Roman’s face flushed. “Look Dad, I’m sorry for not coming to you with this sooner, but then Stone was stumbling onto the weapons thing and Uncle Em was out anyway so it looked like things were being cleaned up.”
“Which means there’s more you want to tell me.”
Wonder claimed Roman’s expression. “I’d really like for you to teach me how to do that.”
“What? Be perceptive? Know when my boys need to tell me something? All it takes it getting to know you. It’s about more than being called a father, Ro. A man has to put the work in.” He patted Roman’s cheek. “You’ll get it when you have sons of your own.”
Roman made a determined effort not to think of Imani then. “Dad um...Uncle Em was using our guards as more than underworld muscle,” he nodded when a storm brewed alongside the disbelief in his father’s eyes.
“Em was using them to strong arm other factory owners. Encouraging them to bow out gracefully and let Tesano be the victor in certain bids.”
Liam’s fist slammed the table, causing dishes and silverware to jump in response. “When will it end?” his voice was a garbled growl then.
“Don’t worry, Dad,” Roman squeezed his father’s wrist. “I took care of it, it’s okay.”
“Took care of it, how?” Liam’s tone was still a growl.
“I called the Chicago owners and explained that wasn’t the way we do business. I told them you’d meet with each of them personally during your annual trip to inspect our factories. They seemed to appreciate that it was a Tesano calling and not one of our reps. I don’t think we’ll get much backlash.”
Liam’s expression was still rather tumultuous, but he was smiling. “Looks like you’ve got your finger on the pulse of the family business.”
“Yeah well,” Roman cocked his head, shrugged a fraction, “no matter what Pitch says, I haven’t been spending all my time moping. I talked to the factory owners here in New York. I think they’ve been victimized by Em’s side business too.”
“What about Mica and Tori?” Liam began to thumb through the news clippings again. “Were they involved?”
“I haven’t found any connection, but I’m still early in the investigation. There’s a guard who went missing right after this all went down-a Henry Kreel. He could’ve just decided he had enough of being a guard. I still want to know for sure. I’ll keep on it.”
“Are you sure you’re not putting too much work into this?”
“It’s important, Dad and um...I’m kind of enjoying it. Plus, I think I’ll have more help with lots of the legwork. I’m gonna ask some friends from school to watch my back.”
“I see. You trust them?”
“I do.”
Liam nodded promptly. “Then Tesano is lucky to be getting the benefit of such oversight. You’ve done well.”
“Thanks, Dad but um...”
Grinning slyly, Liam reached over to squeeze Roman’s shoulder. “You know you won’t hurt my feelings.”
“Sir?”
“You want to go off on your own, don’t you?”
Looking utterly flabbergasted, Roman flounced back in his chair. “You’re gonna have to excuse my language now, Pop but that’s some scary shit.”
Liam burst into laughter and squeezed the side of Roman’s neck before he reached up to muss his son’s hair. “I think it’s a good idea, if it’s what you want.”
Roman studied the tabletop and sighed. “It felt good to call them-the factory owners. They um, they made me feel like some guardian angel looking out for them. It felt good.”
“Good things tend to.” Liam offered his son an encouraging smile. “Do you need anything to get started?”
“No, I-” Roman spread his hands over the table. “I guess I don’t really know what goes into setting up something like this. I haven’t talked to anybody about it, except you.”
“I see. Is there anybody who actually knows what he’s doing?”
“Yeah, yeah there is. Damon Ramsey.”
Liam smiled. “Now we’re talking.”
Roman laughed. “Yeah, he’s doing something similar at his family’s company. I was thinking about going out to Seattle and picking his brain for ideas. Whatever I do I want it to benefit more than us-be for more than the Tesanos.”
“Admirable. I’m proud of you, boy.”
“But still a little disappointed?” Roman probed.
“Why would I be?”
“You want your sons in the business, don’t you?” Roman pressed.
Liam’s laughter surged then. “That’s the good thing about having lots of sons. Your feelings aren’t so hurt when one tells you he wants to follow his own dreams.” He leveled a finger at Roman then. “Be sure your wife gives you a ball team and you never have to worry.”
Roman joined his father in laughter that time and tried even harder to keep his mind off Imani Kamande.
~45~
“Heading out?”
