Poison Tree

Family Reunion

     "Giovoni Alessio Arsen!" His mother screamed, pulling him by the ears. "How dare you kidnap her? This is not how I've raised you!" To say she was furious would be an understatement.
     "No, but it's how I raised him." His father, whom I gathered as a quiet man, broke his silent streak. Jessebella snapped her head to Frank, a mixture of anger, shock, and hurt crossing her face.
     "He's a man, he should be able to go and get whatever he wants by any means, if by kidnapping or whatever else does it, no hard feelings Tsar." I looked at Yazmine, thankful that she was too young to understand this.
     "Yazmine, you should go upstairs and wash your hands, the foods almost ready." I smiled sweetly as she got up and padded up the stairs to the bathroom. I waited to hear the door shut before I turned to Frank.
     "You are aware that all actions have consequences. Had I have had a weapon other than a baseball Bat that night, your son would've been shot. Had I called the cops that night, he'd have been locked up." I looked between Frank and Giovoni, who both looked at me amused. That was a problem, I wasn't trying to be amusing.
     "I'm not scared of what a woman could possibly do to me, and I'm most definitely not scared for my life." Frank said, smiling. I saw the challenge in his eyes and smirked.
     "What has gotten in to you Frank?" Jessebella looked at him, not even bothering to mask her hurt anymore. Something in me stirred as he continued to act nonchalantly. I picked up a kitchen knife, and without hesitation, threw it in Franks direction. I watched as he winced, Hand touching his now bleeding ear. I walked over to get the knife, which had made a satisfactory thud as it lodged into the wall. I grabbed the knife, before looking at Frank, who was no longer amused.
     "Had I wanted you dead, you would've been dead, wether by knife, poison, or gun." I smiled at his surprised face as I held up the gun in which I took from his holster he had strategically hidden in his waist.
     "After all, I am just a woman, no offense Mr. Arsen." I had made it back to the counter as soon as Yazmine hit the last stair. She skipped into the room, unaware of the tension. Frank looked at me, still holding his bleeding ear, face unreadable. Jessebella looked between me and Frank, her smile wide enough to split her face. Giovoni's stare was so intense it felt as if he was in my head. His eyes never left me as I dished out servings, squeezing Yazmine's shoulder as I gave her her plate. I winked at Frank as I handed him his plate, and smiled reassuringly at Jessebella as I gave her hers. I grabbed both me and Giovoni's plate and when I went to give Giovoni's his, he grabbed my waist instead, pulling me into his lap.
     "What are you doing!?" I shrieked, trying to get up from his lap, but he put his other hand around me as well, locking me in. I drew my shoulders up when I felt his stubble tickling my neck, causing him to chuckle. My body went rigid as I felt his breath tickle my ear.
     "You can't expect for me to just let you go after that stunt you just pulled love." He purred in my ear. His father watched us with an amused expression.
     "La voglio nella mafia." Frank said, eyes never leaving mine. I knew he wasn't talking to me though. I figured as much when Giovoni tensed and Jessebella looked at him as if he grew three extra heads.
     "Penso che sia ora di andartene." Giovoni growled, digging his fingers into my sides.
     "Sarebbe una grande risorsa." Frank said, standing to leave.
     "Tsar, That was great, thank you for your hospitality. See you soon." He shot a look at Giovoni before he exited. Jessebella hugged me tightly, before going to whisper to Giovoni in hushed Italian. I felt a tug on my shirt and I looked down to see Yazmine, yawning sleepily.
     "Do you want to watch teen wolf with me tomorrow?" She kicked the ground nervously, afraid of rejection.
     "Of course." I smiled at her. She looked up beaming as she ran to grab her mothers hand.
     "Momma she said she'd watch teen wolf with me!" She squealed happily.
     "That's nice baby." She said as she picked her up.
     "We have to exchange recipes darling." Jessebella said, referring to the chicken casserole I made.
     "I'd love that." I said, smiling at her. Giovoni shut the door after them, double checking to make sure they were locked. I was in the kitchen putting away leftovers and cleaning the dishes. I looked up to see him leaning against the threshold watching my every move.
     "Still hungry? There's plenty of left overs." I said, drying a plate before putting it up in the cabinet.
     "Oh I'm hungry alright, just not for food." He winked at me and I turned away from him, rolling my eyes. But that didn't stop the slight blush from painting my cheeks.
     "Tsar?" He said my name and I shivered. I turned to look at him, eyebrows raised. "I don't know much about you, well, as much as I want to know." I smirked at this proclamation.
     "You mean besides where I stayed, my clothes size, name and height, my race, shall I continue?" I glared at him while he chuckled.
     "Those things are what's written on documents. Those couldn't tell me that you knew how to use a gun, or throw knives, or cook, and not to mention speak a little Italian. By the way, how much is a little?" He eyed me carefully.
     "Tell your father that I'm not interested in becoming a mafia whore." I said dryly.
     "He knows." Was his curt reply. "Who taught you how to use a gun?" He was now sitting at the table, watching as I wiped down the counters.
     "What, because I'm a girl I had to be taught?" I asked laughing. "Not all girls are tiaras and glitter, Giovoni."
     "So you just picked up a gun and started firing then huh? Just exactly how much do you know about guns? What was the model of the first gun you used?" He smirked as I hung the towel back on the rack, smiling as I was thinking back to the memory.
     "Optima .50 caliber, Black powder." His eyebrows raised well above his forehead as I leaned against the counter. "In my old town I had decided to walk home from work, and one of my girlfriends handed it to me, saying "be safe." Since I refused to catch a ride. This man decided to get handsy, and so did I. With the trigger. My first shot connected with his knee. He was yelling like the bitch he was." Chills went through my body as I had felt the same power wash over me as that night. Giovoni leaned on the table, still shocked.
     "I have so many questions." He said, shaking his head in disbelief. "What kind of girl just carried around a gun like that? What was your old job?" He asked. At that, my eyes darkened. I looked at him, not knowing weather or not to tell him, because mate or not, I knew he wasn't gonna take it well. Most men didn't.
     "I'm tired." I said dryly, heading for the stairs. He frowned as he jumped in front of me.
     "The conversation was just getting started." He said with a scowl. I just shrugged my shoulders and watched as he stepped to the side quietly.
     "Tomorrow we will pick this up." He said, silver eyes glowing.
     "Whatever floats your bubble mate." I turned and winked at him before going to my room. I laid down on the floor, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding. Though I hated to admit it, I was starting to get comfortable around here. Around him. And that scared me. I had been here two nights. Two nights, and I found myself already on a schedule. I frowned as I stood, heading into the bathroom. Something had to give. After my shower, I hesitantly changed into one of the shirts I stole and buried myself under the covers, my wolf happy at the scent of our mate.
     You're happy too.
     I wouldn't know what happiness feels like darling.