The Don And His Flower

38

"Again."

Valis stood beside another soldier. Both standing  in the clearing of grass as they watched the current two men spar.

It's been almost a week since Imani's announcement about her possible stalker. Almost three days that she has pushed him from sticking on her side like glue. If he wasn't able to be with his wife, he'll be overseeing the sparring with some of the lead soldiers.

It was the perfect position of spotting her in the garden, the willow tree, and backyard. He watched the men fight, eyes over at the willow tree where she ate from a small picnic. Xander playing around with his toy airplane.

The year old boy had been nothing but a pure blessing in their lives. At least in Imani's life. Granted he loves the boy and he thinks about his unborn every time he sees that tree.

But he also read through Imani like a book.

He gave her that decision, when it came to her second pregnancy. Whatever she decided, he was behind her fully. Valis knew that her verbal influence wasn't enough to get him to 'walk away' from the Kholodov Family. So she gave him Xander, for that he loves her more. But not even the innocent child was enough for him to walk away, not when it was the only thing to guarantee their safety.

Valis took his eyes away from the dark skinned flower in the distance, focusing back on the sparring. The younger soldier got picked up, body nearly falling down until he wraps his legs around the other soldiers neck, failing to take him down.

He sighed, watching them both fall down in a rough impact. Sparing the soldier beside him a glance, Valis simply walked away. The group of men immediately began discussing the failures and possible accomplishments.

The Don walked over to another group, getting a better view of his wife and child who began cleaning up their little mess. Valis hadn't found a single clue of anything relating to someone looking at her. The man didn't even know where to start, or who to even talk to about such a situation.

Valis watched the two men in the middle of their spar off. Valis recognized the older one, he was starting just few years ago. The younger one is a new trainee. Last Valis knew, the kid and a couple others were only working with transportation and smuggling.

But some had gotten older, now they're here. Training to protect their homes. "Take his ass down Travis! Come on man!" One watcher yelled.

The yelling overlapped one another, all coaching and observing the bloody match in front of them. Valis looked up, watching his wife carry a picnic basket in one arm. Her other one nearly draping as she bent slightly to hold xander's hand. The two were on their way back to their home.

Cheering occured soon.

Valis watched as the Travis boy held up a bloodied rag, a prideful smirk on his lips. Looking back at his wife, he watched as Xander ran up the small hill. Imani looked ready to tell at the child for running his new shoes into the grass, but froze.

Her husband raised an eyebrow, eyes watching her distance body turn slowly. Looking over her shoulder, she just stared off into the distance.

She can't see this far.

Not with the sun right in her view.

Valis watched his wife turn back around, quickly ushering her son back into the safety of their home. His eyes quickly roamed the area, unpleased to know his wife was probably overreacting.

A small sigh was ready to leave his lips, until he looked to his far right.

Travis Morcan.

The soldier that had just one a spar mere minutes ago.

He stood in a group, listening to their pointless advice. The young man almost reminded Valis of when he used to stare at Imani before, during, and after his spars. Travis kept his gaze at the back of the Kholodov home. The very back entrance where his wife and child had retreated.

A raise in the Dons eyebrow was paired with a small smirk. Travis morcan. That's him. The Don kept his composure, counting the seconds in his head.

Three minutes.

Travis Morcan had stopped looking at his Don's home after three minutes.

Valis fought his brain, teeth clamping on tongue as he let his feet slowly take him to the group. With his hand raised slightly, Valis shocked himself.

He patted the eighteen year old on the back. A forced approving grin on his face as he congratulated the winning soldier. Travis had tensed up, eyes looking at the man face to face, before turning completely. "Sir..thank you." Grabbing his awaiting hand with no hesitation, Travis shook his Don's hand. "Who knows, maybe in a few years, you'll be taking my spot for the most wins."

Valis forced a smirk, looking at the blank look in Travis Morcan's eyes. The imitation of his forced socialization, confirmed only one of Valis's many thoughts.

The kid wasn't here willingly.