Chapter 100 Paying my Last Respect
Dante's POV
Wait. What?
I stared around at the different masked faces and guns.
This wasn't the reception I was expecting.
“Your hands in the air!” One of them yelled again.
Nico shifted closer to me and leaned towards my ear.
“What now?” He whispered?
I between their faces again, trying to hold myself from doing something stupid.
I leaned back towards him. “Just raise your hand, lure them in, and if they go too far, attack.”
Then I stepped forward with my hands raised.
“I come in peace, just a consolation visit!” I yelled as I drew nearer.
“Don't stop a foot closer!” One in front yelled.
I paused with my foot still in the air. “Okay, okay. Let's be reasonable here fellas,” I said with my arms still raised.
Then they began marching towards us slowly, still with their guns pointed at us.
I looked between them as they got closer.
“Let's not do something we'll regret,” I muttered when they went around me.
Another set circled Nico at the other side.
I watched carefully and as one approached me to grab me, I quickly grabbed his wrist, flicked it and spun him into a position where I had him held through his neck.
Nico did the same and I stepped back, putting space between us even though they kept their guns up.
“What is going on here?!” A voice yelled from behind them.
Then a man walked in through the midst of the men.
He looked particularly older than the rest, probably into his late forties or fifties and had an aura about him.
“Ask your men,” I immediately replied, assuming he was in charge.
“Mr. Russo, I apologize for the ill reception,” he remarked. “Men, stand down.”
At least he has some sense.
The men hesitated though, still keeping their guns up and alert at us.
“I said, stand down. Now!” He ordered again.
One of the men walked over to him and whispered something to him.
“Elder Luca isn't here to explain that to us and besides, his crowning hasn't been done yet. Stand down,” he said aloud.
Figures. Luca must have sent them.
The men reluctantly lowered their guns and stepped back.
“Mr. Russo, please,” the man remarked, gesturing to the guy in my hand.
I grimaced, then turned to Nico and nodded.
He let go of his man and I did the same, letting him scurry away.
“I sincerely apologize for that, Mr. Russo, these men tend to have one line of action per time,” the man said as I approached where he stood.
“They need to be trained better,” I remarked as he led me towards the entrance.
“Of course, I'll teach them some manners,” he replied.
“I mean in combat too,” I added and he smiled in return.
As we reached the door, some men stood to search us.
I stopped and stared at the man.
“I apologize again, but you know the times we are in. It's just for record purposes,” he said.
I lifted my hand and they searched me, and did the same to Nico too.
They pulled out my two handy guns which were the only weapons on me.
“You came prepared I see,” the man remarked.
I shrugged in response as they finished. Then I handed my hand out for my guns.
The man hesitated.
“Hand Mr Russo his tools, I'm sure he won't be causing any trouble here,” the man announced and my guns were handed back to me, so were Nico's to him.
We marched in afterwards.
“I came in regards to the unfortunate murder of the elder,” I started.
“That was no murder, that was filthy, outrageous, spiteful,” he corrected.
I nodded as we stopped at the reception counter.
“Mr. Russo, we meet again,” the annoying receptionist greeted with a broad smile. “Where's your charming lady?”
“Go to hell,” I replied bluntly.
The man did some clearings and led us past.
“That was rude,” he remarked as we walked by.
I shrugged. “How's the environment taking it?” I rather asked.
“You saw them on your way, right? They aren't taking it easy,” he finally said.
“Can I see what was left of him?” I asked carefully.
He took a deep breath. “You aren't supposed to be here, but I'll let you pay that final respect.”
He led us down the hallway and towards a room at the far corner.
He brought out a pair of keys and unlocked the door while looking around.
“Come in,” he called as he stepped in.
I walked in and Nico shut the door after himself.
There, on a slap, a burnt black figure laid still.
I approached the figure slowly while the man hung back.
I could barely recognize him behind everything. He had his mouth open and eyes closed, whatever was left of him looked horrific.
“I can't bear the sight,” he said from the corner he was at.
I stepped closer and circled the slab
Then put a hand over my chest and whispered to him.
“My elder, one of the kindest there has ever been. You were like a father to me, especially after mine passed. I'm sorry for doing this to you. I swear on my last drop of blood, I'll make everything right.”
I was closer to tears than I'd ever been.
“He was proud of you, always used you as a reference when talking to Marco. You were like a son to him,” the man muttered.
I turned and made towards the door. “Let's go, can't take this again.”
They joined me as we walked out and back towards his office.
The man led us in and I circled the room, getting flashes of the horrific video I'd watched earlier on.
Then I remembered the document he wanted Serena to sign.
I turned to the man but hung at what I would call him.
“Sylvester,” he said when he noticed my hesitation.
I nodded in affirmation.
“Sylvester, may I search for a document from his locker. There was a peace treaty the elder had prepared,” I started.
“Oh, the same peace treaty that caused all this,” he replied and I didn't know what to say.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Russo, but I can't help you with that,” he started.
“As much as I want peace,” he continued. “I can't deny the fact that I'm scared of what Luca can do,” he paused again then looked out through the window.
“What he did here last night to the elder… was ruthless to say the least. If he could do that to someone who raised him, then there's nothing Luca can not do.”
“I understand,” I replied with a nod. “We'll be taking our leave now,” I said, turning to go.
“However,” he called after me. “There's something you should have.”