The Mafia King's Nicotine

Chapter 35

"Nicolas." Ollie's voice was one of pure professionalism, watching the large man as he walked into his office, "What might I do for you, sir? It must be important for you to come all the way to Italy."

"I want to make a deal with you." His fat frame was crammed into the small chair and he squirmed uncomfortably, "My wife Colette-"

"Lovely woman."

Nicolas looked down at his lap, imagining his beautiful wife, all alone back home in Wyoming, "Yes, well she- I lost her. Mentally she is gone and I don't know when I will get her back."

Ollie sat down in his chair, leaning forward slightly, "And what does this have to do with me?" Of course, Ollie already knew about Markeeli's situation, but he wanted to hear him beg for his help.

"I need men. Lots of them. Any that you can spare. I want him to feel the same pain he caused me." The vein that ran up Nicolas' thick neck bulged with each clench of his jaw, "The shit he did to her... He will die for what he did."

Ollie cocked a brow at the man before him, in slight amusement. He always found Erik's torture tactics... unique and rather tasteful, but when they could be used against him, Ollie would take full advantage.

"Seems my plan can benefit us both," Ollie smirked, picking at his nails, trying to hide how overjoyed he felt. It was all coming true.

Nicolas nodded, "My clan will be forever in your debt if you help us. Do whatever you want with her or the rest of them, I just want him."

"We leave in the morning. Have all your men ready for when we arrive. Anything you need is yours. Take him down." This was serious. This was war and Ollie would win.

Soon cupcake. Soon.

~•~•~

Vivian had never taken a train before, except at the zoo. In fact, she didn't even know that people still used trains for travel, but apparently, they did because she found herself on one.

She was rested against the window, Erik's fingers laced with her own in her lap. He was reading some newspaper that was probably out of date, but neither of them was in the mood for talking. Not that they were mad at each other, just exhausted from their travels and both found peace in the comfortable silence.

Erik had told her they had to return home to Nebraska and while he was upset about it, she couldn't be more overjoyed. This meant she could spend a bit more time with her family and even Johanna. She had missed them in just the three weeks she had been gone and she didn't know how she would handle not seeing them for months at a time. She assumed she would get used to it, but it seemed so impossible.

So many things seemed impossible though, but Erik continued to prove her wrong every day. A small part of her feared that he would get bored with her and not love her anymore, throwing her away like everyone else. She had grown to love him beyond what she ever thought possible and the thought of him not feeling the same, broke her heart.

His thumb rubbed against her hand and she turned to face him. He watched her with concern and brought his hand up to her cheek, brushing away a tear she had not noticed.

"Why are you crying mon amour?"

Vivian brought her free hand to her mouth and began gnawing vigorously at her thumb. She shook her head, not quite knowing the answer herself. "Just thinking,"

He pulled her finger from between her teeth, concern still evident on his brow, "Must have been some intense thinking to make you cry. Is something bothering you?"

She bit her lip, debating her next words carefully, "What if you stop loving me?"

Erik was taken aback. What kind of question was that? "Why would I ever stop loving you? I could never stop loving you."