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“I did. Stephen had already told the authorities I was not missing or kidnapped. He called Fatima, too. She was quite unhappy with his interference. I’m sure Enzo instigated the kidnapping claim to use the media and authorities to flush me out.”
“Maybe Enzo will concentrate their energies in the mountains now that we are clear,” Bash suggested.
“We can only hope. Did you call Sam Barrett?” Max asked. “I don’t want my mother to be in danger.”
“Just got off the phone. Sam assured me they are already set up at your mother’s home. He was very complimentary of the security system and cameras you had installed. The ten-foot spiked iron fence is a bonus. The only real exposure is the open water on the bay side. Six of Sam’s most experienced men are with him. He said to tell you that despite his protests, your mother made them Barciole with homemade linguine and marinara sauce. A huge salad and homemade Italian bread.”
Max’s face softened. “She isn’t just my mother, Sebastian. She is your grandmother.”
Bash nodded. “It’s still hard for me. Did you tell her who I am?”
Max shook his head. Their relationship was tenuous, so he had to be careful not to push too hard. His biggest fear was that his son would bolt. It was a lot for him to absorb. Especially when Izzy was no longer alive to confirm Max’s account of what happened all those years ago.
“I want to ease Mamma into it, but she will be thrilled. Her name is Gia, but she also goes by Linda. Or you can call her Nonna … if or when you feel comfortable.”
“Why does she go by Linda?”
“When Mamma asked for her divorce, my father had one condition. She had to keep her married name, Gia Ravalli Fontana. He was a control freak, and it was his insidious way of warning off other men. Mamma bid her time until Dad would lose interest in having her monitored. It took three years. When she moved to Maine, I helped her change her name, buy the property, and disappear. She picked Linda Martin because it was a relatively common name. She decided if Izzy could vanish, she could too.”
“Was she that scared of your father?”
Max took a deep breath. “In the back of her mind, she was afraid that Izzy may not have run. Someone could have ‘handled’ her.”
Bash’s mouth dropped open. “Did you ever consider that?”
Max shook his head. “If I had let my thoughts go there, I would have lost my mind. When I figured out who you were, it was a huge relief. Even though Izzy has passed, at least I know it wasn’t by his hand.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been so wrapped up in the shock of finding out you exist and how it makes me feel I haven’t really considered what you have gone through all these years. Not even knowing if we were alive.”
“I’ve had more time to get used to the idea of having a son than you have of having a father. We can take this new relationship at whatever pace you like.”
Bash nodded in agreement.
“There is something I’ve been worried about, and I hesitate to mention it. We seem to be finding some common ground and…” Bash trailed off.
“And you don’t want to say something that will break what trust we have established?” Max finished.
“Something like that.”
“Our circumstances don’t call for a lot of diplomacy. Say what’s on your mind.”
“Once the FBI is aware of your involvement, I’m worried Morgan’s deal with them will go to hell. What if they think this was some master plan you and I set up to get the ledger, and she is somehow involved? Her attorney suggested as much to her.”
Max stood up and put his hand on his son’s shoulder. His head was down, unable to meet his father’s eyes.
“Look at me, Sebastian.”
Bash blew out a breath and looked up.
“I will not allow that to happen to either of you. You have my word. I unknowingly made you a target. If I had only handled this differently. Sent you a letter or called you personally. Been honest from the beginning. None of this would have touched you.”
“You honestly think those guys would have left me alone the minute they found out I was your son? I’m guessing if there was a possibility of me becoming an heir, they would have been damned worried. And how do you know your wife hadn’t already figured out who I was from the picture on my book and told Enzo. Hell! Morgan figured it out before I even told her. Did your family know my mom was pregnant when she ran?”
“Only my dad and his closest associates. Enzo’s father was one of them. After Izzy left, the secret became common knowledge. So, you are probably right. Fatima would have told Enzo her suspicions.”
“Second-guessing the past at this stage of the game seems fruitless. All we can do is move forward,” Bash said.
“I agree.”
