Chapter 24
“He runs some small-time drug dealers on Staten Island. He doesn’t know Donal’s name, and none of the boys are talking, but someone needs to tell Don Ferone.”
“We’ll take care of that. Thank you, Julio. When you want to go to school, let me know. I’ll pay for school and your living expenses. After you finish, I’ll buy you the ritziest salon in Manhattan. Donal is precious to me and that’s twice you have gone out of your way to help him,” Alexei promised.
Julio’s eyes popped. “Boy, do you have juice, Donal. Don’t worry, Mr. Davidoff. Donal isn’t the type to take advantage. He only took from me when I forced him to do it. I couldn’t stand to see him after that bastard got through with him.”
“I know Donal isn’t like that. He’s very honest and thinks too little of himself.”
“You know him well already.” Julio regarded Alexei with sharp, appraising eyes.
Donal found his voice. “Can we make you some lunch, Julio?”
“Maybe, next time. I’ve got a customer a few blocks from here, and I got to leave or I’ll be late. He’s nasty but a big tipper.” Julio ran his hand over his Mohawk which today was electric blue.
“Whenever, you’re ready, Mr. Reyes. I meant every word I said,” Alexei reiterated, his voice firm.
“I’ll get to it soon. I’ll start to look for where to apply. I want to go to the best school in the city. That’s why I’ve been saving for so long and studying on my own. I just got my GED a few months ago. It took me a while because I did it by myself.”
“Congratulations, as I said, I’ll pay whatever the cost for school and your living expenses.”
“All right, I’ll start asking around and tell you where I want to go. I promise I’ll think big.”
Alexei laughed. “You do that. Ernesto Apuso, you say? I’ll pass the information along to our security.”
“Kiss, kiss, Donal. I’ll be back to check on you.” Julio gave his little wave and hurried down the stairs.
“He is a good friend to you. I hope he takes my offer seriously.”
“Maybe I ought to leave. I’m bringing you more problems. You’ve had enough trouble. You don’t need more.” Donal was apparently torn.
“This has nothing to do with you. Don Ferone did what he thought he had to do and now we’ll tell him the consequences. It’s his mess to clean up. In the meantime, we’ll be careful.” 5
Alexei’s townhouse
Tuesday afternoon, early evening
“Rene, is The Alpha in?” Vasily asked. “I have Alpha Davidoff for him.”
“Mate troubles again.” Rene sighed. “Every one of the Mates brought a unique set of challenges. Sean had The Alpha in the pit. I’ll tell him Alpha Davidoff is on the line.”
Vasily turned the phone over to Alexei, and after a few moments, Armand came on the line. “Yes, Alexei…”
“Alpha, Donal’s friend stopped by again.”
“The friend who told Rémy who he was?” Armand asked.
“Yes, that one, Julio Reyes. It seems Apuso had a brother. He’s a small-time drug dealer on Staten Island Julio said. Is that in New York?” Alexei tapped a pencil on the pad that covered his antique partner’s desk.
“Yes, one of the five boroughs. I gather the brother doesn’t want to take on Don Ferone so he’s looking for Donal.”
“Yes, Alpha. Julio says none of the boys are talking, but most of them are addicts. I don’t want Donal’s safety depending on how badly an addict needs a fix.” Alexei clenched his jaw.
“I’ll call Don Ferone. It’s to his benefit to know. If this Ernesto Apuso can’t find Donal, he might do something stupid and go after Don Ferone. This would not be in the best interests of Garou. We’ve reached an accommodation with Don Ferone. To do so again with someone new would be difficult and require extensive negotiations.”
“I’m sorry to bring such trouble to your door,” Alexei apologized.
“No, my friend, as Rene told Vasily, my Sean had me in the pit against La Farge until the gods stopped the fight. That was what set in motion the events that led to your ascension to the Chief Alpha of the Colorado territory. The gods always have something in mind and it’s up to us to figure it out.”
“Thank you, Alpha. It’s good to know you’re not upset with Donal. I must acknowledge I was concerned. In Russia there would be no such understanding.”
“Donal is a sweet boy who has been much abused. Now, when are we taking you and the boy shopping? That’s my favorite part of my Alphas finding mates, watching them squirm at the tailors.” Armand chuckled.