Impossible Love

Impossible Love 22

We played on the floor for ages until I asked a question of Gianni.

"Gianni, I have something to ask you, do you think your father will cause any more trouble?"

"I don't know Antonio, I am worried he may ruin my business, he did say the money belonged to him and I always thought that, but now I am having a very worrying conversation with myself."

"There are people that can answer these questions baby, Sabine and Federico."

"Do you think we should tell uncle Federico he is maybe in our lives again?"

"I think we should and watch his reaction, then ask some questions."

"I don't know."

"We have to, if he is a threat to you and Lukas we need to know, so I will talk to him in private."

"I need a drink; can we go downstairs now?" I asked.

"Yes baby, we have spent adequate time with our boy, so yes, you go and I will follow in a minute, I think he needs changing."

He kissed me and rubbed his hands all over my bum.

"Don't change your clothes, I like you the best like this."

I reassured him the shorts won't come off until I get into bed, then he left and I changed Lukas, so much for a night off.

Before I went to meet everyone I switched the computer on because I wanted to see if Roberto had emailed, me and sure enough there was an attachment.

I looked through the pages of the first document, the inquest into his mum's death. I didn't want to take up too much time so I read the last page, the result of death was suicide. I went numb and stared at the screen for ages, I must read this but I had to go, otherwise he will come looking for me.

I bundled Lukas up and grabbed a bottle and glass then went down to meet my friends. Everyone was there and Alice was the first to take Lukas, she had missed him today.

"What took you so long?"

"I had to go to the toilet." I lied.

Federico was staring at me and I said a very pleasant hello to him, but he didn't look too happy. We have to talk out of earshot and the sooner the better. Gino was talking about his son and Gianni's chest was puffing up because he already had one with another potential one on the way, but I thought that may have been bullshit too. I was so disappointed and couldn't say anything but I doubt whether another child is on the way. When he said that Federico's face went red and the wine glass shattered in his hand. It startled him and he apologized for being a klutz as Anna went to find him another one and a dustpan.

While Gianni and Gino bantered back and forth which was nice to hear, Alice cooed at Lukas and I leaned over to Federico and whispered,

"We have to talk, the sooner the better."

"Yes, very urgently I think Antonio."

"Give me tonight and I will come and see you in the morning."

"I will be home, I am taking the morning off," he said a little louder.

"Taking time off uncle, you must be ill are you?" Carlos asked as I saw Leon fill my drink behind my back.

"Boys, you both are working in the cellars tomorrow morning, I have important work to do before Sabine gets here."

"When is she coming?" I asked

"Less than ten days Antonio, so Alice be prepared to lose Lukas for a few weeks." He laughed but it wasn't genuine, he was worried about something and I know what that something is.

"I hope she doesn't want to change our plans for the Melbourne Cup uncle."

"No, she loves your plans and wanted to come and see it set up in all its glory, and she's pleased you used her long-time girlfriend Nina to help you."

"What? She knows my Nina?" I screamed and placed my hand over my glass.

"Antonio, they went to school together in Switzerland."

"In Switzerland uncle, I didn't know that," Carlos said.

"Just a finishing school boys, she was only there for twelve months but she struck up a lifelong friendship with Nina."

This just gets better and better, why didn't Nina say anything to me, surely she knows who the boys and Gianni are, she's not that clueless?

"So it's Nina she comes to see here in Melbourne?" Leon asked.

"Nina lives in Sabine's apartment, she stays with her when she's in town."

That solves one question, I thought Sabine was coming here to see Basilio.

Gianni was listening to the conversation and he nodded his head and said,

"Makes sense Antonio, I thought it was someone else, an uncle or something."

"Me too," I answered and he didn't say Basilio's name.

"Leon, will you stop that?" I yelled. He put the bottle down and smirked at me, and as I helped Gianni upstairs I made him carry Lukas for punishment. We got him into bed and I made sure the boys didn't interfere with him then went to sit out on the walkway with them just for a nightcap.

"How did Federico know Basilio was hanging around?"

"We don't know Antonio; we haven't said anything about it."

"Maybe it was Stavros, they do know each other, but then again maybe it was Nina?" I mused then added,

"He wants to talk to me in the morning, I think that's why he wants the half-day off boys."

