Animus by S. W. Frank Read Free Book Online Page B

dreams. Selange spoke the unfiltered thoughts in her heart, “I’ll be there for Ari, but not because I expect you to not return, it’s because I genuinely like her. Nico, have I told you how much I value you as a friend?”
    “Hmmm, I think you’ve done more than that.”
    “ Ah, stop being the bad-boy for a minute. I’m grateful you are here to protect us. Thank you for being Alfonzo’s guardian and my friend when I didn’t deserve your sacrifice. Hurry back unharmed. Many love and depend on you.” She smiled. “Too bad you’re not a woman and maybe it wouldn’t have complicated our friendship.”
    He chuckle d and went for the opening. “You know girlfriends aren’t immune to falling in bed. Licking tit, clit and ass is sex too, you know.”
    “Oh be quiet,” she scolded. “You know what I mean. We haven’t talked in a while because we’ve accepted what we did is wrong. But, I haven’t stopped caring about your well-being. Right now you have a beautiful baby and a loving family that ’s going to need you. How about painting a family portrait and include you image? Matter-of-fact, Nico since you bring up this Mafia Regina nonsense, I demand you make this a gift for Ari. Even within ugliness, beauty exists. Paint her a picture from your passionate heart. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
    Nico’s chest expanded . He understood perfectly. Cristo the donna’s wisdom came in abundance. “Grazie, donna. Io sono il vostro amico fino alla morte.”
    Selange became frustrated. “Oh come on Nico, stop testing my language skills, I’m not as good as Ari. Translate, please.”
    “Thank you woman, I’m your friend until death,” he said with the patience of his father as he withdrew a jeweled bracelet from his pocket which he placed on the crumpled sheet. “By the way, Alberti wanted you to have this. He said I’ll know when to give it to you.”
    The bracelet was an antique or a replica, she couldn’t tell . She picked it up. It was heavy, solid gold and thick as a wristband. There were African carvings. The hieroglyphics were delicate and she squinted to see the symbols lining the edges. The penny size gems in the center appeared authentic and she looked at Nico for help to decipher their meaning, but he was silent with his head down and staring at his feet.
    Nico was like an abstract painting, opposing swirls of color, a dichotomy of darkness and light , shadows on the border of an unfinished canvass, or the painter’s strokes led you to believe such was the case. She saw beneath the layers, far beyond what others glimpsed. In Nico’s heart hid an artist, battling to breathe. She had a soft spot for Nico, because like Alfonzo he is what destiny crafted. The small joys Nico failed to grasp, Alfonzo seized. Love is the anchor which grounds even the coldest heart to their humanity.  A gift had come from the deceased through his son to her. She was unaware of the esteem in which Alberti held her, until now. He saw her as a formidable link in a chain, keeping Alfonzo solid. She was Giacanti, and not an outsider. She asked, “Is this…Semira’s?”
    The dark head rose and Nico’s expression held extreme tenderness. “Yes. Semira Afizwusi . Royalty, the embodiment of love and beauty, a nurturer, peacemaker and teacher, she is you.” He stood and kissed Selange’s forehead. Their deep friendship didn’t require words. Amity confined in a hidden chamber, sealed away from prying eyes remained unspoken and was strong fibers of steel. He’d taken oaths and given few; the one made to protect is the duty he must now fulfill. “High-tower and fulfilled is also the meaning of the African name Semira. I’ll return and paint because it is ordained that I do so. I have to go, take care of yourself kid.”
    “I will,” she promised and the moment he was gone she climbed slowly out of bed. She wanted to see the baby born of love and to visit Ari.
    The guard followed a pace behind as she boarded the