•Nikolai•
╌═❁═╌ Family. Honor. Loyalty. These are the pillars of our existence, the core values that define us. As the firstborn and only son of Luciano Costello, I, Nikolai Costello, have inherited the mantle of power. My father was the most feared Don in New York City, but now, it's my turn. I don't just follow in his footsteps—I surpass them. I was molded to be strong, ruthless, and cold-blooded. Cruelty was a lesson drilled into me from a young age. Emotions were a weakness I was trained to purge. I made my first kill at just seven years old, outdoing my father, who didn’t make his first until twelve. By twenty-four, I had already taken over the mafia, seizing power while my father was still alive. He only assumed control after my grandfather's death. Surpassing my father isn't just a goal—it's my obsession. I won't stop until I've eclipsed his every achievement. It wasn't that I had a bad relationship with him; I just loved to win. My father carried the legacy of the underworld from his father. Which my grandfather inherited from his father and so on. We had ruled for generations and I intend to rule and carry on the Costello lineage. My father inherited the legacy of the underworld from his father, who took it from his own, and so on for generations. The Costellos had ruled with an iron fist, and I was determined to continue and elevate our lineage. When Luciano Costello retired due to failing health, he passed everything to me: the money laundering, large-scale drug trafficking, political connections, and our network of companies that masked our illegal operations and laundered our money. The name Costello resonated with fear and respect across the entire country. I am more feared than my father and grandfather combined. Those under me cower in my presence. Families loyal to me show unwavering respect. Every person who hears my name knows to tread carefully. I picked up a glass tumbler from my desk and drank the whiskey. The liquid danced in my mouth for a few seconds before allowing itself to seep down to my throat, the burning sensation teased my throat. Reclining back in my seat, I placed both of my legs over the table. Two of my men... They were my men until they decided to betray me. I watched with satisfaction as they were getting tortured to death in the next room. This special torture chamber was divided from my office by a one-way mirror. This torture chamber was hidden behind the bookshelf of my office, specifically designed for traitors. Disloyalty was the biggest fucking sin in our world, I had no place for it. The one thing I could never forgive my people for is betrayal. I felt like a god as I watched their blood drip down their bodies. I enjoyed tormenting and humiliating my enemies. I would make them suffer for hours on end before finally putting them out of their misery. I reveled in their agony as they writhed on the ground, their bodies slowly being eaten away by the acid that dripped from Marco's hands. This was the only thing that could quench the burning desire inside of me. The door to my office creaked open. Selena poked her head in, keeping her gaze steadily on me. She knew better than to look around and see what was happening. "Mr. Costello, Mr. Ramirez is here to see you." I sighed and poured myself another glass of whiskey. "Send him in." Favors. People came to me for favors. I granted them, and in return, they sold their souls. That's how I earned the nickname "The Devil." I didn't mind; I liked the sound of it. What did bother me was how easily people traded their souls, as if they were mere bargaining chips. Ramirez walked in, sweating like a pig. He heard the painful groans and glanced at the one-way mirror. I could see his Adam's apple bobbing up and down with fear. The smell of fear was all too familiar to me; most men reeked of it when they came to see me. "Don Niko" he managed to say. "Only my friends call me Niko, Ramirez. You and I... I don't remember us being friends" He nervously laughed. "My apologies, Don Costello" "What brings you here, Ramirez?" His eyes went to my shoes resting on the table and then back to my face. "I needed a favor," "You know what asking me for a favor means, Ramirez? Your soul will belong to me" "I'm aware. I'm desperate, I need help. I will do anything you'd want me to" he said, desperation exuding from his body. I watched the barely alive men behind the mirror, crying like the cowards they were, asking for mercy, asking for forgiveness. They knew I don’t forgive traitors yet they went on and betrayed me anyway. It was a shame that I had to destroy such valuable specimens, but their betrayal forced my hand. I pushed the button, and the walls of the chamber began to slide close. The