Chapter 48 In Training
Roman.
My fist connects with his face, sending him flying backwards. He straightens up before falling to the floor, clenching his jaw.
“Easy there, Don,” Tony says from my left.
“If you see a fist coming, you should fucking dodge it! Didn’t I make myself clear?” I yell.
There are about twenty people around me, forming a loose circle with me standing in the center. We are in one of my buildings, a training center of sorts for new blood. Most of the men and a few women are between eighteen and twenty-one years old, kids with nowhere to turn but the criminal underworld.
My father always loved recruiting, training, and helping them make a living. All he asked in return was loyalty to family and a willingness to fight for us if and when necessary. I have carried on the tradition.
Soon after, they all break off into groups and practice hand-to-hand combat. I step away and head to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water. Tony follows me. He leans against the wall. “Are you okay, Roman? You’ve been acting weird since last night.”
“I’m fine,” I manage.
“Really?” he drawls. “From where I’m standing, you look like you’re in a bad mood. Whose panties are upside down?”
Your damn sister! I want to scream. But I clench my jaw and look away. After leaving Elena and that incredibly weird conversation, I went home and immediately locked myself in my room. I spent the rest of the night alternating between denial and inevitable rage. I woke up this morning with even more denial.
Because there’s no way in hell she’d have a baby and not tell me about it. That’s ridiculous.
Still, I’ve been annoyed all day, and attend meeting with damn Russo's demand, hell, annoyed at the smallest things. Of course, Tony noticed, and of course, he has questions.
“I’m fine, Tony. Just having a bad day, that’s all. I’m bummed the deal with Russo didn’t work out.”
He studies me for a second before nodding, believing me. “It’ll be okay, man. I’m sure they’ll pick their heads out of the clouds eventually. If they don’t, we can blow their heads off. But Russo’s offer was attractive.”
“Charming,” I mutter dryly.
He chuckles before clapping me on the back and walking over to one of the groups, showing a guy how to choke someone from behind. The rest of the practice is a blur. I'm heading home when I get a text.
“We need to talk.”
It's not from Elena this time, it's from her best friend. I drop my phone, completely ignoring the message, but it rings again. And again.
"For heaven's sake," I groan, reaching for my phone. I pull over to the side of the road, stopping the car to read Kiara's texts.
“I'm being fucking serious right now, Roman. I need to talk to you.”
“Get here right now. I'm at a coffee shop on Ocean Avenue.”
I grit my teeth as I consider her request. I'm sure she wants to talk to me about Elena's crazy statement. And while I'd be fine not being a part of the conversation, I can't ignore it forever. Something's going on, and I'm pretty damn sure I'm going to find out what it is.
“I'm on my way,” I answer, start the car, and head to Brooklyn.
Kiara was sitting in a booth when I arrived at the coffee shop. Her black hair was much shorter than I remembered. It now reaches her chin and frames her face. She raises an eyebrow at me as I remain standing, and after a moment’s hesitation, I slide into the booth in front of her.
“Hi, Roman,” she begins.
“Don’t say ‘hi, Roman’ to me. What can you tell me about that shit Elena was talking about yesterday?” I say, getting straight to the point.
Kiara’s eyes close briefly, and she takes a calming breath. “You know she’d kill me if she knew I hooked up with you. She was really upset yesterday.”
“She told me about a baby I had no idea existed, and she’s the one upset?” I said.
“So you’re okay with having a baby.” She asked.
“Hell no,” I replied.
Kiara sighs. “This is hard for you. And I promise, I get it. But it’s hard for Elena, too. It was hard for her to work up the courage to tell you. She expected you to be angry; she expected judgment. What she didn’t expect was for you to walk away from her, ignoring her.”
I let out a throaty laugh. “What the hell was I supposed to do? Hug her?”
“You could have done anything! Anything but leave. That’s exactly what she was afraid you’d do. I don’t know what’s going through your head right now, Roman, but you have a child. A little girl. And she’s the most beautiful thing in the world.” She was damn serious.
My heart rate quickens, and my fists clench. “Stop saying that.”
Kiara stares at me. “It’s true. I’m so sorry, Roman, but we can’t have you denying it. Wake up. It’s happening. And I’m so sorry we kept this from you. You have every right to react however you want, but right now, she needs you.” Her voice trembles on the last word.
I don't say anything for a few seconds. When I do, my voice is low and rough.
"Thank you for talking to me about this," I tell Kiara, standing up.
Her eyes widen. "What do you expect? That's it?"
"What do you want from me?" I ask, annoyed.
"I want you to ask me to take you to your baby. I want you to talk to Elena so she can explain everything.” She said.
“As you said, I have every right to react however I want. If what you’re saying is true, then Elena has taken excellent care of herself for the past year. She doesn’t give a shit about me, and I’m not seeing her again until I’m ready.” I replied.
Kiara’s expression narrows. “What don’t you believe? That she was pregnant? Are you having a baby?”
“I don’t know what to believe,” I say. “Right now, I’m tired, and I want to go home. Maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow and want to figure this whole stupid situation out.”
“Okay,” Kiara says after a few seconds.
“Okay, what?” I ask tiredly.
“You said you’d be ready for tomorrow.” She said.
Now I’m worried. “I didn’t say that.”
“I’ll talk to Elena. I’ll tell her you promised to come tomorrow. And I’m not hearing any arguments,” she says, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“Kiara,” I try.
She rises to her feet, grabbing her purse. “I know it’s hard, but we need you. She needs you.”
And with that, she leaves the cafe. I sit back down, looking out the cafe window and allowing myself to consider the possibility. It's still crazy, but this is Elena Legan - with her, everything is possible. The woman does not do things halfway and certainly does not look at situations like a normal person.