Him (A mafia story)

Chapter 23

"Nikolai's been acting like a complete stronzo!" I complained, using the new word Leo had taught me earlier that morning.

(Asshole.)

Julia let out a light laugh on the other end of the phone. "Where did you learn that word?" She asked me.

"I told Leo, my Italian teacher, that if he taught me a few bad words at the end of every lesson I'd actually try to learn." I explained.

She chuckled again. "Why is mio ragazzo being a stronzo?"

(Why is my boy being an asshole?)

"I think things are getting worse with the Corinthos and it's really been stressing him out. I don't think he meant to, but he took it out on me last night by getting mad at me. He started yelling, I started yelling and then-" I paused awkwardly. "Well then we, um, kissed and I stormed out of the room."

"'I see."

"He didn't even apologize properly afterwards. I don't think he knows the words I'm sorry." I vented.

"He doesn't know how to treat a woman right. I should have a word with him." She muttered.

I laughed. "l'd pay to see that!"

We talked for a few more minutes before we exchanged goodbyes and I hung up the phone.

I'd avoided Nikolai this morning after my Italian lesson and, while he was too busy to come looking for me, I knew it bothered him. While I wasn't too terribly upset, I'd been hoping to ignore him for a little longer, but I knew I wouldn't have a choice when dinner time rolled around. I walked into the dining room later than usual and most of the people at the estate were already seated.

Nikolai made eye contact with me as soon as I entered the room. The seat next to him was empty, but I wasn't going to sit there. I gave him a teasing smile as I took an empty seat next to Julian, who was a little further down. Nikolai scowled at me, but l ignored him.

"Destiny, how are you?" Julian asked with a grin.

"I'm good." I smiled, picking up my fork.

Julian glanced towards Nikolai and his smile faded when he saw the mafia boss's expression. "You didn't want to sit next to Nikolai?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Nah. He sees me all the time. Besides, I've been meaning to ask you about running again. I don't know about you, but I've been slacking." I joked.

From that point on, conversation with Julian was back to being light and easy. Every once in a while, Nikolai would catch my eye and scowl at me, but I knew it was all harmless. He was just upset I had chosen to sit next to Julian instead of him.

It wasn't until halfway through dessert that the dining room door slammed open, making me jump. Half the men in the room drew their guns.

"Put them away, you trigger happy thugs." Julia reprimanded as she waltzed into the room.

I had no idea what she was doing here but I couldn't help but laugh. Her gaze traveled the room before settling on her son. She looked back at me briefly and gave me a wink. I had an idea of what she was about to do and I was excited.

"Mamma, I didn't know you were coming for dinner. I would've had us wait-" Nikolai began.

His mother cut him off by smacking him upside the head. "I'm not here for dinner, stupido ragazzo."

(Stupid boy.)

In a split second, all of the oxygen in the room seemed to have disappeared. The room was so quiet I swear I could've heard a pin drop. I was glued to my chair as I watched the situation unfold.