Brandi ( third book to Giovanni Ricci Family Mafia)

chapter 3: the moment he leaves

Romeo

" You sure that he'll be able to protect her?" Nick stands on the opposite side of the desk that I'm sitting at. " Yeah, he's the right age for college and has the looks," I scoff at what he said." Other than that he's strength and intelligence is up to par. There should be no doubt that he can't protect Brandi." " Okay," I nod my head looking through the paperwork of fishing boats. " The jets is ready when you are and the off the grid house you want is being set up as we talk." " Good, I don't trust them Russian bastards. I don't need them knowing where we stay." " They come to kill us before the meeting," Nick sits down in the chair in front of the desk. " I have a detailed squad coming with us to the meeting and there's men already stationed out there."

" Good," I nod my head looking back through the paperwork. " Rome," I look up at dad standing in the doorway of the office. " Yes," he walks in, standing by the window. " You need to be ready for war with the Russians. They are some sneaky bastards." " I know dad," I try to ignore him. " I hope you listen this time then the last time," he looks at me. I know he's not talking about Brandi. " What could you be referring to?" He walks over to me," falling for that girl." " There's nothing wrong with Brandi. I'm not having this talk with you." I pick the paper up and start looking at the numbers," I see that I'm not needed here," he leaves the room.

" Sheesh, pops really not feeling her," Nick watches him leave. " You know how their old minds work. Still in the days of racism and segregation." I shake my head at the way dad just acted. I get up from the desk," where you going?" Nick stands up," anywhere but here." We walk out of the office going straight to the front door," Rome." I stop in my tracks as mom calls my name." Yes," I turn around as she walks down the hallway. " I'll start the car," Nick opens the door, stepping out of the house. She stops in front of me," where are you going?" " I need to check on a few things before I leave." " Do you think you'll be back in time to eat with us?" " I don't know mom. I'll try," I lean down, kissing her forehead. " Okay," she pulls me into a hug.

I walk out of the house getting in the passenger seat of the Benz," where to boss?" Nick pulls away from the curb, I look at the time on my watch. She should be done with her math class. "Lunch with Brandi," Nick shakes his head while driving to the university. I scroll through my phone stopping on Brandi's number. Meet at the front of the campus, I send the text. A few seconds later my phone buzz, why, she texted back. I'm taking you to lunch. Meet me at the front of the campus or me and Nick will walk around campus to grab you, I text. I look at the time, she should be out in a few. Nick pulls up to the entrance of the university. My phone buzzes again, I'll be there in a few.

Nick puts the radio on while I look out the window. After a few minutes, I see Brandi talking to some boy. Who is he? I grip the door handle about to open the door," that's the boy I was telling you about." What," I turn to Nick. " The bodyguard that was set up for Brandi at school." " Send me his information," I relax in my seat. " Okay," Nick laughs. The back door opens and Brandi gets in," hey." " Hey," we both say. I look at the side mirror as that boy stares at the car for a few minutes before going back to campus. I need to know who he is. "Where are we going? I have class in the next forty five minutes." Nick pulls off," to a small secluded restaurant not far from here." The five minute ride was quiet with Brandi on her phone, Nick focus on the road and I constantly staring at her through the rear view mirror.

Nick pulls behind the restaurant and I get out and opening Brandi's door. " Thank you," she gets out. I grab her hand leading her to the back door. I knock a few times before the door opens," Mr. Rossi," the cook let us through. " Follow me," he leads us to the front of the restaurant. " Here you go," he stands next to a table tucked in the corner of the restaurant," thanks." " I'll get the waitress," he walks away. I pull Brandi's chair out and she sits down. I sit in the chair across from her," how is school?" " It's okay," Brandi stares around the restaurant. The waitress place menus in front of us," what can I get you to drink."

" Two waters," she leaves. " You talk to the others from the club?"She snaps her face to me," yeah, Joliet was telling me that he didn't mean to do it." " She must be stupid. You need a new tutor." She laughs," I know. After my classes I'll be talking to my advisor about a new tutor." " Good, you can't have those type of people around you." The waitress place two glasses of ice water in front of us," you ready to order?" " Yes, can you get me a grilled chicken with potatoes and broccoli." I look over at Brandi while she try to focus on the menu," butterfly, what do you want?" She put the menu down, " I'll have a caesar salad." The waitress takes the menu as I watch Brandi," were you able to read the menu?"

She takes a sip of her water." " A little," she looks down at the table." We are going to need to remedy that." She clears her throat," when do you leave?" " In a few hours. I wanted spend some time with you before I leave." A small smile appears on her face," where are you going?"" Russia," I take a sip of my water. " Oh that's kind of far." " Yeah,are you going to miss me," I lean over the table closer to her. " N-no," she yells. Everyone in the small restaurant looks in our direction. " It's okay Butterfly, I'll miss you too." After ten minutes, the waitress place our plates in front of us," thank you." Brandi looks at my food," you want some?"

" No," she shakes her head, picking her fork up. I cut a piece of chicken and placed it on her plate. She looks up to me," thank you." We eat in silence then I put money on the table. We leave out the front of the restaurant as Nick is already waiting. I open the back door letting Brandi get in first then me.The ride to campus is quiet except for the music from the radio. Brandi looks out the window. I reach across the seats grabbing her hand. I lace my fingers through her and she looks down at our locked hands then back out the window. The drive back to campus is quick," thanks for lunch." She grabs her bookbag off the floor," your welcome." " Be careful," she whispered, looking me in the eyes. " I will," she gets out of the car.

Nick drives off," that was sweet," he smiles. " Shut up," he chuckles. I pull my phone out checking messages and emails. After twenty minutes, we pull up to the airport. We get out of the car walking to the plane," our bags are already on the plane along with the men." I nod my head walking up the stairs. I can hear the men talk as I get closer to the door. I walk on," good afternoon Mr. Rossi," the stewardess says. " Good afternoon," I walk past her, going farther into the plane. " You see the tits on that one. They're like melons." I stand in front of my men and they get quiet. " We are not here to start a war but keep your eyes open. These Russian bastards are tricky."