Impossible Love

Impossible Love 23

The boys left after doing a lot of fondling with my goods and Gianni sat with a smile on his face looking at Lukas play on the floor. I went to shower and dress for my day while he looked after our son. The one thing I had noticed when I was having breakfast was the photo I had done for him had disappeared, he may have placed it in a drawer but it was now nowhere to be seen. When his family photos arrive I will look for a good one of his mama and get that done for him.

We were a little early today because we took the new van, Gianni smiled all the way and I smiled at him. He looked so proud of himself as he dodged traffic like a true Aussie. He parked in our regular spot at the back of the café and turned to me and said,

"How was that?"

"Very good sir, how much do I owe you for the lift?"

"I will think of something by the end of the day, do you think Gino was jealous?"

"Yes, definitely he was jealous, I think he will buy a better truck now."

"But it still won't be as nice as ours Antonio."

"Nothing he can do will be as nice as this one Gianni, and thank you." I was surprised his sense of humor hadn't been damaged, it was so nice to see.

He helped me with Lukas and we went through the market door around to the café. Gianni turned on the lights and the coffee machine then started doing the cash register while I wiped the counters and tables over, the dust settles overnight here. Lukas played peacefully in his carry basket Gianni had placed him in the middle of the shop so we both could watch him. The three part-time girls took over when they arrived and I made us some coffee. I waved to Alice and Bianca when they arrived then sat out the front with Gianni to have our drinks. Lukas was whisked off when the flower shop lights went on and I did go and check the back door was secured. Alice gave me a slight smile when I hugged her and Bianca, then I went back to my seat satisfied he was safe.

"We have to go and see the birdcage one day when it's finished," I told Gianni.

"I was just thinking that myself, maybe we can go one night and we could go parking on the way back." He grinned.

"That would be very nice Antonio."

The market was starting to fill up and Pat came over and had a coffee with us, Gino had worded her up some more and she was very unhappy with the situation. We told her about the club on Saturday night and I had no idea what the boys had in mind. We got some customers so I went back to work. I started by cleaning up the back room and throwing all the empty bottles out in the rubbish bin, then I had to fold napkins and replenish the takeaway cups. When I'd finished I was bored so I went in next door and started making up some bouquets. I was in my natural habitat and the ladies were a little busy. I checked Lukas every so often, he had fallen asleep because he had a late night last night, he slept peacefully and I toiled away making a half dozen bouquets then I placed them into buckets and put them out the front. There was a knock on the back door and I jumped. I picked up a docket spike and unlocked it to find it was one of Giuseppe's drivers, he had a delivery for us. I helped him put the boxes into the cool room and I paid him cash. Alice was looking at me as I closed the door and bolted it, she picked up the spike and waved it at me.

"Antonio please don't let this get to you, everyone's on your side and nothing's going to happen here, I doubt whether he will even come back."

"I know Alice; I'm sorry, I just got a little jumpy, that's all." I couldn't even try to explain the brick that was a constant in my stomach.

Some girls were having a pre-Melbourne Cup drink and the champagne was flowing, they were so excited to be going they told me that every year they start a few weeks or so beforehand. They said they party a bit so they can pick up guys to take them. It's big business here in Melbourne and you can feel the excitement weeks before the race that stops the nation.

I was telling them that Gianni's family have a corporate tent there this year, they promised to call in and see it if they can get invitations. They were only on their second bottle when two good looking guys turned up to sit with them, I had no idea if they knew them or not. I worked the morning between both businesses, it was like I couldn't make my mind up which one I liked the best.

Stavros sat on Gianni's money bag and played cards like he does every day and he had a surprise guest today, my grandfather. He did say he caught up with Stavros once a week but this is the first time I have seen him here.

"Your grandmother is shopping for baby clothes Antonio; she will be some time. She said something about Lukas growing out of his rompers and singlets, so you might find her at the babywear stalls." He laughed, I will wait until she gets here, I think it may get a little crowded shopping with nan. I grabbed him a coffee and went back to my duties, apparently I'm needed on the coffee machine this afternoon because Angelo wants to learn about wines. Gianni had that task today and I had better watch him.

