The Life - Rebirth (The Life 4)

GABRIEL

I waited for Pop to leave after confiscating my passport and felt guilty at my deception. There isn’t much Pop, or anyone else can pull that I haven’t seen coming. It kinda makes things boring sometimes, but you get used to it. Now, my mind was trying to fit together these new pieces of the puzzle. Who had Pop seen today?

He left the house only to return a few hours later, which means he hadn’t gone too far in the jet, maybe New York. Upon his return, he did not go to the main house but came straight here and finally spoke out loud what he’s been fearing for years. He’d heard something from somewhere. I’ve no doubt it ties in with the would-be hacker, but that would mean this person, whoever they are, moves fast.

At least one good thing came out of it, Pop was no longer hiding what he knew, and I no longer needed to. Since the would-be hacker had gotten too close and the fact that I’d been planning to leave soon anyway, I’d gone ahead and sped up the process for my departure. Now I just need to wait for the sun to go down more to act.

I spent the ensuing hours sitting quietly in my private room. The letters I’d written were in their safe place; each addressed to someone. I was sure they wouldn’t be found until I was ready for them to be, and that won’t be for a while yet, maybe a few weeks, a month.

I’d already set things in motion on the other side of the globe, but now that it should all be coming to a head, I needed to be there for the final showdown. When the time was right, and it grew increasingly dark outside my window, I got up and went to grab the others. “Marcus, Denver, you two take the car and wait around by the back wall. Robert, Matthew, go look for the dog.”

“The dog? Didn’t you send it….” I gave him a look to shut him up.

“When the men outside ask what you’re doing, just tell them you saw the dog run off towards the gardens; they’ll join the search. You two drive slowly as if you’re looking for something until you leave the driveway. Go!”

I gave the four of them enough time to get in position as I walked around the place, having one last look around. I didn’t allow myself any feelings of sadness or raw emotion. I couldn’t afford to. When I was done, I grabbed the overnight bag I’d packed, patted my coat pocket for the new passport I’d gotten months ago, when I reported the other one lost, because I knew that would be one of Pop’s last-ditch efforts to hinder me if the chips were down and walked out the backdoor.

I’d already overheard Tommy from outside ask the guys what was up, guessed correctly that they’d all pitch in to look for the dog, thereby leaving the immediate vicinity empty, giving me a chance to make my escape. I scaled the wall and hopped into the idling car. “Take me to my grandparents’ house.”

I hadn’t told anyone what my plans were or where I was going. Only nana knew of my plans to go back to Sicily, and since she didn’t know my true intentions, it had not been a hassle. I didn’t worry that she’d let slip to Pop what I was up to because she never has. Nana is very invested in my bid for revenge and has, since the day I first told her the truth, had a huge dislike for Ricci.

I think part of it stems from the fact that she had not readily accepted my mother and me in the beginning. And now, knowing the truth of how Ma was ‘soiled’ has felt guilt over her dislike and harshness towards her and the child that was not of her blood. Yes, I’ve known this and have used it to my advantage while not holding my nana at fault for her earlier feelings. Both she and Gramps had more than made up for it over the years, and I couldn’t have asked for better.

“You may go; I’m staying the night.” No, I wasn’t, but if they knew I was planning another run, they’d stick on my ass. Not that I’m expecting them to trust me and leave, but I’d already made provisions for this. Nana herself opened the door and seemed a bit rushed. “Go, Pauly’s waiting out back for you; you don’t have time.” I hugged her for what may be the last time; in fact, I was sure it was.

She had no idea why I held on a little longer, squeezed a little tighter. The kiss to her forehead lingered longer than before, and I didn’t look back when I picked up the overnight bag I’d dropped to hug her and left. Pop’s going to give her hell for the use of the jet, but at the end of the day, I’m grown, she can’t be held responsible for my actions, so I’m hoping he goes easy on her.