72. Family Ties & Weddings (Part 3)-3

Sofia smiled at Adele and embraced her. She kissed her on the forehead and then pulled away " I look forward to your wedding. I should show you some of my own wedding pictures. It was years ago but the pictures should tell you about the traditions. Do you want to come with me so I can show you my wedding albums? They are in the opposite room to this hall." Adele looked at Francesco who nodded at her "Go sweetheart if you like." Pietro spoke "It would be a great wedding Adele. You made the right choice." As Adele and Sofia walked away, Pietro spoke "I am sorry Francesco that you have to deal with your father in such civilised manner after what he has done. I am ashamed of him and how he has treated you and Costanzo." Francesco of course caught on the fact that Pietro did not mention his mother. He was apologetic but only about what had happened to Costanzo and him since they were of Rosario blood. He had no sympathy at all for his mother since he thought she deserved everything for betraying his father. Francesco spoke dismissively "Don't mention it... It's not your fault..." Pietro spoke "If there is anything I can do, tell me.... If you change your mind about having this wedding so soon in this place, I can speak to my father to let you choose another date. Once you set the date for another time, you don't even have to honour your word. You can go to the states and have your wedding then never look back at Sicily. You shouldn't have to do this. I will do anything to help make your life less miserable than it already is. I will take your side if you wish not to stay here for your wedding and never want to come here. Just tell me what I can do... I could see from how you spoke to him that you don't wish to be near him. I don't blame you. I wish he was not my brother so I could help make him pay for his sins and make you feel at peace." Francesco nodded "It's not only him to blame. Your dear brother, Peiro is not innocent either. It is his fault that my father is holding my mother in his arms right now. Uncle Piero promised to protect her and keep my father away. But he broke his word. It is not escaping my eyes that you do not express any views about my mother and what has been done to her. What can I say? You are not as understanding as an uncle should be.... Lets say I don't think i would ever feel at peace until the Don removes his protection from my father and uncle. He is shielding them from me for now. Once his protection is lifted, I would get my revenge. I have my reasons to back off and compromise for now. Maybe I do not think it is worth it. Maybe I have other plans. If I take my revenge it would be with minimal casualties. Besides, I am getting married. I wish to start a family. I don't want my vendetta to overshadow the best time in my life." Pietro sighed " I don't know about Piero. He must have done what he did with your mother's approval. I have never seen him break his word. I am sorry you feel betrayed by Piero. As for your father, he does not have long to live Francesco. I only ask of you not to kill him. He is my brother. My father is desperately looking for treatments. He received letters in the post regarding Paulo's chances of survival. The chances are non-existent. There is no treatment that has no risk of death. My father's only hope maybe your future brother in law. Your mother told the Don that Angelo has done some research. The Don may look into it. So far he hasn't looked into research papers. He has just looked at doctors treatments in established hospitals related to such rare diseases so far. He has some hope but he knows Paulo may not survive and his chances of living is close to zero....." He then looked around the room. "I should go get some security checks done. We have special American agents in our prisons under this mansion. You can never trust them even when they are tied up." He then smiled sadly at Francesco "Let me know if you need anything. As long as you don't want me to have a hand in killing any of my brothers, I am on your side. I am truly sorry for what you have gone through...I really mean it." He then without another word walked away. Francesco sighed in frustration and sat down as he watched his uncle Pietro walk away. His eldest uncle was complex. He was sorry for him and Costanzo but not his mother. He wasn't sure if he could trust him at all when it came to dealing with his father. As he was looking into the distance, he heard O'Neil's voice from behind "You must have gone crazy." Francesco turned to O'Neil who now was beside him, pulling out a chair "What is up with your peaceful approach? What is the next move? Are you taking revenge on your father on your wedding day then? Security would be tight that day. I suggest do whatever you want to do beforehand and save yourself from a wedding far from the states where you don't have a strong hold. " He then sat down next to Francesco awaiting an answer. Francesco turned to him "I want Angelo here for the wedding.." O'Neil was looking at him with shock "You what?..." Francesco spoke "I have decided I want to let my father live. He needs to live. Dying is too merciful for him. I want Angelo to try and save him and then I will go from there..." O'Neil spoke "You will regret this. I can't allow you to make such mistake. You can't let him live. I don't agree with it. Just because you are getting married it does not mean you should compromise. Let him die at least from whatever disease he has if you don't want to do anything to him." Francesco spoke "This is not a compromise. I keep him alive hoping to get a better chance to get him later on. The time is not right. There are other ways to make him pay and there are other times..." O'Neil spoke "You wont get a better chance than this. He is vulnerable. He is within your grasp..." Francesco stated "Revenge is a dish better served cold." O'Neil sighed "No, revenge is a dish that can end up being empty if you don't serve it when you have the opportunity...... Revenge is a dish better served when it's not empty."