"He will know everything Antonio, he was there always," Leon said.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Did you honestly remember Basilio or did he plant those memories in your heads?"

"We don't remember him Antonio, but he said that we three slept at his house, often in his bed."

"I see, maybe he was only making it up."

"Why would he do such a thing?"

"I don't know, but I aim to find out." I was dying to read Roberto's email so I only had the two drinks then went inside after beating the boys off. I suggested Leon play with Carlos's dick so they ran off quick smart.

I checked Lukas and Gianni and they were both dead to the world, then I sat with a glass of wine at the computer. The coroner's report had a lengthy result and much of it was just legal talk, but I did notice a testimony from Sabine that took my eye, so I read that. Gianni's mother came to her on that fatal day and begged her to look after her boy. Sabine said her sister was black and blue and she hardly recognized her. She had turned her back for one minute and her sister had disappeared, she was later found floating face down in the lake. She also testified that she believed it was Basilio that hurt her because he had done that several times in the past. I read the judge's summary and it was concluded that her death was suicide after receiving a beating from her husband. They couldn't charge Basilio with her death because there was no solid evidence he was involved with her suicide. There were also some photos too, grotesque to even look at. That beautiful lady was unrecognizable and I nearly vomited.

The next attachment was the Cartasso's bill of sale from the gypsy family Legartt for the vines and land, I believe it was Gianni's grandfather that sold it to Sabine's grandfather many years ago. So Basilio has been fabricating lies to us all the time, he was involved with the death, he drove her to it.

The next was Gianni's adoption papers, all the boy's papers, and when I looked at the dates, Leon and Carlos had been adopted six months after Gianni so they would not have known Basilio at all, another lie.

I was wrung out and tired, how the hell do I tell all this to Gianni, he is going to be very upset? I hoped to God he doesn't do anything stupid.

The next morning hands were everywhere because I had slept in my shorts, he wasn't in a fit state to do anything so I jumped out of bed and checked Lukas. He was happily playing with his rattles and started kicking and talking as soon as he saw me. I picked him up and sure enough, he needed changing again. I did the welcomed task and placed him in bed with Gianni who was kissing him when I left to put the coffee on and to get him some pills. I can see that Federico isn't the only one I have to talk to today, the boys are going to get it too, they made me miss out on my good morning kisses.

Bubs was carried out by a very hungover husband and placed gently on his pillows on the floor, he will be hungry so I kissed my man and started warming some milk.

Groan, moan and a shower made him feel a little better, he sat at the table eating toast and eggs, but nothing like grans.

"We have to talk Gianni, there is something I have to do this morning so I won't be at work until lunchtime."

"I know Antonio; you are seeing Federico this morning."

"How the fuck do you know that?"

"I heard you talking to him."

"Do you mind?"

"No, why would I mind, although I do think he likes your bum though?" He giggled.

"I need to tell him about Basilio, I suspect he knows he's hanging around anyway."

"Yes, he would know Antonio, somehow they all would know." He smiled.

"Gianni, I have something to tell you and you are probably not going to like it but it's better that it comes from me and not family."

"You are my family Antonio."

"I am and you're a very much loved family member, and I am sorry but I am about to hurt you some more.

"Keep in mind what I said in Italy, I would never lie to you no matter what."

"I know that, let me have it." He stopped eating.

"I heard from Roberto last night. He sent me some paperwork to read and I sat up late and read most of it. The boys don't remember Basilio because they weren't even around when he was there, they arrived after he had left."

"Another lie Antonio."

"Yes, it looks like everything he said was a lie, your mama didn't fall and hit her head Gianni, she committed suicide." He looked at me and I saw his tears forming.

"I read the coroner's report and some testaments stated she had been beaten badly by your father and had taken you to Sabine's for safety, then it said she committed suicide on one of the boats."

"That explains why he left then, but he loved my mother and me?"

I held his hand and answered,

"It looks like the only person he ever loved was money and himself, I am so sorry."

"But mama?"

"She loved you so much Gianni, why else would she give you to Sabine for her to bring you up?"

"I have much to love Sabine for Antonio, I have been wrong all along." Tears arrived and I held him while he cried into my neck.

"Can I read the report?"

"Yes, if you want, but please don't look at the photos, in fact I will delete them before you read it."

"No, if I am ever going to believe all this is true I need to know everything."

