Lost Heir

ch. 34

Russo threw the entire shot of whiskey in his mouth. He took time to appreciate the burning sensation of the drink as it flowed from his throat downwards.

That was well deserved and so was the orgasms he experienced about five hours ago. Things were not going so perfect in the estates. The family businesses and runnings were going on perfectly because a beast lead them. A beast which had taken what seemed to be a-by far-a  permanent spot on the surface of Roman's being.

Russo doesn't feel the need to keep repeating the appreciation he felt for that occurrence. He himself was a ruthless man. That was all they were taught as they grew. Smiles didn't give fear and respect, two vitals needed in their line of business. He was aware of his brothers troubles but he didn't mind the "troubles" it caused.

He slammed the, now, empty glass on the table. "How is he?" He asked his Roman. "Still sleeping." Russo smirked. That was what he liked to call it. They all believed Valentino was going to wake up but Roman...he didn't want to fully accept he was in a coma in the first place.

"Dolan finally told me, after a week, that you...uhhh...found...that you found Nikki."

Roman sipped his scotch. He wasn't about to do this again. If Dolan told him everything, he probably already has him believing the one he saw, the one he speaks to, isn't his Nikki.

"You didn't think I deserved to know from you?"

"What does it matter? You too think it's coincidence."

"Who said so? Dolan? That's not the vibe he gave me when we spoke." Roman remained silent so he continued. "From what he told me or from how I understood what he said he asked to to throw coincidence and familiarity out the window and work with common sense."

No words were exchanged amongst them for half a minute until, "Did you see her today?" Russo asked.

"She wants to move on."

"And you want to kill whoever wants to replace you." Russo snickered and added, "Dolan told me that too." He stood and headed for the door but stopped about two feet's away from it. "I don't know if the person you is Nikki," he started, "but I do know you. Don't make a fool of yourself. Play your cards right." With that, he walked out.

Roman understood what he said...or tried to say. Indeed he needed to play his cards right. He knew exactly how Nikki operated but Jordan was a different story. He didn't want to scare her away. By far he was happy with how he had handled things. It would have been easier to get the detective out of the way but that would not have been the wisest decision to make.

"Romanov." Came a fragile feminine voice from behind him. He didn't bother to turn, already knowing the culprit. She, on the other hand was not having it.

She walked around the long bar table until she stood in front of him. Roman clenched and unclenched his jaw frustratedly and asked, "What is it, Aunt Monica?"

"Have you lost your mind?"

Silence.

"Roman..."

"Keep bugging me and you will find out."

That's all it took. Roman felt a sting on the left side of his cheek. He snapped his eyes at her, ready to spit out fire but she beat him to it.

"How dare you?" She sobbed out. She finally decided to let out the  emotions she kept at bay. "I raised you! I was there for you when your father threw your mother out! I helped build back this fucking empire and this is the thanks I get?! I put my whole fucking life on hold for you!"