It was nigh time. Tristan was in his office at his home working. He was reading through reports and making some notes. The door to his office opened slowly and he looked up to check who it was. It was his eldest son Nicandro with a small toy in his hand. He smiled at him and then he looked down at his papers and heard the door close.

Nicandro said "Dad... Can you read me a story?"

Tristan looked up "Not now. You see I am working."

Nicandro said "Ok. Can I wait? Please dad..."

Tristan nodded. He then looked at his reports and continued working. This kid never gave up. He was patient.

Tristan continued working.

Nicandro said "Dad."

Tristan looked up and found his son standing on his right side. He was looking at his papers on the desk as he was playing with some small toy in his hand. He asked "Why do you have so many papers?"

Tristan smiled "Because I have so many businesses. One day you will help me run them..."

Nicandro said "Can I help you now?"

Tristan smiled and picked up his son in his arms. He carried him to the counter of his mini bar in his office. He sat him on a counter  where there was space. He said "No. Not yet. I will tell you when the time comes..."

Nicandro asked "When?"

Tristan said "When you get much older and bigger..."

Nicandro said "I am big now..."

Tristan said "But you are not old enough. You must go to school for a couple of years before I let you help me in any way... Now sit here. I will read you a story when I finish here. You do not move."

Nicandro nodded "Ok." He got on with playing with the toy in his hand as he was looking around the room silently.

Tristan got on with his work. He worked in silence for a few minutes and then poured himself a drink. As he was drinking, he heard his son speak "I want to be like you dad when I grow up... I want to work in an office until late at night..."

Tristan smiled "You will be... One day..."

Tristan then got on with his work as he was drinking from his glass. His son was silently looking around. Once he finished, he did keep his promise. He walked to the library in the corner that had children's books in it and picked one. He then read his son a story.

Once the story finished, Tristan told him to go to bed. But he asked if he could stay up  abit longer and sit in his office at that counter. His on liked to watch him work. Tristan let him sit.

Time went on... Nicandro just sat on the counter of the mini bar in his father's office and looked around silently. Then suddenly a visitor dropped by.

As Viggo came through the door, Nicandro smiled and jumped off the counter. He ran to the door "Uncle Viggo..."

Viggo knelt on the floor and embraced him "Hello Nicandro..." Viggo then stood up, he picked up his nephew and carried Nicandro in his arms as he walked towards Tristan's desk "Why are you up so late? Shouldn't you be in bed?"

Nicandro said "No. It's play time now..."

Viggo said "I need to talk to your dad. Can you go play ... somewhere that has more toys in it perhaps..."

Nicandro shook his head "No."

Viggo was not sure why he even bothered giving Nicando an instruction. Him and Nathan never listened to anyone but their papa.

Tristan said "You should go play in another room Nicandro... Your uncle and I need to meet alone."

Nicandro said "Ok..."

Viggo put him down on the floor.

Nicandro walked to his father's desk and said "Dad... See you later."

Tristan smiled "See you later."

Nicandro said as he walked away towards the door. "See you uncle Viggo."

This did not escape Viggo's attention. This kid was showing his loyalty to his papa first. He first had addressed his papa and then had said see you later to him.

As Nicandro exited the office and closed the door, Tristan poured himself a drink and watched Viggo silently.

Viggo sat down on a sofa opposite Tristan's desk. They were staring at each other in total silence.

Tristan leaned back in his chair and drank from his glass.

Viggo said "I came here for a truce."

Tristan put down his glass and said "Too late for that..."

Viggo said "You do not fight fair."

Tristan said "Of course not... I never said I will..."

Viggo said "We need to compromise."

Tristan said "You need to compromise. Not me Viggo." He then sipped from his drink.

Viggo said "You made your point tonight... I get it... Are you finished with taking your revenge on me for trying to get my sister to come to work under me?"

Tristan sipped from his drink silently. He did not respond and just drank while there was only silence in the room.

Viggo sighed "Answer the question. Yes or no..."

Tristan put down his glass "Yes..."

Viggo said "Really? So you are done with this particular case?"

Tristan nodded "Yes. You have Vienna to thank for that of course... Next time you try to influence my wife's job, I will not go easy on you like this time..."

Viggo said "Your wife is also my sister. I am her family. You forget that sometimes..."

Tristan said "Actually I do not forget that ever. Otherwise you would be dead right now Viggo. I would kill people for much less... No one messes with my wife's life. Whether it is her job or anything else..."