"Okay then, we will look at it together." I kissed his head.

"I don't feel like work today Antonio, I need you by my side to walk me there."

"You don't need me Gianni, you are a big strong man, you can defend yourself."

"Not so strong at the moment Antonio."

"Take the car then."

"I might, are you taking Lukas with you?"

"Yes baby, I will be at the business around ten or eleven anyway so you won't have to wait that long."

I had distracted him a bit but I know he's going to be thinking about it all day, so my meeting with Federico can be cut short if it looks like it's running into overtime. I readied my man and readied Lukas, and Gianni made sure he walked me to Alice's place before he went down the little lane to get to my van.

"If it doesn't start the first time just give it a few pumps," I said as he kissed me goodbye.

I parked the stroller on the porch and knocked.

Federico showed me through to the kitchen, Alice's new place was lovely and she had decorated it very nicely. Coffee was placed on the table and we looked at each other. I was the first to talk.

"So I know Gianni's mum committed suicide, I also know his father told him a pack of lies and I think I know why he was never told."

"Okay, he pursued my sister until she fell in love with him against her family's wishes. He then proceeded to relieve her of any money she had, he couldn't get into the family money but he did take quite a lot out of her investment dividends, he used that for his family, his drinking, and his gambling. He was with Gianni a lot because he threatened to send him off with his relatives to live the gypsy life if my sister wouldn't hand over her money. He once told her that the Cartasso's owed his family big time and he was going to get all their money back from them because they stole their land. This is not true, my grandfather paid handsomely for the land Antonio. Basilio was delusional to think we would pay him more so he set about getting it in other ways."

"I thought that maybe the case Federico, I was worried when Gianni started giving him money that he would always be keeping him."

"He would have been, and how much did he lose?"

"He robbed our cash at the apartment, I lost a hundred grand, he lost about eighty, maybe ninety, and he had already given him ten grand plus what he robbed out of the cafe cash register."

"He robbed you?"

"Yes, Gianni has replaced my money, and now it's stored in a better place, thanks to my grandfather."

"He is a terrible person Antonio, he is true gypsy, they bleed off people throughout their lives, no one wins with the gypsy."

"I know that now Federico, he can't get into Gianni's big money without Gianni's signature, Sabine gave me a card to use but I think it's a business card or something, but I have hidden it away just in case."

"He won't be able to touch Gianni's family money, it has to be approved by Sabine and me Antonio, but be very careful, I don't think he will try it with Gianni, but he will find a way to blackmail him, so now I have to say it and you must listen carefully."

"Say what?"

"Keep Lukas close to you at all times, don't take your eyes off him for one second. He will kidnap him or damage him to get his way, he knows nothing about love, or family for that matter. Lukas is his ticket to all that wealth, he knew he couldn't get to Gianni because of Sabine, she protected him with her life."

My brick was back and I understood completely what he was saying, and if I didn't know any better Basilio had this planned for a very long time.

"Lukas was for this purpose Federico; I know it now."

"Exactly Antonio, I can't stress how important it is to keep him near, he couldn't get to Gianni, that's why he left years ago. Sabine watched him twenty-four seven, even at school the teacher was ex-military so he was kept safe. Lukas was safe as long as he was under Sabine's care, and now she is so distraught having lost him she is coming here to try and convince you both to return home to Italy."

"I don't see that happening Federico, no one fucks with my family and I aim to make sure Lukas and Gianni are watched everywhere they go."

"And you Antonio, who is going to watch you?"

"What do you mean, I am okay, I don't have loads of cash."

"But you do have Gianni and Lukas with you, he might harm you to get to Gianni. Antonio, you must be very careful otherwise please take a trip to Italy again and stay there until he's found. He left the Cartasso compound after my dear sister's death and went back to his gypsy family, he's always been around but when the gypsy came to stay on the land Sabine used to take Gianni and the other boys on holidays until they left. She knew Gianni would go to the gypsy camp to try and find him so she put a stop to it, he doesn't remember the time but that was when he started to distrust her."

"So he's always been near but unseen?"

"Yes, he has found out that Gianni and Lukas had moved to Melbourne so he worked on a ship to get here, then disappeared. He hasn't always been here, only for a few weeks. When he is found he will be deported, he sneaked into this country illegally so he will be sent home."

