Page 10 of Legend
Legend rolled his eyes.
I knew he hadn’t meant it as a joke, but these two men seem to see things in their way only. Yeah, I now knew why they aggravated me and got on my nerves ever since they both exited that limousine. They had two traits that I saw right off. Arrogance and a sense of entitlement. Two things in men that always pissed me the hell off.
“Maybe we can set up a video meeting between you, Redemption and Talon,” Uncle Zed suggested.
“Talking to both of them would be a good idea,” I agreed.
“Who are they?” Luca asked.
“Redemption is my nephew and the President of Requiem MC,” Uncle Zed explained. “Talon heads the Louisiana Walkers and is mostly in charge there.”
“I’m not asking for anyone’s permission,” Stephano stated with almost a sneer on his lips. “This Deacon was looking into my son’s life. He is willing to hurt him, just by his association with the Walkers I am sure. So therefore, his life is over.” Stephano gave Legend a nod. “I have some things to set up. We will be back.” He stood from the table then looked over at me. “It was especially nice to meet you, Miss Glory.” He gave me a nod and moved away, heading to the doors.
I blinked at his words and his departure.
The large guards-slash-cousins moved faster than a person would guess as they instantly flanked both sides of him. They did, however, stay in character as Italian bodyguards with very serious expressions on their faces.
Luca smiled at Legend as he patted him on the shoulder. “It was good to see you, little brother.” He then followed his father out through the doors.
Uncle Zed looked over at Legend.
Justice stared at him too.
He shrugged. “Yeah, so you can see why I never…”
I shook my head. “Are they really like…mobsters, Legend?”
Legend sighed as he nodded. “For the most part, yeah. The winery and the clubs he owns are legit. So is the whiskey distillery. But they do operate under the mafia’s umbrella. I’m not sure what they are into these days though as I have been gone for more than ten years.”
“Is that why you left?” I asked.
He looked up at me. “In a way. Like did I want to be born into the mob? No, I did not. I tried to ignore it. In high school, I just thought of us as being a well off family with close ties to Italy itself. I knew it wasn’t realistic but as a teen, I wanted to actually bypass it. But after I graduated, I found out that my father had plans for me. Like he does for all his kids. I didn’t want to go into the so-called family business. So I rebelled.”
“You wanted to be a doctor,” I said and it wasn’t a question.
“Yeah, I did. I knew that even as a teen. I mean I have four brothers. Any of them could be a part of his plans. Luca is the oldest and will take Dad’s spot. I wasn’t needed. I told him that repeatedly and he wouldn’t listen.”
“So you just took off?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Not right away. I had thought after our big blowup over this subject that he would listen. But I should’ve known better. So one day, he made an announcement at dinner about…” Legend looked away. “A job he wanted me to take with some mafia member’s company and…” He raised his gaze to meet mine. “He arranged to have me marry some girl.”
I stared at him in a little shock and asked, “M-marry?”
“Yeah.” He scoffed. “Most Italian families do that. Well, the old school ones do. Some of these kids are spoken for and have their careers chosen for them when they are like ten years old. But I refused to run some company and marry a woman Inever even met. I wanted to have my own life. Hell, I had been looking at medical schools and applying for scholarships. My dad wouldn't listen to me. Like you can see that Luca is perfectly happy with taking over and living that life. But not me. So, I took what little cash I had and packed up what I could fit into my saddlebags. I got on my Chief and went down the road.”
“What I want to know is how you hid yourself from him for all that time?” Justice asked him. “I mean the man has contacts up the yahoo. And lots of money to burn to get information from anyone. Yet, you managed to stay off his radar for ten years.”
“It was your dad,” Uncle Zed spoke up.
We all looked over at him.
“What?” I asked him. “Our dad?”
Uncle Zed nodded. “He hired a couple of hackers and experts to take care of this. They got Legend a new name and identity. I mean he couldn’t live under his given name and SSI number, could he?”
“You knew about that?” Legend asked in shock as he stared at him.
Zed nodded. “I did and I didn’t. I happened to be at the ranch one day when one of these shady characters came to meet with Jarret and get paid. Cash only is what the guy had said, in fact. I butted in then, worried that your dad was into something illegal or something. So he explained that he needed to hide Legend from his family. I then said no need to tell me more. I mean it wasn’t my business. But I promised my sister when she was alive that I would help to protect you all.”