I stood making coffees but my eyes were everywhere, people walking past the toilet block and anyone with a hat on was a suspect. But I couldn't be everywhere and had to concentrate on making the best coffees I could. I could hear Gianni and Angelo laugh; they were serving a young lady who was wanting some bubbles but she got more than she bargained for with those two Romeos. I saw out of the corner of my eye some people running toward the entranceway and I heard an ambulance over all the market noise. There must be someone that's taken a fall or had a heart attack, it happens but it's not that often someone gets into trouble.

A guy ran over to Stavros's table to maybe bring him up to date and grandad got up and rushed towards a group of women.

The ambulance backed into the market and two guys jumped out and followed the crowd. Stavros came into the shop and said,

"Antonio, your grandmother has had a fall."

I put my tools down and ran from the shop, oh god, I hope this is not the start of Basilio's revenge, not my gran, she's far too old to be involved with all this.

I couldn't see over the crowd so I went around the other side. Gran was sitting on a chair with some blood on her face and they were attending to it. Her shopping was by her side as I excused myself to get near her. Grandad was holding her hand and when she saw me she smiled and said,

"I tripped Antonio, it happens at places like this. I will be okay, it's a small cut." I knelt and looked closer, and yes, it was a small cut on her forehead. Gianni was by my side by then and I know he had a million questions, but when he saw her he didn't go ahead with them.

"Just have a seat for half an hour and you should calm down a bit, I will get you home soon," grandad said.

"I'm okay, please don't fuss." She was being brave because she must have got a fright.

"Someone pushed her over, I saw it." I heard coming from behind me.

"What?" I turned and looked at the lady.

"I saw someone knock her over, she didn't trip."

"Did you get a good look at him?" I said to the middle-aged woman

"No, it was fleeting, but I did see his arm go out to her back, he was scruffy looking with a big overcoat on." My stomach dropped, Basilio?

"I told you not to fuss, Nonno please take me to the café and I will sit for a while." She started to get up and he held her arm. After thanking the ambos for patching her up she started walking slowly towards the café, she was going there and no one would stop her.

I thanked the men and everyone that was attending to her needs then picked her shopping up and followed. They made room for her on Stavros' table and she sat heavily, it must have hurt her elsewhere as she moved very cautiously.

"Gran, can I get you a coffee?"

"Yes thank you Antonio. Just an espresso, nothing too fancy."

"Coming up." I couldn't fathom a man knocking an elderly lady over, what kind of monster is he? I stood and made gran an espresso just the way she liked it, and seethed. Gianni stood next to me and asked if I was okay, so I smiled at him, albeit a forced one and said,

"Yes."

He must have got by security, Stavros had them at every entrance and if it wasn't for the long coat I wouldn't have been any the wiser, but the lady did say it was a long coat. I took her coffee out and Alice was fussing, and when gran saw me she rolled her eyes.

"Just a silly old lady that lost her balance, that's all Alice, but thank you for your help. Now where's my grandson? I have some new clothes for him."

"Gran, please just sit and have your coffee first, he's safe and sound in the back sleeping." I didn't have a clue whether he was or wasn't sleeping but that's his norm when he's here.

She sipped her coffee and looked around the table and said,

"Deal me in Stavros." He laughed, we all laughed, but I didn't have a clue whether she could play or not, but Stavros started dealing out the cards.

Not long after a security guard pulled him away to talk in private. He nodded his head several times and patted him on the shoulder then he left. Gianni was still staring at me so I smiled again, he got brave and came over.

"Antonio, why don't you go home and rest?"

"I'm alright baby and gran looks like she's okay, so no dramas." He didn't believe me and I wanted so bad to go and have a look at the security footage.

He could tell I was in a rage, that brick pounded in my stomach and didn't move. I was planning my revenge almost immediately and when one of the girls relieved me I went to check on our son, he was sleeping peacefully, totally unaware of what was going on. Gran had plenty of matches in front of her so I guess she's going to rub it in grandad's face when she gets home. I walked to the toilet block then upstairs, I wanted to see the market manager about the security footage.

"Hi Ant, how is your grandmother?'

"Good, it looks like she's cleaning up on your dad's card game." He laughed and said,

"How can I help you?"

"Have you looked at the security footage?"

