabella, I shall be with Al at the bar, perhaps buy a nice steak or something?"

Sonny looked at Charlie, holding out his hand, waiting for the cash with an arched eyebrow, Charlie had snorted before giving him a fifty and telling him to get. Sonny had quickly scattered, not wanting to be stuck between a Cat and a Dragon, he had a feeling that this little meeting would not be the kind of meeting that ended with a party and beers for everyone.

"Well thanks for the cash Mr. Pavanno, may God have mercy on your soul!"

Charlie looked back to Isabella with a smirk, almost like he was sizing her up, but then his smirk turned mocking and his stormy grey eyes held nothing, almost like he had willed himself to appear sardonic. 

"Mrs. Byrne, what is it that you want? I did my job and the bonus. What else do you need?"

He asked bluntly, wanting to get to the root of the problem that he perceived to be Sonny. 

"You can cut with the Mrs. Byrne bullshit, Charlie."  she took a sip of her gin.  "Gavin had nothing to do with this - a fact he's not likely to thank me for.  Look, you may think I was trying to protect my way of life by keeping that boy a secret, but believe it or not there were other factors.  I was hoping he'd stay the hell out of this life until he had a few more years on him and I had hoped I could avoid telling Gavin that I made YET ANOTHER incorrect assumption about the sort of man he was early on in our relationship."

She sighed.  

"Thankfully this is, so far as I can recall, the last of those.  After this any stupid mistakes I make should be the run of the mill ones."  she shook her head.  

"As for what else I need..."  She looked towards Santino and watched him for a few moments, feeling an urge to go talk to him... to hug the kid and say she was sorry.  She repressed the urge, it wasn't a look the boy needed in front of a bar full of gangsters, nor her.  Bad enough they all knew she had a kid to worry about now and more than a few people felt women with children had no place in this life.  That her place was at home now... and there was some truth to that, even if she didn't want to admit it.

She looked back to Charlie, "The DiCaprio's are out of power in Sicily."  She spoke soft for Charlie's ears alone.  "What I caught wind of when the boy was with us in Detroit was that there had been some sort of disagreement that ended with the DiCaprio family on the losing side of things.  I'm guessing the boy fled just before it happened or just as it started using the chaos as cover for his departure.  When he finds out how bad the losses are... the kid is going to have a rough go of things."

She shook her head.  "The Messina family has thrown in with them and I hear the conflict is far from over.  I don't know how familiar you are with things back in Sicily but these grudges can go on for generations.  This is far above the kid's paygrade.  He can't handle this shit alone.  He's going to need help."

She lowered her voice, "I have two plane tickets in a drawer at home right now.  It was a gift from William_Bowden to my and Gavin's wedding.  I can transfer them into the kid's name... and whoever the hell might be stupid enough to go with him into that war zone to settle his family affairs.  The question is, am I reading this situation correctly?  Are you actually taking the boy under your wing or was this just about forcing him and I to sit down together again?  Which, just to be crystal clear, I equal parts love and hate you for... even before you tell me about what the hell he's been doing all this time."

"In no way am I going to be allowing him to work into a warzone alone, he may have only known me a couple of weeks, but I intend to protect where others have failed him, I am not saying that you failed, I am saying that he has been deceived more times than I can count and his time with Potts, well, let's just say that his aim is not off. I didn't want him here! He insisted to see you and I hoped that you would make him steer clear of it, not give him a fucking beer and chat like he was one of us!"

Charlie breathed through his nostrils, wanting to calm himself down, knowing that getting angry was not going to be the matter to solve things and there was the matter of respect with Race Street Company. He sighed, allowing himself to lean back into his seat, watching Isabella with soft eyes. Knowing that in a way, she tried to deter him, but whatever this was now, he was involved and was going to be finding out about his family. 

"His family is out of power? You are sending him unprotected and his family has no pull? Of course, he's not going to be alone, heck, I signed up to go the moment I heard he had to go back. Is there anything you can tell me? Family allies? Safehouses? Places that are neutral, I need all the information on what is going on in the Old Country. Cause if a single hair is even moved by the slightest of breezes, then there are going to be more bodies than ever decorating the streets of Sicily."

Charlie spoke with a deathly quiet tone before he heard Isabella speak of The Messina family. He sighed before hearing the rest and being glad that the DiCaprio Family had an ally back home that could at least provide some form of help in whatever way possible when they arrive there. He knew they needed some form of help back home, also, he was sure that he had some family out there that could help in some way. 

He nodded, understanding what was to happen. He listened to Isabella, knowing that he was going to be the one that settled the family affairs, hoping to place some stability back into the possibly chaotic family. Only then he noticed the change in Isabella's voice when she mentioned the situation that was happening between himself and Sonny, he shrugged, looking at her fully, wanting to give her the best answer he could. 

"You would be right, I am taking Sonny under my wing. I wanted him to have a chance, to still have that chance, to get away from this and not have the hanging fate of an entire heirdom. He doesn't it, yet, I am not going to force him into choices or influence them. He makes his choices and he is going to deal with 'em, but I will help him every step of the way. I guess you can say that I am going to be helping him out with whatever he needs."

Charlie leaned forward, finishing off his coffee, before looking off to Sonny, his eyes locked in a memory of some kind before he spoke in a soft whisper. 

"I told you once before Isabella, he wanted to come here himself, he wanted to see the person that he admires so much. You know? It kinda pains and warms me to see you have such influence over the boy, after all this time, he still has such unbreaking faith to you, like a Vassal..."

