ROMEO - DEATH & MAYHEM a spectreverse short story [book R]

Chapter FOUR

Lovey O'Riley

...the next day...

"What d'ya mean 'ye lost the casino', Lovey?" Sat at the dinner table with his shirt off and a map of horrific scarlet scars on full display, River turns to me with a grimace and a glint of disappointment in his deep sea-green eyes. Beneath his critical state I shuffle my weight back and forth between my bare feet, too jittery to take a seat..

"Bah! Sit still you silly man!!" My stepmom, Frankie, hisses in frustration as she continues jabbing the red tipped acupuncture needles into my father's neck..

Meanwhile I make an admittedly pathetic attempt to explain how everything had gone sideways the night before when I'd visited the casino.. "It's not my fault, Da'- the new guy was a total dick!"

Okay, so maybe I was just as much to blame for the tension between Anatoly and I, but I don't need to tell that to my dad because he already knows that I am contentious on a good day and downright belligerent at my worst..

"Dick or ney, ye know how much paper we move through Na Pont? The whole balance of our treaties with The Bratva rely on that deal.. Stori Petrovich assured me that his nephew would continue to wash if we kept Triads outta the 616.. I've held up my end, so- ow shit!" Dad winces when Frankie places a needle behind his ear, not at all tender about her practice.. "Watch it, wallflower!"

"Oopsie!" Mom giggles to herself, appearing pleased to have gotten a reaction from my father..

Rolling his eyes in amusement at his wife's antics, dad continues, "What the bloody hell is the kid thinkin' callin: it off? Is he sendin' some kinda message?"

"I dunno-" I shrug, my eyes dipping away from my father's questioning gaze, guilt eating up my insides.. I just hate to disappoint him or let him down in any way.. My father has always believed in me, he had supported me to be whatever it was I wanted to be, even when I didn't know exactly what that was.. He drove me to all my extracurriculars when I was younger, from piano recitals to cheer practice and Krav Maga lessons.. He is the man who fostered my confidence and capabilities, always maintaining a certain kind of calm and patience despite my rebellious nature.. "I might have bruised his ego- just a wee bit.."

River arches a curious ginger-blonde brow, sceptical and squinted emeralds regard me.. "Aye, Lovey, that I'm sure ye' did.." Reaching up to rub tiredly at his eyes, dad shakes his head, though I can see the hint of a smirk hidden behind his exasperated scowl.. After a thoughtful pause he lets out a patient sigh, scrubbing a hand back through his strawberry grey shag.. "S'poze I best pay this laddy a wee visit, see if I can'nae clear up this clusterfuck myself-"

"No!" I snap in fast protest.. If River goes down to that casino I know there is a likelihood that Anatoly will lose his fingers or his tongue or something equally important and I very much want the handsome man to remain in tact for the future fuck-fest I have envisioned for us.. If anybody is going to torture Anatoly Ivanov, it's going to be me.. Suddenly a protective instinct I've never felt before kicks into gear.. "Lemme' do it.. I can fix this, Daddy.. I promise.."

Folding his hands on the table he sits up straighter and fixes me with a knowing stare, one that impresses upon me the seriousness of my mistake without him having to scold me.. "It's important to be diplomatic here, Lovey.. If this deal falls through, all hell'll break loose, it'll be the beginnin' of an all out turf war and everythin' we've built will be at risk.. The Triad have'nae had strife with The Bratva in Darkport for over twenty years-"

"I know, I know, not since before granddaddy died.." I huff, folding my arms as Frankie smiles at me in encouragement over the top of her husband's head.. She is a pretty woman, diminutive in stature with shiny black hair and sweet catlike eyes, but she is formidable in her own relentless way.. I know I can count on her to have my back in the same way that she has my undying respect..

"Listen, Princess, ye' know I love ye', but from time to time ye' can be a little-" Dad pauses to consider his words carefully before completing his thought, "Tempestuous.."

"Don't say that to her as if it's a bad thing, Tiger.." Mom nudges him with her pointed elbow and he grins back at her in return..

"O'course not, Petal, I wouldn'ae dream o'it.." He chuckles, petting Frankie's hand in his own as she pauses her treatment to sit beside him..

Watching them together creates a ripples of warmth within me.. I want what they have.. That patience, dedication and devotion that has held them together all these years.. They take care of each other and it is their wholesome honesty that has taught me how to embrace life and be myself.. There is nothing more powerful than my parents' love for one another and I'm so proud to be their daughter.. "I'm telling you guys, I can fix this.. Please, gimme' one more chance.."

Dad slings a tattooed arm full of needles behind his wife as he leans back and observes me, his glowing gaze softening with affection.. "Aye.. I know ye'll get it done proper this time.. And take Mr Xi with ye'.. I can'nae have ye' gettin' in anymore trouble.."

I beam back at him, my conviction to win renewed.. "Aye, Dah'.. I won't let ye' down.."

"Ye' never do, Lovey.." He winks.. "But ye'll know what ye'll have to do, Princess, don't ya?"

"What's that Dah'?"

"I won't have his kind'o disrespect on show.. He might be The Reaper's son, but this innt' Russia and he's gotta learn himself fast that there are consequences.. I want ye' to make sure he understands.."

I smile sweetly, disguising my sexually sinister thoughts behind an angelic facade. "Aye, Sir.. I'll teach him a lesson he won't soon forget.."