Chapter Six #2
“You'll handle that, won't you?”
“I'm working on it. About a hundred of our best men are on guard. Twenty of them are at the main entrance, and thirty are behind. I assigned Marco to be in charge of your bride's bedroom. Marco and fifteen of his best.
“And the rest?”
“The rest are out here protecting you, boss. Anything can happen.”
“I see our political rivals have noticed that we aren't much of a joke anymore. Soon they'll know who's in power.” I stood, looking at Dmitri, who reached out for his lighter in his pocket.
“Anything else?” I asked, and he nodded.
Dmitri tucked his cigar between his ears. “There's something else.” He said. “I think we have problems with the Italian Mafia.”
“Talk to me. Is it about the supply?”
“Yes, it's about the supply. Tyrese rang us yesterday and informed me about the shipment. The Italian mafia increased the price of the cocaine.”
“Then we'll look for another supplier then. I have ties with my father's oldest friends.in Brazil. They have the best products you'll ever see.”
“That's the thing. Our call with Tyrese didn't end well. I think the Italians want war.”
“With who? Me, Tyrese, or the entire Bratva clan?”
“I think they have a personal beef with you, boss. I also think they've killed Tyrese. We weren't able to reach him when we dialed the number. I tried to call more of our men who are posted at the Italian coast. They were silent. What do you think we should do?”
“I think the sooner we visit Italy, the better. I'll handle the Italians myself. But for now, my major priority is Emilia. Her protection means the world to me, and I'll go to any length to ensure her safety, even though I know she's now more than just my collateral.”
Dmitri stretched out his right hand, and I did the same. We shook, and I smiled. “I promise to keep you both safe, Boss.”
“I know you will,” I replied before we turned back to take our seats.
At that moment, I caught sight of someone walking towards me from the right.
It was Ariella Gonzalez, the daughter of Mr. Gonzales, one of my fellow associates.
My goodness, she looked as hot as always.
The top of her breasts shot up her gown, while she walked towards me.
Her dress caught her hip, and beyond the indistinct chatter of the union, I saw her.
Her eyes glaring and wanting, almost as though I was in trouble for something I didn't understand.
“Look at you being all handsome, Viktor.”
“And look at you looking the same as always. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Nothing in particular. I heard you were married to the lady in pink, and I wanted to tell you my well-wishes personally.”
“It's fine, Ariella. You don't have to.” I said, and she tried to wrap her hand around my waist. I slapped it away. I didn't want anyone in the council to have the wrong impression, or else they'd take Emilia for granted.
She stood straight, arched her hips, and raised her chest forward, right before she sighed. “I was a bit offended that I didn't receive an invite before and during the wedding. The news caught me off guard, Viktor.”
“I know, and you should also know that's the main reason why I didn't invite you.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t want to take the chances of someone ruining my wedding.”
“I thought I used to be your girl,” she countered in a quick retort.
“Used to, that's past tense, Ariella. Past tense.”
She looked down, and I knew she couldn't spot her shoes because of how large her gown spread across her feet.
I didn't expect her to understand. Dimitri once thought she'd be my bride. Of course, we fucked around since I was eighteen. I thought back to when my father first asked me about her.
“Where's your girlfriend?”
“Who?”
“The lady with the dark hair. You know, I see what you guys do in the maze.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I see everything from the balcony, son. What do you think of her? Do you like her?”
I gave it some thought before I nodded. “I think I do, Papa. Yes.”
“What do you like about her?” He asked, and I looked at him.
I wanted to say something like I felt the same way he felt about Mama.
I liked that she's courteous and disciplined, attentive, well-cultured, and knows her ethics.
Ariella was never the type to make a mess of anything.
She remembered even the least detail, and it amazed me.
Once, she surprised me on a Saturday night.
Papa had just shot someone along the lakeside side and I watched him do it.
Every time my papa killed one of his men, I didn't like it.
It felt as though he was murdering amidst the family members, and it felt odd.
I was exactly 18 when this occurred. The sun had already set, and we were all expecting the twilight.
