Chapter 137
Lucky
My father is watching me expecting something to come out of my mouth. “Tell me what you it is, Lucky. Do you need to talk about what happened to you? How is the counselling going?”
Outside it is fresh but sunny, the flowers are in full bloom none of which I really know the names of since I have never studied plants. However, I do know they look so pretty. Colors of orange, red and pinks are varied throughout the area where we sit.
The pagoda is wrought iron, painted white with a domed bronze ceiling, it looks like something from the nineteen-twenties era.
“The therapy is going well, although to be honest I have cancelled it now. I honestly don’t think I need to speak with her anymore. What happened, happened. It’s up to me to move on from it. When Nico is around, I do not have the awful nightmares. Knowing Yelena is unable to do anything at the moment gives me peace and reassurance.”
My father gives me a worrying look. “That doesn’t mean you can afford to be blasé, darling. She will have tentacles everywhere. Her people will still be trying to find you. Mark my words, Lucky. A woman like Yelena doesn’t give up that easily. You must still always proceed with caution.”
It’s all I ever hear from anyone and I am getting bored of it. What? Like I don’t already know the consequences of being engaged to Nico Santangelo, King of New York. Crusader to take over more areas.
“In any case, father that is now what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“So, tell me then, daughter,” he says as he pats my knee. I lean back against the cushioned seating, a dark green Damask. It stands out against the white of the iron work of the pagoda. Birds are singing, the sky is blue with clouds floating freely like dancing butterflies.
“What is going on with Nico’s business right now? Why did you think it best to go with him to New York?”
He lets out a sigh. It seems to me that my father and Nico seem to do an absurd amount of sighing.
“Child, it is not your business. Nico’s business is exactly that. His business.”
Now I am even more irritated. “Listen, father I have every right to know. The only reason he isn’t telling me is to try to protect me. Jeez-us father, you know me better than that. Since when have I ever backed down from anything? I’m strong you know that. I need to know because not knowing is causing me a lot more stress. So, tell me.”
He glances at his hand on my knee. The coffee has arrived; Heidi pours for us from the silver coffee pot and adds creamer to my father’s cup. I place my hand over mine, preferring to take it black.
“You have heard of the Russian, Petrov?”
I nod as I take a sip of the nectar called coffee. “Of course, he has been at war with everyone since forever. The man is a menace to society. What has he got to do with Nico’s business and the Santangelo name?”
I cross my right leg over my left.
“He is stealing from them and has attacked some of Nico’s men. Nico has asked for help from the Japanese.” Dad pinches the bridge of his nose. “When he could simply call upon our name. The Gianluca’s will be more than willing to offer assistance.”
Wait, what is he saying? “Surely if he gets the Japanese involved, he is asking for a war on the streets of New York. Right?”
That doesn’t sound good, in fact it sounds like there will be needless killings, too much unnecessary violence. It makes me shudder and in the thick of it all, will be Nico. My fiancé, the man I am going to marry in a few weeks’ time.
“Petrov has it coming, Lucky sweetheart. He has been stealing from everyone. The man is out of control, he is greedy.”
“Yeah, but isn’t it against the syndicate? Isn’t he part of it?”
I finish my first cup of coffee and lean over to pour another one. It feels like I am going to need vast amounts of caffeine to fuel me today. By the time I go bridal gown shopping with my mother I am going to be totally wired.
“He is part of it, correct. However, there is always one loose cannon, Lucky. He will not stop; he is a greedy man like I have already said. And the vengeance against Nico goes back a decade before he even became the Don.”
I furrow my dark eyebrows and top up my father’s cup too. “Why?”
“That my dear is a story for your husband to tell you. Petrov will never forgive Nico for what happened in their past.”
He kisses my cheek. “That my young, beautiful daughter is all that I am prepared to say. It is Nico’s story and his alone to tell.”
Dammit, now I have to find out what the hell happened between Petrov and Nico a decade ago and asking my husband to be won’t get me any answers.
Someone must know. Nikolei, my old bodyguard. Yes, why didn’t I think of that earlier?
“Lucky are you ready? We have to go,” I hear my mother’s voice calling from the kitchen.
“Sorry, Father I have to go. You know how mother gets when you keep her waiting,” I say as I put my cup down on the saucer. “Are you coming in?”
He takes my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “No, it is peaceful and beautiful out here, I think I will stay for a few moments longer. Best not keep the lady waiting. Enjoy gown shopping.”
As it happens, I’m quite excited to go and look for the right wedding gown for the most magical day of my life. Being locked up and chained by Yelena, I never thought I would ever get to the point that marrying Nico would be a reality.
Smiling, I walk towards my mother having kissed my father on his forehead. She greets me with an outstretched hand.
“Excited?” she asks as she links arms with me.
“Over the moon, Mom, over the moon!”