The Mafia King's Nicotine

Chapter 28

"Shhh, come on baby girl, let go," Erik cooed softly, his large hands folding over her small ones in an attempt to take the gun back.

Ollie's motorcycle sped out of the lot, sending a trail of dust behind him, thrusting air back into Vivian's lungs.

"Baby, let go." Erik's voice was more stern this time and her grip loosened enough for him to rip the gun from her hands. He made sure the safety was on before shoving it back in his waistband. He grabbed her arm and dragged her back inside.

Still in shock over her own actions, she just now realized the several men and women surrounding the room, armed with handguns and pistols. She watched them all wide-eyed in terror, unaware of the mayhem she had started.

A gentleman near her raised his arm, his hand in a fist, signaling for the men behind him to lower their weapons. "Leave the poor thing alone." He said, "Not like we all haven't thought about pulling a gun on the Italians. She just had the balls to do it." His deep chuckle calmed others around him and they followed suit until all guns were down.

Vivian let out a shaky breath, hooking her fingers in Erik's rolled-up sleeve. The man walked towards her, making Erik's arm around her waist pulling her in closer.

He was older than Erik but not unattractive. He had broad shoulders and a few tattoos that licked the base of his neck, showing through his dress shirt.

"Congratulations on your engagement, kroshka." (Literally: crumb; Little one) He smiled, his thick Russian accent bleeding into his words, "I look forward to seeing more of you."

She stared at him mouth agape, unable to find the words after what had just happened. Erik nudged her, "It's rude to not answer someone, amour."

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm still a little... shook up. Thank you." She said softly. The man smiled again at her, before nodding to Erik and walking off.

Erik pulled her closer to him, his hot breath fanning her ear, "You could have damn well started a full-on war among us all. Threatening a Don like that, could have gotten you killed."

She shook her head, "I didn't- I didn't mean too. I just wanted him gone."

Before Erik could respond, Vivian's mother came running towards them, pulling her into a hug. "Are you alright? Why did you do that? You could have gotten hurt!" She brushed her daughter's hair from her face, checking her over slightly.

"I'm alright." She replied, seeing Lynol and Rick speaking with her father, as she watched them anxiously, over her mother's shoulder. Dannye stood beside their father, his hand still on his guns handle, the other holding on to Johanna's arm. Just like her, they didn't seem to be over the shock of the events that took place before them.

Sighing Erik rubbed his face roughly, "Merde," he cursed. He left Vivian to answer her mother's questions, gesturing for Dannye to follow him away from the family, "Make sure that friend of hers speaks nothing of this or I will have to get rid of her." He explained darkly. He was only letting her live out of kindness to his fiancée, but if she couldn't keep her mouth shut, she and anyone she told would be dead in seconds.

"She won't say a word," Dannye promised, giving a curt nod. He may not like Erik, but he did still have to respect him.

"She better not." He growled at the young man, "Get her out of here."

Dannye only nodded in response and returned to Johanna's side, where he whispered something to her. She nodded abruptly, following him out the door. Perhaps Dannye was more useful than he had originally thought. When Erik was observing their gang he already knew he would never allow his angel's brother to be involved in such a dangerous business. He had told the gang they had failed the observation miserably and were a terrible excuse for a gang when truly they were probably the best in the Midwest.