The moon was crescent, and the stars twinkled.
I knew this because after he had done it, I ran to the roof and lay my back on the new shingles.
No one knew I was here, except for Ariella, and when I asked her how she found me, she said, “You're so predictable sometimes. Also, I feel we have the same personality. You love nature as well as I do, but most of all, Viktor, you're a sky gazer.”
“Hmmm,” I said, and she lay back with me.
“Sometimes I run to the roof to get some fresh air. My Papa and Mama quarrel a lot. The roof is the one place I find solace.”
Her hand reached for the smoke in her purse. She didn't carry a lighter but a matchstick.
“Care for a cigarette?”
I sighed.
“No,” I said. “I don't feel like smoking tonight.”
“Then what do you feel like doing?” She asked after a long drag off her slim cigarette. “You know I'll do anything for you.”
I sat upright, and she did the same.
I saw the lake, and I heard the popping sound of the gunshot. The image of the lifeless man at the lakeside flashed. His body floated, and it got worse. I didn't picture Papa shooting him. Instead, I saw myself holding the gun.
“For treason,” Papa said, and I wondered what treason meant.
“Are you sure you're okay?” Ariella asked again. “I've been calling your name for a while now, but you're…”
She halted her utterance after my lips pressed on hers.
She kissed me back, but this time with more intensity.
My hands ruffled through her dark hair, and it felt oily.
My fingers trailed upon her skin, and she moaned in acceptance.
I didn't know how much kissing her made me forget how Papa murdered that man, but I liked it.
My hands went from cupping her face to grabbing her neck.
She moved them to her breasts, and I froze.
Our eyes met, and I saw the twinkle. She knelt down and removed her short gown until all I could see was her undies.
“Take off your clothes, Vik.” She said, and I didn't move. It was Ariella who unbuttoned my shirt and unbuckled the belt around my pants.
“Ariella, are you sure you're ready?” I asked. She didn't second-guess when she said yes. Her voice was like a soft whisper in my ears, and it triggered a sensation in me.
She arranged our clothes on the roof, and I kissed her. My lips licked down to her nipples, and she moaned even more.
“Ariella, I don't have protection,” I said to her, and she smiled. “I don't need protection with you, Vik. You're my protection.” Her eyes were shining as I penetrated. Her mouth opened in a wide ‘O’ and I dipped my finger in her mouth so she could suck on it.
I didn't expect us to have sex the next day, but we did. And the day after that, and the week after that. We began to get careless, and I knew Papa had caught us having sex in that maze.
“I like everything about her, Papa,” I replied to his question. “Ariella makes me feel good inside.”
He sighed and looked at me in a way that seemed like he thought I was lost.
“Viktor, my boy. If a lady makes you feel good inside, she could run away with all your money and set you up for good. Don't be stupid because she makes you feel good. Chin up and take yourself seriously.”
“I used to think I’d still be the one to carry your heir.
But, I guess it's really over between us, Vik.” I looked into Ariella's teary eyes when she said it.
The words came in every shade of hurt, but I didn't mind.
Already, I had lots of work on my plate.
Emilia's safety and the goddammed Italians.
She walked back to her seat, and I saw Congressman Gonzales conversing with Emilia. I walked close enough to eavesdrop.
“You’re still new to all this, dear, and I must say that I'm ashamed about what your father did. Who would've thought that your father's most prized possession would be the first thing he'd give up?”
“If you mean to insult me, I think you've got the wrong person, sir.”
“No, I have the right person. Emilia Viktor Lobanov, the daughter of Senator Romano. You're your father's weakness, Emilia. I wonder how long before someone tests how far the Lobanovs' protection over you goes.”
“I think she'll do just fine under my protection.” I cut in, unable to watch his stupid speech go on.
“Are you okay?” I asked my wife with my hand pressed on her back. She turned to look at Isabella, who winked at her.
“I don't know.” She said, “This feels a bit too much. I don't want this. I never wanted to be a part of this.
“You'll be fine, Emilia. You're with me now. The sooner you realize, the better for you.”
She didn't utter a word.