Barnabas said nothing and lit a cigar.
Leander's father conspired with the enemies to kill his siblings and ensured his position as the next Don. But he passed away even before he got his wish. Peter made sure of that.
But will Peter give the same punishment to Leander even if he is responsible for the attack on Evander? He is the only one who can give heirs as he said.
"Is that why you are making him work hard? He has already proved how loyal he is, Peter. From what I hear from Katrina~"
"What does she say about the woman staying there?" Peter asked.
"She's a no one. A peasant. He found her jumping from the bridge and he… Katrina said that woman resembles "her". You know that girl he liked...?"
"Hmm…" Peter leaned back and fell into deep thoughts. "What do you think we should do?" He asked after a while.
"If he planned this attack against his brother?" Barnabas raised his brows. Peter's intense eyes landed on Barnabas for answers.
"Nothing." Barnabas shrugged. "What else could you do? What did Don Joseph do to you? He knew what you did. You do the same. Make him your heir. Isn't it proof that Leander is more like you? He made sure he will become the next Don without killing his blood. Isn't that what you did?" Barnabas took a slow puff of the cigar.
Peter had a couple of brothers. Competition between brothers for the post of the next Don was accepted in the Kastello family. It was encouraged even. Peter was the youngest and the farthest from the coveted post, but he somehow ended there without dirtying his hands with his siblings' blood.
Well, not directly, anyway.
"Eh… I forgot. It has been ages since that happened…" Peter waved his hand, but the prideful smile on his face insisted that he still revels in that victory.
"Peter, it is time you trust Leander more. Your empire depends on him as you know. He induces fear in the hearts of our enemies and commands the loyalty of our men. Evander was always a liability. Use this chance and nullify his claim. Announce Leander as your heir," Barnabas advised.
Advising the don is his duty. It's an added bonus if his advice doesn't break the law.
"And now that he's shown interest in women again…" Barnabas leaned forward. "Why don't we consider the eldest of the Donatello family? She's young and pretty, and her family has the right connections. They need funding for the next elections, and we need someone who would sign wherever we want to. And that woman on his bed…He can have her as his mistress until he gets bored with her. He knows the rules. He won't protest."
Peter nodded. He knew Leander would not speak against him. "The eldest of Donatello? Has she grown up already? Last I saw her, her little head didn't even reach here…" Peter tapped the table with a chuckle. "Even then she liked Leander and followed him around. He even gave her the necklace he was wearing because she kept asking for it."
"She finished school, I guess… Even if she didn't, what's the difference between seventeen and eighteen?" Barnabas shrugged.
"It's better when they are young. My Rose had just turned fifteen when I married her. Had our first child in a year…"
"Hmm…Women were stronger in those days. They could handle anything, and they treated their father's words as commands. Girls these days are not that resilient or obedient," Barnabas complained. "My wife is saying that our daughter is too young to marry. According to that woman, girls cannot handle pregnancy until they are at least twenty-one. Abigail is nineteen! College? Bullsh*t! Why would she need a degree to be a housewife?"
"Barney," Peter glared at Barnabas. "You are losing your appeal as you age. Since when did you start listening to your wife? What would a woman know for her to advise a man~"
As Peter was speaking, Barnabas pushed a business card in front of Peter. "Going to meet Commissioner Barinov today. His son is interested in Abigail. I need your permission."
"Atta boy!" Peter patted Barnabas' shoulder with a wide grin.
"He's been insecure after the Evander fiasco thinking that we might turn against him for not finding the culprit yet. Sending my daughter as his son's wife will give him some security. We will need him to bury the documents released about Evander's dealings. And his son-in-law has good connections that we might use in the future," Barnabas explained.
"Mmm… You always have the perfect plans for me, Barney," Peter spoke from his heart. "I wish I had a couple of granddaughters to spare… I always wanted Abigail for Evander. And now…"
Peter sighed.
Barnabas stood up with a shrug. "Still not late. We have to get Evander to marry someone and have a child somehow to shut the flapping tongues of our enemies. That darn woman had made us a laughing…Ehem!" Barnabas cleared his throat.
But he did find Evander to be a better pair for his daughter than someone else. She wouldn't have to do a thing and live the life of a luxurious widow when her husband is still alive. She can get pregnant using scientific advancements, and since she will be keeping the secret of the Kastello family, she will be protected well.
What more would a father want for his daughter?
"Nah, we need to have a strong bond with the higher-ups of the police department. Talk to the commissioner. Don't worry about the wedding. I'll take care of all expenses. Your family just has to be present, that is all," Peter smiled.
"Well, I am not that stupid to refuse your offer. And you love weddings," Barnabas winked and turned to leave.
"I do," Peter chuckled. "And Barney, arrange a dinner with the head of the Donatello family expressing our desire to unite our families in marriage."
"All right!" Barnabas waved his hand.
As he was about to open the door, there was a knock at the door.
"It's Leander," Barnabas said, recognizing the knock. His knocks won't be too soft or too loud, and he always knocked in a pattern.
1-2 1-2-3 1-2
Leander just loves the number seven for some reason. And his life revolved around that number.
"Uncle Barney, you're here!" Leander hugged Barnabas. He then walked to Peter and kissed his hand.
As Leander was there, Barnabas returned to his seat.
"What did you find?" Barnabas asked.
"This one killed herself too…" Leander looked defeated.
"And that woman?" Peter asked.
Leander shook his head. He gulped and averted his eyes away from his grandfather which his grandfather interpreted as him feeling guilty for not finding the culprit.
Leander was feeling guilty for lying to his grandfather. However, he did not want the woman struggling for her life to end up in the hands of Evander.
He did not dwell on his guilty conscience and explained everything they have found out about that incident.
Leander saw the surprise on his grandfather's face when he told him that none of their enemies were responsible for that attack and it was just a bunch of nobodies who executed their well-thought-out plan masterfully.
"As for the woman who attacked Evander…" Leander paused and took out his phone. He declined the incoming call. "I think that she might have killed herself too. Those group of young people had made a suicide pact…"
Leander took a look at the text he received, and his eyes widened in shock. "I have to go!" he stood up and turned to leave.
His fingers flinched and his eyes ended up once more at the text.
[She is dead]
If one looked at his face, one would have seen the pain in his reddened eyes.