Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Undercover Lovers ❯ The angel of death ( Chapter 53 )

Chapter 53: The Angel of Death

 

Gene had just returned to the study door to hear an angry voice snarl at Ulysses, “I want our weapons returned to us. Now!”

Stepping through the door he saw Milo blanch under the malignant glare that was coming from those dead brown eyes.

 

“Is there a problem here Mr. Valentinius?” Gene asked.

 

Squall pivoted and faced the older man a scowl plastered across his face he replied harshly, “I don't appreciate being interrogated by someone who is beneath me.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

Squall glared coldly at the older man and gave him a brief overview of what had transpired while he had been gone.

 

“Mr. Valentinius, please do not leave.” Gene said sincerely. He knew that you never questioned people who were linked to the mob, especially someone who had the connections that this young man did. He had thought that all of his employees knew that too, apparently Ulysses didn't get the memo. Stomping into the room he glared at Ulysses and snapped, “Get out of my sight.”

 

“But boss, I was just looking out for you.” Ulysses offered.

 

His response resulted in being slapped and Caraway shouting at him, “Go now.”

 

Ulysses gathered what was left of his dignity and hastily left the room and started to silently curse, what in the hell was wrong with him he had just paid grave insult to the nephew of one of the biggest crime lords on the East Coast. And what had happened could cost his boss doing business with that family. He rubbed his neck subconsciously hoping that when the end came it wasn't going to be an Italian necktie, but a bullet to the back of the head. He would have packed his bags and ran but knew that there would be no safe place for him to hide if he did.

 

Reno passed Ulysses in the hall on his way back to the study he hadn't said or done anything to show it but he was pissed that Gene would treat him like a flunky instead of the good right arm that he was. He saw the bright red hand print glowing like a neon beacon off of the bleached blonds check.

 

“Be careful the boss is in a bad mood.” Ulysses warned the slender redhead as he passed.

 

“Shit! Fuck!” Reno groaned silently as he continued towards the study, hoping that nothing had happened that would destroy the investigation that they were working on and if it had hopefully it could be rectified.

 

After Ulysses made his retreat Gene turned towards Squall, he could tell that the young man was angry. His demeanor had been chilly before, now he had all the warmth of a rabid polar bear. “Mr. Valentinius please excuse him, Ulysses has the tendency to speak without thinking.” Gene offered as a sacrifice to appease the Mafia Prince.

 

“Very well Mr. Caraway.” Squall growled softly and sat back down.

 

Seifer retook his place behind Squall, successfully controlling the smile that threatened to spill across his lips. He made a mental note to tell Squall how magnificent he was when they got home later and he was holding the brunet in the comfort of his arms.

 

Reno came skidding to a halt in the door as Squall sat back down, quickly changing the harried look to a grin he said, “Cook told me that she would have refreshments ready in about five minutes Mr. Caraway.”

 

“Ah yes thank you Reno.” Gene replied to the man and indicated that he should come and stand behind him like the blond was doing with Mr. Valentinius. He liked that and made the decision that from now on he was going to have one of his people do the same thing. He hadn't thought of it before, but not only did it give the sense of protection but it was intimidating and in his line of work the more trump you had the better.

 

Squall half smiled at Reno and said, “Mr. Caraway, My family and I wish to thank you and your associate Mr. Carson for his intervention on my abduction by Mr. Jenova. If he would have carried through with his nefarious plans for me it would have led to a great deal of blood shed. Now perhaps we can both get something that we want. The Families in New York have heard that not only you, but the Angelini's and the Stansovitch's wish to extend your franchise there. We, the Valentinius' would like to offer a business proposal to you first.” Squall held out his hand to Gene Caraway who took it in his and shook.

 

Gene Caraway was impressed, he knew you could tell a lot about a man by the way he shook hands and Michelangelo Valentinius had a firm grip. He also knew what the proposition was going to be but like any smart man who was in that line of work he knew when to play dumb and when not too. He replied, “It all depends on what your family has in mind.”

 

Squall raised an amused eyebrow, but it quickly lowered to join the other in what seemed to be a permanent scowl.