men inside screamed and cried. They knew what was coming, and there was nothing they could do to stop it. "You see that?" I pointed toward the big, muscular men who were now reduced to whimpering, bloody messes. "This is what happens when someone crosses me" "Don Costello, I swear on my daughter's life, I will do anything you'd want me to do. Just help me, get me out of this problem" I savored his misery a bit more before I gestured for him to continue. He nodded, and a smile covered his face. He slid back a chair to sit down, but I raised a hand, stopping him before he did. "I don't remember telling you to sit." The smile fell from his face before he pushed the chair back in its place and kept standing before me. "It's about my daughter, Don Costello. I got into a fight with my landlord, one of your men. I couldn't pay rent this month. I didn't have the money. He..." his voice broke. "He took my daughter. She's just fifteen. He's holding her against her will until I pay him. I don't know if he hurt her or..." he started to cry. "Please, help me, Don Costello." I nodded, got my feet off the table, and poured another glass of whiskey before sliding it across the table. "Take it," I ordered. He wiped his tears and took the glass. "Consider it handled, Ramirez. Your daughter and your little rent problem." He grinned like an idiot and sauntered around my desk. Bowing before me, he extended his hand, clearly expecting to kiss the family ring on my finger. I let him perform the ritual before swatting him away with a dismissive gesture. "That'll be all, Ramirez. I'll reach out when I need something from you." "Forever at your service, Don Costello," he said, his tone dripping with false reverence. He placed a hand on his heart in a theatrical display and strutted out of my office. I had men ready to give their lives for me at my single order all around the world. They gave me their lives and in return, I took good care of their families and friends. Their women and children were taken under our wing. Given that, their respect for me increased tenfold. I pulled out my cell phone and called Alessandro. I told him what needed to be done for Ramirez and then hung up. I didn't have to tell him how to do his job; I just needed to order, and Alessandro knew what to do next. By this time tomorrow, Ramirez will own the house he lives in and will have his daughter back. My phone rang as I placed it on the table. I checked the caller ID and placed the phone next to my ear. "Father," I said. "Niko, have you forgotten about your old man? It's been days since I last saw you," my father’s authoritative voice crackled through the line. "I'll visit soon," I replied, glancing at the two men being crushed between the chamber’s walls. "I’ve been tied up with some minor issues." "Your mother misses you," his voice softened, "though she can't say it but I feel she misses you." "I'll come by soon." "And it’s about time you fulfill the promise you made to Paul Russell. His daughter isn’t getting any younger." His persistence about arranging my marriage was tiresome. I had no issue with the marriage itself; an heir was necessary, but staying in that marriage was irrelevant. It just seemed like terrible timing every time he brought it up. "I don’t have time for marriage right now, Dad." "Nonsense. You’ll make time! You need a queen by your side." I snorted. Grace Russell, Paul’s daughter, was far from a queen. As far as I knew, she had been passed around by most of the men in New York City. "Pops, I'll come to visit you soon. Just give me some time" I ran a hand through my hair as my frustration got the best of me. "I'm afraid you don't have any more time, Nikki" he used the nickname that I hated. He always used it to assert his dominance, letting me know that he would always be superior to me just because he was my father. "I need a grandson. You need an heir, a successor. I'm not going to see the end of the Costellos just because my son can't stick to one woman." "Pops, I—" He interrupted me. "Just get married, get her pregnant, and then go back to your whores or whatever it is you do." "I doubt Paul Russell would appreciate me using his daughter as a mere breeding vessel." "Paul Russell is a scum. He’s only interested in his connections with us; he couldn’t care less about his daughter." "Her name is Grace, isn’t it?" I asked, feigning ignorance. "Yes, you met her at the New Year’s party—" "Yes, I have..." the woman annoyed the shit out of me, "Quite a loquacious woman" "Once she becomes Nikolai Costello’s wife, she’ll learn to keep her mouth shut," he said with a deep breath. "The Russells are coming next month. They expect either an engagement or a marriage, so make sure