Saving Nikolai

Chapter 15

Please forgive me for updating so late. I am getting married in a few weeks and have been busy with preparations. I have a small request. If you could please take a moment and let me know in the comments if you feel as if the story is going downhill. Reading over my work, I feel as if the beginning chapters were much more exciting and now the story has become dull. If you feel the same way, or have any suggestions/tips, please let me know. Thank you!  

It is in these gruesome scars, I find guilt

I find pain

I find turmoil

It is in this broken heart, I find glee

I find happiness

I find joy

My heart and mind battle for dominance

Who should I listen to?

One voice tells me to hate him

One tells me to love

I'm torn as I look at him

His bloodshot eyes meet mine

My selfish needs play in mind

What have I done?

The hate sizzles down and in the depths of my heart

Traces of forgiveness arise

"Another poem?"

Leylani jumped, scurrying to shut her journal. Massimo stood behind her, a small smile on his face. "You look much better." He took a seat next to her. "It seems your heart is beating again."

"It never stopped."

Massimo chuckled, his eyes warm. "You are too good for this world, Leylani. Much too good for us Gotti's."

Guilt shot through her. "You think too highly of me, Massimo. Even my conscience isn't clear."

"No ones is, love. That's what makes us human."

Leylani stared at him, her heart racing at his words. He cleared his throat, looking out at the setting sun. "Are you ready for your first job?"

"Not really."

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be okay."

Leylani almost believed him, but his pink ears gave him away. Her gut had been right all along. This job wasn't as simple as Richard and Nikolai had painted it out to be. For days, she had been begging Nikolai to give her the details, but he insisted it was nothing more than a small robbery. She may be new to the family, but even she wasn't stupid enough to fall for such a lie. A man as powerful as Mr. Gotti wouldn't send his own son for something as petty as thievery. This job was dangerous, and she hadn't a clue how much.

"I didn't think you were a liar, Massimo."

Massimo's smile faded. A rueful smirk instead played on his lips. "Perceptive as always." He fell silent. Leylani was sure he would say nothing more, but suddenly, his hand shot forward, yanking her chair towards him. Looking left and right, he began in a hushed tone. "You need to understand we have enemies, Leylani. Sometimes those enemies are our own blood." His gaze faltered for a moment. In the depths of his silver eyes, rage and bloodlust were brewing. Clearing his throat, he continued. "The Russos are our cousins. They control the Isles. Drug shipments, weapons, money printing, all take place on the Isles. A few years ago, the Isles belonged to us, but the Russos struck when we were vulnerable and stole it from us." His breath hitched and he shifted guiltily in his seat.