“Giaimo,” the little boy looked up at his mother and smiled.
“That’s right, love,” Jocelyn pulled her fingers through her son’s hair and then looked to Athena. “It’s his middle name.”
Athena squeezed the child close. “Dolce amore, bel ragazzo.” Sweet love, beautiful boy, she’d said, rocking the boy in her arms for a time. “What’s your first name, my love?”
“Sondrio,” the child said.
“Sondrio...Sondrio, Sondrio...” Athena made a melody of the name and joined in when her grandson laughed. She looked up at Jocelyn.
“You must come in and stay a while.”
“Oh no, we couldn’t intrude-”
“No such thing. You’re family and this is your home,” she put a kiss to her grandson’s cheek and stood to survey Jocelyn’s alabaster skin and lovely features. Approval pooled her violet gaze. “Come Sondrio,” she mussed his hair playfully, “let’s meet your cousin Brogue. The two of you will be like brothers.”
Athena pushed the front door shut and then led the child and his mother into her home.
~60~
Mahanoro, Madagascar~
Along the eastern coast of Madagascar, the town of Mahanoro was a quiet domain. It was isolated, with virtually no tourism when compared to destinations such as Ifaty and Tsingy de Bemaraha. Some would call it serene, others might say desolate.
Humphrey Tesano and Jude Ophion called it their destiny. Isolation and desolation, made it a perfect choice for their endeavors that had already been close to 10 years in the making.
There were no shortage of workers to bring that destiny alive. The partners stood beneath a blazing Madagascan sun and surveyed the results of their efforts to date. Builders were at work across every square mile Humphrey had acquired in Mahanoro. The sound of labor mingled with the unending calls of the wild. Crates were being unloaded, trees leveled.
“Your little brother is starting to make a name for himself,” Ophion’s cool voice seemed to carry over the builder’s medley.
“Vestige,” Humphrey’s grudging tone carried on an amused chord. “Fitting name for the speck it is and all it will ever be.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Ophion cautioned. “Your brother seems to have a talent for making friends in high places. Places that could make problems for us if he chooses to turn his sights our way.”
“As usual, you give my family too much credit.”
“No more than your father,” Ophion countered. “Roman has access to every level of Tesano. He’s free to investigate anything that doesn’t sit well with him.”
Humphrey began to move toward the unending expanse of land being uprooted for new foundations. Ophion joined him.
“I didn’t know you cared so much about my father’s business, Ophion.”
“Considering we’re still heavily relying on that business to facilitate our endeavors here? Yes, I suppose I do. But it’s not just that. Your father is a powerful man. His approval of Roman’s business-as well as your brother Aaron’s approval, could have a sizable impact whenever your father decides to make out his will.”
Use of the word earned Ophion a raised brow from Humphrey. “So what you’re really afraid of is that we may run out of money-”
“I’m afraid who else your father’s endorsement might encourage to seek Roman’s services. If they get curious about what you’re up to-”
“They don’t even know where we are.”
“And how long do you expect that to last given all the interest our work is drawing? Some of our new friends are bound to have crossed paths with some of Roman’s new ones.”
Humphrey sighed, unable to dismiss Ophion’s spot on assessment. His evolving business dealings with Marcus Ramsey came to mind. Marcus also had an annoying little brother with similar interests. Damon Ramsey and Roman had been friends for several years now.
“Tesano-”
“I’d appreciate you letting me handle my family,” Humphrey sent a slicing glance toward his partner. “I believe I’ve proven I know how to.”
Ophion’s expression leveled. “Oh yes...you have at that.”
Silence held between the men as they made their way to the greenhouse structures in the distance.
“I still wouldn’t underestimate the kid if I were you,” Ophion said when they stood outside the double screen doors.
“And you shouldn’t overestimate him.” Humphrey threw back. “Roman’s a thug-always has been.”
“A thug who was charming enough to convince a revered man like Hillar Kamande to let him have his daughter.”
Humphrey chuckled then. “Is this my family or yours?”
“Family is important,” Ophion’s tone was sober, pulsing with conviction. “A man with a family who supports him can conquer the world.”
“And a house divided cannot stand. Yeah, I know all the sayings about unity, Ophion. You give my family way too much credit.”
“Maybe. I only hope one day you won’t regret not doing the same.”
The men entered one of the greenhouse structures. There, a sea of white-coated personnel were either hunched over microscopes or talking passionately in small groups as they stood before X-rays featured on mounted screens. Others stood around large books and held conversation over cell structure, blood analysis and more.
Ophion sighed as though his concerns were suddenly inconsequential. “We’re going to do great things here, Tesano.”