you’re there." A muscle in my jaw twitched with irritation. "I’ll be there." I slammed the phone down and tossed it across my desk in frustration. Grace Russell was a cheap piece of ass—a slut who’d spread her legs for anyone with a bit of power. She’s just good for a quick fuck, and that’s all she’ll ever be. She’s not fit to be a wife for someone of my stature. I’m willing to bet most of my men have had their turn with her too. I preferred my women clean. I had my own personal whores, meant to please me and only me. I didn’t share them and was intimate only with them—no one else. The women who served me didn’t even have permission to touch themselves without my explicit order. I'd rather marry one of my whores than be stuck with Grace Russell. Scott stumbled through the door, his hair a mess, lips swollen, tie hanging loose, and his once-pristine white shirt wrinkled. It wasn’t hard to guess where he’d been. Scott Mancini, my underboss and second in command, was half-Italian and half-American. We’d grown up together and attended the same boarding schools in England. His loyalty was invaluable to me; I knew he’d lay down his life to save mine if it ever came to that. "Hey, man!" Scott burst in with a goofy grin plastered on his face. "Get that creepy grin off your face," I growled, loosening my tie. He glanced at the nearly-dead men and whistled. "What’s got your panties in a twist?" "Do you know how weird ‘panties’ sounds coming from you?" "Not as weird as it sounds coming from your mouth," he shot back with a laugh. "What’s up, Niko? You seem more pissed than usual." He plopped into the chair opposite me, propping his legs up on the table. "Grace Russell!" "Oh, you mean America's biggest cunt?" Scott grinned, his face lit up like a Cheshire cat. I wanted nothing more than to smash that smug grin right off his face. "Dad promised Paul Russell," I snapped. "Shit, you’re screwed, my man," Scott chuckled. "You’re not helping." He slid his legs off the table and leaned in, his demeanor shifting to serious. "Want me to take care of it? What’s the order, boss?" I picked up the glass tumbler and hurled it at the wall. My father’s word to Paul was as binding as a blood oath in our world. "Dad gave Paul his word!" Scott stood up, hands in pockets, a twisted smirk spreading across his face. "No Grace Russell, no word, no problem, boss." I mulled over his suggestion for a moment. "Let me find another way before we start talking about offing the girl." "Just give me a shout when you’re ready to change your mind." My phone vibrated against the glass table. I answered and listened in silence as Lorenzo’s voice crackled through the receiver. “It’s done, boss. We painted the town red...” His voice brimmed with exhilaration. I smirked. To anyone else, it was just a phrase meaning they had a hell of a time. But when Lorenzo said it, it meant he’d literally splattered our enemies’ blood all over the place. I ended the call and grabbed my car keys and wallet from the table. “Scott, get a whore over to my place,” I ordered, running a hand through my hair. Scott snapped a salute and exited the office. I needed a fucking release, and I needed it now.•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ The first thing I saw was multiple bloody shoeprints, my chin trembled and I inhaled deeply. I wiped my tears and moved further into our home. Blood... There was blood everywhere. As I got close to our living room I saw someone lying on the ground. By his uniform, I could tell that he was one of the household's help. Then I saw it, for the first time in my life I saw a dead body with a hole in his chest, the blood still oozing out of it. Fear became a tangible, living force that crept over me like some hungry beast, immobilizing me; my brain, holding me captive. I covered my mouth with both of my hands to muffle my loud cries. No, please, this can't be happening, please. I took two small steps backward. Terror sucked the very breath from my mouth. Pulse beating in my ears, blocking out all other sounds even my own. Panicking, I ran inside the living room, stepping over the bodies that were lying in my way. Bodies... bodies... so many dead bodies. I cou
•Nikolai• ╌═❁═╌ "Niko, Elijah Bolton was murdered. His entire family’s been wiped out," Scott reported over the phone. I leaned back in my chair, sighing in annoyance. "All of them?" "Yes, boss. Except for Leopold, the butler. He’s missing—no sign of him." "Find him," I snapped, slipping into my suit jacket. "On it, Niko. But you might want to get down here; there's a situation—" I cut him off, "I’ll handle it. I’ve got other things to do." I ended the call and strolled to the dining room. Bolton’s corpse could wait. I took my seat, picked up the newspaper, and sipped my coffee in silence, more interested in my own routine than staring at Bolton's dead face. "Don Niko," a maid spoke up. "What is it?" I asked, not looking up from my newspaper. "My daughter graduated at the top of her class," she said with a smile. "She wanted to thank you for paying for her education." Georgia had been working for me for ten years. Her daughter was smart; I’d done what was expected for anyo
