Interferences

[Lovely]

September 25, 2008
Morning
Veinna Estate - Labs/Office

Aberto and Armand had gotten started early, they weren't expecting Hans to come in after his little talk with Scotty the day before, they had both been informed of how difficult their associate was being. Aberto knew Armand had been seeing Mirabella and he was pleased with the choice as well as seeing his brother happier than he'd ever seen him before. He approached the subject with the direct and blunt manner he was known for. "So Hans.. huh? Armand, how much do you like her?"

The devil in the details had very sharp horns and Armand's recent smile was fading further with his conversation. He looked Aberto squarely in the eye this time without humor. "How much? Enough to off her boyfriend and keep her from finding another one who isn't me? At least until I'm absolutely certain she likes me well enough to give me a chance to..." He looked away, faltering, not wanting to consider that she'd put him off. He didn't feel he'd be confident enough to keep trying if she did.

He hadn't meant to upset his brother but he needed to know just how much Armand cared for her. Aberto had his answer and he sighed, his hand hovering over Armand's shoulder but not touching. "What if she likes you well enough.. maybe more than enough, but her father says absolutely not?"

Armand looked up sharply, but realized Aberto wasn't conjecturing to make fun of him this time. His head cocked a bit. "It's not for him to decide," he gritted out. The tests had even decided in their favor. How could her father deny proof with actual lab results that they belonged together? "Her heart is not owned by her father," he spat quietly. He hoped rather he owned it, himself.

"I agree, it's not for him to decide but he knows our secrets or enough of them... he's threatened us." He reminded his brother quietly, his voice full of regret for how complicated the situation had become.

"Aberto... if we have to, we steal her away and keep everything a secret. Scotty's not known for his patience any more than I am, but if he's not happy, the whole family suffers. If he's being threatened... he's not happy. It's my fault, getting my nose in it to start with, but we have to buy the man's silence somehow."

"I don't know if we can buy him. I am concerned that we can not. You know what will happen to him, what the family will do to protect itself." Armand was right about Scotty being not happy and the family doing what it needed to, to protect itself.. it appeared Mira was included in that equation now. "You know we already tested, because Hans was involved with the family." He paused and took a deep breath, looking over at Armand with compassion and understanding in his eyes. "..and what exactly have you been getting your nose into?" A bit of a lopsided smile spread across his face.

He leaned on the table, chin in his hand. "Her father's ire at the moment," he sighed, turning a sharp glance and sticking his tongue out briefly. "Nothing like that, please. I'm an honorable sort... mostly."

"Good cause Kenny wasn't.." Perhaps that was saying to much or not enough, he didn't want to piss Armand off or make him think something that was not true about the woman. He realized what could be implied by what he'd just said and went on to try to explain. "She may be a little insecure, Kenny cheated on her because they didn't get as physical as he wanted.. or so he claimed before his demise. She's a good girl all around, Mandy.. she's a sparkling, beautiful woman. She's had a mostly happy life.. not terribly tortured. I fully approve of the choice if you wondered."

"Then his karma got to him just in time. His terrible, terrible loss, the poor ... well no, he's not worthy of being called a dog. Even dogs are good people," he considered, picking up a beaker and a reaching for a particular vial, mixing the two and watching the results. He apparently had an idea. He poured the contents into a cleaned beer bottle and snapped the cap back on. "So he threatens our brother over his quarrel with me? Hmph. The man really doesn't know who he's dealing with, does he?"

[Lovely]

"Hans meant it.. about not letting you have her, he's being terribly unreasonable. He even indirectly threatened his own family in order to keep the two of you apart." He watched Armand with the mixture and then decided to ask about it. "So.. what's in the beer bottle?"

"Hm? Oh.. just don't drink this one," he said with briefly mischievous grin as he marked the side of the cap to ensure he didn't either. "Consider it.. insurance."

"I see." He was quiet a moment, picking up a file and toying with one corner as he watched his brother. "Armand..." He began softly, looking away and back again. "He sort of threatened Mira.. and.. well the boys brought this back." He held out the file for Armand to take, it contained the report of her father hiring a couple of guys to drag her off some place.

He pulled the file open to read the contents. "Burn this," he said as he put it back on the corner of the desk then slipped the bottle into his jacket pocket and started for the door with a determined step. He stopped with a foot out the door, waiting. "Well? Aren't you coming?"

He didn't burn the file but went to set it in a drawer, turning as he brother spoke to see him there waiting. He chuckled and rolled his eyes, grabbing his own jacket. "What am I going to do with you little brother?" With the file in his hand he headed to the door, reading more of it as he did and checking his watch. "Do you know what time she goes for her daily run? Says here that's when they will or did grab her."

"Been with her on that run... although she may not really know that," he said as an aside. "Yes, I know, alright? Let's go and see if that's any help? "

"Right behind you.. kinda think it's pretty neat you diggin this chick.."

"Dig? You did not just say that."

"What if I did? It's very cute.. of course a couple people owe me some money now.. told them you weren't gay."

"You'd better give me some of that money, Aberto. It may bail you out some day. Of course I'm not gay. I'm merely highly selective... and it's taken a creature of exquisite calibre to catch my attention."

"Yeah I'll admit it she's a nice cookie.. I wouldn't mind.. " He cut short and grinned, motioning Armand to get in the car. "A lovely young woman."

"Good boy... and yes, I'm sure you wouldn't mind, but I'll give a different cookie. This one's mine."

[Lovely]

He slid into the car with a grin and asked as Aberto would. "Are you sure you haven't dunked that cookie in milk yet?"

He turned and simply glared, aghast. "Such an insensitive question. She still grieves, brother. I'm content waiting, unlike some of our cousins and other members of this family. Not that I haven't considered it, but it's just not time yet."

"Maybe I should wait to collect that money.." He grinned and punched Armand lightly in the arm. "Aww come on you're my little brother, I'm just checking and hoping.. because you could use a really good.. girl. One to make you very happy and well.. this girl.. hell if you don't, I think I got a line forming back there. You know everyone can clearly see and appreciate how fine she is."

"I don't intend to simply -use- her, Aberto. I intend on keeping her and will do what I need to," he said, making sure the cap on the bottle was secure.

"Yeah yeah.. damn you. I knew you wouldn't share. So which way am I going? Is she home, running, do I head to the air strip?" His eyes scanned ahead on the road as he drove, picking up speed as they got away from the estate.

He checked his watch and pointed toward the path that many joggers used including her, if she kept to routine. She appeared to be fond of going when it was too cool for most, though cold never seemed to be a problem for her. "If they haven't gotten to her yet, she should be there."

"Am I going to have to jog? I dunno if we can get far along in this thing." He pulled off towards the path and pointed to a figure up ahead though he wasn't as familiar with her to know if it was or not.

"You're better equipped than I am," he prodded. He could certainly drive if Aberto needed to be of service in such a way. "But no, just get me close enough and I'll manage. That may be her."

"Alright but if the paths starts to narrow much more we'll have to go on foot." He warned, easing the car into a smooth turn to bring them a little farther in. He was thankful they'd grabbed one of the smaller vehicles. "I hope it's her.. otherwise we might get mashed."

"You worry about keeping the vehicle mobile. In fact, stop here and get to the road. You'll hear me if you need to," he said, making sure he had his few things he needed, including the bottle in his jacket, and the gun that rarely left his belt when he traveled out of the house.

"Be careful. If that is her.. you know it means trouble hasn't arrived but is somewhere waiting.." He looked a little concerned though he knew Armand could handle himself. Still it was his 'little' brother and all.