I sat back and blew my breath out, I hadn't thought of that and now I'm going to be paranoid he's going to do something to me.

He said he had to get into work before the boys drank all his stock, so I bundled my boy up and left making an appointment with Federico tonight. He can explain it all to Gianni, who is going to be even more pissed off, or more depressed.

I walked to the market but kept my eyes out for anything unusual, I must get into the habit of driving there. I waved to Gino and Pat and before she could grab Lukas I dodged her and said,

"No time, in a hurry, I will bring him over later."

"Ok, I will see him soon then will I?" I waved over my shoulder.

Having dodged the customers, I finally ended up in front of my shop. Alice grabbed him and I reinforced my words and told her to lock and bar the back door if he goes down for a nap. She placed her hand on my shoulder and said,

"He's in the best place he can be Antonio. I know what's happening, Federico worded me up last night."

"Thank you Alice, I guess our lives are going to change for a bit until he's caught."

"That won't take very long Antonio, did you report the theft to the police?"

"Not yet, I think Gianni wants to go there after work, it gives us a few more eyes looking out for him."

I kissed my baby then turned and went to see my man, he was standing at the counter up the back talking to Angelo, those tiny stretch shorts covered his perfect ass beautifully and I so wanted to lick his rounded buns, Gianni's of course. I had better start my running again to tighten mine up a bit more.

"Did you have a good visit?"

"Yes baby, we have to be careful with ourselves, especially Lukas."

"Come and sit for a minute." I followed him outside and there was the obligatory ice bucket with an opened bottle in it, it was too early to start drinking but I had one with him anyway. His gorgeous legs brushed mine and he smiled.

"Would you like a threesome with Angelo?"

"Yes please, that would be awesome."

"Antonio?" His forehead creased and he got that hurt look on his face.

"I meant like in twenty year's time Gianni, not right now." "That's better." He laughed.

"What did Federico say?"

"He said that we should all be on the lookout and never let our guards down until he's found, then he can have him deported. We should go and report the thief because that will activate the police to start looking out for him."

"I have done that, Stavros rang his other nephew when I got in, he was waiting for my permission, so he came by and took a statement. He said he will get the ball rolling."

"Did Stavros know, no strike that? I'm over second-guessing how people always seem to know my business." I smiled at him, he had moved his foot over to my crotch and was rubbing it on me.

"Antonio, you are much loved in the market, and in our community, we are both being watched, and especially Lukas, many eyes are upon him. What I'm saying is all Stavros' friends have their eyes on us, all your grandfather's friends, and Nina has just about every Italian lady in the suburb watching us, we are safe, Lukas is safe."

"My god was it on TV last night?"

"We have a very good and strong grapevine Antonio." He smiled at me just the way I like. We had another wine and I told him about his school teacher and Sabine, he was very grateful and said he had it all wrong and most of it was just in his head. He remembered going on holiday's a lot with his brothers but he didn't know why. The resentment he had for Sabine was activated by her not letting him play with the gypsy kids when they were in the fields, and now he thinks about it, he had someone with him all the time, not kids, adults.

"I was too focused on my father's love not to see Sabine and Ramone's."

"It's all over now and thank god she's not a vicious person Gianni, I get the feeling she loves you so very much."

"I know Antonio; I am so embarrassed at the way I behaved."

"Well think about it, you are the only blood relation she has in her family apart from Federico. The boys and dear Luca were adopted from different bloodlines but you are a real Cartasso."

"I never thought about it that way Antonio." He sat back and was deep in thought. I finished my drink and went to help the girls do some work waitering, I am getting pretty good at it if I use a tray. Gianni teased me throughout the day, and when the boys arrived it was like a big party at the café. We had devised a system with Stavros and his mates, if they wanted a drink it would be free, that would be payment enough for their alertness.

The boys pitched in and the wines were walking out the door. I could see empty spots in the fridges but didn't attempt to fill them up because they all looked the same to me. Carlos said they had it all in hand, so I suppose they will be sipping on a vino out the back while they re-stock everything.