"Yes, the guys are going over it now and it does look like she was pushed, one of my men chased him up the road and he went into a derelict building, he lost him there."

"Which building?"

"Two streets across, the old knitting mill, a lot of vagrants live in it during winter. We have called the police Antonio; they are going to check it out."

"Good, and thank you." I then went back to the café, it had become very busy so I set about dishing up cakes and opening wine bottles, while Gianni still stared at me.

"I am okay Gianni, just a fright that's all." "Where did you shoot off to?"

"I went to see if it was caught on camera."

"Antonio, leave it to the police please." He knows me so well.

"I will, I promise." I lied, and I had a plan.

Gran had cleaned them out and grandad smiled as he helped her to the car, she left her shopping with me with instructions I was to cut tags off and wash everything before I placed it on her grandson's delicate skin. I hugged her for some time and fought back the tears that threatened to flow. How someone could do this is beyond me?

She waved and smiled and she held up her winnings as they left. I was glad she won something today, I suppose that's why grandad doesn't bring her here too often.

Back in the florist shop I had to have a cuddle with Lukas in the back room, he wanted to play and I wanted a cuddle, but he squirmed so much I put him on the floor. As I pulled myself together and walked out he was in Bianca's arms getting cuddles off her. I went back to work and was so relieved Gianni was starting to shut the shop. I cleaned out the empties and washed glasses then I swept the damp mop over the floors. Gianni wasn't being very talkative, maybe he has a hot date with Angelo tonight, boy I would love to be invited to that meeting.

He drove us home and parked next to Gino's truck again, a slight frown crossed his face as he said,

"I mean it Antonio, leave it to the cops. I don't want to have to worry about you and Lukas."

"And what about you?"

He went silent, then he said,

"I will be all right, he wants my money, at any cost."

He kissed me and opened his door. Lukas was very animated as we walked up the back stairs, and when I placed him on the floor he started the crawling practice and immediately headed for his toys, I guess he had missed them. Such a simple life he has and I wondered for the fiftieth time how Sabine coped with that man being a constant thorn in her side?

I sat at the table and had a wine with Gianni, he was counting up his money with a big smile on his face and I was cutting tags off Lukas new clothes. I will go through his old ones and donate them, even though they are almost brand new, he's growing so fast. How many times have I heard that sentence over the years and fobbed it off, but it's true, they do grow so fast. When I looked over at him he had his favorite toy in his mouth and the dribble was abundant, I smiled.

"That's better, a smile at last," Gianni said, he had been watching me.

"There's nothing much to smile about Gianni, except Lukas' antics."

"Your right, but there is plenty to be grateful for, nan wasn't badly hurt and we are still a family."

"Yes I know baby. I am sorry, I just let it get to me, that's all."

"And she cleaned Stavros out." He grinned and I started laughing.

"Come on, come over here cheeky bum." I was trying to coax Lucas over to the table, he can do it on his own steam now. The more I talked to him the more he laughed and lost his concentration, then he would fall sideways, nope, he hasn't quite got his balance right yet. He eventually made it and I picked him up, Gianni had entered his daily takings into the two books while Lukas slapped his hands on the table.

"Did you do well?"

"Oh for sure, and so did you Antonio, it looks like you were busy today."

"I didn't ask the girls; they didn't look busy."

"Well, did you have extra bunches made up?"

"Yes I made some this morning, maybe it was those that bumped it up a bit?"

"Well anyway, you did well."

I didn't look at the totals, I was too busy playing with our son, he will need his warm milk soon and I suppose we will go downstairs to greet our friends. I rang gran to see if she was okay and she reminded me to wash everything. I guess that's her way of telling me she's fine. She passed the phone over to grandad, who wanted to let me know that we needed to have a meeting at the warehouse one day. I asked what about and he said I needed to get rid of some money, he had a friend with two warehouses up for urgent sale. I could hazard a guess which ones? I hope I run into James again, I also wondered if Gianni would like a threesome with him.

"It looks like I have to buy some more property, grandad said I have too much money so I have to offload it."

"Good, then you will finally have a mortgage to pay." He smiled, I haven't had to get one up until now, maybe I had better work harder to pay it off?

