Imani's POV
"I really don't understand what you want from that Morellio boy" Papà said with so much annoyance in his voice.
"Nothing, Papà" I lied.
"Non sono stupido, Imani! So esattamente quello che fai!" (I'm not stupid Imani I know exactly what you do) he gritted his teeth.
I sighed heavily and before I could speak Nikholas cut me off.
"È ovvio che vuole crepare con quel dannato ragazzino innamorato." (Clearly she wants to die alongside that damned lover boy of hers) he stated as if it's the most normal thing in the world.
Nikholas was always being known as a narcissist. I wasn't even fazed at his words as this isn't the first time he's throwing shade.
Papà slammed his hand on the table.
"Non ti permettere di parlare in quel modo a mia figlia!" (Don't you dare talk to my daughter like that!) Papà yelled clearly furious at Nikholas's obnoxious statement.
"Mi dispiace, zio" he responded with a slight hit of sarcasm. The guts this guy has. I'm shook.
"Ascolta ragazzo, non farmi pentire fella mia decisione. Ti sparo esattamente dove sei seduto e sai che lo farò." (Listen boy, do not make me regret my decision. I'll shoot you exactly where you sit and you know I'll do it) Papà threatened him.
"Lukas" Mamma said in a low tone.
Obviously calming him down, because if Papà wants he'll actually shoot Nikholas just then and there and with no remorse whatsoever even though that's his brother's only son. Well that's my Papà, he's ruthless like that. Definitely not something I'm proud of but I can't change it even if I wanted.
Mamma nudged Nikholas for him to apologize again.
"Oh my apologies, uncle it was so stupid of me" he stated.
One thing I always knew is that I hated Nikholas with my heart, that shady remark that he made was not his first and is most certainly not the last. Nikholas is the exact copy of his Papà. Zio Andrékio Russo obviously I hate him too. He's VERY violent when I say ,violent I mean VIOLENT. He burned his first wife alive because she had an affair with another man. He shot his second wife thrice in the head for hugging another man and please note a SIDE hug not a full body hug.
So yeah he's brutal and that's where Nikholas got it from. He's perfectly like that, brutal at most times as you always be alert to when the enemy comes. Papà's words not mine. Even though I am my Papà and Mamma's rightful heiress, Papà definitely did not want to get me involved in the underworld matters. That's why he wanted one of his brothers's son to be next Don.
"Maybe Nikholas, if you stop acting like the perfect Russo maybe we'll see you different just maybe. You're not even doing anything you're just a burden on our family. You demand loyalty and respect as if you give it on a silver platter. And don't you dare come for my choices when yours almost got your family killed okay" and damn that felt good. I was most certainly out of breath.
"Okay signorina calm down we heard you. Since you're done leave the plates as the maid will clean up and say your goodnights." Mamma said.
Papà just staring at me I see that small smile that he has on his face. He loves my sharp tongue. Nikholas stares at me in disbelief and is shook on how disrespectful I'm getting everyday. I don't care he started it.
I walked to towards my Papà kissed him on his cheek and muttered "Buonanotte Papà"
"Buonanotte, amore" Papà said in such a sweet, gentle tone.
I loved it when Papà is just MY Papà. Not my mother's husband, not my uncle and aunts brother, not Nonno Luniko's eldest son and lastly but most not the Don of Russo Syndicate. Just my Papà. I did the same to Mamma and rolled my eyes at Nikholas and headed straight to my room.
The walk from the dining area to my room is pretty far. Papà wanted it that way to keep me from everything that happens downstairs. I love how Papà tries keeping me away from all this underworld matters. He doesn't want to witness or hear it. But is it safe to say that it's too late? I mean there's this guy Keith Morellio first son of Runic Kamin Morellio. The next Don of Morellio Syndicate. My first love. I don't care what anyone says I'll get married to that guy one day and nobody with say anything.
As I entered my room I closed the door and plopped on my bed. Maybe I'm just too dreamy I don't really know when all of this will end the war and the hate. I just want this to be over so I could live a normal life. Can mafia and normal ever even be in the same sentence? A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in" I yelled.
It was Papà. "Papà" I called out to him
"Mia bella?" Papà called
"Come stai, tesoro?" Papà asked.
I know exactly where this is going.
"Papà me and Keith are nothing you don't have to worry" I answered the question he had in his head.
"Since you know what it is, why do you continue to pursue it, huh? Look I don't have a problem with that boy it's his family that I have a problem with and unfortunately he comes from that family, so he's basically part of the list. They could set you up,la mia principessa, use you. And God forbid anything happens to you."
"He wouldn't do that to me." I responded.
"Exactly he wouldn't but his family can if they want to. "
"Mia Amore, my job on this earth is to protect you and our family until my last breath. So even if it means killing that boy so you can be safe, I will."
A few tears starting rolls down my cheeks. Papà kissed my cheek and stood up. He turned to walk away but turned back to maybe saying run away with that boy and never come back but instead he uttered the words I most certainly did not want to hear.
"Zio Andrèkio e nonno Luniko arrivano domain." (Uncle Andrèkio and Grandpa Luniko is arriving tomorrow.) and he left.
No not them. I almost cried they always make everything worse. If they find out they might burn me alive. Obviously Papà would never allow it but still. Clearly something went down.