Vincenzo's Territory (Book 7)

3. Conflict

Vitale was sitting at the dining table opposite his son. They were eating silently while the maids were watching and tending to them.

Patrizio was playing with his pasta as he was moving the fork around the plate. He was not eating any more.

Vitale poured himself some water in a glass "Why aren't you eating Patrizio. What's the matter? Don't you like your dinner tonight?"

Patrizio shook his head while he was looking down at his plate.

Vitale asked "Then what's the matter?"

Patrizio shrugged and didn't say anything.

Vitale dismissed the maids.

After the maids left, Vitale said "You can talk to me Patrizio... The chefs have made this lovely meal and you are not eating much. Do you want something else to eat?"

Patrizio shook his head as he was looking down at his plate.

Vitale drank from his glass and then put it down. "You will tell me patrizio if something is bothering you by the end of dinner today. But I don't like waiting Patrizio..."

Patrizio looked up "It's ok. Don't do that... I will eat..." He then looked down and slowly picked up a meatball with his fork amongst the pasta and put it in his mouth. He chewed slowly and reluctantly. He did not want his father to question him any more.

Vitale watched him eat very slowly. He shook his head. He was going to get the truth either way. "Patrizio... There is something I want to ask you that might interest you..."

Partizio looked up "Yes dad..."

Vitale asked "Do you want to come to Palermo with me tomorrow? I am visiting some business associates. One owns water park that is closed tomorrow to the public. You can take your friends with you to play there if you want."

Patrizio asked "It's closed? Why?"

Vitale said "Because it is not open every day. When the water park is closed he does some business on site. Like tomorrow. So you and your friends will have a fun park with water rides to yourselves if you come with me..."

Patrizio asked "Can Leandro come?"

Vitale said "I don't know. You can ask him. If your uncle Vincenzo says yes, he can come too..."

Patrizio said "I will go to his mansion and ask him after dinner." He then looked down at his plate as he was playing with the food.

Vitale said "Good. Now finish your dinner Patrizio and tell me what's wrong... I will find out anyways."

Patrizio knew full well that his father would have found out anything if he wished it. No one else got away with not answering his father's direct questions. He was just a child and very young. But Patrizio had seen enough around him to know his father was a very powerful man with so much authority who hurt people if they broke the rules. He was the second in command  only to his uncle Vincenzo. Everyone followed his orders. Everyone. And if his father wanted to he could have hurt people to find out what had happened that day to make him upset.

Vitale was eating silently watching his son expecting him to answer. He did not usually lose his temper but his son was pushing it. Hiding things from him was not tolerated by him. His son was always open with him. Something was the problem.

Patrizio took a deep breath as he was still playing with his food with his fork. He knew he had no choice but to tell his father the truth. He would have found out either way "Dad... Today ... I heard someone say ... you want to kill mum. Is this true?"

Vitale said "Pardon me? Who would say such a thing to you?"

Patrizio was still looking down at his plate "Is it true?"