Dario
As I disembarked at the airport, I saw how much I hated this shitty country, it is very hot here, which made Valentine uncomfortable all the way to the hotel, I knew it would be hell, but I needed to come to this place even if I had to go through the torment of being in this land of half-breeds.
- Papa, can I take off my jacket? It's very hot, I'm also thirsty.
- Take it off, Valentine, it's only ten minutes until we get to the hotel, where you can drink water and take a bath to refresh yourself!
Caetano was looking at every point of the streets where we passed, observing all the way that the driver had sent to pick us up from the airport to the hotel. In Italy, it is very difficult because I am in great demand there, but here in Brazil I will have all the time in the world to be with my son. Saulo was on his cell phone from the time we left the plane, he seemed to be very happy with the boys' report.
- Great! I already know a way to approach her, keep looking after the future lady of the mafia, Lidia is very important to me, Igor.
He was talking to Igor who would soon replace his father as one of our soldiers, the boy has taken care and protected Lydia all these years doing an excellent job.
- How is the progress with your fiancée, Saul?
- It couldn't be better! Lidia is intelligent and studious, she is no longer that nerd, but a beautiful woman. Igor did a good job keeping all the vultures away from my wife, she is intact as she should be.
Suddenly I realized that my brother was worried, as if something wrong might impede his plans.
- The problem is: how to approach her? Igor mentioned that Lydia doesn't remember very well what happened years ago when we made the pact, and when she heard about our family she didn't show any adverse reaction so contrary to what we thought her cursed aunt never commented about us. But Igor said that Lidia has a certain aversion to Italians, as if her subconscious were warning her that something bad is coming from Italy.
My brother would certainly have a big problem ahead of him, after all, he would have to win Lidia over even though he knew she would have an aversion to him.
- Igor approached her because by a lucky twist of fate this young man is a soldier son of an Italian and a Brazilian. Being part Brazilian certainly made it easier for Igor to be close to her. My wife is studying to be a teacher, she loves children and is extremely polite and sweet, Lídia still carries the essence of the little girl that lived in our house years ago.
My brother looked at the cell phone screen showing me Lidia's picture with emotion, how could a man be in love with someone he hadn't seen in so many years? I know that I am no one to judge, after all I am crazy about a woman who has been dead for years, but even for this feeling that I have for Cecilia I cannot understand.
- She really is a very beautiful woman, what is the plan to have her?
- For her cousin, there's a very slutty cousin of hers that I've been talking to for a while, we're dating from a distance and the bitch is already going to introduce me to her family. She is full of herself for being with a rich and successful European, she wants to rub the whole family's face that she got someone in a better position than the rest of them. I know it's risky but it's the only way to be close to Lydia and in time I will win her over and make her remember how she was before everything I've done.
- Risky is an understatement, but if you want to go down that road, I won't be the one to stop you. It must work out, because if you don't marry Lydia, you will have problems!
Regardless of being my brother, Saul needs to fulfill his obligations as a member of the Mafia, I won't hold his head in shame just because he's my brother. We arrived at the hotel and were immediately welcomed by Bernardino's trusted soldier, a very serious man who informed us about the meeting that would take place at the company headquarters of his boss.
- Welcome to our country, we hope you have a pleasant stay! We are expecting you for the meeting at 2 pm, our driver knows the way and will take you, if you need anything, please let us know. My name is Sergio, if you need me, feel free to contact me.
The man who introduced himself as Sergio left leaving us in the presidential suite of the luxury hotel where we would be staying, Valentine went straight to the bathroom to take a shower and then went to rest, I asked Caetano to analyze the latest reports while Saul implemented some points of my presentation to the associates here in the country, besides Bernardino the meeting would be attended by several members of the mafia here in Brazil as well as his Colombian partner.
We decided to have a quick meal and then get ready for the meeting, Valentine would go with me, it would be good for him to understand the magnitude of the criminal empire that he will command as soon as the right moment arrives.
