Chapter 27- Nicole

Mafia. 

It only makes sense. Just the right thing to complicate my hitherto boring existence. But what on earth? How could I not have guessed? I still wouldn't have believed it except that Lisa hinted at it and given all the weird things that I've been going through, it should just terminate at the point where my brother ends up as a member of the mob.

I'm dead. 

How could José do this to me? Still, I know he never meant to involve me, never meant for me to find out. Especially like this, caught up in some inter-gang rivalry; abducted. 

And my abductor? He's watching me like I'm some jewelry on display as his partner- brother, cousin, loyal aide, deputy, whatever- calls my brother with my own phone. 

Of course they cracked the password on my phone. I should know by now that my stalker and now abductor is Lord of Invasion of Privacy. 

Roman. 

The other man had called him that. That must be his name. It just occurs to me that I never knew his name until now despite how prominent he had become in my life the past week, messing with my mental health and all. 

I didn't need him to tell me he's in the mob to know he and his people are dangerous. I've known I was in danger since these people showed up in my life. But the Mafia? Crap. Those guys are damn ruthless and straightout brutal. That is why I have tried to be as quiet as possible after my earlier bravado. Hopefully, I'll just wakeup and find out this was all a dream. 

He's watching me now. As I take stock of my surroundings and the people in it, his dark, bottomless eyes pin me with a deep stare. There are no noticeable firearms on him or his partner, but the three other men in the room have their firearms in conspicuous display. 

His eyes are still on me, those dark pools chronicling my every action like I'm some movie. I heat up under that gaze. A shiver is climbing up my spine and my scalp is tingling. I know this feeling all too well. It's discomfort from unnecessary and unneeded scrutiny. That's what it has to be. 

As the line continues to ring, I try to focus on other things. Like what these people would do to my brother or to me if he doesn't “cooperate.” I'm afraid for José. I know these guys mean business and I would rather he was not involved with them at all. Would rather I wasn't involved either. 

José finally picks up the call and some of my nerves settle. He's fine.

For now. 

Static makes way for his voice. “Nicole, where are you? I asked you to come to the airport. I gave you a dozen missed calls. I was worried-”

My heart breaks as I hear him and I want to say something when Roman's partner cuts him short.

“Hello.”

José pauses. “And who are you?”

“Your fucking nightmare,” Roman snaps at him. “Did you think we would let you go so easily, bastard?”

His partner let's out a small grin. “And I'm Javi D’Angeli, his best cousin. Nice meeting you too.”

José sounds confused for just a moment. “What are you doing with Nicole’s pho-” He trails off, realization dawning.

“You guessed right, smarty pants,” Roman's cousin says. “Your brain's still in good shape. It's a wonder you decided to mess with us.”

My brother's voice is thick and my heart lurches. “What have you done with her?”

“You know, we made her walk the plank.” Javi obviously seems like he's enjoying himself. Roman looks really annoyed at even the sound of José’s voice. “Relax. She's safe. For now," Javi speaks into the phone. 

Those words lodge themselves deep in my throat as I take in another swallow. Roman's gaze drifts to me. But that's all he does. Watches. His features hardly change. Hardly morph to show any emotion, or reaction. Yet I know that every gaze that looks just like the last, cold, expressionless one, speaks volumes, says something new. I should know he would excel at staring at people. After all, the creep had only ever stalked me. That's not new.

What is new is the heat that spreads along my body every time he subjects me to his special brand of scrutiny. It is just my discomfort peeking, I tell myself. And a bit of dread. That's all. Normal. 

I am not going crazy.

“Are you fucking threatening me?” José snaps from across the line. “You dare not touch her, you hear me?”

“Your sister will be fine.” My stalker finally turns from me to my phone. “I'm sure our threat is very simple. If you ever want to see her again, then cooperate.”

This does not sound any different from the ‘we’re going to kill her threat,’ to my brother. It is evidenced by his outburst after Roman finished speaking.

But dread fills me as I unpack Roman's statement, picking at what might be the true meaning.

He has sung it in my ears several times that he won't hurt me. So I'll be fine. He told my brother that if he wants to see me again, he should cooperate. That is, if Roman is to let me go, José has to meet their demands. Else, they will keep me here. I will be stuck here. With Roman.

I don't know what is scarier than that. 

“Those are empty words, D’Angeli,” José shouts from the other end. “I don't trust you vipers. I need to be able to confirm that she’s fine and she's even with you.”

Roman looks at me, expecting me to say something. I don't. 

I know if I open my mouth, José will agree to come meet them and who knows what they'll do to him. Especially Roman.

“Well?” José says and radio silence follows.

Javi's gaze is on me. “Say something.”

“Are you fucking with me right now?” My brother snaps from the other end.

Roman is beside me in a moment, his contemplative gaze on me.