Chapter 15
“I’m halfway through. It says this is the first of the series. Can you ask Colin if I could borrow the rest of them?” Donal begged. “I promise I won’t so much as turn down the corner of a page.”
“You can have your own books. We’ll get you a book reader and all of Colin’s books. I’ll open an account on Amazon for you. Vasily and Grigory have one. I must get one too. We can do it together. Vasily, Grigory, and Boris used Amazon to learn to read English once they started negotiations for my release from the gulag.”
“Gulag?” Donal cocked his head.
“Russian prison in Siberia…”
“You werea prisoner.” Donal was astonished. How could anyone imprison this wonderfully kind man?
“Yes, little mouse. As I told you, I too was a prisoner, a prisoner of my government for the crime of being gay. I can never go back.”
“Do you want to? Go back that is…” For some reason, the idea of Alexei going back to Russia left a sick feeling in his stomach.
“Not now, little mouse. I found you and you need me more than they do.”
“I feel like I’ve known you forever. Why are you being so good to me?” Donal needed to know.
Alexei put him off. “In time, you’ll know, all in good time…Dr. Artis says you no longer need the IV once this bag is done, but you must drink plenty of water. No soda or juice, just water this week with your antibiotics, food and vitamins.”
“Okay. Clean water is enough. Can I have it in a bottle? I always had to drink from a rusty tap.”
“You can have whatever you want,” Alexei said.
Donal was actually beginning to believe him.
* * * *
Somehow Grigory found the right coffeepot, K cups for the Alpha, and two cases of Fuji spring water for Donal. Everything was in place for Armand’s arrival at eight. They came in the door, and Sean said, “Excuse me, I’ll go upstairs and talk to Donal. He needs a friend.”
Alexei gave a sidelong glance to Armand. Armand nodded.
“Sean, the barber is coming at nine. He’ll want to wear his sweats. Let him.” Sean listened to Alexei, nodded, and stepped into the elevator
“I told him last night. He was furious and Sean doesn’t get angry. I’ve decided to call Don Ferone and have him cut Apuso away from his business interests and put him out on the street. I can’t hurt him like he hurt Donal, but I can make sure he stays on the street with no help forthcoming.”
“He won’t last a day,” Alexei said grimly.
Armand smiled, his eyes tinged red. “You’re right, he won’t.”
Armand picked up the house phone and dialed. “Don Ferone, please, Armand La Marche calling.”
“Mr. La Marche, I thought we concluded our business yesterday.”
“We did, but since Mr. Apuso is ruining your merchandise, I believe you should come over to Mr. Davidoff’s and see how it’s been handled.”
“I don’t have time to see to every street whore Apuso runs,” Don Ferone sneered dismissively.
“Indulge me, my friend, make time for this. I’ll make it worth your while the next time you need a favor.”
“I’ll hold you to that, within your stated limits,” Don Ferone agreed.
“Come to 57 East Sixty-Fourth Street. We’ll have coffee and French pastry.” Armand hung up satisfied that Ferone had taken the bait.
* * * *
Armand accompanied Alexei up the stairs. Laughter erupted from Alexei’s bedroom. He smiled. His little mouse was happy.
“Donal, you remember Armand, from yesterday.”
“Yes, Mr. La Marche, it’s nice to see you again.”
“You clean up well,” Armand noticed.
Donal blushed.
Armand sat on a chair next to Sean. “Don Ferone is coming, I want…”
“No, no…you promised.” Donal scrambled to the corner of the bed
Sean used his Voice. “Easy, be calm my friend. In this house, no one, not even Don Ferone, can hurt you. My Armand is head of Garou Industries, the largest privately held corporation in the world. Alexei is one of his officers. Don Ferone won’t cross him. This is for the others you left behind. For them, you must show Don Ferone your scars.”
Donal calmed and nodded. “I’ll do it for the others. I don’t have to go back?”
Alexei grabbed his hand. “No one will take you away from me, this I swear to you on the blood of my brethren.”
“I’m sorry. I’m trying to believe you, it’s just I’m so scared.” Donal hiccupped on a sob.