Page 9 of War
Four
“I have to leave for a couple of days but I’ll be back on Sunday,” Nick began as he prepared dinner.
His wife, Zerrin, looked up from the floor, where she was coloring with their toddler son, Pietro. “Oh?”
“Eli wants me to accompany him to Houston for a second opinion on the situation,” Nick’s voice was ripe with irritation. He was already disgusted with his brother’s infidelity but truly astounded at the fact Eli didn’t use any protection. He found it particularly amusing that Eli was worried about an extra mouth to feed when the outcome could’ve been more deadly. “So I’m accompanying him and giving him a second opinion on what I think is going on and coming back on Sunday.”
“And what do you think is going on?”
“It’s suspect,” Nick admitted, “it’s a little too convenient to be a change of heart situation. Eli himself admitted Elena doesn’t really resemble the other kids.”
“Now is that a fact or he just wants to get out of paying support?”
“That’s why I’m going to check it out for myself,” Nick replied, “we have to see what happens from there.”
“Okay,” Zerrin got up and walked into the guest closet. She pulled out a suitcase and began packing.
Nick stopped chopping vegetables and watched his wife move around the house with an extra pep in her step. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going with you,” Zerrin shrugged. “We have enough money in our account, right?”
“Why?”
“Because if that hussy makes a move on you, I’m going to put her in the hospital and you’re going have to bail me out and support us while I’m on leave.”
~~~~~
“So why are we here again?” Nick asked as he climbed the brick walkway.
To remove himself from the growing tension inside his home, Eli took Nick on a spontaneous trip to Houston so Nick could see Elena for himself and interact with the little girl. Although most of the brothers had doubts about Elena’s paternity – Eli included – he still needed another opinion.
Eli let out a small breath. The tension of the past several weeks were starting to eat at him. He’d lost a considerable amount of weight and the other night there was blood in his vomit. The stress was literally killing him. “I just need a second opinion.”
“Something tells me you know this isn’t your child, Eli.” Nick bit.
“I don’t know that.” Eli rephrased, holding onto his stomach. The dull pain made him wince. “That’s all.”
Nick took off his sunglasses and glanced at his brother. The normally tanned Eli looked ashen. The clothes that hugged his muscular frame were hanging off him. “What’s really going on, baby bro?”
“I think I need to go on vacation.” Eli replied. “Haven’t been myself lately.”
“How has Faith been acting?” Nick asked.
Eli would love to say Faith had been supportive and encouraging. The marriage did a spectacular 180 back to the way things were pre-Simone. They haven’t made love in weeks and Eli was officially sleeping in the guest room again.
He wasn’t sure how much longer they were going to be married. “Too busy running the shop and going on about how Simone disrespected her. I’ve kept quiet because it’s ultimately my fault.” Eli rang the front door bell. “So, I’ve just been dealing with this on my own.”
Nick softly nodded. “You’re dying and your wife only cares about herself? Got it.”
“Nick, it’s not like that…” Nick’s sharp glance made Eli choose better words. “Faye has every right to be angry at me.”
“Her anger is misplaced. She’s actually angry at herself for not walking away when the opportunity was there.” Nick shook his head. “That’s why she’s angry.”
“I get that much,” Eli bristled. “It’s still my fault, though.”
“To a certain degree. Faith didn’t have to let Simone in. In fact, she could’ve called you or anyone else in the family to let us know what was going on. She chose not to. She wanted an opportunity to fight Simone and she got it.” Nick turned towards him. “Eli, you die and the following will still happen: Faith will live an expensive lifestyle because she found a new man to afford her, Nate will call another man Daddy, and your competition will still be trying to replicate your designs.” Nick grinned. “Get .Your. Shit. Together.”
“I’m working on it,” Eli replied, “speaking of which, is your friend going to come through?”