Bernardino's company is huge, worthy of a select member of the mafia. I had no doubt it would be so but I was certainly surprised when I saw it, we rode the elevator up to the meeting room as soon as we entered the room everyone was looking at us but there was no fear or any other feeling coming from those half-breeds towards me and my brother, it even seemed they had contempt for us. The feeling I had, even if they didn't want to show it, was that we were not welcome here as if our coming was something that bothered them.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Dario Albertini, it is an honor to welcome you to our country, I hope you are well accommodated in the hotel where you are staying!
- Thank you for the welcome, we are well accommodated, yes! Thank you.
Bernardino invited us to sit down observing our gestures carefully as if he wanted to discover something but soon began the meeting presenting the members of the mafia here in the country as well as which families they represented, then he began to present the profits and results and how they recovered the loss they had because of the damned Tolentino. What piqued my curiosity was the death of Gian Tolentino which to this day we haven't had many details about but I would take this opportunity to be here to ask.
- I see that the results and profits here are the best of all our contributors worldwide. I am very satisfied with everything that has been shown, but I would like to know more about the operation that took the Tolentinos out of Brazil for good?
At that moment, Bernardino seemed uncomfortable with the question as if everything that had happened was a closely guarded secret.
- It was very simple, Gian was vulnerable despite living in a fortress, it was easy to get in there and destroy everything and kill him!
- You should tell him about the black roses!
One of the members named Carvalho spoke up, receiving everyone's attention; it was impossible for Bernardino to hide his displeased expression.
- Black roses? Interesting, Bernardino! Tell me more about this story.
Even my son, who was distracted by a book he was reading, decided to pay attention to the Brazilian capo and his story.
- The black roses were the main responsible for the death of Gian Tolentino, they hatched a plan to enter the fortress to seduce the wretch and then kill him!
- How fascinating! Two women were responsible for wiping that worm off the face of the earth, this is very surprising. Even my son was interested in this story, but what happened to them?
The Colombian sitting on the first chair to the right of Bernardino decided to answer the question.
- They are mercenaries hired by me because at the time I lost a lot because of that unfortunate man, but the black roses have retired and returned to their country of origin, I am sorry to inform you that you will not be able to meet them.
I had the impression that the Colombian was lying, but why would he do that?
- Papa, I wanted to meet them! They are super heroines, aren't they?
My son's innocence would help me to understand what was really going on, the even veiled disdainful manner of the members at our presence, Bernardino uncomfortable telling a story, and the Colombian lying to me set off an internal alert.
- My son would love to meet them, you know how children are, they are amazed by any story they tell!
- I'm afraid that won't be possible, the black roses are not in the country and besides, they left the criminal world a long time ago and they don't want to come back.
I know professional killers and very few of them make it out of that life, so I know that Bernardino lies. To hide it or because he makes it a point not to comply with one of my wishes.
- Bernardino, I think you misunderstood me, but I will give you a discount for that, I don't care if these women are still in business or not, my son wants to meet them and so do I, so until I find a way to bring them to me I will not leave.
The expression of surprise from everyone in the room was very evident, I am Dario Albertini and no one goes against my wishes, the Colombian got up clearly annoyed with my insistence but only a look from Bernardino made him sit down.
- All right, Mr. Albertini! Since I insisted so much, I must inform you that the black roses are very important to me since one of them is my sister and the other is my wife, Camilo and I lied because we wanted to protect their integrity and keep their discretion before the whole family.
Bernardino's countenance hid much more than what he was saying, for lying to me I could very well pull off one of his fingers but since I know that would not be convenient I prefer to just see what he will do to redeem himself.
- I can understand the lie and for that reason alone I will not rip off one of his fingers but I hope he will do something to redeem himself with me, enjoy it, for I am in an excellent mood today!
Valentine looks at me as if he is impressed with the way I am handling the situation but I cannot let this go without doing something about it.
- Come to my house tonight, we will make a dinner in your honor so you can meet my wife and sister together with your son!
- Your proposal sounds very interesting, Bernardino, I will accept to dine with you and your family, it will be a real pleasure for me to be in such good company.
Bernardino just nodded in agreement but did not seem scared or afraid of my threat, I had a feeling that he knew this was all going to happen. What aroused in me a certain curiosity: why does Romeo Bernardino hide his sister and wife so diligently that he is even capable of lying to me? Who really are the black roses?