He grabbed the glasses and I changed Lukas and made some milk up for him. We went downstairs and Alice was there, Federico was on his way as he had got stuck in some traffic.

There's not a lot of traffic on our street but around the market, it can become a bottleneck sometimes.

We saluted each other and I asked Alice if she knew why the takings were big today. She said that she had a big order for fifteen large arrangements, she passed the work onto the warehouse girls but kept the money, they will work out the cost later, she winked.

"Don't stress Antonio, Alice has it all in hand and the girls were happy to do it for you and me."

I winked at her, she's one in a million.

Two exhausted-looking boys got out of a cab and immediately one took my glass and skulled it.

"Boy, that was a heavy day, I think we will fire Nina, she worked us too hard," Carlos said as I passed the now full again glass to Leon.

"What happened?'

"She had us working all day, no breaks for vino or anything, up ladders, re-arranging vines then re-arranging them again, then some painting, and in our good suits. Does she know how much these things cost?" I started laughing my head off, it's probably been a long time since they have worked so hard, good one Nina.

They both took deep breaths before they tackled the stairs but said if they don't seize up they will be back. I couldn't stop laughing and Gianni had a big smile on his face, then Gino got the gist and started laughing also. Nina was putting them to work, so funny. Alice had finished Lukas's milk and now she's burping him, he's so tiny and that mop of hair just blows me away, he's going to be a good looking kid, I can assure you.

The boys came back and one sat next to me while the other had a chair, Leon said if he sits on the stairs he won't be able to get up again.

"You will have to wear some old clothes in tomorrow boys," Alice said.

"No way, we are going to throw a sickie and take the day off."

You can't do that, and you know you can't leave it all up to Nina," Gianni said.

"But we can't work like this, we are management, not slaves." Carlos was whinging.

"That's life," I said.

"Yes, for you maybe, but not for us, look at my hands they are old now and so sore Antonio. Your rough hands are from doing all your menial labor, our hands are soft." I looked at my hands, I thought they were soft and very nice, I must say so. Gianni had to have a look and he nodded his agreement with me.

"Gianni, can you go to the event and we will look after the wines?"

"No, not after today, I have to be there, just suck it up or hire a couple of more workers."

"What happened today Gianni, were you busy?"

Gianni looked at me and I lowered my head and told them what had happened.

"My dearest God, why would he do something like that to an old lady, that's just plain awful." Carlos got upset.

"Do we know where he is Gianni?" Leon was going to get his gun out.

"Not yet, but the police are following it up, we know which building he went into, but he may have left there by now."

I listened to them talk without hearing them, hatching a plan of my own. I knew I could defeat this coward; they usually are weak underneath it all. I had no fighting skills but I do have an iron bar, well, a fire poker.

The more I listened the madder I got, Leon was making plans to hang him or bury him under cement and Gino wanted to help him. I excused myself and went upstairs, it was getting dark. I deliberately left Lukas there sleeping, Gianni can look after him.

Picking up the fire poker I left the building by the back stairs and ran towards my destination. I was going to confront him and make him stay away from my family. The building was dark from the outside, sometimes the vagrants would hang old blinds in the windows to block out any candlelight. My little torch will be handy but it won't light up a room, I will mainly have to search in the dark.

I stumbled around the ground floor and when I was satisfied there was no one there I went to the next floor, there are only two floors in this building, it was condemned years ago but they haven't found it necessary to pull it down as yet. I found some guys sleeping on the second floor but deemed them ok so I didn't disturb them. There was no one on the rooftop but I had a great view of the city skyline. With stealth I then went downstairs again feeling rather disappointed, then I saw someone in the shadows by the back door. I crouched down and watched him move over to a corner, then he disappeared, there must be a basement. I was shaking like a leaf by the time I got over to the area and I looked around but not behind the closest column. As I turned to look I heard a voice.

"So you found me." It was Basilio's voice.

"Yes I found you, how dare you try and destroy my family, how dare you place a finger on my grandmother, whatever possessed you to cause all this drama?"

"I want my money that's all, then I will go away."

"Money for the land or money you think you earned?"

"I own the winery; it is worth millions."

"Your grandfather was paid handsomely for the land so you can't touch it, he sold it years ago."

