"Are you SURE you want to do this?  We just got off the plane from one trip... taking another right away seems like a lot."  Bella asked Aurora petting her hair, occasionally looking at her still bandaged hands.

"It'll be a short visit.  Two days.  Tops."  Aurora said giving her mother and then Gavin a hug.  "I just... miss him.  Plus it'll be good for him too, I'm sure."

Bella sighed.  "Call us when you get there, okay?  Neil will stay a hotel until you're ready to leave we'll discuss the future of your protection detail some more when you get back."

"Thanks, Mom."  She looked over to William in the back seat of the car and smiled.  Will gave her a nod and a smile.  Will alone knew her motives for going and while he supported her in wanting to talk to SOMEONE about what had happened... he wished she'd chosen Bella or Gavin instead of her birth Father Sal_Luciano.  Still, someone was better than no one, right?

Aurora got on board the plane.  Bella and Gavin watched the private plane taxi down the runway and lift into the air.  It was at this point that Kalinic found them.

"Don Byrne.  Gavin.  Welcome back to the States!"  

"That was fast."  Gavin muttered. 

Bella nudged him as she turned to smile at the Godfather LouisMezzo's number one guy.

"Thank you, so much," Bella remarked.  "How are things?"

"Well," The loyal bodyguard began, "That's the thing.  The boss needs to see you right away."

Bella sighed and glanced to Gavin, knowing this had to be about the ADA.  Gavin looked to Linval and gave the order, "Take Will and our stuff home.  We'll be there as soon as we can."

Bella trotted over and gave Will a kiss on his still bruised and cut up face.  "Be good.  No sneaking out or fights... you hear me?"

Will chuckled.  "Yes, Ma'am."

"We'll see you later tonight.  Maybe we'll play some poker."  Gavin remarked to Will. 

William brightened.  "I'd like that!"

The Wolf wrapped his arm around Bella's waist and the two followed Kalinic back to his car and the bodyguard drove them directly to Louis' office without delay.

Louis sat talking to Mildred about the incoming shipments of cars he needed to move on when Isabella-Luciano walked in with Kalinic.  They both walked into his office and sat down.  Louis looked at the list, seven Austins, three Renaults and two Rolls Royces.

“Three of those are actually going back to New York.  Arrange to have one dropped off at Heston’s place in Manhattan…”

He glanced in to the office again.

“…in fact, take Gavroche and the pair of you go down to the docks and see if there’s anything extra we can make use of.”

Louis stood up and walked into the office keeping an eye on Mildred making sure she left the office.  He kissed Bella on the cheek as she stood up.

“You go wait at the doors and make sure we are totally undisturbed.”

Kalinic stood up silently and walked along picking an apple off one of the secretary’s desks.  Louis sighed, why couldn’t he bring his own food into work.  He grabbed a cup of coffee from his desk and sat down opposite Bella.

“We have a…situation…”

He stood up and grabbed a couple of reports that sat on his desk.

“…drug front…raided.  Chop shop…raided.  Betting front…raided.  Gavroche, Joey, Betsy, Pepe…arrested, arrested, arrested, arrested.”

He put the reports on the table in front of Bella and sat down.

“Three raids and some of our best guys spending some time in jail.  Nothing from Parrish and all happening within hours of you leaving to go on your trip.  I don’t believe in coincidences but it’s been hard to believe otherwise while you’ve been away.”

He leaned back..

“Sorry….how was the trip and how are Tara and Gavin keeping?”

Gavin had to yet to return to duty and thusly not privy to The Family's business, was asked to wait in the lobby and he did.  Though Bella could feel his eyes follow her up to Louis' office... he wanted to be with her.  He KNEW what she might face.

Bella greeted Louis and watched as he cleared everyone out of the room for them to speak alone. 

Bella winced at hearing about the ramifications of Parrish's death.  She knew there was no way to make this good... and Gavin's noble desire to be forthright was only going to make shit worse for her personally. 

She wanted to tell LouisMezzo the truth - that her father Sal_Luciano had hit the ADA.  Sal fucking deserved the headache for, once again, getting involved in her life when she didn't ask him to.  It would serve him right to have Louis and probably even Constance reaching to Seattle to smack her father's fingers for messing in Philly affairs. 

