Chapter 14
When Vito and dad came back to the room he was a bit more composed. I can't begin to imagine what it must feel like to a man who had believed he would die childless, to find out at his age that he had an almost adult daughter. He must be in a state of shock.
He gave Delia a long look before turning to Celine who was now sitting on the floor rummaging through her bag looking for who knows what.
"Young lady, I need some answers and since you seem to be the only one here with any insight into my daughter's life I'll be asking you......"
"I'm all talked out, unless there's something in it for me, after all why should she reap all the benefits?"
"While my young godson threatened to break your neck, I assure you, my punishment for you would be much more severe. Maxwell has filled me in on some of what you and your delightful family have done to her so far, I wouldn't break your neck, for what you've done to my daughter, I would have you tortured before I fed you to my dogs, do not fuck with me.
Excuse me Delia and Rhina." He bowed his head in apology to the two ladies like the gentleman he was.
Celine spluttered all over her face, but in the end self preservation kicked in and the whole story came pouring out.
She talked about how she used Joann's fear of discovery against her, making sure neither Joann nor Carl ever showed one ounce of affection to the new baby.
How She played on her father's guilt for not being there when his little girl was supposedly raped.
The more she spoke the more I wanted to be sick, Vito looked like he wanted to kill her and Delia was crying her heart out, while my family was deathly still.
No one moved as the ever mercenary little bitch told her tale with hardly any inflection or emotion in her voice.
When she spoke of how she went out of her way to make Delia's life a living hell I thought I would really snap and end the bitch.
There was a commotion out in the hallway before whoever was there rushed into the room.
Santino and Rocco Escalante came into the room, both men were a few years older than their brother, Santino was the eldest of the three, with Rocco two years behind.
"Where is she?" Santino spoke, his eyes searching the room until he lit on Delia.
I guess Vito had given them a heads up while he'd left the room earlier.
"Oh my.....Rocco...." He grabbed for his brother's arm before they both made their way towards Delia and I.
They studied her from head to toe, taking in every aspect of her features before Santino stepped forward.
"Hello little Delia, I am your uncle Santino, and this is your uncle Rocco."
"Hello, pleased to meet you." Her voice was small and tired, I think the events of the day were finally catching up to her as she shook hands with her uncles.
"Well Vito, fill us in."
They both took a seat as Vito filled them in on what we had learned so far. They were none too happy to hear about the poor treatment of their niece to say the least.
There was bantering back and forth about what action should be taken, I always knew my godfather and his brothers had reputations for being cutthroat in the business world, but I'd never known them to be vengeful, tonight I was learning a new lesson.
I listened as everyone had an opinion on what needed to be done at this point if anything. Rocco was trying to figure out how to bring charges against Joann and Carl, but for what? Santino kept his silence but he was thinking very hard while doing it.
This went on for some time until the talk turned to other matters, namely Delia's place in their family.
"Of course we have to change everything, those bungling idiots that have been chomping at the bit waiting to pick over our carcasses aren't going to be too happy." Santino cackled at his own humor.
My mom who had left the room without me noticing came in with a tray of refreshments. I forced Delia to have some juice and a sandwich even though she protested that she wasn't hungry. She'd been following the conversation between her father and his brothers with wide eyes. I just held her close, I didn't think now was a good time to tell her their worth, it just might be the straw that broke the camel's back.
"Think of the baby, it's been a while since peanut ate anything and you know that's no good for her." I thought I'd spoken softly enough that only she heard but I underestimated how deeply engrossed in her Vito was.
"Baby, a baby...." Vito was across the room in a flash, taking her hands in his.
"I'm going to be a grandfather?"
"Who the fuck cares, somebody get me out of here, I need to go....."
"Who is this vile creature?" Oh shit I had forgotten all about the drugged out whore on the floor, it looked like she'd taken a nap sitting up against the wall.
"That's the sister." Vito offered.