The Don And His Flower

5

It's been a full week since Imani had cut communication from him once again.

A full week since he's seen her at the garden or watching him from underneath their willow tree. The same tree where they both shared such a delicate first kiss.

Today, in the warm weather, he watched Imani Milton through stinging eyes. Valis was knocked to the ground for the time he couldn't even recall. Was it the third time?

Fourth?

Holding his nose, he saw her curved figure walk back out the compound that was her home. Imani carried another empty basket as she roamed through the long rows and columns of fresh goods. 

"Kholodov, why are you still on the ground?"

He sat up looking at the group's mentor, Volodos, whilst holding his nose. The soldier he fought was on the wooden platform, not even reaching or grabbing the flag as they all saw he won.

"You got your ass completely handed to you the majority of the match. Why did you let him beat on you, Kholodov? Your father won't be pleased to hear this." He sighed, watching the twenty-year-old stand on his feet.

With a raise of his corner top lip, he glared at all the men who surrounded him. "Move." He barely uttered, walking from the area as multiple eyes remained on him.

He shouldn't do this. He's signing her death, signing her to hell if he doesn't stop now.

Punch the nearest farmer, make that the excuse. Say he gave you shitty strawberries or something.

"Valis?"

Imani stood few feet from him, he continued to walk. Closing the distance as he stared down the five-foot six beauty. She carefully put the grapes into the basket, placing it to the grass as she took a small step back.

"Stop."

She mouthed the words, eyes glossy as she tried to shake her head no. Kalia was watching. Everyone outside, near a close or distant proximity was watching.

What was the son of the Kholodov Mafia about to do to this innocent girl?

"Valis-"

He grabbed the sides of her face, lips crushed against hers as she gasped. He let one side of her face go, swallowing more of her surprise as he gripped her waist. Fingers into her skin as he pulled her into him.

"That is the first," he grunted, capturing her lips again as she gave him a taste of salted tears. He kissed them, wiping some away with his thumb. "And last time that you ever break up with me, Imani Milton."

He pulled from her after a final kiss. "Tomorrow night, I'm bleeding your cunt. Under the willow tree, Imani."

The man left her there, not giving anyone his attention. Shaking fingertips touched her lips, the taste of him still lingering with his cologne. She gasped, heat in her belly as she pictured the things, he'd do to her.

Tomorrow night.

Valis walked past everyone. Ignoring the looks from the soldiers who stopped sparing and made his destination to his bedroom.

Away from everyone.

In the short distance, he saw his father. Don Michael Kholodov staring at him through his office with an unreadable expression.

He was pissed.

So was Valis.

Pissed at the unwanted separation of his girlfriend. Pissed that he couldn't explain his fear of her possible death if his father found out about them being together.

Valis was in love with Imani. And he couldn't be with her, not because of the obvious difference in skin color. With him being white or with her being black, although it would've made a good excuse.

But his father was also in between her mother's legs.

Don Michael Kholodov didn't see women like Imani Milton or Faina Milton, suitable to be part of the Kholodov bloodline. Granted, he does take care of the women who lost their men by placing them in the Kholodov compounds. But to grasp that his eldest son is in-between the legs of a woman who he believes is of less value...

Valis knows his father would make him kill her.

He's done it before to another soldier, before he killed that soldier himself.

But maybe he could make this work. He could date Imani, but he has to be careful. Kissing, holding hands that'll be fine. But nothing indicating his father that he's been inside her.

Nothing to indicate that they've done things that would make Imani produce Valis a child.

Valis walked up the steps to his bedroom, ignoring the looks of everyone until he was nearly pushed into the wall.

"Shit, my fault."

He looked at the pusher, eyes staring down one of the new additions that had come by only days ago.

Theo Marley.

Valis towered at the six-foot man by two inches. He noticed the nineteen-year-old wearing the Kholodov soldier attire. Black long cargos and black combat boots, a short sleeve v neck since it was warm today in Russia.

"Mr. Kholodov. I didn't see you, I'm sorry-"

"Watch where the fuck you are walking." He didn't spare the young man another glance and finished his destination. His breath finally left his chest, anxiety kicking his ass as he kept his back against his closed door.

Sitting on the bed, he put his hands on his knees. Avoiding this conversation with his father would be difficult for him.

***
Imani heard the door closed softly, her hands shaking the bucket as she gave the plump grapes a final rinse. Her mother came into the kitchen, raw packaged meats in bags as she looked at her little girl. "Do you not care to live?"

Imani didn't listen to her mother.

She didn't want to know that she was inching more and more over a boundary that she couldn't find herself to care about. She loves Valis, he loves her.

They respect each other and are equally frustrated that they can't publicly be together with the fear of her death. But for an odd reason, Imani can't find it in her heart to care anymore. They practically had sex the other night. She let him get himself off right between her legs, waiting even longer to clean herself up.

"I'm still going to the amusement park tonight mom. But I told Valis. I won't be a secret. Not from anyone, including his father. I broke up with him, and he chose."

"He chose." Faina repeated, sitting at the island as she looked at the slowly thawing meats.

"You think he chose? Imani you poor girl. Don Kholodov will kill you..perhaps he'll make Valis have his way with you before that happens."

Valis loves Imani. She knows that he wouldn't hurt her.

Valis would never betray her trust, not when he's the only one who has it fully.

Imani put the bowl down. Clean grapes at her eyes as she kept her back to her mother, focused on the water going down the drain.

"Like Don Kholodov has been doing with you?"