The Mafia's Flower ( #2 in the Mafia Series )

five

( Reia's outfit above )
{ Reia's POV }

Cristian. He's back!

As I reach the last step I notice my father watching me closely. I act like I'm suppose to and I go and stand beside my uncles. I can almost feel Cristian's eyes on me. When I turn around I see I was correct, and that Cristian was shamelessly staring at me.

"I'm sure you remember our daughter, Reia."
My father says in a strange tone almost like a code, and this time I have no idea what it is.

"I do." Cristian says with a slight smirk, and in that moment I knew that for whatever reason that he was testing my father.

I see my father visibly tense, and I see my mother grab his arm as if to warn him not to do anything. It's getting strange and tense which is starting to make me more nervous than I was before.

I start shifting on my feet a little bit. I look curiously look towards Cristian, Annika, and Dimitri.. only I didn't expect to see them all looking at me. I can see Cristian gets an idea, because he surprisingly still gets this look in his eyes, just like when we were kids.

Cristian starts walking towards me with a slight smirk on his face. I notice my father tenses more, and my mothers grip get tighter on his arm. I feel Uncle Marco and Uncle Enzo tense on each side of me. He's testing them, I just have no idea why.

Cristian reaches me and gently grabs my hand in his, and kisses the back of it near my knuckles then he says "It's good to finally get to see you again, Rei."

"You too." I say with a soft polite smile which he surprisingly returns. He stares into my eyes like he's searching my soul, then he slowly lets go of my hand.

I could have sworn to someone in that moment sparks from a fire were dancing on my skin.

"Now let's go have a meeting about what I need to know..shall we?" Cristian asks my father almost smugly making me raise an eyebrow.

"Let's go." My father says gruffly,
and I would expect Cristian to be mad about his rough attitude, but instead he smirks and says "After all of you.."

My father walks towards the study on this floor. My uncles and mother follow behind him, then Dimitri is walking behind them.

I start to make my way upstairs until I feel someone gently grab my arm. I look back and see it's Cristian, am I notice Annika standing behind him.

"Where are you going?" He asks gently

"To my room." I tell him confused as to why he's asking me then I look at Annika.

"He doesn't know. Dimitri hasn't told him yet." Annika says

"Hasn't told me what?" Cristian questions in a hard tone which sounded board-line deadly.

"I don't go into meetings." I say hoping he'll think it's just because I don't want to

"Why?" He asks me a little softer

I look at Annika and she gives me an encouraging nod. She says "Tell him."

I take a quiet breath then reply "I'm not allowed in them."