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ I don't know where I was. I don't know any of these people. I have been sitting in this room alone in the corner after the maids bathed me, they tried to get me to eat something but I couldn't. All I could think about was my parent's dead bodies, their dead eyes staring at me emotionlessly. Bile rose to my throat; I wanted to throw up; food was the least of my concerns right now. All day long a lot of questions have been running through my mind. I needed answers, I needed someone to talk to. I needed to see my parents again. They deserve a funeral and proper burial and a final goodbye that I never got a chance to say. There were a lot of people in this house, mostly, servants. They couldn't have the answers to my questions. I needed to talk to the woman who brought me here, what was her name? Bianca? That's what she told me. I needed to know who they were. What do they want from me? Why am I here? What happened to my parents? Who killed them? What will happ
•Nikolai• ╌═❁═╌ "I don't know anything about the shooting, Don Niko," she was on the verge of crying. May Summers, the only maid that was luckily left alive. She had taken two days' leave when Elijah Bolton's entire family was murdered. She was the only one who could tell me if that girl was telling the truth or not. She could be an imposter for all I know, I couldn't just take her word for it. The story she made up was complete utter bullshit. What the fuck does Ignacio Reyes take me for? A fucking fool? He really thought that he'd dangle a sweet piece of ass in front of me and it would throw me off my game? I'm not that weak when it comes to women. The way she just stood there, practically trembling as if I might pounce on her at any moment. Her eyes, so wide and drenched in fake innocence, flinched every time I moved closer. And her body—fucking ridiculous. It was almost laughable how out of place her flawless curves seemed against the backdrop of her terror. I barely gave
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ "You are free to do whatever you want," Bianca told me. My mouth fell open and I was out of words. I didn't know how to react. No one had ever said those words to me. Hearing her words, I brightened up a little despite still mourning my parents' death. I was free to do whatever I wanted... I wanted... When I was locked up in my room I used to think about all the things I'd do when I'd get out of there. Now that I had the chance, I had no idea what I wanted to do first. I looked around, taking it all in. I have been living here at my dad's friend's house for four days now and everything has been so surreal. I have never lived this life before, there is a single lock on the door that is for me not for anyone to lock me inside. I don't really have anything to do, I roam the gardens in the morning just like I always wanted to, it was nice to feel the sunlight on my skin. There is a huge library in the house, it has so many kinds of books, the kind of books
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ I paced back and forth in my supposed bedroom. I will leave soon, go back to my home. I shouldn't get too comfortable here like I did with the library. You are sitting in my chair... God damn it! I should have asked for permission first. I glanced at the wall clock and it was almost midnight. He asked me to come to his office at night but he didn't specify exactly when. I combed my hair and smoothed my dress before I stepped out of the bedroom. I descended the stairs and then stopped, is it appropriate to go to his office in the middle of the night? "Hey, sweet cheeks." I jumped up at the deep voice from behind me, I turned and saw the man who was with Nikolai earlier in the library. He was almost as handsome as Nikolai but less intimidating, he and Nikolai could almost pass off as brothers—maybe they were brothers—but this guy had a friendly aura, the kind of personality that one can easily warm up to, Nikolai, on the other hand, seemed like he was c
