Page 29 of The Rescuer
“Because Don Ruggero’s heir was meant for me.” Ottavio’s eyes were shining with lust and greed. “You may be a Cavallieri, but this doesn’t mean you, who are married to a straniero, understand our ways.” He took a deep breath. “I’m older than Luca, and a legitimate child. He would have submitted to me both sexually and financially. The Sforza family would have had full control over the Rinaldi estate.”
“That’s not what your father wanted, and his letters speak clearly about that. The way I see things, you are nothing but a selfish asshole, frustrated that his younger brother got more of your father’s attention and the love of the man you are obsessed with.” Once Brian finished talking, he wondered if he went go too far.
Ottavio slowly shook his head. “For someone who claims he is the descendant of Blasio Cavallieri, you are not very smart. Let me tell you a secret.” The man brought his face inches from the librarian’s and let out a barely audible whisper. “That brat is not even a Sforza.”
“You are a piece of work, you know that?” Brian gave the other man an incredulous look. “First, you disrespect your father by disobeying his wishes and The Council’s orders, and now you are casting the shadow of doubt over your mother’s reputation by accusing her of adultery?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Ottavio raised his voice, pain flickering through his eyes for a brief second. “I was fourteen back when it happened, old enough to know…things. Mamma didn’t show any signs of pregnancy, no swollen belly, no morning sickness, no nothing, and suddenly bam!” The man gestured with his hands into the air. “Papa comes home and is like Ottavio, you have a baby brother.”
“Maybe your mother had an atypical pregnancy.” Brian swallowed a few times before continuing. “If you figured out your sexuality from a very early age, you didn’t pay very much attention to the changes a woman’s body undergoes in different stages of pregnancy. I thought I was straight, so those things mattered to me, and I can tell you some pregnancies are barely visible, even a few weeks before full term.”
“I see.” Ottavio nodded in understanding. “Can’t argue with the expert, so what about this: my dark-blue eyes and black hair versus the brat’s poison-green eyes and hair red as hell’s flames. He doesn’t have any of the Sforza or Van Necker trademark physical features.” He took the Wisdom Keeper’s ring out of the librarian’s finger. “You won’t be needing this anymore.”
Ottavio exited the room before Brian could protest his despicable act. “Goddamn coward and thief,” the librarian said to himself, frustrated, then his thoughts took a turn to what The Council’s enemy told him a few minutes earlier about Martino not being a Sforza. If that were true, the consequences of the revelation would be devastating.
As the only surviving Sforza, Ottavio had the right to claim the position of War, previously held by his deceased father, for himself, annulling the secret agreement between Don Giovanni and his brother-in-law, which stipulated that Baldassare would take over his uncle’s spot in The Council when the man would resign or die.
Now what?Brian looked around the room, huffing in frustration.I could use a bit of help, if any of you are around, he thought.A back massage, loosening the handcuffs a bit so they don’t cut my wrist, a gulp of water, a word of wisdom, someone to get me out of here. Anything will do, I’m not picky.
Everything will be fine.Don Giovanni’s voice echoed in Brian’s head, making him sigh in relief.I know right now you don’t see a way out of your desperate situation, but the cavalry is already on the way. As for what Ottavio told you earlier, it’s nothing but a bunch of lies, like everything he said lately.
For a moment, the communication between the two was interrupted, then the librarian clearly heard the ghost’s voice in his head again.Tell Luca to stop hesitating; that traitor needs to be dealt with.
**********
“Hi.” Bart waved to Peyton. “The right person at the right time, no wonder you’ve been the principal for so many years.” He tried to cover the anxiety in his voice with a joke. “Have you seen Brian? We were supposed to meet at the library at the end of the workday and go home together.”
“Did you check in the back?” A light frown creased Peyton’s forehead. “I had a meeting with him and Bianca in the morning about reviewing the arts and crafts supplies. The two of them were supposed to make an inventory, but Bianca had a family emergency and had to leave earlier. I don’t know if Brian did it by himself.”
“Well, I better go check.” Bart let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Thank you for help and have a nice evening.” From the corner of his eye, he noticed Tanner heading to them. “Brian must show up any second. See you tomorrow.”
“Mister Bart, I’m afraid I have some very bad news.” The guard lowered his gaze, ignoring the other one’s friendly smile, and lightly massaged the back of his head. “They came and took the boss.”
“Wh—what are you saying there?” Bart’s eyes went wide with shock and disbelief as he made efforts to maintain his composure for the sake of the children, who were engaged in a game with some of their friends from school. “Who took who?”
“Some men, three or four, came into the library from the back entrance, knocked me down before I could fight them off or call for help, and when I woke up, the boss was gone. I looked for him everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found.” Guilt washed over Tanner, choking him.
“What happened? Does Brian need help with the inventory?” As if they sensed something was not quite right, Peyton turned around and headed to the two men. “What’s with this long face?” Their stomach knotted at the sight of the defeated expression on the guard’s face.
“One of the men who took the boss…” Tanner abruptly started, frowning. “His face looked familiar, and I remembered now where I saw him.” He swallowed hard. “The fucker is a guard here. His name is Pietro Scalzi.”
Peyton stared at the guard in disbelief. “But…no, you must have taken him for another. The Pietro I know wouldn’t do something like that; he’s been at The Base for twenty years and is one of the most loyal guards.”
“Until now.” Bart shrugged the lethargy off and turned to the principal. “You know Ardan’s and Elias’s schedule way better than me. Do you think they’re still here?” He looked between Peyton and Tanner. “There must be something they can do to get Brian from…wherever he is.”
“And they will.” The principal’s voice was loud, clear, and filled with determination. “We at The Base don’t leave our people behind.”