Bella sighed.  "That's exactly what I don't want for the kid.  I have enough goombas to do what needs done on any given day and I'm sure as fuck not turning the boy into one just so he can be gunned down in the streets before his time.  I don't want him to be the tragic son of a tragic man, dead before he's seen forty... the least I can do for Lucy after fucking her legacy is see that this kid gets where he's going in life.  That begins with that kid going home to settle old accounts, to take back what's his and to make something of himself.  I didn't know it for sure back when I took him in, but seeing him now, well... there's no doubt in my mind that he's the boy.  He's Frank and Lucy's son, Tony DiCaprio must have taken the boy back to Italy before meeting up with Frankie Messina.  It's the only thing that makes any sense at all."

She shook her head.

"Well, with any luck at all, the next war or two will come and go here in the States before he returns.  And, ideally, Race Street Company will still be standing when that happens,  if not... well, at least he won't die following me around like a devoted servant and I will have done one thing right by Lucky Lucy DiCaprio - saved her son."

She looked into her glass, "I'll find out what I can about what happened but they've been tight lipped as hell up until now, talking to non-family about family business isn't something any of them are known for.  The Old Country runs a much tighter ship than the families here in the states, it's a whole other world over there."

Her shoulders sank, "If my father were still alive... or Marie we'd have all the help in the world.  Her father is a Don over there which, if he's heard my Dad killed his daughter, I doubt he'll do anything to help me or anyone associated with me.  The whole matter is a fucking hot mess and I have no doubt that the Lucania and Luciano families are still trying to sort out the ramifications of my father's actions even now ... all of which doesn't help poor Santino one bit as the Lucania family are cousins of the Messina's who are the allies of the DiCaprio family who were allies of the Lucianos."

She chortled and looked to Charlie, "Maybe after he sees the knotted mess of bloodlines in the Old Country and how they do business, maybe he'll be ready for a life on the straight and narrow?  I mean, can you imagine the son of Frank DiCaprio and Lucky Lucy as an honest man... it sure as hell would be a sight to see."

Under the table she put a hand on Charlie's hand and pat it.

"I know you think I'm always ready to bite someone's head off... namely you Charlie, and maybe I have in the past, but you're a good guy.  I do respect you and I thank you for letting me see he's alive and well.  I know it doesn't make sense to you why I did what I did with Santino, and it might make you think I'm a terrible person... hell, maybe I am - but I hope you know it warms my heart to see him.  To know he's safe and that he's being looked after by a guy like you, it means the world to me."

Charlie looked away from Al and Sonny, knowing that if stuff came up, he would protect the kid like he was his own. He looked back to Isabella, hearing her talk with a calm tone, before he softened his own eyes, knowing that it would not be the best procedure to appear angry in front of the woman that had gifted with this job. He sighed, leaning forward, hearing what she said regarding Sonny and her plans for him. It was true, going home and settling old problems, disputes, or whatever needed to be sorted first. 

"Well, I'll make sure that the boy is as protected as can be over there. I am not going to let him walk into a place where he could die as soon as he steps a single foot on the soil.."

He listened regarding the things that could be happening, while he and Sonny are over there, he sighed, knowing that wars could happen with them out of reach. He continued to listen, knowing that her information could prove useful to him, but he was especially surprised regarding the Lucania and Luciano famillies, although considering that he knew little about the former Godmother of Chicago and Godfather of Detroit, his surprise was warranted. 

"So should I approach these famillies, should I get a feel for them? They wouldn't know about my association with you, I could use my former status with Marie to gain support from the Lucania Family, but also my former status with you regarding the Luciano Family. It would be risky, one that I am willing to take, one that can help me out."

He smiled once he heard of the honest man that Sonny could possibly be regarding his future with the mob, although what she stated was true, the stuff back home was incredibly different. Charlie had only gotten little things from his mother regarding his grandparents and even then, they were always coated in sugar to truly hide what it was like in the Mafia-Controlled country. 

"Well, that is the goal for him, but you do know, if he picks this life, there is nothing that we can do for him. He is going to become one of us, rise through the ranks and possibly be something better or hold onto the legacy that is his Father and Mother. Either way, at least he has that pillar of support there for him. He will need it; he is going to be tested in that country and as you said, he cannot be the boy who left, but the man who has risen in his place."

A small thought had come to Charlie regarding something when he had met with Adonis during his induction into their society, moments before, but still, it was nice; it rung deep within his mind and he knew that he would never forget it, something that continued to ring deeply within him. 

'Kill the boy Charles Peterson, let the man, Charlie Pavanno rise in his place.'

The thought regarding himself was something poetic in its own right because he knew that like Sonny, he was a runner and often ran when things got tough. Perhaps he saw some of himself in the DiCaprio, maybe that is what drew him? Either way, the choice was made and there was no stopping it.

Only then he felt Isabella softly pat his hand under the table and he looked at her curiously, wondering what brought that on. He tilted his head, waiting for the answer that she would no doubt give. Once again, she spoke of how her anger may have made people fear her, something that he was already used to, cause dear god, he still had flashbacks. Only then her tone had softened into an almost motherly tone as she spoke of Santino. 

"You're right, it does not make sense what you did with the boy, but I understand. Hey, what right do I have to think you a terrible person? None of us have the right to judge you on what you thought was the right choice, albeit others may have taken different ones. You know why I took the job? Yes, it was a personal favor but I think you just have that pull about you."

He leaned in, patting her hand in return as he spoke of what he meant by that. 

"You took me in and I ran from home, you took Santino in and he ran from home. I guess you just take strays, huh? Some of those strays turn out to be assets and I have no doubt that Santino will be one of those that you can call upon who will always be there to help you. So do not thank me, I did it for multiple, but I am glad you think me capable of taking care of him."

He said with a smile, before removing his hand and looking across the room to see Al and Sonny laughing like they were brothers.