Instead, Gavin would likely take the burnt of Louis' annoyance ... or maybe she would for putting Gavin in the position to feel so angry.  She hated bringing pain on the person she loved most in all the world, but Gavin would be insufferable if she didn't do things his way on something as important as this.  The truth was the only way Gavin knew forward in life, and while he hadn't done the deed, he had intended to.  Sal had just beat him to the punch.

Bella looked at the reports and nodded.  She then put them back down in front of Louis.  "Tara is well.  Had a good visit with the kids while Gavin and I worked out some personal issues..."

She lowered her head, "I haven't been fully honest about why we left.  I was ... embarrassed to admit it, but now that matters are settled I feel I owe you an explanation as it pertains to business as much as has to do with The Family and my family."

She looked up and met his eyes.

"Gavin and I... we've had some... problems."  She said problems with significance.  She watched Louis' demeanor change slightly and she smiled at his warmth and humanity.  He was a tough businessman but he truly cared about the Byrnes.

"I didn't realize how serious they were until one night, we were dancing around the topic of separation.  It was then I booked the vacation.  I knew I had to do whatever it took to work things out or... make sure that our split didn't hurt Race Street operations.  I am happy to report that Gavin and I are back on track and Gavin is returning to work for The Family - though not on the level he was before.  I think we can both acknowledge without vanity that we're not as young as we used to be.  Still, he's not without skills we can use and we think the kids are old enough now that, they don't need a parent on duty full time.  It's very possible that we may send both children away to school.  Probably safer for them, I suppose, in the event of unexpected conflicts."

"This," She motioned to the pile of reports, "... is collateral damage."

She sighed.

"You remember when you asked me to bring Parrish into the fold?  I got chummy with him... he took it too far."  She looked away from Louis, unable to meet his eyes... ashamed. 

"He wanted me."  She admitted quietly.

"Worse... I was enjoying the attention,"  Her eyes snapped up to meet Louis' quickly as she attempted to keep him from thinking she'd done something unspeakable to Gavin, "But I swear nothing happened...it's just... I couldn't figure out how to brush him off without fucking up our hold on the DA's office."

She shook her head.

"Gavin found out about Parrish's infatuation with me & his refusal to take a hint."  She wet her lips.  "I didn't know anything had happened to Parrish until we were in Ireland and nearly ready to return."

She looked down again.  

"They won't find the body, but I'll need to get us a new ADA."

She braced herself for what might come next.

Bella’s explanation for the trip away was obviously killing her.  The Byrnes were the closest he had to family now and if they were hurting it didn’t sit well with him.

“Parrish is fine.  Don’t worry about it, it’s the lack of heads up that I worried about.  You know yourself how hard it is to deal with surprises.”

Louis stood up, grabbed a couple of glasses and the bottle of Gato whisky putting one in front of Isabella-Luciano.  He poured a small amount in both and sat down.

“Talking about the benefit of being forewarned, we have a little bit of another situation that’s developed.  Gabe Vitale is…gone.  Was there anything untoward with Aurora before you left?  Was she alright while she was away?”

Louis hadn’t seen her in a while since Gavin had gone and was pretty much clueless about the development of girls into confident young women.

“Gabe authorised a situation that inadvertently put Aurora in harm’s way.  How much have you got on top of business since you got back?  Very little I imagine.  You’re going to find yourself down a goomba.  Young Russo was killed on Gabe’s orders.  He was out with Aurora, things got out of hand.  Basically, she’s killed one of Gabe’s guys in the stramash.”

He took a sip of the whisky.

“I’m not concerned by Vitale.  Other than some occasionally good numbers, he was like a fucking deadweight.  It’s the lack of discipline.  Parrish, no warning.  Russo, no warning.  You have your reasons for not saying anything and I get that but we’re not going to progress if we keep fucking things up.  In future you can tell me anything, you’re not some helpless broad who needs protected but this only works if we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.  I want you to make sure Aurora is ok.  Bring her in, we can all have a chat if you want.  Bring Gavin in if you have to.”

