Date: Sun, 07 Oct 2001 19:06:58 -0400
From: Tom Cup <tom_cup@hotmail.com>
Subject: Kevin - Series Chapter 19

The Lion of Bolognia -- Kevin Part 2 by Tom Cup

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This is a fictional story involving youth/youth or adult/youth sexual
relationships. If this type of material offends you, please do not read any
further. This material is intended for mature adult audiences. Names,
characters, locations and incidents are either the product of the author's
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locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
************************************************************************

This story is part of the Tom Cup Library

Please visit the member's area of the Tom Cup Library for Chapter 9 of The
Lion of Bolognia (Kevin Chapter 23); Chapter 27 of "Calvin"; Chapter 12 of
"Angel"; "David's Christmas Present" (Revised with new additions and
chapters by Tom Cup); Chapters 6 of "A Place Called Home"; Chapter 2 of  "In
Memory of Steve". Also available Tommy -- The Return -- Chapter 2, "Stephen
Miller's Journal" Chapter 1; "The Day My Life Began" and many more series
and short stories!

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The Lion of Bolognia
Chapter 5
Kevin
Chapter 19
By Tom Cup

Old Friends

>From the "Biography of The Lion of Bolognia":

I lay with my eyes opened in Antonio's arms.  I knew he wasn't asleep but we
lay as if we were.  I wasn't sure what I was feeling. I wasn't mad.  I
wasn't sad, exactly.  I just felt a little lost.  I still wasn't convinced
that Tony had to tell us the story and I wasn't sure what the story meant,
except that it changed everything.  I knew that while Antonio was holding me
in his arms his mind was miles away with Vincent.  I wondered if Marie was
thinking about him too.  I was.  He had arranged my rescue from Chuck.  He
had known that this day would come.

I sighed to myself as Antonio squeezed me and kissed my forehead.  We hadn't
made love. I guess we wanted, needed, each other's bodies to make it seem
like something in our lives had remained the same.  I wanted to make love
but we were just to emotionally drained; and the stress of what we had
learned sucked the energy from both of us.

The house was silent for the weeks that followed.  The only thing that
didn't change was Marie.  She would appear from nowhere, wrap her arms
around Antonio, Tony or me, smiling and whispering her love. We didn't see
Vincent. As usual he avoided the house and didn't come unless Tony called
for him.  That may have been the hardest part.  We had to go on pretending
that he was just an "employee" when we knew he was much more.

"Come in."

"Hi."

"Kevin," there was a sigh of relief in Tony's voice as he said my name,
"Come in, come in."  I don't know what came over me but I immediately began
to cry standing in the doorway.  I thought that I had overcome this tendency
but here I was acting like a child that had learn nothing from Tony and
Marie. I felt ashamed of my own weakness.  In that moment, Tony came over
and pulled me into the room, closing the door behind me.  He led me over to
the bed and sat down pulling me on to his lap.  I laid my head on his
shoulder and cried.

"Please don't cry, Kevin."

"I can't help it. I'm so scared."

"So am I.  I'm sorry, Kevin.

"It was a terrible story.  I wish you had never told us."

"It was the truth and you had to know.  It's part of who we are."

"I don't want to be that... I don't want to hurt people."

"We already have."

I knew, of course he was speaking of Chuck.  I guess the way I looked at him
said more than any words I could have thought of saying.  I mean, I think of
that as self-defense:  Nothing more, nothing less.  The business was
something else.  Something I couldn't name.  Also, I was beginning to feel
like a kid.  I liked that feeling.  But now, I felt like the world was once
again sitting on my shoulders and I had to take care of things.

"I'm sorry, Kevin.  I didn't mean that.  Forgive me," Tony whispered.

"It's OK."

"Ah, I have heard that tone before.  It means, `I'm a tough kid.  I can take
care of myself.'  The last time I heard you speak like that I promised to
take care of you.  Didn't I?"

I remembered.  It was the night I came to live with Tony.  We were in the
hotel room and he made the call to Marie.  It seemed so long ago.  I looked
at Tony.  He seemed so tired, so old.  I wasn't sure if my coming had been
good for him.  I knew he loved me.  They all did.  But my presence had
changed them also.

"Dad," I said, "You know I love you..."

"Whatever sacrifice you are about to suggest," Tony interrupted, "Don't.
Things will work out for the best Kevin.  I promise."

One always thinks, or pretends to believe, that things are going to work for
the best when you want those about you not to worry.   But I could read the
signs in Tony.  May be it was the way he was being overly gentle with me, or
the uneasiness of his forced smile.  I can't be sure but I knew that we were
entering a dangerous time. But what really bothers me to this day is that I
don't know if knowing then what I know now would have changed a thing.

*****

The room was dark.  Boss Tariano liked it that way.  A light shone from
slightly above and behind his seated position.  His visitors always had
difficulty seeing him while he could study them at length.  The young
upstart in front of him was allowed an audience as a means to calm his hot
headedness.  The Boss was merely planning to listen patiently and then to
tell the boy to keep in rank.  But as he listened he realized that the boy
could cause more problems then he had anticipated.

"A major portion of the art industry goes through one man.  Why?" the boy
was free in his movements.  He showed no fear of the danger that surrounded
him.  This also intrigued the Boss.

