Bound

7. Meetings and War Declarations!

"I'll bring her back safely Pat, don't worry. "

But before he could leave, Patricia caught his wrist in her hands. Her face void of any expression,

"Almost five years ago you said the same thing to me. You said that you will bring our son back home, but it ended with a war from both the sides because you were too proud to compromise with Bernard Romero.
What does peace matter in front of an enimity that runs so deep that not even our children's love could overcome it.....It means nothing to both the Sullivan and the Romero Don's, nothing. I'm not going to sit back here and watch history repeat itself Sean, it's the matter of my granddaughter's future. I am not going to make the same mistake I made last time", she completed.

Letting go of his wrist, she stood straighter and looked him in the eye before stating confidently,

"I'm coming with you Sean whether you like it or not. This time war would not be an option. I will not let it ruin our families again. "

**********
Romero estate, Italy.

The entire compound was buzzing in anticipation, the air surrounding the area was thick with tension. The front lawn was filled with the Romero guards all of whom were armed with guns and were standing at their posts, the security being heightened for the birthday celebrations of the young heir as well as the looming meeting with the Sullivan Don.

For those who had dedicated their whole lives to the organization, understood how monumental this night would be in generations to come. For the very first time the heads of both the families would be meeting alone in a setting, which did not involve a third party and they would have complete control here unlike their previous meetings.They had off course come face to face numerous times before at social events and business meetings but it had all stopped in the past five years.

And now after five year's this turn of event was shocking to most.

Rickard stood outside along with the family's consigliere Tony Orlando waiting for the Sullivan's to arrive. He had a hunch about what this meeting was going to be about and it seemed as if his father was of the same thoughts because he had sent Amara along with Rose and his son's away from the estate after the celebrations, under a heavy guard.

If those Irish bastards think they can come to my territory and take my niece away from her family then they are sorely mistaken.... he thought furiously.

His fists clenched tightly as he heard the screeching of tires and one by one many cars were permitted entry in the estate, almost all which were filled with the Sullivan guards except for the car in the middle in which the Sullivan Don rode.

Rickard wasn't surprised in the least when he saw Sean Sullivan stepping out of the car, his face stoic and hard as ever,authority dripping from every movement he made but what really surprised him was the presence of his wife Patricia Sullivan. To bring her along in the enemy's lair, was a dangerous risk indeed.

Patricia Sullivan for her part looked as vibrant as Rickard remembered her seeing five years ago in an event. There was no doubt about the fact that she had aged gracefully. He looked around searching for more Sullivan's when he saw Sean Sullivan's second son Logan, getting out of another car.

The stretch of silence which followed their arrival was fraught with tension , no one daring to make a move. Rickard sighed internally, decorum needed to be maintained afterall.

"Greetings to the Sullivan Don and his family. I welcome you to the Romero mansion.", he said stepping forward to shake hands with the men while bowing down slightly in greating to the only woman present amongst them.

"Thank you for accepting our request for this meeting. I understand that it must have seemed quite sudden to you. ", Patricia replied back graciously.

Before Rickard could reply back Sean cut in, "Enough with the pleasantries, I'd like to meet your father now ".

Rickard's eyes narrowed a little at his authoritative tone but he calmed himself, "off course, if you would follow me." He said and turned to walk back inside followed by Tony and a few Romero guards.

The party consisting of almost half a dozen Romero guards plus the Sullivan family and their guards walked as one through the corridors of the mansion, which was also lined by more armed Romero guards.

When they reached the meeting room, Rickard knocked twice and entered already knowing that his father would be ready for the meeting.

Bernard Romero was seated at the head of the long table. When the door opened and his son entered inside followed by the guards and finally the Sullivan's and their guards he stood up in greeting. Beside a short nod of acknowledgment by both the Don's, no words were exchanged between them. Rickard along with the Romero men moved to stand on his side while the Sullivan's moved to the other side of the long table. The family members took their seats amid the crackling tenseness in the office and the meeting finally began.

"I'm quite curious to know why you asked for this meeting Sullivan. Finally ready to swear loyalty to my organization? "Bernard asked Sean, a mocking edge to his question.

"You would hope for that to happen, wouldn't you Romero? Afterall the state's are very large and who would miss the chance of establishing their control there? If memory serves me right, your ancestors did try it once but alas my family defeated them, quite soundly too I have heard", Sean fired back.

Bernard's eyes narrowed infinitesimally at the jibe but his composure did not break.

"Yes our family's do share a gruesome and violent history, that's why imagine my surprise when I received a letter requesting for a meeting from none other than the Sullivan Don. State your reason quickly Sullivan, I'm already regretting my promise of a safe passage to you......"Bernard said sharply.

"Don't play ignorant with me Romero, you very well know why I'm here ", Sean stated coolly.
And then confirming their suspicions he carried on ," I want to meet my granddaughter. I'm here to take her back to her father's house. "

Rickard who had been trying to control his anger the whole time finally snapped at hearing Sean Sullivan's last sentence. He stood up furiously, his chair falling back with a thud.

"You are not going anywhere within twenty five miles of my niece. How dare you waltz in and demand such a thing from us? She is a Romero and she is going to stay with us in Italy where she belongs , he seethed.

"She is a Sullivan as well. William's blood runs through her veins as much as her mother's does. She is as much as my niece as she is yours. Do you think that we have come all the way here just to return empty handed ", Logan hissed back

"You stand there under my roof and dare threaten me?", Rickard asked astonished.

"ENOUGH", Sean thundered.
He too stood up from the table, "I demand to see my granddaughter Bernard Romero, otherwise I will declare a war on your family. All my allies are ready for my signal, one wrong move here from your side and it's consequences are going to be far reaching for you and your entire family. "

Bernard remained seated, an unreadable look on his face. When he finally got up after a few moments he nodded at Sean once.
"Very well ", he stated. "If that's what you want, I have no qualms with agreeing to this request of yours.......let there be a war"

At once, guards from both the sides raised their guns pointing towards the other side, separated only by a long table and stood with waited breath for their boss's commands

But before any commands could be issued, a timid and shy voice was heard from the doorway making all the activities stop in the room........ "nonno? "

*******
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