Balotelli-Bale Series Book #6: Regina Mia & The Godfather Part 1

Chapter 45: Leverage

Nick's POV
I haven't slept a wink since I spoke to Mancini. My intentions to make love to Kei also vanished into thin air. I stayed awake thinking of every possible ending to this story. Like he said, he wins either way. Without protection in prison, I'll definitely be killed. Prison is ugly like that. The only way I beat mancini is if I stay out of prison.

The question is how? How do I do this without Kei being in an impossible situation. Will she even agree to helpe? What does Mancini really want from her? I'm afraid to answer that question.

The sound of the doorbell caught my attention. Everytime I open the door, it's Olivia and Nilson. This time, it's not. It's my parents. My eyes immediately dropped to my mom's midsection. She's well along in her pregnancy.

"Mom. Dad. What a nice surprise."

"Move!" She pushed me aside. Dad walked in after. "Why do you live to test the limits of my nerves? As if being this pregnant isn't enough you find ways to keep me awake at night! What is wrong with you Nicko?"

"Mom I'm sorry about this. You didn't need to come-"

"She had to." Kei told me. She made her way towards us. "She's your mother and it doesn't matter how old you are, she worries."

"What she said!" My mom shouted.

"This is what I don't want to go through. I didn't want to worry about Marcelle or the others like this. I don't want to read about them being arrested or go to court hearings... this is what I don't want."

"None of us want this Nicko. Please. Stop it."

"Stop it? Stop what? Fighting for my life? Would you rather come to my funeral mother?"

"Nickolas, tone." My father warned me.

"She can shout at me but I should watch my tone."

"Yes." He answered.

"I hate to disappoint you ma. But I'm not stopping and waiting to die. I will fight tooth and nail not just to stay afloat but to be at the top. I won't stop for anything. If I do not do this, it's not just my children. It's her." I pointed at Kei. "It's you. It's dad. It's Tony. It's this baby. I'm not stopping. Accept that."

The four of us fell into deep silence, each of us in the depth of thought. Impending consequences loom.

"On a lighter note." We paid attention to dad. "I found out Alexander, my father has a sister. She's not legitimately a Christos but still... I have been looking for her. So far, no leads but I hope to find her."

"That's good. Do you think she knew your dad?" I asked.

"I'm not sure if they knew each other. I'm curious to find out. I'm meeting up with Chris to get someone who can track her down. I should go."

"Yes Nate go! Go and avoid parenting your son! Leave it to me!" Mom freaked out.

"You don't have to parent him when I'm gone. I'll be back in an hour or so." He kissed her forehead. I don't know how he handles the crazy bottled up in this little woman. "Nickolas, don't agitate your mother. Keira."

He went on his way.

Kei took my mom to the kitchen. I lingered for a moment before I joined them. She's making her tea. Mom merely stared at me.

"How's the pregnancy taking you?"

"Horrible." She sighed. "Kei don't do this when you are my age."

"I don't have any intentions for more." She chuckled.

No more kids? Will Marcelle be my only son?

"I want to talk to both of you about something. Last night Mancini called me. He said he can make all this go away."