"Wrong, they stole it off my family and I want compensation, my grandfather got nothing."

"Well you won't get it this way if there is any, but I doubt there is. You have done too much evil and I won't stand for it anymore. Give yourself in to the police and be done with it."

That's when I heard a click, you know the one that tells you a gun has been cocked. I froze and a million things went through my brain. I was never to see my Gianni ever again, or my little Lukas. I held my hands up and started walking backward.

"You won't get away with it Basilio, too many people are watching for you, they know I am here so don't do anything stupid." He laughed like a madman.

"You are the first and that ungrateful bastard of a son is next, then the kid will be all mine, that I can promise you." He placed his hand on my shoulder and pushed me down like I was a dog, then he pointed the gun to my head. I squeezed my eyes and a waterfall of tears flowed before I heard a click, then another click, then another and another. "Go ahead Basilio, allow me to blow your fucking head off." I heard as the tears didn't stop because his gun was still pointing at me.

"Whose there?"

Lights, I saw car lights, they were coming from everywhere and lighting up the warehouse, I looked around and there was Stavros, Gianni, Gino, Leon, Carlos, and even Nina, Alice and Federico all with guns in their hands. People were getting out of cars and walking over, people from the Italian club, Stavros' mates, some ladies, they all had guns pointed at him. I looked up and said,

"I guess you're outnumbered."

"Just put the gun down Basilio, we don't want any trouble and you don't want to be dead either," I heard Federico say.

"Give me my money and I will go, I want my family's money back," he screamed.

"Basilio, your grandfather sold the land and vines to the Cartasso's, then he invested unwisely and lost all your family money. I have paperwork to prove it all if you would take the time to read it," Federico said.

He started crying bitterly, and it was then I felt that it didn't matter how much money he wanted, it would never be enough. A couple of police cars turned up and I heard guns being thrown everywhere, even Basilio threw his away.

Gianni rushed over to me, he pulled me up and held me in his big arms. I looked at Basilio and said,

"You could have asked your son nicely for some money but you chose to hunt him for twenty years. Now you will never know how much you have lost." I did feel sorry for him then, but only for a moment.

The cops did a whip around and I told them all I knew, they found guns but they were all plastic ones except Basilio's and with his fingerprints, they could charge him with attempted murder. He was arrested and Stavros talked to them about statements, and they said they could be done tomorrow that Basilio had a few questions to answer first, they saw it as an all-nighter.

"Who is with Lukas?" I asked Gianni.

"Anna," he answered.

"Good."

I looked around the crowd of friends and my heart leaped with joy at their faces, they were like a class of schoolkids that wanted a pat on the head, each one was grinning at me.

I thanked every one of them and said,

"The bar is open if anyone needs a drink." Just about everyone came back to Gianni's bar and I popped several wines as he got the glasses out, we partied until two in the morning, that was the cut off time for his license.

After thanking everyone and the hugs, Gianni and I found a quiet corner and he did what I expected, but he was civil about it.

"I guess you're pretty proud of yourself Antonio."

"No."

"I guess you will be walking around like a peacock tomorrow."

"No."

"I suppose now I have to call you the man of the house."

"No."

"I am mad with you, you know that?"

"Yes."

Well, what have you got to say?"

"Nothing."

"Am I still the man of the house?"

"Yes." He kissed me deeply and tried to cover my body with his, next he will be wanting to mark his territory by pissing on me.

It was time to go home and some had already left, the boys and I helped him clear away the glasses and bottles and surprisingly they wanted to walk home.

"What about Lukas?"

"He's in with Gino and Anna for the night, it will give them a trial run for when the baby arrives." We had to walk through the park and there was no one around as we held each other. As we got closer to the public toilets my dick stirred as Gianni said,

"Can we go in for a pee?" The boys ran ahead.

"Of course we can." I blew him through the hole in the wall then he did me, well I think he did me, there was a lot of giggling coming from that stall. Feeling thoroughly wrung out we then returned to our walking.

It was a very strange night and so out of character for me, but I did feel better and safer for all my friends now that he will be locked up. We said our goodnights and I told Leon I would buy him another toy gun in the morning, he wasn't to be outdone so he said,

"Antonio, your foreskin was full of smegma, please wash for next time." He smiled and I rushed to check.

