Read Online Armored by S. W. Frank - Free Book Online

befriending your father. My sister has paid that price and now carries disgrace of bearing a married man’s child. Whatever ill you hold towards my father is misdirected. He counseled Luzo repeatedly to end this feud with his relatives and to emerge from the shadows to claim his place, your father refused. You are a son as I am a son; our choices cannot be that of our parents. If we assign blame, begin with your ancestral coward of a King who did not stand his woman before the people as his Queen.”
    Alfonzo scoffed. Strong words from the likes of Corrado. Amused by the weak insult, the Roman Emperor Caligula came to mind. The tyrant Gaius was known for violence during his reign and sexual perversity. Corrado wasn’t insane but he did have a commonality with the Roman. Since Corrado decided to go there, Alfonzo let the cat out of the bag.
    “Very bold words from someone sitting behind his old man’s chair, as a sister mastered weapons meant for her brother. My ancestor the King’s weakness was his concern for the people during strained relations with other nations; his motives were not self-interest. He did not don a dress beneath men’s clothes like a shameful deceiver. Bravery is more than words Corrado, advice best practiced. Remember this as you hide to engage in adulterous affairs with men, slither to your fiefdom and then give diseased kisses called lies to your wife,” Alfonzo replied.
    Corrado flushed red and turned to his father. “Papa, mi dispiace.” He did not see shock or disappointment in his eyes at Alfonzo’s pronouncement; he saw a father aware of his son’s affinity.
    Bruno’s love was unconditional. He did not approve of his son’s lifestyle, who but a fool expects a child to be a saint?
    Bruno addressed his son. “End the farce of marriage Corrado, it is long overdue.”
    Alfonzo shrugged. “Hey, that’s all I’m saying. Live correct and then you might be able to talk saintly, but even those who got close were killed for calling others on their sins. MLK for instance future brother.”
    Corrado frowned at Alfonzo’s callousness. “I heard tales of your father, and sadly it appears you have inherited his coldness.”
    Alfonzo’s eyebrow rose sharply. “Your sensitivity suggests you’re the woman in that side relationship. Are you certain you want to continue stepping your ballet slippers in front of my steel toe boots, pendejo?”
    “Enough, both of you!” Bruno chastised. “Our families will be one. Put your egos on the floor, there is a threat that requires we work together.”
    Bruno’s son straightened his back but didn’t say a word. He had attempted to grow balls, which Alfonzo curtly snipped. Businessmen such as Corrado were the worse. They stayed far enough away to avoid the burning pot but when the pan cooled they were quick to eat the food. With downturned lips, Alfonzo’s eyes bore into the son, shipping magnate extraordinaire and fake ass family man.
    Alfonzo’s skin, tendons, muscles and bone were Giacanti. Speak against his ancestors is to speak against the Puerto Rican formed from their loins.
    Old feuds should have gone to the grave with the dead but they had not. He had nothing to barter to end ancient grudges. The problem with steadfast traditionalist is they fail to bend toward progression. There must be a compromise to move ahead but stubborn people have an aversion to cohabitating peaceably alongside brethren. Alfonzo was always in defense mode with the motherfuckers, and he was getting tired of the continual fight to do right with wrong.
    Lies covered secrets; dead causes had bodies piled to the sky. They had a human stairway to climb for an audience with Greek gods. That' ll be the only mythical ascension to such height, 'cause none of their asses were entering heaven after they die –for real.
    “I have to leave. At the next meeting, I want Bianca and the survivors present. I need to hear out of their mouths what happened.” Alfonzo glowered at Bruno