Wicked Games

Torn

' Well this'll be home for the next month but, of course, longer if you need it.. There's eyes on this place 24/7 so you'll be safe Novalie '

' Will I be though Niko.. When you're handing me off to a monster.. Like cattle being sold.. So what? I'll have eyes on me 24/7 too? '

' C'mon Nov.. You know it's not like that.. This is for our survival. You'll be WELL taken care of. Giovanni is .. Isn't so bad once you get to know him.. '

' Whatever Nikolas. Ya know I can't tell if you envy him or fear him.. And I don't know which one is worse. '

I step inside the mostly empty apartment, it's decent. I watch Niko whisper to the men and they disappear as he walks inside and shuts the door behind him..

' Look Novalie neither of us is happy about this.. You can go curse fathers grave if you think that'll make you feel better but I'm telling you right now I've watched these people skin people alive, burn them alive... Torture innocent people just to get whatever it is they wanted in the moment. You may be a decent killer because men see a pair of tits and only think with their cock but that won't save you here.. You are no match for his power. Just give him what he wants or who knows how far he'll go.. he's been waiting years.. There's no going back.. '

I take a deep breath before I spew out my next words.

' And you feel good about handing your baby sister over to the monster you just described.. '

' It's a better chance of you living and me not burying my baby sister. I'm only thinking about our family.. You think he won't go after mama? I don't need that on my conscience. For the first time in my life I don't know what to do other than what I think is the safest option.. '

' Sure Niko. '

I'm shaken from my staring at him from my phone buzzing.

' You know you don't have to unpack little fox you could just come home early.. '

' You are not my home. And I don't care who made what deal I didn't so I'm not obligated to do shit. Go find a wife who actually likes you '

I squint my eyes.. Angry drunk texts.. Niko places a hand on my shoulder and says he's going to get the men to start unpacking and bring in some new furniture like the new bed. Niko is a good brother and still my protector.. I know he's torn right now, I know he doesn't want to hand me over to the king of the mafia but yet here we are.

Giovanni and Jack have ruined my entire life in a single day.

I huff and head back up the stairs while they do the heavy lifting. I'm too numb to do anything but drink and smoke so that's what I go do. I go grab my purse and pull my menthols out and head out to the back of the apartment and step out onto the Juliette balcony and light up a smoke.

' You'll learn to love me one day.. I'm not the monster you think I am.. '

I see his text and almost laugh.

' So you're a liar.. You're not off to the best start L'ombra.. No surprise there huh '

' Ouch.. I'd like to take you on that balcony.. You know that little fox? '

' You'll never get the chance to have the pleasure of any part of me. '

As I wait for his response I wonder why I'm even entertaining his bullshit.

' You know I'm bigger and stronger than you right Novalie.. Plus I have handcuffs. But you can try your luck if you want to. '

' Leave me alone Gio '

I hit send and toss my cigarette into the ashtray. The nerve of him. To think he'd ever get to fuck me, make love to me or even touch me.. I hate this man. Flashes of his icy green eyes haunt my thoughts for only a moment.. The mystery gang had it right all along - The real monsters are always humans.