Gianni had his broad arm around my shoulders when we went to bed and I was back in my safe place.

"You worry me sometimes Antonio."

"Sorry." I snuggled in closer.

"Please don't do that again."

"I won't."

I didn't know if there were any more questions after that as I went to sleep. I don't know how long I slept but when I got up there was no Gianni, but a grandma was sitting quietly at the table playing with Lukas.

"Oh gran, you shouldn't be here, you should be resting."

"I am ok Antonio, have you slept well?"

"Yes Gran," I kissed her then Lukas.

"You had a big night Antonio?"

"Yes gran, they got Basilio, thank God."

"I know, when the message came through your grandfather moved so fast I thought he had missed an appointment or something." "What message Gran?"

"Gianni sent a message to everyone that you were in trouble at the old knitting mill. He was about to get into bed but he was so fast out the door I didn't have time to go with him."

"So he sent that to everyone?"

"Yes son, he only has his friends in his phonebook, they all arrived I believe."

"Yes they did, thank God."

"Well sit down and I will make you some breakfast."

"Don't bother gran, I will have some cereal."

"No, you will have a proper breakfast, hold Lukas will you?" She passed him over but his eyes went to her, I think he's over me already.

"What time did Gianni leave?"

"Early, I was here at seven Antonio, he left shortly after breakfast."

"I had better go in and help."

"He said you weren't to step one foot out of this apartment today, and he also said to give you a message. He was the boss of his family, and if you disagreed he will speak to you when he gets home."

"Oh." I dropped my head.

"How is your hip?"

"Good Antonio, some bruising but that is to be expected, older people bruise easily. I will come good."

"Well, there's no cleaning up today just sit and relax." She dropped her egg flip and stared at me.

"Okay, just a little bit." I laughed, Lukas laughed along with me.

I got text messages from almost everyone and was warmed that they cared so much. Gianni rang me several times to see if I was at home and gran potted around a little tiny bit because she had done a thorough clean a week ago and there wasn't much to do. She restarted the washing machine and finished off all Lukas' new clothes, I helped her hang them out on the balcony.

When Gianni came home we had to go to the police station to make statements, Anna offered to babysit so Gran could go home and rest. The police were sympathetic and they said Basilio will go to court, whatever happens, he will most certainly be sent back to Italy for being an illegal immigrant. I was solemn on the way home, what a waste of a life. Gianni pulled up at the park, he handed me a tank top and took his t-shirt off.

"Let's go for a run." I wasn't in the mood for it but he was keen, he was keener when I blew him again in the toilets.

Back at home we grabbed our baby and went upstairs when he said he wanted to talk to me about something. I knew he was going to tell me off; he's been waiting ever since last night. I placed Lukas on the floor and steeled myself for a good browbeating, but it never came.

He sat opposite me and said,

"You know you did the wrong thing Antonio, don't you?"

"Yes Gianni, but I had to do something, he attacked my gran."

"You nearly got shot."

"He wouldn't have shot me, he's mad but not that mad. I had my poker."

"He had a loaded gun."

"Well, I did it and now I can't take it back. I am sorry I worried you, I am." I looked at him.

"Good, now what did your gran leave for dinner, I'm starving."

"Pasta bake, it's in the oven." He opened his hands and said,

"And?" I stared at him.

"I'll warm it up, because you are the man."

"Thank you."

We had a beautiful dinner, my gran is a good cook and he told me how his day went, he said Stavros and his mates were in a great mood, they were talking like the mafia all day and he was so busy he didn't have time to dwell on the what if's.

Lukas was changed and we headed downstairs for a drink with our friends.

Alice said the takings were very good and she hadn't had so much fun in all her life, but she did tell me off. Gino also told me off and Anna went to town on me, but I was happy Gianni didn't respond to their harsh words. The boys arrived looking like they had stepped out of a tradie's weekly magazine. They didn't say anything, just ran upstairs to get a couple of bottles of wine.

"How was your day boys?"

"She had us using a nail gun today, they are dangerous things Antonio, I think we might buy one."

"What for?"

"To nail your feet to the floor so you can't run away."

Of course you want to do that to me. Everyone laughed as I made a sour face.

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