Page 57 of The Betas: Rene
Epilogue
LaGuardia Airport
Queens, NY
Arkady Viktor Kuznetsov’s plane glided onto the runway and taxied over to the private hanger. A party of three Navigators and one limousine waited on the tarmac. Don Ferone’s associates rode with Martin in one of the Navigators. Don Ferone, The Alpha, and Alpha Clavier rode in the limo.
The air stairs opened and three men deplaned. Don Ferone left the limousine with Frankie and the loup garou to greet Kuznetsov at the bottom of the stairs. “Arkady, so good to see you again. You know my son, Frankie? I have the limousine ready for you and your guests. You mentioned a security problem? The Navigators will accompany us to Manhattan.”
“Thank you, Don Ferone. This is Klim Leontiy Prokhor and Boris Pyotr Mikhailov. These are the gentlemen that need the security.”
“So pleasant to meet you, Mr. Prokhor, Mr. Mikhailov. Frankie will escort you to the limousine while Arkady and I take care of the luggage. Arkady, this way…”
“Your associates are in the limousine?” Frankie heard Arkady ask Dante.
“Yes, they have wired the ten million dollars to your account.”
“What is your take on this, Dante?” Arkady cocked his head.
“I have received certain consideration…favors, if you will.”
“Since you made it worth my while,” Arkady shrugged, “I have no objection to your disposal of my dubious colleagues.”
§ § §
“If you will follow my son to the limousine…”
Frankie had to steel himself to avoid shaking. This was something his stepfather did all the time, send men to their deaths. Frankie didn’t like doing this, sending someone to their death, even at the behest of the gods.
Don Ferone waved the men on. Frankie knew what awaited them in the limousine. He didn’t know why he was squeamish now. The horse tranquilizers had been his idea.Get ahold of yourself. These are very bad men who would hurt your new family. Get a spine.
Four Enforcers flanked them, and Mr. Prokhor and Mr. Mikhailov followed Frankie into the limousine. René and Martin met them with the horse syringes. Before the two men could escape, Alpha Clavier, Roland, and André, with the help of Martin and René, held them down while The Alpha and Alpha Clavier administered the injections.
Once the deed was done, Alpha Clavier exited the limousine with The Alpha. “They went out like a light. Frankie Ferone seems to be an asset.”
“I believe so.” The Alpha strode over to a second limousine that pulled out of the hanger. He turned to the loup garou and said, “It’s time to go, the gods are waiting.” The two limousines sped out into the city traffic.
Frankie walked over to his stepfather’s limousine before heading uptown with Edward to witness the execution. “Thank you, Dante, those were very bad men. That was well done.”
“You will bring the little one over for tea, once a week when she is in town?”
“Yes, as promised. She needs a gentler influence besides that of her governess. She is becoming spoiled.”
Dante chuckled. “I’d spoil a little girl, too. I spoiled your brother to no good end. Now I must take him in hand. Junior will get the business. Son, are you happy?”
Frankie choked up, and he had a hard time answering. “Yes, happier than I’ve ever been in my life. He’s exactly what I needed. I love him.”
“Good. Despite what I’ve said in the past, that’s all I really wanted for you was happiness. I was afraid that you wouldn’t get it being as you are. That is why I tried so hard to—”
“I know, Dante, I know.” Frankie kissed his stepfather on the cheek. “We’ll see Mom with Elena on Friday. Sean, Mr. La Marche’s husband has lunch on Friday with his friends. On Friday, when she is in the city, Elena can have tea with Mom. Thank you, for taking such good care of Mom all these years.”
“How could I not? She’s been my heart since I first saw her at the door when I went to offer my condolences after your father’s death. Go now, I’m sure you are needed. Mr. La Marche has all the muscle he needs. What he doesn’t have is your brains.”
§ § §
Frankie ran over to the Navigator driven by Didier and got into the front seat. They drove uptown to Garou.
Once they arrived at the building, two of Alpha Clavier’s Enforcers met them in the lobby of Garou and escorted them to the secret boardroom down in the basement. The Enforcers took him to an empty seat beside René who sat in leather in a roped off area surrounding the pit lit in red. Frankie made a moue of distaste. The small arena appeared as if it were ringed in blood.
