Omorphi (76 page)

“Let’s start with this. My dad doesn’t want Sophia freakin’ out on Christy. The paintings for the police are too important. I’ve spent the last hour trying to talk sense into her. Maybe she needs a word from you.”

“Jake.” He turned away from Christy and spoke softly. “I don’t know what to say.”

“How about Christy is way too fragile to deal with this right now. Wait until after he gives the paintings to the police.”

“Okay, will you tell—say that for me?”

“Sure. I may embellish. I may have to say that you’ll break both of her legs if she upsets him.”

“A little harsh, man.”

“Has to be. She’s not herself and kind of all over the map at the moment.”

“What then?”

“As I understand it, my dad is going to give Christy a call any moment now and ask if he and the general can drop by. I thought maybe I could bring Sophia by under the auspices of her wanting to make sure the general doesn’t do anything to upset him.”

“Okay,” Michael said warily.

“But that means that you gotta handle Christy. My dad thinks he won’t take the general’s sudden appearance well.”

“Okay,” Michael said warily again. “Do you want me to tell him?”

“Might go over better that way. Call my dad first.”

“Okay. When are you going to be here?”

“Let’s touch base in an hour. Do you think that’ll give you enough time to handle Christy?”

“No freakin’ idea.”

“Best efforts, bro. One way or another, this is going down.”

“Got it.” Michael hung up and dialed Nero. “Hi,” he said solemnly, not daring to let Christy know to whom he spoke.

“
Ciao
, Michael. You spoke with Jacob or you wouldn’t be calling.”

“Yep. Give me an hour.”

“
Va bene
.”

Michael hung up, and Christy’s eyes narrowed on him, suspicious. “What is happening?”

Michael met his eyes. “Come here.” Michael pulled him into a sitting position and held him close. He ran a hand down his ringlets and stroked his back in circles. Those useless circles intended to comfort, which did absolutely nothing but give him a tired arm. “A Greek general is here to see your paintings.” Christy tried to pull away, and Michael held fast. “I’ll be with you. Sophia drove up from the city, and she and Jake will be here with you too.”

Christy made an odd mewling sound that Michael had never heard before.

“Talk to me, babe. Tell me what’s wrong. I’m here for you.”

“Who is the general?” Christy sounded on the verge of a wail.

“Sotíras.”

Christy dug his fingers into Michael’s chest and gripped his skin painfully. “He can do nothing.”

“How do you know?”

“His superior is in the paintings.”

“W
HAT
do you mean, you know!” Michael yelled at Nero over the phone as he paced the room.

“General Sotíras is aware that his superior is involved in the crime. He has gone over his head to the government and commenced an investigation. This matter is a secret case for the government, Michael.”

“Can I tell Christy that?”

“Allow the general to tell him.”

“You have to give me something or Christy won’t see him.” Michael listened as Nero spoke in Greek to the general.

“Tell him, and tell him not to be afraid of Nicos.”

“Can he call him that?”

Nero sighed long and loud. “It would not be proper, Michael.”

“Screw proper, Mr. Santini! This is scaring the crap out of Christy!”

“
Va bene
, Nicos it is. We will see you in half an hour.”

“Forty-five minutes.” Michael hung up without waiting for Nero’s reply. He went to where Christy lay motionless, sightless, staring at nothing from beneath the safety of the duvet. Michael sat down next to him and rubbed his back. “Nicos, the general, knows that his boss is part of the problem. He’s gone over his head and started a government investigation. He can’t complete it without your help.”

Christy rolled onto his back and looked up at Michael. “I did not want my life to follow me here.”

Michael’s heart stretched in sympathy, a rubber band pulled too taut, threatening to snap. He traced Christy’s beautiful face with a gentle fingertip. “Our lives are with us wherever we go, Christy. It’s up to us to make the best of them. I’ll be at your side for as long as you want me, and I won’t let anything happen to you if I can help it. You know that.”

“I do not want them to take me back to Greece.”

“They won’t take you back to Greece. They can’t make you do anything. And if you decided to go back on your own, I’d go with you.”

Christy rolled his eyes. “Do not be stupid, Michael. You cannot give up your life for me.”