Viggo sighed "I did not mess with your wife's life. For heaven's sake... Why is it different if she worked at a hospital that was governed by Rosarios? She would be still protected. It is perfectly safe... But no, you want to be able to be the one having control over what goes on around her at all times... Set her free a little. You do not want her to answer to any boss but you..."

Tristan said "Viggo... This conversation is over... Do not tempt me to come after you tomorrow too for this stunt you pulled... I only became satisfied with what I did tonight and decided to stop when I did because of Vienna."

Viggo said "You have not changed at all..."

Tristan said "Neither have you..."

Just then the door opened and Vienna came inside. She said "Viggo..." She closed the door, smiled and walked towards Viggo. She embraced him "Nicandro told me he saw you here when I went to read him his story... I have not seen you for weeks... How was your business trip."

Viggo pulled away "It was fine... Thank you... I came back to a warm welcome in New York today..."

Vienna said "You could call me you know before dropping by... Where you going to just leave without saying hello?"

Viggo said "It was a last minute decision to drop by tonight... I was going to actually drop by at your work place tomorrow to say hello to Dr Rosario..."

Tristan said "Firstly it is Dr O'Neil... And she is not working tomorrow. She has. day off. You have to drop by another day to ask to see Dr O'Neil..."

Viggo turned to Tristan. "Ok. Then I come by the house."

Tristan wanted to choke him now. He had already made arrangements to spend time with his wife tomorrow.

Vienna said quickly "Actually Tristan and I have plans tomorrow. We won't be at home most likely. The kids are out..."

Viggo turned to Vienna "Another time then. I guess my busy schedule hardly ever matches yours. I guess your big boss needs to change your schedule. See. If you work under me, then I could have a say on your working hours... Then we could chat often after work."

Vienna did not want to even look at Tristan to check how he looked right now. Probably wanted to murder Viggo. She said quickly "Can I offer you a drink Viggo.

Viggo said "Tristan has nothing except Irish stuff here."

Vienna said "There is plenty of drinks you might like in his wine cellar on this floor. Go have a look."

Viggo said "Ok. I will go take a look."

After Viggo left and closed the door, Vienna turned to Tristan who was now standing behind his desk looking with a hard expression into the distance or rather the door where Viggo had just exited. She had no idea what he was thinking but she had a pretty good idea he was thinking of Viggo.

Vienna said as she walked slowly towards him "Tristan."

Tristan said "Yes Vienna."

Vienna stood next to Tristan "Please ignore him."

Tristan did not respond and remained silence looking away.

Vienna said "He is my twin. Tristan. I do not work under him. I work under you."

Tristan turned to her "You do work under me... You can't work under anyone else's rule but mine..."

Vienna shrugged "Work is work. I don't care where I work... As long as I can do my work."

Tristan took a step towards her "You are Dr O'Neil..."

Vienna sighed "Tristan..."

Tristan wrapped his arms around her "I love you..."

Vienna said "And I love you." She then kissed him.

They kissed deeply. Tristan picked her up and sat her down on his desk as he deepened the kiss. His kisses were possessive and passionate.

Vienna loved kissing him but she was conscience they could have an audience. She pulled away slightly "Can we stop? What if Viggo walks in?"

Tristan said "Don't worry about anyone disturbing us. I locked the door with the remote. She then found herself pinned down on the desk as Tristan climbed on top of her. He pinned her down and kissed her hard.

Vienna was out of breath and pulled away "We really should stop. When Viggo returns and finds the door locked he would assume something is going on."

Tristan said "He won't."

Vienna said "He will though. You locked your door while I am with you..."

Tristan said "I did not lock my door. I did not say that Vienna."

Vienna asked "You said you locked the door."

Tristan said "The wine cellar door."

Vienna asked "What?" That cellar door was no ordinary door. It was a concrete like door structure that did not have a typical lock and key system. No one could break out of it. It opened from inside and of course could be controlled by Tristan's remote controls.

Tristan said "You actually expect me to let him walk out of this house with no consequence after his comments. Think again darling."

Vienna sighed in frustration "Tristan."

Tristan  said "You drive me crazy when you say my name." He leaned down and kissed her lips.  He loved capturing her lips with his. He loved kissing her. For years he watched her bite her lip. Now she could kiss those lips whenever. She was his wife now. All his.

Vienna was breathing hard as Tristan pulled away and stood up "You are right. We should finish this in our master bedroom tonight. Let's go."

Vienna shook her head and sat up on the desk "Tristan. Wait... You must let Viggo out first. He goes home. Then we go to our bedroom to finish what we started here."

