Him (A mafia story)

Chapter 8

⚠️Trigger Warning! Attempt Rape, Harrasment ⚠️

The first thing on my mind when I woke up was the conversation I'd overheard between Charity and Julian. More importantly, I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do about it. I didn't owe anything to this mafia family, and certainly not to Nikolai, so I didn't feel obligated to tell anyone. At the same time, I didn't want anyone to get hurt if there was something I could do about it. Charity and Julian were my only friends here, I didn't want anything bad to happen to them.

A knock on my bedroom door snapped me out of my thoughts. "Julian, hey!" I smiled, opening the bedroom door and pushing my thoughts to the back of my mind.

"Are you ready, or do you want me to wait for you downstairs?" He asked, taking in my appearance. I was still in my pajamas and my hair probably looked like a bird's nest.

"Oh, sorry, I'll meet you downstairs. I decided to sleep in a little longer today since I'm working tonight." I quickly changed into my running clothes and ran a brush through my hair. I didn't need to put much effort in my appearance because I was only going running. I brushed my teeth quickly and then rushed downstairs to meet Julian.

Like usual, he took the lead, running out towards the trails in the trees. "Do you want to run a different route today?" He asked me as we settled into an easy pace.

"Sure, why not?" I agreed. We'd been running the same trail since I'd started joining him on his morning runs and I'm sure a change of scenery would be nice.

Julian shot me a smile over his shoulder before picking up the pace and turning down a trail I hadn't seen yet. In another situation, I would've loved living at the estate. The mansion was gorgeous and the surrounding property was even more breathtaking. I got lost in it. I got lost in my thoughts as I followed Julian down the trail and around a small pond.

The fresh air helped me clear my head and the way my feet hit the ground was therapeutic. While I had no idea what I'd overheard last night, I decided I wouldn't tell Nikolai. Charity and Julian were my friends, if I really wanted to know, I could just ask one of them. Making up my mind, I decided I'd ask Julian after our run when we got back to the mansion.

After a few miles, we finally looped back to the front of the property. We slowed to a jog and, eventually, a walk as we headed towards the front doors. Julian used the front of his shirt to dab at his forehead and I put my arms above my head to catch my breath.

"You know, it still surprises me how easily you keep up." Julian laughed.

I grinned back. "I told you, I'm a runner. It's my sport." Now was as good a time as any to ask him about what he and Charity were talking about last night, but before I could say anything, we got interrupted by a car pulling up to the front.

Julian and I both turned and I frowned when Nikolai stepped out of the car. I was hoping that I'd be able to avoid him a little longer, but I wasn't that lucky. He made his way up the steps, towards us where we had paused.

"Ciao, com'era l'Italia?" Julian greeted Nikolai in Italian.
(Hey, how was Italy?)

"It was fine. How was everything here while I was gone?"

Nikolai sounded tired, but I didn't blame him. Jet lag was a bitch and he had just gotten back from Europe.

"Things were good. Our shipment went smoothly."

"Good." Nikolai said, before turning his attention to me. His eyes slid down my body, taking me in, before settling on my face. That look alone was enough to set me on fire. "You might want to shower before tonight."

Without another word, he made his way inside, leaving me slightly offended on the front porch. Julian laughed next to me. "Come on, let's get inside."

"That was rude." I grumbled, following Julian through the door.