“Cut the crap Caraway. You know why I'm here and I neither have the time nor the patience to play games.”

 

Gene bit back a chuckle, he wasn't used to doing business with someone as young as Michelangelo Valentinius and he told him so, “Please excuse me, I'm used to dealing with somebody that's just a touch older then you.”

 

He was good Squall gave him that. The man didn't pussyfoot around, but as a Valentinius neither did he, what was he thinking as a Leonhart he wouldn't pussyfoot around either. Reaching into his suit jacket pocket he pulled out his cell phone and placed one phone call. When the other party he picked up he said, “Ciao Uncle Angelo, it's Micky. I was wondering how much longer you were going to be in town? If you're available I'd like to set up an appointment for you to meet someone, possibly a new business associate.”

 

Looking across the desktop at Gene Squall asked, “Is Monday fine with you Mr. Caraway? If not we can set up a different time, I'm sure that my Uncle can change his schedule to coincide with a time that is more convenient for you.”

 

Gene swallowed and succeeded in not stuttering out his response, “No! That won't be necessary at all Mr. Valentinius.”

 

“No Uncle Angelo everything is fine now.” He paused to listen to his Uncles next question, “Yes that sounds great, I love your manicotti. Until later Ti amo, arriverderci.” Clicked the phone shut and replaced it in his pocket.

 

Gene let out the breath he had been holding and offered sincerely, “I feel like I've done nothing but apologize for insulting you Mr. Valentinius. There are times when I speak without thinking and now is one of those times.” He had connections but compared to the ones that this Mafia Prince did, his were insignificant.

 

Squall took the apology for what it was and raised his hand and waved it away, “Please Mr. Caraway think nothing of it.”

 

A short knock on the door brought a brief pause to their conversation, Gene ordered shortly, “Enter.”

 

A maid opened the door and wheeled in a cart that held a coffee urn, cream, sugar a tray that held a variety of desserts, cups and saucers. “Excuse Mr. Caraway but Mrs. Stratford asked me bring this in for you and your guest.” The woman replied and brought the cart further into the room and parked it by his desk. Picking up the coffee pot she poured two cups and sat one in front of her boss, turning she went to sat the other in front of his guest and dropped it in a clatter of china spilling the hot black liquid across the polished surface of the desk.

 

When the cup had hit the desktop, Squall jackknifed out of his chair knocking it over. He didn't relish getting a lap full of steaming coffee.

 

Before she could clean up the mess or even apologize she was stopped by an angry order from her employer, “That is all for now Marie.” Gene reached over and picked up a handful of napkins and started mopping up the mess. Glancing over his shoulder he said, “Down Reno.”

 

When Squall had stood up so abruptly, Reno playing the good dog immediately started to pull his own pistol.

 

Marie quickly left the room hoping that her clumsiness wouldn't get her fired. She had seen Ulysses and had heard that Mr. Caraway was in a bad mood, and she had inadvertently made him even angrier, but god in heaven that man was gorgeous. She imagined that he would be devastating if he smiled.

 

Having successfully cleaned up the spilled liquid, Gene righted the cup, picked up the coffee urn and poured another cup for his guest. He smiled at Squall, and took the tray of sweets and held it out to him.

 

“No thank you.” Squall replied to proffered treats and retook the chair that Seifer had righted for him.

 

Gene placed the tray back on the cart and sat back down, “Well Mr. Valentinius I know that it seemed that I was trying to jerk you around earlier, but you can't be to careful in our line of work. And like you my time is essential. How do you propose helping me?”

 

“First things first, since we are going to be doing business together, perhaps we can start referring to each other on a first name basis. With the exception of my mother my family calls me Micky, everyone else either calls me Michelangelo or just Michel.”

 

Gene smiled at the intense man and asked, “What do your enemies call you?”

 

“The Angel of Death.” Squall replied coldly.

 

 

Authors Note: Just to let you know unlike some pop culture would have you believe ciao does mean hello in Italian. Also I love Reno to pieces and I don't think he's a dog.