Inner Denial

It was a wonder how he knew this was coming; there had always been this pull; he ran from it and pushed himself to the opposite track only to return to the starting point.

But it wasn't too late.

"Dad, I can't, I can't do what you're asking me to," he responded, knowing he was treading on slippery ground. Of course, they could all be gangsters until it came to their father; he still had the stare to get them on their knees.

Wasn't he the godfather?

"You didn't just say that did you?" Derinem's voice, although calm, held ice; that was him; he just never lost it. "Nico, hai appena ascoltato tutto quello che ho detto? Estella è morta" _Nico, did you listen to everything I said? Estella is dead_

"Dad, I know, I know!" he tried desperately, "I heard you clearly, but I can't, Dad. I made my choice years ago, you agreed to it, you understand where my limit of being a Xavier stopped; I have responsibilities."

Derinem let the silence fester for length before he breathed out his baritone-holdin