Nikolai POV.
People who work for me are my family, this is a family business, that’s what the old man used to say, the guy I called pop, that’s my grandpa, I’m his only boy grandson, his only grandson really, and so I took over the work, I became the boss after him.
But unlike the old man, I do count everyone as my family, every single one of them, I’m not picky about the blood, what I’m picky about is their loyalties, some like Angelo they are in because they are my family and they had to be in, but others, they are hand picked by me, I have their loyalties, I know they would give their lives for me. But I also would kick their asses when they mess up, when they need it, and believe when I say sometimes they do need it.
Paul was one of my best mans, after Marco of course, he’s younger, he had a crazy upbringing, a boxer at a younger age, almost dead, but now he belongs to my family, and him messing up again, he deserved a good punishment, one that would get him to fix his acts. If he lose his temper, he’ll be dead, I know it’s a lot of pressure over him, but he knows not to break my trust or expectation. Today I received a message saying he wants to come home, my punishment was a bit on the too harsh scale, he doesn’t simply hate his assignment, he despise the Irish.
Believing he learned his lessons, I allowed him to come back home, it’s time to come back, his answer was a simple text it said one letter really, “K”.
I went back to my work, it’s just another day for me, having Paul back, we’ll have some beer tonight to celebrate, but that’s all he’s getting, don’t expect much more from me, I’m not in the mood, unless it’s bum kicking he’s looking for.
I decided to go home for dinner, since Paul is coming, I’ll be there too, I walked in smelling one of Paul favorite dishes, Lasagna, it’s also his famous dish, he’s the one who usually make it for us, but since we are having him back, it’s would be a nice laugh for all of us. I lost my jacket, got my shirt sleeves rolled up, I looked like a mess, but I also needed a drink, fetching myself a glass of scotch.
The door opened and in came Paul, my old friend, he looked good, a frown on his face but that was expected, I have thrown him to the wolves, he came and gave me a hug. When my friend pulled back saying hello to the other family member, I saw someone else with Paul, someone with red brimmed eyes, messy hair, and sweats that are a size too big for her. But the thing is, I knew this girl, I knew her but I knew I could never have her, never get too close, I wouldn’t mess some girl innocence, that simply wasn’t me.
“Paul you got a girl?” I ask him, why was I hurt? Are those two dating?
“Yeah, we work in the same Cafe” Paul explains, I had no idea he works in a cafe to being with, but in the same one as Elle? That’s a weird chance, but that’s life, it’s weird and got it’s own twisted way.
“And why is she here?” I ask Paul, I didn’t want her close, the temptation is too strong, for her to be this close to me, in my house.
“She…we…uhh boss can we have a talk in private?” Paul asks me, I nod and start walking toward my office, not giving the girl any attention.
“Why the hell did you bring her here?” I ask angry, it’s not Paul’s fault that I had my eye on her, it’s not his fault that I’m depressed, but it’s what family is here for, we support each other’s.
“She needs help, she’s…she’s too much man. I couldn’t leave her broken hearted” he says, he couldn’t leave her but it’s okay to break my heart.
“What’s wrong with her?” I ask, I could be a cold hearted man, but I don’t want her to get hurt, not ever, I don’t wish the pain I feel to anyone.
“She’s dating someone, that someone is in a big problem” he says, that doesn’t explain why he’s here and what’s that got anything to do with me.
“I’m not the police” I tell him with a shrug, although deep inside, I knew I was jealous.
“The police won’t help, not with whom she’s dating” he explains again.
“For god’s sake! Whom she’s dating?” I finally ask him, having enough from this riddle.
“Well you know…uhh…she’s dating Devil, the Devil, the killer?” he says explaining, but I knew Devil, this wasn’t good.
“And what does that have anything to do with me?” I ask him, Devil have no loyalty to me.
“The Irish have her, and Elle, she’s not taking it well. I told her…I thought” Paul says but stop not getting how to word his next request.
“You thought I’d get Devil back from the Irish? Let her have her happily ever after with the Devil! What do you think I am? A wish maker? Cupid?” I yell losing my temper, I don’t always lose it this badly, but I did.
“Don’t yell! She’s broken, she’s hurt! I don’t know what I was thinking, I just wanted to help my friend, she thinks Devil abandoned her. Man I never saw someone cry that hard or feel that sad, she’s like an abandoned puppy” he explains.
“I can’t just save Devil, she had no loyalties to me” I explain why I can’t do that.
“Then we just accidentally happen to have a fight with the Irish the same day they are moving Devil?” he says.
“I’m listening” I answer him raising my brow at him.
“She’s giving them too much hard time, you know she won’t go down easily, the Irish aren’t appreciating the attitude, they moving her to another place tomorrow” he says.
“Why not just kill her?” I ask him, that what I would’ve done or just tie her down to my bed.
“She’s worth millions, they’re not the one who’s gonna kill her” he explains, that makes sense even more now.
“Saving the Devil would gain us some of her trust, if she got any” I say thinking business wise.
“And we’ll save poor Elle” he says.
“But I got a price” I say, I’m not a good person, never claimed to be one.
“Of course you do boss, but she’s you know…” Paul says with a shrug.
“My price is her” I say with an evil smile.
“No! No! man she’s a virgin!” he yells, not even understanding how innocent Elle is, he’ll eat her alive, literally.
“You got my price Paul, tell her. If she agrees, I want her” I say with a smile.
“For how long?” Paul asks.
“Forever sounds good for me” I say, not able to hold my smile at Paul’s horrified face.
“Can’t…like you sure?” Paul says again.
“I know what she is Paul, I know her from before, it’s destiny doing a full cycle” I explain, this time I’m not letting her go.
“I’ll tell her you price, but I want your word Nikolai” he says.
“My word?” I ask him raising a brow.
“Yes Nikolai, yours, as the boss and my big brother” he says, the thing that I never go back on is my word.
“What do you need?” I say.
“I need you to promise to keep her safe, not hurting her, not ever” he says, I couldn’t help the laugh that left me this time.
“The last thing I’ll do is hurt her Paul, talk to her, tell her my price, we got a big job to do tomorrow” I say with a smile, knowing Paul would talk her into it.