15 Bond

Like Souls blessed by Philotes,

We grew stronger than lovers.

Closer than blood and

better than friends.

We Shared a bond no man could give.

"Morning Miss Sophie". Jack greeted Sophie as he alighted from his car. She seemed to be on her way out. He had spent the whole of the night performing a hidden task Ralph had assigned to him and had just returned.

"Good morning Jack, It's a nice morning. Going to see Don Ralph I presume?" Sophie asked with a smile on her face.

'Damn!, She is beautiful '. He thought.

She is a Wesley after all. So her good look is not something that came as a shock. She has almond-shaped eyes that twinkled with their grey color. It was magnificent and sometimes it could be mistaken for hazel. She was petite and just a look at her makes you feel like protecting her. She had an instinctual aura around her that gave out the feeling of innocence. She was tall with a pear shape but not too curvy. Her blonde wavy hair complemented her light skin. She was just the feminine version of Ralph but compared to Ralph she was more like a lamb than a lioness.

"Yes, ma."He replied.

"I haven't seen him for the last few days since Johnny's funeral. I heard he hasn't stepped out of his room since then and it doesn't seem like he has spoken to anyone except you since then. I'm getting worried about him". She said with her face contorted.

"Rest assured Ma, The Don is very fine, he does this all the time whenever he wants to clear his head. In a day or two, he will be out of his room". Jack said with a smile, in the hopes of calming Sophie down.

"If you say so, then I guess there is nothing to worry about. After all, you're the closest person to him right now. I'll leave him in your care". Sophie said as the smile resurface on her face.

"Ok, ma". Jack replied with a smile too before he continued. "Miss Sophie where exactly are you headed?" He asked.

"I have a meeting with some of our investors at the construction company. After that, I'll meet with the DeAngelis. They want to discuss the plans for Ralph's wedding with me".She replied.

Like all other Mafia families in London, The Wesleys owned some legitimate businesses which included Construction companies and Art galleries. Ralph's late father was a lover of art and spent his life collecting rare act pieces and opening the biggest Art Gallery in London for the Wesleys. One would confess that the artwork he displayed in the Gallery was rare, unique, and exceptional. But they were nothing compared to the masterpieces that were left in the Wesleys' mansion undisplayed.

"I see you doubled the guards". She continued.

"My apologies. Just mere formalities till everything settles". Jack replied.

"That's okay. I'll be on my way then". She said as she entered the car.

Jack watched her drive off before entering the mansion.

The past week had been a crazy one. Mainly because he knew Ralph was very angry since Johnny's death. The fact that the man had not said anything about it or made a move worried Jack. It was as though this is the calm before the storm. The uncertainty of not knowing what Ralph might do if he intended to act made it more disturbing.

Since the Day Ralph had left St Peter's Cathedral, the man had not spoken a single word to anyone. The only time he spoke was during Johnny's funeral when he was asked to say something as a eulogy since Johnny had no one, and all he said was; "Ellos pagaran". Meaning "They will pay", in Spanish, before leaving the Venue and locking himself up in his room.

Unlike Jack, who spoke just Spanish and English, Ralph could speak four different languages aside from English. He was good at Spanish, French, German, and Chinese, but whenever he was mad and wanted to send a threat, he always speaks Spanish irrespective of who he spoke with, whether or not they understood.

"Goodmorning Sir". The guards at Ralph's door greeted him as he approached them. They were new. Ralph had instructed him to double the guards guarding the mansion and to change the guards that protected him and every other Wesley directly. So in the last few days, Jack had recruited new guards. Men he could trust, and rotated the guards in a way that 90% of the men guarding Ralph and all key members of the Wesleys were the new men he recruited.

Today made it the third day Ralph stayed indoors without speaking with anyone and without food or water. Jack was certain the man must be living on scotch and cigars for the past few days. The only way he could tell Ralph was still alive was the small note Ralph slips through the door every evening instructing him to do specific things. Yesterday he had asked him to invite Roxie and Viper over and tell them to wait in the basement. Which Jack did. He wondered what Ralph wanted them for. The last time Ralph had done something like this was when they were in Columbia during Ralph's years of hiding. Those were hard times. One time Ralph locked himself up for one week, doing what no one knew. Johnny feared he was even dead but couldn't open the doors to confirm since Ralph had warned him not to come in. When Ralph eventually stepped out, he came out like someone who came back from hell with demons. The terror the man had mounted on his enemies was enough to convince Jack then that he was serving the Devil. He hoped the incident never repeated itself. If it did, then London will see a monster like none they had ever seen.

"Has the Don stepped out today?" Jack asked the Guards.

"No sir". They replied.

"You may leave. I'll stand guard alone". He said.

"Ok, sir".They replied as they walked away.

This had been the routine for the past few days. Whenever he was busy carrying out Ralph's instructions they stand guard for him and when He returns he takes over from them, till whenever Ralph needed him to do something else again.

"Jack". Jack's heart leaped as he heard someone call out his name. It was Ralph. It was the first time he had heard the man speak in the last week.

"Yes sir". He replied.

"The door is opened, Step in". Ralph said.

Jack could barely see a thing as he stepped in and locked the door behind him. The room was dark except for the little light Ralph had let in through the window he opened briefly. Ralph stood by the window. His black sleeve could make one confuse him for a demon in such a dimly lighted place. He held a glass of scotch in one hand and a cigar in the other. Jack was right when he thought the man must have been living on scotch and cigars these past few days. For a brief moment, Jack felt chills down his spine as Ralph turned to face him. His eyes were a little swollen, he must have lacked sleep these past few days. His lapis eyes seemed more hazel in color, and Jack could swear he had seen Ralph like this before. It was almost like a Dé Jávu's moment, and the last time he saw Ralph with those eyes bad things happened. Ralph made them happen. Ralph looked thinner and bonier now, but for some reason, he seemed stronger.

"How long have I known you, Jack? Ralph asked. For some reason, his voice sounded scary and deep almost as though each word came out as a threat.

"Fifteen years sir. I started guarding you fifteen years ago". Jack replied while keeping his composure.

"Fifteen years! That's a long time. Time flies so quickly, I believe I have spent more time with you than anyone else, even my parents. One can say we share a bond closer than brothers don't you agree?" Ralph asked.

"I do sir". Jack replied. He wondered where Ralph was going with these questions.

"Do you trust me?". Ralph asked as he walks over and sit opposite Jack. he crossed his leg and dropped his SW Model 29 handgun on the table.

"With my life". Jack Replied.

"Good. I have been placed in a difficult situation and will have to find my way out of it. Regardless of how it goes. You must stand by my side and never question my decisions". Ralph said.

"I swear on my life, I will always stand by your side", Jack said as he bends a knee with his head down.

"I believe you. Stand up". Ralph instructed and Jack did." Viper and Roxie?".He asked.

"They are both in the basement".

"What about Fox?"Ralph asked.

"With Viper and Roxie. Interrogating the bastard we caught over to them".

"What good timing. Tell Diane to get me new clothes. I'll wash up and go to the basement." Ralph said angrily.

"Yes, boss". Jack replied as he turned to leave and he wondered what Ralph had in mind. A part of him was, however, happy that the man had finally opened the door and was ready to step out.

"And Jack". Ralph called out before Jack left the room. "I trust you and I hope that never changes…."