Chapter 2 - THE BOY WITH HIS EYES
The Ferrante boathouse stood beyond the eastern edge of the property where the river widened enough to hide small boats from the city.
Cosmo had used it for meetings.
Private ones.
The dangerous kind.
At midnight, Riona stood beneath the old porch roof with Anel inside the car behind her.
She had told him to remain there.
He had asked why.
She told him adults were going to talk.
He accepted that.
Children learned to accept strange instructions when their lives depended on adults.
Aldrich arrived alone.
At least he appeared to be alone.
“You came.”
“So did you.”
He held up the key.
“Where's the ledger?”
“Not here.”
His jaw tightened.
“You said—”
“I said I would meet you here.”
He looked toward the car.
“Is that him?”
Riona didn't answer.
Aldrich stared at the vehicle.
“I want to meet my son.”
“You don't know that he's your son.”
“I know.”
“You've known for less than ten hours.”
“It took less than ten seconds.”
She looked away.
He moved closer.
“Riona, why didn't you tell me?”
“You know why.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“You think because I made one terrible mistake eight years ago, I don't deserve to know my own child?”
“I think you deserve to know him.”
He stopped.
“But?”
“But I don't know whether you'll take over his life because you can.”
Aldrich's eyes narrowed.
“I wouldn't.”
“You don't know that.”
“I do.”
“You're a Ferrante.”
The words landed harder than she intended.
Aldrich's expression changed.
“You say that like it makes me dangerous.”
“It makes you powerful.”
“There's a difference.”
“Not where I come from.”
Silence.
Then Anel opened the car door.
“Mama?”
Riona turned immediately.
“What happened?”
“I'm cold.”
She hurried over.
Aldrich stayed where he was.
Anel looked at him.
Then at Riona.
“Is he the man from church?”
Riona nodded.
“Yes.”
“What's his name?”
“Aldrich.”
The boy looked at him.
“Aldrich.”
The way he pronounced it sounded strangely familiar.
Aldrich almost smiled.
“Yes.”
Anel held up his wooden fox.
“My mom says important people don't like toys.”
Aldrich crouched.
“I like toys.”
Anel studied him.
“You look sad.”
Aldrich exhaled.
“I am.”
“Why?”
“Because I found something important very late.”
Anel looked at Riona.
She gave him a tiny nod.
He walked toward Aldrich.
The boy was cautious.
Not frightened.
Just careful.
Aldrich did not reach for him.
He allowed Anel to stand three feet away.
“You have gray eyes,” Anel said.
“So do you.”
Anel looked surprised.
“Really?”
Aldrich smiled.
“Yes.”
“Mine are from Mama.”
Aldrich looked at Riona.
He almost laughed.
Almost.
Instead he said, “Maybe.”
Riona watched them.
Something inside her hurt.
Because there was no reason for this moment to feel familiar.
And yet it did.
As though her body recognized something her mind had spent years denying.
Anel looked at Aldrich.
“Were you at the funeral?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know the old man?”
“He was my grandfather.”
Anel frowned.
“Did he like you?”
Aldrich smiled.
“Sometimes.”
“Did you like him?”
“Sometimes.”
Anel considered this.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
Aldrich looked at Riona.
“He's incredible.”
“He's mine.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“And he doesn't know.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you plan to tell him?”
Riona hesitated.
“I don't know.”
Aldrich stared at her.
“You spent seven years raising my son.”
“I spent seven years raising my child.”
“You said my.”
She swallowed.
“I shouldn't have.”
“I don't want to take him.”
“Then what do you want?”
Aldrich's voice dropped.
“I want to know him.”
Before Riona could answer, headlights appeared through the trees.
She immediately pushed Anel behind her.
Aldrich turned.
Three black vehicles approached.
His hand moved instinctively toward his weapon.
“Stay behind me.”
Riona nodded.
The vehicles stopped.
Men emerged.
Not Ferrante.
Aldrich recognized the insignia.
Vain Security.
Roland.
Riona grabbed Anel.
Aldrich drew his gun.
The first shot cracked through the darkness.
He returned fire.
The men scattered.
Riona ran with Anel toward the boathouse.
“Get inside!”
Aldrich covered them.
The exchange lasted less than two minutes.
Then silence.
Two men were down.
One vehicle fled.
Aldrich approached the nearest body.
A radio lay beside it.
He picked it up.
Roland's voice came through.
“Did they get the child?”
Aldrich's eyes went cold.
“They weren't after the ledger.”
Riona appeared behind him.
“They were after Anel.”
He looked at her.
“Why?”
She hugged her son.
“Because he is proof.”
“Proof of what?”
“That the truth survived.”
Aldrich looked toward the darkness.
May you like
Something far larger than his relationship with Riona was unfolding.
And his son was at the center of it.