Tristan said "We go to the bedroom. We finish what we started. Then I decide Viggo's fate tomorrow after he spends the whole night thinking about his actions in the wine cellar."

Vienna asked "You are unbelievable. You can't lock Viggo in the wine cellar. Tristan. You can't do this."

Tristan said "You are right. I know. I should really lock him up in a proper dungeon cell..."

Vienna gasped. "Tristan." She jumped off his desk and wrapped her arms around her neck "He just made comments. Ignore it. Please."

Tristan said "Fine. I will get him out and let him go home..."

Vienna said "You will?"

Tristan nodded "Yes. But that's the only promise I can make. Now. Go to our master bedroom and wait for me. I will deal with your brother tonight and will send him home."

Vienna said "Will you let me say goodbye to him. What if you hurt him?"

Tristan said "I could hurt him once he leaves this house. You do know that. Right Vienna. But fine. I will come get you from our bedroom to say goodbye once I finish dealing with him. Take it or leave it. If you don't take the deal, my original plan stands. You have three seconds to decide." He then started counting.

Vienna knew this was a good deal compared to the original plan. No one messed around with Vienna verbally or non verbally or in any shape or form and lived. Viggo knew what he was risking. She knew Tristan was holding himself back. She said "Deal."

Tristan smiled "Good girl."

****

Vienna was in the master bedroom looking outside the window. She could not believe how things escalated so quick between Tristan and Viggo. It was a personal vendetta. She really hoped Viggo did not tell her father about Tristan locking him up in the wine cellar. Her father was going to take revenge for that if he found out. But this personal vendetta had been played down by Tristan and Viggo. They did not try to bring too much attention to it. But her father always found out everything. He just did.

Vienna feared her father's wrath. When he had found out she had become pregnant shortly after her wedding he wanted to punish Tristan for forcing his daughter to carry his children so soon when she wasn't ready in his view. But she wanted kids. He didn't force her. Luckily Clarissa also fell pregnant around the same time. Emanuelle O'Neil wanted Vincenzo's blood too but of course now that this meant there were two pair of young parents there in the family they had called it truce. Her parents and Tristan's parents were in their early 50s now. But they had so many grandkids already. Young parenthood was ok. She did not mind it. It had not interfered with her education.

Vienna looked at Viggo walking towards his car with Tristan. They stopped half way and were talking. Was Tristan going to come and get her? She did not want to wait. She left the master bedroom and made her way down the steps and out of the mansion. She made her way towards Viggo and Tristan. Viggo spotted her first and smiled at her. Tristan turned to look at Vienna. Their conversation stopped when she was approaching and she was spotted.

Vienna smiled at Viggo and embraced him "Come visit again Viggo. I miss you..."

Viggo said "You can come visit too you know..."

Vienna pulled away "I will."

Tristan wrapped his arms around her waist from behind as he said "I can pay you visits more often too you know. I will try... We are family after all..."

Viggo said politely "You are more than welcome to drop by any time. But try to bring Vienna with you when you do. See if her schedule matches mine."

Vienna could not believe how Viggo was pushing his luck on Tristan's property. She quickly said "Maybe we could have a picnic in the sun one day. It's summer time."

Viggo said "Great idea."

Just then Nathan and Nicandro ran to the yard laughing. When they spotted their parents and uncle they sprinted towards them.

Nathan said "Uncle Viggo." He jumped into his uncles arms who held him close and picked up.

Viggo said "You have gotten so big."

Nicandro was walking around his uncles car and was now stroking its windshield as he said "Uncle Viggo. I like your new car..."

Nathan said "I like your new car too..."

Viggo smiled. "I had to get a new one..." He did not mention to his nephews that their delightful father had ordered his car to be wrecked to a point that went beyond recognition.

Vienna said "Oh. You have a new car. How lovely. I didn't pay attention to what car you were driving today..." She never really paid much attention to cars. It wasn't her area of interest. Viggo of course had brought bodyguards in cars who had parked in the guest car park for now waiting to follow his car out when he left. But he always drove his own car and carefully selected and personalised his cars.

Tristan said "Let's hope this car lasts as long as the old one..."

Viggo gave him a hard look but smiled "Thank you for your well wishes."

Tristan said "You are welcome."

Nathan asked "Uncle Viggo. Can we ride in your new car around the mansion here?"

Viggo said "I have to go kiddo. I can't stay..."

Nicandro walked to his parents and looked up at his father "Dad. Can uncle Viggo give us a ride around here... please... please. I want to try his radio. New cars have better radios."

