Run

Houdini

"Gia you're 18" looking up I find Andrei talking to me. I give him a slight nod. "Still in high school" he asks.

"No just graduated". Its been a month since and I've never been happier. School wasn't all bad there were some enjoyable parts especially if you took out the classes, homework, teachers, early start time, and a majority of the students.

He nods looking rather pensive. "Any plans now". I suppose I could go to college but what's the point? I won't ever need to work and I have no desire to anyway, so why bother with a degree. I like being free to jet away whenever I please and party whenever I feel like it. College would restrict that.

"Big plans" I answer, "What about you Nikolai your 20 now". He nods.

"Nikolai just graduated Harvard a year early and top of his class," Andrei says speaking for his son. I nod, makes sense. While most of our money comes from illegal means we have a few legit businesses to make the amount of money we have seem somewhat plausible. Any future Don is expected to get some business degree and take over the legitimate side of the empire as well. The Volkovs have real estate among other things. My family mainly does hotels. They generate enough wealth to keep the FBI out of the way and its nice to have some money on hand that you don't have to wash.

"So he's taking over soon," I ask. Originally Andrei's niece was to take over but ever since he died Nikolai's been in the running.

"I'm not obsolete yet, give it a few more years" Andrei says. He's in his late 70s, plausibly early 80s. Most would have left the business by now but he either loves it enough to stay or doesn't trust Nikolai enough to take over. I'm willing to bet money its the second one. 

"So before that happens you want to start some new era of peace" I assume that's what the main purpose of this meeting is, ulterior motives aside.

"Something like that". His cryptic half-answers are pissing me off and before I can go off the doorbell rings. Frowning, my father calls for someone to answer the door and minutes later Elena appears. Shit I forgot she was coming. She smiles upon seeing me but its instantly wiped away when faced with Nikolai. She looks like she's seen a ghost judging by the way she goes pale.

"Elena... lovely," Nikolai says, his words strained. If Nikolai hates me there is no words to describe his feelings towards Elena. The two met once when Elena happened to stop by when Nikolai and his family were staying over. Already Elena's family had some bad blood with Nikolai's and I guess it just escalated from there. Elena is the sweetest soul ever thus if someone was able to get a reaction out of her they are truly a despicable person and no words better describe Nikolai.

"Elena," my father says looking up.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize it was a bad time, I'll leave" Elena says starting to head out.

"No, you will not," I say.

"Remember I told you Elena was coming over" I tell my father. I don't think I ever told him but he doesn't listen half the time so it doesn't mater.

"Well now I'm telling you to have her over some other time". My father seems to mean business judging by his tone. Elena looks at me desperately not wanting to be involved and risk my fathers ire. But the other option is sending her back home where her father will no doubt be pissy about the change of plans even though it wont effect him in the slightest.

"She can wait upstairs" I pin my father with a pleading look. He finally lets in, probably feeling guilty about springing the Volkov's visit on me.

More idle chatter happens around us, most of which I tune out. Finally my father, Matteo, and Andrei excuse themselves for business talk, leaving me, Luca, and Nikolai. Thank god for Elena because I use her as an excuse and head up to my room. She's sitting on my bed on her phone but as soon as she spots me her face hardens and I can practically read all the questions she has.