Raphael had never expected to see Barry Moore walking into his home. Barry Moore had been investigating his family and the Cuzellas independently for years now, trying desperately to find evidence of their illegal arms sale, but had been largely unsuccessful. He wondered why Barry Moore had showed up at his home. Barry was a daredevil, but not once had he dared come onto his estate since he had been investigating him. Raphael shifted his gaze to Pete, who still continued to wail in pain. Was there some connection between both of them?
Raphael realized he had lost a little of his composure with Barry's presence and immediately, he wore back his easy and arrogant grin once again, watching Barry bounce into his living room. He dropped onto the sectional, picked up the bottle of wine and poured himself another round. Barry took a seat at the other end of the sectional, his gaze concentrated on Elena and Pete. Barry Moore's presence was intimidating, but Raphael wouldn't be intimidated in his own home. "Why have you chosen to visit on such an auspicious night, signore Barry? I am sorry I won't be able to entertain you much. I am in the middle of something. Perhaps you can visit another time"
Barry chuckled lightly, reclining further on the sofa. Raphael caught Barry's eyes trailing to Pete and Elena once again, both of whom were still squatting in the center of the sitting room.
"I see you are having quite a party" Barry commented, shifting his gaze to Raphael. "Mind if I join in."
Raphael shook his head lightly. "Not quite a party for a gentleman like you, Signore Barry. The young man broke into my estate and my men roughened him up a little. You know how they can be sometimes, they don't even know the extent of their own strength. I was merely deliberating if I should hand him over to the police or discipline him myself and let him go", Raphael said.
"I suggest you let him go without beating him up further and forget about what he did, since he didn't steal anything. You can be that magnanimous, Raphael Mancini" Barry said, twirling the tip of his Klingon with his fingers, somewhat unconsciously. "I don't exactly think he intended to break into your estate. He is quite a respectable fellow. He graduated from a respectable school. I think he must have lost his way."
Raphael squinted his eyes at Barry. His gaze could have probably drilled a hole through the agent as he searched for something to hint him of the agent's plans, but he couldn't pierce through the mask of placidity. He was sure now that Barry knew Pete, and probably knew about Elena and her father's situation. That meant trouble, yet, Raphael didn't feel even the least disturbed, he was used to trouble. His whole life as the son of a Mafia don, and later a Mafia don himself, he had always been under the police radar, always had the police investigating him, yet, every time he had always wriggled free from the grasp of the law. Now he had bought the law, and forged strong connections. He had made friends in high places. A small fry like the rebellious FBI agent, Barry Moore, doesn't scare him.
"I am afraid, detective, the young man did steal something" Raphael said softly, taking a long gulp at his wine and pouring himself another glass. He loved the taste of the French cognac as it hit his tongue and slid down his throat.
"That's a lie, Pete didn't steal anything, and haven't your men beat him up enough? Just let him go, you bloody sadist", Elena yelled at him, her brows dragged in a murderous glare.
Raphael took another sip at the wine, looking over the rim of the wine glass at Elena, and then Barry. They both looked desperate to rescue Pete. He saw no reason why he should concede to them, until he got the best out of the situation. "He stole my family's dignity, signora. For a family like the Mancinis, our pride is everything. The mere attempt to break into my estate is an affront to Mancini's dignity."
Barry's face tightened with impatience and suppressed anger. His adam apple gouged out as he swallowed hard. Anger made him tremble on the sofa, yet his voice was calm as he spoke. "It is my knowledge that the young man came to rescue his girlfriend and her father, both of whom you had abducted."
He hadn't been wrong, Raphael thought. Barry knew everything already. But like always, the detective can do nothing about it, he can't prove anything. "I believe you must think this is the lady, and that I have her father locked up somewhere on my estate" Raphael gestured to Elena with his wine glass, then he retired to staring at the rim of the glass as if mesmerized by it. "You can ask her if truly I have abducted her and her father. She is my fiancée, and we are set to marry in some months. Am I wrong?" He thrust his chin at Elena questioningly.
Elena was speechless for nearly a minute, plunging the whole room into nervous silence. Her eyes kept rowing indecisively, while Barry and Pete stared at her apprehensively. She swallowed hard, looking away from Barry and Pete, she said. "He isn't wrong, he is my fiancé, and we are to be wedded in some months."
Barry released a frustrated grunt, following with an elaborate snort. While Pete kept yelling "No! No! He is controlling her, by using her father against her"
Raphael disregarded Pete's yelling, looking over to Barry. "I seem to have a change of heart, Barry. The young man truly has his life ahead of him, and I can see he is a bit delusional. I won't press charges against him. So you can take him with you, and I suggest you do so fast, before my men learn of my decision. If they disagree, then I wouldn't be able to guarantee you and this young man's safety."
Barry jerked up to his feet, moving for Elena. He picked her up from the floor, holding her hands, his expression pleading. Raphael was watching them, yet, he didn't see it, even though Elena momentarily gasped in surprise. A small piece of paper slipped from Barry's hand to Elena's. "Are you sure you are not being coaxed into saying what you said? Are you sure you were not speaking under duress". Barry continued to churn questions at Elena, shaking her vigorously for an answer.
The questions pissed Raphael off, and he moved to Elena, breaking her free from Barry's grip. "My girlfriend and I are both tired from everything that has happened so far. You can take the boy and leave already, my men will see you out". He slipped his arm into Elena's waist, leading her towards the stairs.