Tristan said "Of course. You can hang around with your uncle Viggo at this property for as long as you like. That is if he wishes to stay. Uncle Viggo might be sleepy though. He has had a long day. He may not want to stay long..."

Viggo put down Nathan on the ground and said "I do not mind spending time with my nephews... I stay and drive the kids around the property if they like..."

Nathan walked and stood next to his brother. The two brothers were looking at their father hopefully. Nathan said "Can we do it?"

Tristan said as he looked down at his sons while he was still hugging his wife from behind "Ok. But when he leaves you two will go to bed. Do you understand?"

The boys nodded and said in unison "Yes dad..."

Vienna said farewell to Viggo and went inside with Tristan. It was nice seeing her brother even though motherhood and being Tristan's wife carried responsibilities that stopped her from having enough free time to visit him as often as she would have liked.

Viggo let the kids inside his car and showed them the cool features of his car. The kids were so delightful to be around unlike their father. Tristan was alot like Vincenzo. Both Tristan and Vincenzo were too serious, had zero tolerance for jokes and sarcasm, had a strict code of conduct for how outsiders could interact with their wife and kids. Also they had the unconventional ways of dealing with those who crossed them. No insult was too little to qualify for retaliation when it came to Vincenzo and Tristan. Viggo was smiling to himself. He did not mind getting on Tristan's nerves. It was worth it. Tristan deserved it.

The tension between Rosarios and O'Neils had gotten worse and had gone beyond school days rivalry after the boys had taken over various businesses. Emaneuelle O'Neil and Francesco Rosario were now semi tired in some ways.

Tristan was the King of Irish-American crime families. He managed businesses inherited from O'Kanes as the rightful heir. He had taken over them reluctantly but those people who served the O'Kanes only accepted him as their leader and no one else.

Vincenzo on the other hand was the young don of the Italian crime families who served the Rosarios in Sicily and southern Italy and even in United States.

Trent and Viggo were meant to be managing their father's businesses in the United States. That was the plan. But their father's business empires had expanded and boomed in the 1980s that they could not manage it all... So the resources were shared with their older brothers who had additional man power and contacts because of who they were. So now all four boys managed businesses that were matched to their areas of expertise. That had helped to make the businesses even most successful.

Many Rosario and O"Neil businesses were intertwined over the years because Francesco and Emmanuelle were close friends. And of course they had invested in businesses that had grown so fast over the years and during the 1980s the size and worth of their investments had multiplied. So Tristan, Trent, Vincenzo and Viggo dealt with each other in business inevitably no matter which part of the businesses they managed. They always crossed over in some contracts. Viggo would have mostly dealt with Trent but because he had married Amethyst and was mostly in Milan, Viggo had to deal with Tristan mostly. Like Trent, Vincenzo had two homes. One in Italy and one in New York. But he was mostly in Italy. So he dealt with Trent mostly when it came to businesses that he had under him linked to his father's legacy companies. That was the arrangement until Trent and Vincenzo managed to set up enough number of underbosses and trained enough personnel in Italy so they could work from New York were their highest interests were.

So Viggo for now was alone up against Tristan who did not appreciate his actions sometimes and made sure he showed his displeasure without going too far but was pushing it. He pushed and did not mind the fight. He lived for the challenge.

Viggo was now patiently spending time with his nephews answering their questions.

Nathan was playing with the radio channels and singing along.

Nicandro asked "Uncle Viggo..."

Viggo responded "Yes kiddo."

Nicandro asked "What is a tyrant?"

Viggo said "A tyrant? Why do you ask? Where have you heard that?"

Nicandro said "Grandma Rosario told me my dad is a tyrant?"

Viggo was shocked "What? Are you sure? Is that what she told you?" He could not believe it.

Nicandro nodded "Yes... I told grandma Rosario I want to be like my dad... She told me... I hope not. Your dad is a tyrant... What is a tyrant? Tell me..."

Viggo said as he was still in shock. "I cannot tell you what it means kiddo..."

Nicandro said "Tell me uncle Viggo. What is a tyrant?"

Viggo said "Nicandro.... You will find out what it means in school one day... I promise."

Nicandro said "Ok... I wait. I wait until I learn in school what is a tyrant..." He then smiled "Uncle Viggo... Do you have any candy in your car?"

Viggo said "Yes kiddo. I have some. It is your lucky day..." He then opened the dashboard. He took out two packs of candy and handed them to Nathan and Nicandro.