Pat came by and I sent her into the flower shop, I told her we were all going to the Italian club Saturday night because there will be an announcement about security being made. I believe the boys are organizing that. I also said we were going to tell Gino what was going on and he will pass it onto her tomorrow, and of course, she already knew. With all that done I went to stand next to Angelo, he was going to show me how to make coffee on the big boy's machine. I felt so guilty as we laughed our way through the orders, we even got in a bit of bum slapping and when I turned to look around the shop there was Gianni looking daggers at me, his face was so red, so I settled down on Angelo and my girly catch up was over for the day. He was a pretty intelligent kid and started talking about different coffee blends and what he wanted to do with his coffee shop come restaurant when he gets it, it's all mapped out for him. Stavros will bankroll him and I don't think his shop will be at the market, it sounds more like one in the main street shops because he's also going to have Italian food.

I finished my lessons and it's bloody easy to make coffee so I went towards the back to see the boys. Gianni was serving a lady with wines and he grunted as I walked by. I felt so loved.

The boys were deep in paperwork when I got there so I poured a small drink and watched them. Carlos said they were the final contracts, the tent will go up tomorrow and all the hands-on work will start. I was worried about them and related my concerns so Leon patted his suit jacket and said he had a holster that says no one will bother them. I laughed because he was making out he had a gun so Carlos placed his hand over my mouth and pulled Leon's jacket out. I could see a silver gun in a holster.

"My god!!" I had never seen one, ever.

"Don't tell anyone Antonio, it's not for you to gossip about."

"I don't gossip."

"We have caught you on many occasions when you are drunk Antonio, you talk about everyone, even little Angelo."

"I do not, you are having a good lend of me."

"Well how come Gianni is upset, he heard you say you wanted to stick your dick in Angelo's bottom the other night."

"I didn't say that; I would never say that."

"You did." Leon smiled

"So no gossiping Antonio."

I poured another drink and skulled it then I went back to help in the shop.

Gianni was staring at me all the time and I know I don't say anything when I'm drunk, or maybe I did because he called me out the back.

When I got there he was immediately chock a block up me in the new toilet whispering in my ear, "You love me, not Angelo, I have a bigger dick too."

"You have seen his dick then?" I giggled so he slapped my head but kept up the pace.

All in all we had a wonderful day in the café, although it won't be like this all the time, it's only because it's all new to us and the excitement is infectious. I picked my baby up as the shops were closing for the day, Alice handed over Gianni's backpack which he put on and we turned the lights out. I had forgotten he had brought the van so we went out the backway.

"Where did you park it Gianni?"

"Over there, the burgundy one."

"No, my van's white."

"Well it's burgundy now, I traded yours."

A bright new red Mercedes van was sitting in the car park, the baby capsule had been installed and all. It was bloody beautiful but I won't say it.

We got in and buckled up and he sat there not saying anything, not starting the car.

"You want a thank you, don't you?"

"That would be very accommodating Antonio."

"Thank you, I don't know how you do it but you have managed to warm my heart once again. I can't believe you have done this for our family."

"I organized it last week when I saw the pitiful thing you were driving around in, they will dispose of it. I had them deliver this one about an hour ago to surprise you."

"So when you saw it you weren't happy, even though you punched the air?"

"Yes Antonio, I was very happy because I could buy you a new one." He grinned and I felt like patting him on the head.

"That's why I didn't do the capsule immediately, grandad could have saved himself a lot of work." He grinned.

I leaned over and kissed him, he smelt fresh and the car smelt even fresher. I think Lukas liked it as he went to sleep in the back. He started the van and drove us the long way home, and told me he was going to have, `Gianni's', printed on it in gold paint. That will happen after he starts his boutique winery. I was very pleased he was thinking about that again. I thought he might have regressed into himself after his father's shocking behaviour, but it looks like he's moving on, I am so impressed.

When we arrived home he drove around the car park and stopped next to Gino's old truck, smiled then parked, he looked pretty pleased with himself. I was even more impressed when he took Lukas to his bedroom and put him in his cot then came looking for his thank-you romp.

We grabbed two bottles and headed downstairs after having a very quick session on the sofa. I had put food out to thaw and there wasn't anything more to do, except to get Lukas and go downstairs to have some words with our friends.

I didn't want to put our son in Gino's apartment so I put him on the steps behind us, he will sleep through anything, he's so tired after his big day at the market. I gushed as I told Gino and Anna about my new present, but Gino wasn't impressed, it looks like he will have to upgrade now. The boys arrived with Alice and Federico, they had been having a pow-wow in her apartment.