Michael met his eyes. He couldn’t give up his life for Christy, he knew that, but he could commit to help him any way that he could. “I wouldn’t be giving up my life if I were with you, Christy. I’d be gaining a new one. Don’t you understand that?”

A small smile tinkered at the edge of Christy’s lips. “You think so simply. Everything has a solution.”

Michael smiled down at him. If only that were true. “Let’s shower before they get here.”

C
HRISTY
had trouble deciding what to wear, and Michael decided for him. “We’re going to do the basic jeans and T-shirt. In fact, we’re going to do the Best of Bread T-shirt.” That earned him a smile from Christy.

“I must wear a suit to meet the general. I am the Castlios empire now.”

“Screw that. Even the Castlios empire gets to be casual every twice in a while. Pick your favorite underwear.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you to be able to say in your head ‘I’ve got the prettiest power panties in the world on, and I don’t care what you think.’”

Christy laughed softly. “I am to combat authority with silk and lace?”

“Very powerful stuff.”

J
AKE
called Michael at the appointed one-hour mark. “We’re almost there. You good to go?”

“Christy is doing better than good.”

“Good to hear. Sophia’s calmed down, but I don’t know how long it will last.”

“Got it. How long until you’re here?”

“Pulling into the parking lot now.”

A
KNOCK
sounded at the door, and Michael rose from the couch.

“I will get it,” Christy insisted.

Michael motioned him forward, and he stood on tiptoe to check the peephole. “Sophia is here?”

Michael frowned. “I told you she came up from the city.”

“I forgot. I have the small blank space in the mind.”

“Don’t worry about it. You might have a few blank spaces after this meeting. It’s understandable, and it’s okay.”

Christy’s hand gripped the door handle like a vice. “I cannot make mistakes when I speak with the general.”

Michael put his arms around Christy from behind. “Yes, you can. This is an informal meeting to see your paintings, nothing more.” He kissed the side of his head as Sophia knocked on the door again. “Let her in before she breaks it down.”

C
HRISTY
opened the door, and Sophia stood there. They faced each other for an inordinately long moment. It was clear that Sophia was trying to process her new perspective of Christy.

“Come in,” Michael said softly as he guided Sophia into the room. Jake followed and cuffed Michael’s shoulder lightly. Christy and Sophia went to the couch and began to natter in Greek, and he turned to Jake. “Lookin’ a little worse for wear, bro.”

Jake only shook his head. “This family history beats all,” he said softly.

“What happened?”

“Her aunt wouldn’t tell her everything. She’s trying to piece it together. That’s part of what has her so upset.”

“Why didn’t she tell her everything?”

“No idea. We’ll deal with it after the general leaves.”

Michael made to close the door and then saw Rob. He strode down the path toward them with a tray of refreshments in his hands. Michael hadn’t thought to call him and was thankful someone had the presence of mind to do so. “Hey,” he greeted.

“Hi, Michael, how’s Christy?”

“Good. Little sketchy with the blank spots in his mind and worried he won’t be accurate for the general, but he’s handling it.”

“This isn’t an interrogation. Does he know that?”

“I told him that. He’s doing okay. Just scared.”

“Understandable.” Rob carried the tray to the coffee table and set it down. “Tea, Christy?”

“Yes, please.”

“Sophia?”

“Red wine.”

Rob saw her seriousness and asked no questions. He went to the new kitchen phone and made a call.

Michael turned back to Jake and spoke quietly. “I don’t know if Christy can handle it. The fear of seeing the general already has him having blank spots in his memory.”

“What do you mean?”

“When he gets scared and goes to that faraway place, he loses time and memory. It’s, I don’t know, I think it’s some sort of self-defense mechanism. I don’t want him catatonic again, Jake.”

“My dad got Sophia to agree not to say anything until after the general leaves. My mom is on the way here to help with her.”

“Your mom?”

“I called her. She’s good with upset women.”

Michael rubbed his forehead. “I don’t want this to go bad, Jake. Christy could end up a permanent mess.”