She stammered, trying to get her bearings, "Aurora was with Russo... wait... he's dead?  Aurora did ... WHAT?"

Isabella sat stunned.  Then she picked up the whiskey and without thinking about what it was, downed it.  Her coughing brought her back to her senses.

"I put Aurora on a plane to go see Salvatore in Seattle just an hour ago." 

She caught her breath. 

"I knew something was wrong.  She got ... mixed up with some IRA boys in Ireland.  Apparently, she almost beat one to death, luckily Tara was there to sort the whole thing out while Gavin and I were off working things out."

She sighed.

"I just... wish she'd be more open with me about these things.  God, maybe that's why..."  Bella internalized a moment and then met Louis' eyes. 

"I'm so sorry I've left you with this mess.  I truly had no idea that Parrish was going to end up dead or that Vitale had called a hit on Russo.  I knew Aurora had a crush on Russo but I hadn't thought things were serious.  She ditched her bodyguard and cut school the day before we left for Ireland... she must have been with Russo then."

She shook her head.

"Vitale is lucky I wasn't here to find out about this, he would still be alive but I can promise you he'd wish he wasn't."  She cursed softly under her breath in Italian.

"I'm struggling with the kids."  She admitted.  "Aurora is... distancing herself from me.  I guess it's natural.  I did the same thing with my mother, clashing with her over stupid things.  She wants to stretch her wings and maybe we're too protective of her, but it's hard not to be especially when shit like this happens to prove we're not unjustified in our concerns."

"If you want to talk to any of my kids... maybe it's William who could use the sit down with you more." She shakes her head.  "Gavin can't make heads or tails of him despite how alike they really are.  I know he feels like I'm too protective of him, but he's still so young and I'm just not ready to let him run amok on the streets like every other hood his age.  He's too fascinated with gambling and girls and he's far too young for either."

She shakes her head.

"Maybe it's me who's the problem?"  She arched an eyebrow.  "My kids are growing up and I can't let go.  Even Gavin is more willing to let loose the apron strings than I am."  

She rubbed her head as if she had a headache.

"I promise you - come what may - I'm going to shoot straight with you from here forward.  I just... didn't want to trouble you with my personal life.  You have more important shit to be focusing on than me trying to figure out how to raise to sane children to adulthood in this mess we call our business."  She forced a smile.

Louis laughed.

“Oh Vitale is gone.  I’m not taking any more half assed behaviour from people who should know better.  I have no issues with new guys getting to know the ropes and making rookie mistakes or even being led astray.  But my patience with those that are leading people astray is over.”

Louis refilled the glasses.

“What do you want to do about Aurora and Will, is there anything I can do to help?  We’ve both lost so much over time that neither of us want to be visiting the graves of these guys.  Boarding schools in the remotest parts of the Swiss Alps? "

This wasn’t a world to be mixed up in at that age, possibly at any age really but it was what they were.  Yes, it gave you an insight into human nature and it might help you spot a scam a mile off but at what cost.

“Do you think their descent into this is inevitable?”

"Aurora wants to take some test to enroll early at Vassar College.  My father has set up a trust and Tara has made a sizable donation.  I have no doubts she'll get in and she'll be away in New York after that point.  Only coming home for visits on the holidays I think."  She draws a breath and exhales slowly.  "I'm worried she's just got this life in her blood and there may be no escaping that, but William..."

She let her head fall side to side.  "He's still young.  He's not a street tough, he can take a beating but he can't dish it out yet, even his mouth suggests that he can.  The boy is as mouthy as Gavin ever was... and he has his father's talent for getting into trouble.  It seems to seek him out.  But he's got a good heart and a noble soul.  He's been reading a lot about US history and political bodies... Tara gave him this textbook, I don't know for sure if this is a passing fancy or not but he claims that one day he wants to be a lawyer and then a politician of all things!"  

She chuckled.

"Can you imagine?  Race Street Operations may one day be supporting a Byrne's campaign for office.  Wouldn't that be something?"  Bella softened.  "I think we'll be sending William to preparatory school.  Get him out of the city.  Get him out of the line of fire... make it so I and Gavin are free to be here fully for you and Race Street until whatever end comes for us.  So he and his sister aren't here when shit finally goes down so badly we don't walk out the other side of it."