I started our little meeting by telling everyone that we were safe, then Gino wanted more details so Gianni told him what was happening. He was genuinely concerned and wanted to help in any way he could, so we told him just to keep an eye out and to be super careful himself. Anything could happen if the police can't catch up with him. Alice said she was on top of it at the market and if we needed to be anywhere she would babysit at her place, Anna said the same and we thanked them. The boys started to change the subject by talking about the Birdcage event and how Nina was a gem, they didn't know that their mum knew her but will ask about the friendship tomorrow at the racecourse. People passed and nodded, some said hello some smiled knowingly. I suppose the whole city knows by now and I again wondered how the news got around so quickly, then I had a thought.

"Did Nina know about our little problem boys?"

"Yes, she was onto it as soon as we met her yesterday, she seemed to know more than us."

"So I suppose it's was her that is sending out general alerts to everyone, she does know a lot of people."

"So does Stavros, he has business all over this town," Federico said.

"Well, I wonder who told them?"

"I don't have a clue Antonio; I only spoke to Sabine about it." Bingo. Even from Italy she can rally the troops around, she knows Nina and she must know Stavros also, I will ask her next time we talk.

"Then it was Sabine that put the general alert out," I whispered.

No one was carried to bed tonight but I did see Gino sway a little, we all went upstairs and I fed my boys. Lukas was happily playing on the carpet and Gianni made sure the front door was locked and bolted. We ate on the balcony so we could watch him, and Leon opened another wine. We talked more about Basilio and I couldn't stress enough that the boys should make sure their flat was locked up tightly and the staircase gate chained and padlocked. If he's going to get into our flats it will be by the back staircase.

Carlos' phone rang and he and Leon went inside and picked Lukas up, Sabine was skyping them. I overheard their conversation and they promised to keep their eyes out for us and themselves, and the event was ready to go. She asked to speak to me then Gianni. I sat with Lukas on my knees and she said,

"Do we need to talk business Antonio?"

"Not at the moment Sabine, and thank you for everything, I can't express how much love and gratitude I have for you."

"That's okay Antonio, it was all my pleasure to take Gianni on, I loved him so much, that poor little boy was in such a state when his mother passed."

"Well you did a fine job of it and I salute you, and he knows now what you did for him." I picked up my drink and did just that, I saluted her. We chatted about Lukas for a while then she wanted Gianni.

I don't know what was said but he was red-eyed when he returned a half-hour later. I was tired so I put Lukas to bed and said my goodnights. Gianni was ten minutes behind me and I held him while he talked about things he had forgotten in his childhood, his mama mostly but not a word about his father. I listened as I stroked his hair and pubes, he had thrown a boner but after today sex wasn't really in the mix, just family tonight.

Lukas woke me around three, he was unsettled and needed a nappy change, which I did happily then I sat and watched him go back to sleep. I went and stood at the balcony doors and looked out into the night wishing everything was different, and there was no bad history to cope with. I looked at the stars and thanked God for sending my boys to me, I was lonely for a long time, now I have so much to do I can't even scratch myself.

I went back to bed and Gianni drew me in, he asked if everything was all right and I answered,

"Perfect."

My legs were everywhere in the morning, seems Gianni had a sexy dream, he had wound his legs around mine and lifted me so I ended up with my ass on his groin area and his legs were grabbing mine and stretching them out. I think he must have been still dreaming because penetration wasn't involved, he then got out of bed suddenly and ran to the toilet. I checked the cherub out and put the coffee on while I changed him once again. I wiped him down and he was laughing so much it got me going. Gianni kissed him, then me, he looked good this morning, a bit rough around the edges but sometimes I like a bit of rough.

The boys were tapping on my window wanting in so I opened it and said good morning. They have to leave early because their deliveries will start as soon as the racecourse opens and they had to be there to place things. They didn't exactly tell us what things, only they had to be there. I made them some toast and they all slathered it with cheese. I have no idea where it all comes from, maybe gran will fill me in. Sometimes my life goes on without me and things appear and I don't have any idea where they come from, like my fridge, it always seems to have food in it and our trouble with Basilio, security was immediately organized without me even having to say anything. The new van is another one, everyone is looking after me and I realized for the first time it was because I was loved by all and that thought brought a tear to my eyes.

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