“I understand, man, but you gotta look at it like this. This confrontation is going to happen whether we like it or not, and it’s better if it happens when we’re with them. Keep in mind, the prosecution is only going to be more confrontational. Christy is going to have to learn to deal with it.”

Michael swore a low oath and shook his head, and Jake put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’ll be okay, Michael.”

That made Michael smile. “Thanks.”

The cabin door opened without a knock, and one of the kitchen staff entered with a tray containing a bottle of wine, wine glasses, and some cheese and melon slices. Anna followed right behind him. “Jacob.”

“Mama.” He kissed her cheeks. “Thanks for coming. Did you talk to Papa?”

She glanced at Sophia and Christy and spoke in quiet Italian. Jake kept nodding his approval. Christy suddenly appeared at Michael’s side. “It is good to see you,
Kyria
Santini.” He kissed the back of her hand. “Forgive me, but why are you here?”

The question surprised her, but she rallied gracefully. “
Ciao
, Christy.” She kissed his cheeks. “I cannot leave my Nero to meet with a general without me at his side. It would not be proper. Do you mind that I am here?”

Christy frowned but shook his head. “No. This is okay.” He glanced up at Michael.

Michael shrugged. “I don’t get the whole European thing. You’ll have to explain it to me sometime.”

A small smile flickered on Christy’s lips and faded. “I will do this.”

“Mama, it is good to see you again.” Sophia approached and kissed her cheeks. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

“No, thank you,
figlia
. Shall we sit for a few moments before the men arrive?”

Christy said a few words in Greek, and Sophia led Anna over to meet Rob.

“You okay?” Michael asked.

Christy nodded. “I did not expect so many people for one meeting.”

Michael smiled what he hoped was a reassuring smile and one-arm hugged him. “We’re all here for you, babe.”

“Jacob, Sophia is upset, but she will not say anything to me. Why is she upset?”

Michael froze, and Jake gave Christy a long, considering look. “You promise not to freak out if I tell you?”

Michael’s nervous system shot skyward. He’d never forgive Jake if he shocked Christy with the news of having a sister.

Christy nodded.

“And you promise not to tell her I told you?”

Christy nodded again.

“Okay. She hates the idea of the general coming here to talk to you. I told her she was treating you like a baby, and you’re a guy, you can handle it. You have it under control.”

Christy’s eyes went wide. “You said this?”

“I did. At some point, even though you’ve been through a lot, she’s going to have to accept that you’re okay, that you have your own life and gig going on, and you can handle whatever it takes to deal with the bastards who hurt you. She has to stop babying you.”

Michael wanted to kiss Jake.

Christy nodded. “This is very good. I can do this.”

“That’s what I told her.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem, little buddy.”

“Okay, I will help her understand this.” He walked back to the couch, sat next to her, and began to speak in soft, insistent Greek syllables.

“I could kiss you,” Michael said quietly.

Jake smiled. “You give him control, and it works. I gave him control, let’s just hope it works.”

“I love you, man.”

“Always here for you, bro.”

T
HEY
sat pensive, nibbling on cheese, crackers, and fruit as they waited for Nero and the general to arrive. They tried light conversation, and that didn’t work. Michael’s nervous system was as taut as a violin string, and he couldn’t sit around watching everyone pretend there wasn’t an elephant of monumental proportions in the room. He turned to Christy and struck up a conversation with purpose. “Who do you want to go up to the loft with you when the general gets here?”

“You and
Kýrios
Santini.”

“I wish to be there.”

Christy clucked his disapproval. “I will be okay, Sophia.”

“Then you must have Rob with you.”

Rob shook his head. “Christy can call over the loft railing if he needs one of us.”

Christy met Rob’s eyes. “Thank you, Rob.”

“You’re welcome. I think you’ll do fine.”

Sophia huffed, and Anna gave her a pointed look. She turned away, swallowing her concern with discomfort.

A knock sounded at the door, and nearly everyone stood to answer it. “Christy’s got it. Sit down, everyone,” Michael said quickly.

Christy went to the door while everyone looked on with concerned eyes. He stood on tiptoe, checked the peephole, and took a moment to muster his courage before opening the door. He bowed briefly and greeted General Sotíras and Nero formally.