It was a grim but realistic conversation, and no one knew that more than Louis who had lost his whole family to the mob life.

"I've taken most of our businesses legit on paper.  The lawyers and accountants I've hired say the government shouldn't be able to touch much.  Aurora and Will should be set up nicely.  Tara has already agreed to take guardianship if the worst happens before they are both of legal age.  We've made sure our desires are known.  In short... it's not really just Gavin who's back in this 110% Louis... it's me too.  I'm ready to do whatever we need to do to take this to the next level."

Louis smiled. He was happy it was going to be several years before young Byrnes were tearing through Philadelphia grabbing bulls by the horns whatever their chosen profession. 

“If Will has half of his father’s charm he will be unstoppable.”

He stood up and wandered slowly back and forth.  

“Bella, we need to talk...”

He looked over at Bella. Ever since day one in Philly she had been the one taking him under her wing when there was little to be gained, she had pretty much everything at that point. She had teased out his ambitions, helped him, berated him and encouraged him. She was the largest reason he was where he was. 

“We have influence and power in South Philly, beyond what I thought possible...beyond what I thought I would ever achieve. I know we’re shielded more and more by the legitimate businesses but I want to insulate the core group of interests we have a little more.  We have the unions, the entertainment businesses and I want to really get our teeth into the money side of the district. There’s too much flowing outside the family and I think that’s the piece we are missing. Your skills here are undoubted but I need someone I trust implicitly to be in charge of the money side. How do you fancy taking that on?  I could spare you my accountant to assist.”

Bella tilted her head to the side.  It sounded like he was asking her to take on task for Race Street as she'd done for her own personal businesses.

"Well... I... I could do it."  She admitted.  "But I'd need more than an accountant."  She chuckled.

"Cleaning up our operation's money is going to take a small army of associates to help us clean cash at the lowest levels.  We're talking vending machines, coin laundries... even running money across the borders to exchange it for goods and currency."

She drew a breath as the wheels in her head started to turn more, "Casinos would be a good investment.  We can convert a lot that way.  Massive cash amounts.  Loan operations too.  Like what Ligambi does up in Detroit though maybe not quite the same.  More so that we could clean the cash on books.  I'd need some trusted made men to help run that.  A handful at least."

She nodded, "For anything over 10K we're talking a bank operation.  Shit.  We'd need our own bank.  Do wire transfers with offshore operations.  I have a few people down in the islands.  I could send Gavin down to make the arrangements on my behalf while we take possession of a local trust company.  Of course, this isn't a small undertaking, you'd almost need a..."

She stopped midsentence and looked up to meet Louis' eyes.

"Are you asking me to..."  She swallowed.  "Louis, you're a smart young man.  You're good-hearted and ruthless when you need to be.  Your Grandfather would be infinitely proud of what you've done here.  I can't say enough good things about how you've pulled this operation through the toughest season it's ever seen.  I have gray hairs just thinking about the shit we've seen together but..."

She shook her head.

"I have some ... reservations about my skillset.  About my past, my short comings, and I don't want to let you down."

“Bella, your past is just that. Your work in Race Street has been exceptional for Jack, for Tara and now for me.  If we cut you, it’s the tarmac of Race Street that will flow out.   If you want a bank, we’ll get a bank...well we will get control of one they’re ten a penny since the Crash. I have no doubts about you and if truth be told I want you to stay here but there’s no one else I can trust to do anything like this.”

Louis walked across and put his arm round Bella’s shoulder. 

 “And if nothing else, this is the least I could do. You and Gavin are my family now whether you like it or not and ducking and diving for me should be for other people. Not a Byrne”

With a solemn nod, Bella rose from her seat.  "It's been our honor to serve Race Street and the Mezzo family.  Hell if you had a daughter, I'd be pushing Will to date her so we could be family in the old way too."

She chuckled.

"I won't let you down.  Come back carrying my shield or on it Boss.  You have my word."

With that, she gave Louis a kiss on both cheeks and began to go to work.