Page 50 of Henri's Little One
Chernof didn’t have a chance.
Chapter Twelve
Rémy’s Brooklyn Townhouse
The eight Alphas sat in the library, all dressed in casual clothes. Luc, Rémy’s factotum, assisted Marie Claire, the housekeeper, with serving drinks and appetizers.
“I was surprised. The subway is a quick way to get around town. It beats sitting in traffic. I hate traffic,” Gabriel complained.
“Traffic is what got you out of the limousine when you found Kane,” Etienne pointed out.
Gabriel cocked his head and took a sip of his bourbon. “That’s true.” He chuckled, and then in a more serious tone, said, “I don’t know how I ever lived without him.”
“I think we all feel that way about our Mates, and Henri and I have only been with our Mates for less than a week.” Julien chuckled. “Henri, tell The Alpha what transpired last night.”
Henri downed his whiskey. “Frankie Ferone helped us out again last night. He and his men surrounded my home. He’s coming back tonight until all my Enforcers arrive from Alaska. In the dark, Chernof can’t tell if the guards are loup garou or human.”
Armand nodded, smiling slightly. “That’s true, I never thought of that. Frank Ferone is proving to be a good friend to our people.”
“Vitas fell asleep on my shoulder last night before everyone left and, in front of Julien, murmured that Frankie was for Rene.” Henri chuckled.
Martin’s jaw dropped.
The Alpha laughed. “Your status as the only mated Beta may be about to change.” The Alpha turned his head to face Martin. “How do you think Rene will feel about that?”
“He’ll be overjoyed, Alpha. The only problem I foresee is Don Ferone.” Martin’s expression grew grave. “If he objects, it could seriously jeopardize our relationship with his organization, and that was peace hard won.”
Julien looked at The Alpha. “May I explain?”
Armand sipped at his brandy. “By all means.”
“Don Ferone dislikes gay men and only puts up with Frankie in his organization because he deeply loves Frankie’s mother. Frankie thought he was being brought in to help Don Ferone legitimize his businesses. That is not the case. Since Frankie will bend the law but refuses to break the spirit of the law, he and his men exist on the margins of Don Ferone’s organization, used only when Ferone needs a show of muscle. Frankie’s moral compass prevents him from carrying out orders for outright murder or unwarranted theft. That’s why he offered Frankie to us when we needed to protect Richard.” Julien paused.
“Continue…” Armand lifted his glass to Julien.
“Frankie can’t get a legitimate job because of his last name. He can’t change his last name back to his dead father’s because that would hurt his mother who loves Don Ferone. She was ecstatic when Don Ferone suggested adopting her two-year-old son. She talks to him about how grateful he should be all the time.”
“What was Frankie’s original last name?” Etienne took some caviar and egg encased in puff pastry.
“Fitzgerald. His father was an Army Ranger who won a silver star awarded posthumously.” Julien took a mouthful of scotch.
“In other words, she went from a war hero to a mobster.” Armand’s tone was caustic.
“Frankie says his mother is very naïve and believes that Don Ferone imports olive oil.” Julien put down his drink.
“Just like Don Corleone inThe Godfather, it’s almost laughable except Frankie isn’t laughing. I spoke to him about it this morning after the Mates went to Zachary’s.” Henri poured more whiskey.
“I’ll bet,” Rémy interjected. “I wouldn’t be laughing either.”
“Frankie asked for a job at Garou,” Julien explained.
Armand picked up the story. “Someone of Frank Ferone’s education and experience would be hired high up in the organization in a place reserved only for loup garou, their children, or their Mates. Julien has thought from the beginning that Frank was a Mate because of his green eyes and his one hundred percent Irish blood.”
“Don Ferone would be as happy to get rid of Frankie as Frankie would be to leave Ferone’s enterprise behind, but because of his mother they are at an impasse.” Julien took a stuffed mushroom from Marie Claire’s tray.
“If Frankie is a Mate, he can come to Garou. He’d be a perfect fit for the part of Pierre’s old position. Pierre can no longer handle it and take some of the load of managing my investments from me. It is my understanding that Frankie manages all of Don Ferone’s personal accounts and has tripled his wealth.” Armand sighed. “And it was Don Ferone who gave me that information when I inquired about Frankie.”
“Didn’t Hughes do that for you?” Etienne asked.
