“I’ll never be able to thank Liam, but I have the highest regard for my little brother.” Giaimo’s voice hitched and he cleared his throat. “He raised my son like he was his own. Does he know, Thea? Stone? Does he know he-”
“No. Liam never wanted him to feel different from the others and besides...you were dead.”
“Like I said,” Giaimo cocked his head approvingly, “the highest regard. Thank you both for bringing my son up to be a great man. Great like the only father he knows-the only one who matters.”
Athena nodded and once more, closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at Giaimo again, not even when he moved close to put a kiss to the top of her head. When she finally opened her eyes, he was gone.
~36~
It was nothing out of the ordinary for Liam Tesano to still command the lingering gazes of those he encountered. Men were riveted by the respect, authority and mystique he commanded. Women were riveted by all that as well as far more basic elements.
Liam may have considered himself well beyond swoon-worthy age, but he would have been alone in that belief. He drew wanton female stares whether in the presence of his contemporaries or men far younger. Only in the company of his equally swoon-worthy sons, was he at risk of losing his monopoly on attention.
Unfortunately, the son at Liam’s side seemed too uneasy to care much for all the lustful notice he drew from over half the members of the opposite sex who filled the dining room.
“Pop if is this about taking Ro and the guys to Lucinda’s, it was the kid’s eighteenth and I just-” Humphrey broke off the explanation when his father cut in with laughter.
“For the fifth time, son, you’re in no trouble.”
Humphrey had been edgy since his father unexpectedly stopped by his office that afternoon with the lunch invite.
The Tesanos were interrupted by the restaurant manager. “Apologies for keeping you waiting, Mr. Tesano.”
“David,” Liam called the man in a playfully chiding tone, “you shouldn't be leaving your other guests to see to us.”
“And miss the chance to speak to one of my favorite customers?” David Beemish raved, his warm brown eyes sparkling with amusement. “David Beemish,” he reached over to shake hands with Humphrey. “Your table’s all ready,” he said.
The men moved through the crowded room. Liam took the time to nod and shake hands with other diners who recognized him. Despite all the hands he shook, they arrived at the table in under a minute according to Humphrey’s calculations. He didn’t mind. It was an education to watch his father work a room. Learning the art was something he had yet to tuck neatly under his belt and he thoroughly recognized the importance of it.
Liam got to the table, thanked the manager once again and took his seat. “Now, where were we?”
“I’m not in trouble.”
“Right,” Liam eyed his first born with a mix of fatherly pride and scrutiny. “Is that what you think it means when I want time alone with you?”
Humphrey shrugged. “We don’t do this often, Pop.”
“No, we don’t,” Liam shrugged. “And that’s my fault. My cowardice.”
“Pop?” Humphrey frowned at his father’s word choice.
They were interrupted for orders which they gave quickly.
“Something changed between us the night your mother and I fought about Vic.”
“You and Ma fought a lot about him,” Humphrey’s voice had hardened.
“I mean the night I told her he was coming to stay with us-things changed between us, you and me- that night and I-” Liam studied his fingers as they tapped the sides of his water glass.
“I never told you how proud I was of you. Sticking up for your mother the way you have all your life.”
Humphrey bristled. “I meant no disrespect, Papa.”
“I didn’t call you here to discuss it. I only wanted you to know I was proud.”
More nervous than ever, Humphrey unsnugged his tie. “Pop, why are we here?”
“Do you want Tesano, Humphrey?”
Humphrey actually gasped. “P-pop I,” he could barely speak for the ache in his chest.
“Someday,” Liam added.
Humphrey expelled his stifled breath. “Y-yes, yes sir,” he admitted with a quiet laugh.
“Good,” Liam nodded. “Good, Humphrey. That’s what every father wants to hear. That his sons are willing to carry on his life’s work as their own. Especially when that could happen in the near future.”
Humphrey bristled, but fear had replaced the apprehension in his dark eyes. “Pop is everything okay?”
“Yes, yes, I don’t mean I’m soon to kick the bucket. I want to enjoy the results of my work while I still have the time. I need to know that when you’re ready, you won’t be talked into wrong courses of action for profit when the right course is just as profitable.”
Antipasto and drinks arrived then. Silence settled between father and son as they sipped drinks and dined. A few minutes into the appetizers, Humphrey leaned back from the table.
“You know, don’t you? About Uncle Em? That I’m his partner.”
Liam set aside his knife and fork. “I know.”
“Uncle Emilio? He told you?”