"Humor me," Tariano nodded.

""Because this one man manipulates the families for his own gain." The boy
fired.

"Careful.  You speak of a friend."

"A friend?" The boy dared to laugh, "Can a bear befriend a fish?"

"Careful, I say again."

"What is it about this Bolognia that we are afraid of?  Yes, I dare to speak
his name.  He is a minor boss and a ^Å"

"A minor boss that is as important and powerful as any of the major houses,"
snapped Tariano.

"With no legitimate heir and unholy habits," sneered the boy.

"You would rouse a sleeping lion and start a war with a friend.  When has
Tony Bolognia ever refused a favor? When hard financial times hit, he made
no excuses but continued to make payments as required.  He never so much as
asked for a cut in the percentage rate.  Such friends are hard to come by
yet you would offend him without cause."

"Without cause?  No.  I have causes.  He is a cancer.  He offends me! What
is to stop him from denying a favor in the future?  He holds judges and
politicians from around the country in his pocket.  He controls too much.
His power should be decentralized for the good of all. Besides this, he is
an affront to what is good and pure.  The man has no family of his own.  He
lives with^Å"

"That will be enough," roared Tariano, "You will make no move against Tony
Bolognia.  He is a friend!"

The boy stepped forward slowly in a posture of obedience.  He kissed the
heavy diamond latent Jerusalem Cross ring on Tariano's hand and departed.

*****

Marie sat among the fragrant perfume of the azaleas. The breeze caressed her
raven hair as the reflected moon danced on its waves.  Her head was perched
in her left hand as she calmly awaited her guest. It will be good to see
Tariano again, she thought, So many years have past.

It was Immanuel Tariano that had been her confidant the days after she and
Vince parted.  He alone watched over her as she pined for the man she could
never have.  Tony insisted that it was a necessity for Father Tariano to
remain with his sister.

"Please go away," Marie's whisper echoed against the stone.

"I cannot," Tariano's voice was hushed but firm.

"I don't want you here.  I want to be alone."

"You are never alone, my child."

Marie laughed in spite of herself.  The priest was little older than
herself.  Tariano blushed immediately at his own use of the phase but it was
Marie's laughter that captured him.

"I guess I won't be referring to you as `my child' anymore," Tariano giggled
his apology.

"It's all right," Marie comforted, "I think it's cute."

"It's not supposed to be cute."

"I know. You priest are serious about everything."

Tariano cocked his head at her comment. He was a bright and handsome young
man.  His expression showed both amusement and curiosity.  He intrigued
Marie from that very moment.  They would spend seven weeks together.
Tariano listened, counseled, prayed, and mourned for her. It is fair to say
that, by the time it came for him to leave, Tariano knew he loved Marie
Bolognia and would do everything in his power to keep her save.

Marie heard the guard clear his throat to gain her attention.  She spied him
turning his head slightly to his left as another message came through his
earpiece.  His lips moved ever so slightly as he gave his response.  His
eyes immediately focused on Marie.  If she hadn't known what to look for,
she would have easily missed the conversation that took place.  She made a
mental note to mention to the man his involuntary head and lip movements.
She would speak to him in a voice that showed she honored his talent and
valued his presence.  After the conversation, Tomas Ferrelli would have a
sense of being praised but would master controlling his head and lip
movements.

She followed his gaze to the path toward the boathouse.  She nodded with a
smile.  As she passed him she whispered, "See that we are not disturbed."

He nodded his compliance and whisper instructions to the others that were
listening.  Yes, Marie thought, He's a keeper.

Her stride was graceful and unhurried as she came into view of the
boathouse.  Tariano smiled at the sight of her.  Marie noticed that his men
were also out of sight and earshot of their meeting.
*****

"It is good to see you Tariano," Marie whispered as she kissed his cheek.

Tariano inhaled deeply and then held her at arms length.  He stared deeply
into her eyes for but a moment before saying, "Come sit with me."

They sat on a bench over looking the private inlet that led to the river.
Every so often they would see a shadow move as either one of Tariano's, or
Marie's, men made a visual check of their condition. Marie and Tariano fell
into easy conversation just as old friends often do.  Playful flirtation was
accepted and control.

They would meet once or twice every few years to catch up on one another's
lives.  Tariano called it "ministry visitation" but Marie understood that
the priest had feelings for her.

"Immanuel," she looked into the priest's eyes, "Why are you here?"

"You know me to well," the priest stated after a deep breathe.

"I know that you would not come here to simply indulge in my company.  Even
though it would be a pleasant change."

The priest took another deep breath, "Yes.  I suppose you're right."

"What can I do for you Immanuel?

"There are rumblings.  Small but to be noticed."

"I see. From where do these rumblings come?"

"Power breeds envy, my child," the priest smiled, "Even among friends."

"What can we do but repent of our sins, Father?"

"Be ever watchful, my child, `For we know not the day nor the hour of his
coming.'"

"Thank you Immanuel," Marie whispered leaning forward and kissing him on the
cheek. She held the kiss only as long as socially acceptable but long enough
for Tariano to be warmed by her show of affection for him.  He had done what
he had come to do.  Marie was warned and she would take the necessary steps
to ensure her safety.  He left without another word.

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