Balotelli-Bale Series Book #4: THE OTHER MAN PART 1

Chapter 44: Where Is Jason?

"... there's no conspiracy greater than a bad day getting worse..."

A few hours earlier...
Nick's POV
I wish I could disappear.

I wish I could turn back time.

I wish I would have made better choices.

I wish for a lot of things that I can't grasp.

"One last one for the road." I told the bartender.

"Sure thing." He passed me my third glass of whiskey. "Are you sure you'll be able to drive?"

"I'm not a light weight. I'll be fine."

He returned to his customers. I returned to my thoughts. I'm going to Sicily to confront Mancini for the stunt he pulled.

"Nickolas! Hey Nick!" A man shouted. I recognize the voice. I ignored him. "I'm talking to you!"

As if I need this. This morning Margaux went on a talkshow and talked a lot of shit. None of it was true and I left the house to avoid a confrontation with her. Now Jason is starting something? It feels like a conspiracy!

"If you come anywhere near me, I'll kill you." I told him.

The bar is quiet. Everyone gave me strange looks when I walked in and now this? I don't need this!

"She's my fucking wife! Stay away from her man!"

I got up from the bar stool. "The fact that you're this insecure shows just how pathetic you are."

He threw a punch at me, catching my jaw.

I retaliated with brutal force, lifting him by the neck and bringing him down on a table. I hit him as much as he hit me until we were separated by the men in the bar.

"Let me go! Let me go!" I broke away. "If you know what is good for you, don't walk up to me and talk. Stay away or I won't be responsible for what happens to you."

I walked out of the bar. Now, Mancini.

Romano Mancini's POV
"Signor, are you busy?"

"What is it Russo?"

"Balotelli is here to see you."

I paid attention to him immediately. "Don Giovanni?"

"No. His grandson." I lost my enthusiasm. I need to find an excuse to see Don Giovanni. I'll make up something. I miss him.

"What does he want?"

"He is raving mad. He looks... not himself."

"I'll see him outside."

Don Giovanni Matteo Balotelli is my father. I didn't know it until I was pointing the barrel of a gun at him. I believed him without doubt because of something I call instinct. I trust my instincts and they are never wrong. My instincts tell me Nicko is a viable threat that should be er be underestimated. He just needs to cross a line and embrace his raw dark nature. I don't like him. He has enjoyed my father's affection and attention. Don Giovanni will give anything to protect Nicko. Would he do the same for me? No. If anything he threatened to kill me if I ever hurt his grandson.

"This is expected. It was just a matter of when you would show up." I smiled at him. Russo was right. He looks roughed up, fidgety and troubled. "Do you want a bottle of whiskey?"

"You stay away from Kei! Do you understand? You stay away from her!"

I smiled fleetingly.

Keira is a thing of beauty. I still remember her with the shovel. She wasn't threatening at all but just intriguing to be around. She has an addictive warmth. I would have stayed if not for Nick rudely intruding. I would have probably coaxed the dainty beauty into satisfying my curiosity. But this way, I remain intrigued.