•Nikolai• ╌═❁═╌ I have no qualms about my character; I have always been an outlaw. But there are some days when I have some clarity and I realize that whatever I am about to do is wrong on so many fucking levels, but I still end up fucking doing it and have no fucking regrets. Today was one of those days as I saw Evangeline Bolton running freely in my vast garden, enjoying the sunshine on her skin, laughing uncontrollably as my vicious hounds ran with her. My hounds were trained to kill, they could rip off a man's jaw with a single strike of their paw but somehow this girl has turned them into little puppies. Her dark long hair was flowing behind her and she wore a pink dress that hugged her every curve. It was a really tight fucking dress, Bianca is a fucking bitch for that. There was something so fucking forbidden about her. As if I touched her, it would be fucking over for me. She was eighteen, too damn innocent and pure for me. She has never been with a man, never been t
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ It was nine o'clock in the morning, I had brushed my teeth, showered, and dressed up in a blue dress. I descended the stairs to go to the kitchen. Nikolai's cooks were busy preparing breakfast probably for Scott. A shot of frustration ran through me, he will be staying here as long as Nikolai is in England. He spent the entire day with me yesterday, and I came to the conclusion that I do not like him. He is annoying and he constantly belittles me for the things that I do not know. I sighed and wandered into the kitchen. "Hey, everyone" I smiled. They all stilled like I have told them that someone had died. And then without replying to me or acknowledging me, they went back to work. Then the head cook turned to me and smiled politely. "What would you like to have for breakfast?" "Um, do you have Cheerios?" "Churros?" I shook my head. "No, cheerios, the cereal" They all gave each other another look, the same look they gave each other when I asked f
Oh my god! Oh my god! You guys! I can't believe this story ended already. I'm not done with Nikolai and Evangeline just yet! It had been an amazing journey for me here on Goodnovel and the response and comments from you guys made it all so much better. All I want to say is thank you so much for your support. Thank you for being part of this moment. If you loved the story and then please, please, please, write a review and give a 5-STAR rating! It would mean a lot to me! Okay, now who's ready for — Mafia Men 2: Lorenzo's gilded Cage? Comment down below and let me know if you are waiting for it! ❤️I love you all so damn much, thank you again! XOXO JANE DOE
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ "Please, please, have mercy..." he groaned out, he could barely breathe but I didn't care as I jabbed another needle into his neck. I frowned, mockingly. "How can I? You don't fucking deserve it!" saying that, I slammed a plier onto his nose, probably breaking it. He let out gibberish as blood trailed down his nose, filling his mouth, and making him gag on it. I was in the tunnels under our mansion, torturing our captives—the ones who deserves it anyway. My hair was in a messy bun and I was wearing a light pink summer dress which was now covered in blood, filthy blood. My husband has gone out of the country leaving me alone with these imbeciles and Lorenzo. I went into the corner to get the toolkit when Lorenzo appeared beside me in a flash, "Let me get this for you." I smiled as we walked back to the man I was torturing. Phew! Even walking is a chore for me nowadays. Lorenzo opened the kit and before me; laid beautiful, the shiniest, and the sharpe
•Nikolai• ╌═❁═╌ "I wish you were here, Mama," I whispered as I rolled her diamond ring between my fingers, the same ring I bought for her from Sicily. She would have loved Evangeline. "Ready, Niko?" Scott's voice resounded in the room. I turned and saw Scott and Bianca, she grinned widely at me and ran up to me. She stepped closer to me and pinned a white rose boutonnière to the lapel of my tuxedo. She stepped back and smiled with satisfaction. "Now you look perfect! I'm gonna go check on the bride," saying that, she trotted out of the room leaving me alone with Scott. "What is it, Shitface?" "Nervous?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I furrowed my eyebrows as I realized I wasn't fucking nervous at all. When I was about to get fake-married to Grace, I was going fucking crazy and the thought that Evangeline would be sitting with the guest made me lose my shit but today... I was about to get married to my wife and I felt content, relaxed, and calm. I clicked my tongue, "Not e
•Nikolai• ╌═❁═╌ “THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE BOLTON'S FAMILY MASSACRE” "Mama?!" I went into my parents' home, looking for my mother, "Mama?!" "Niko!" her voice filled my ears and my attention snapped in its direction of it. She stepped out of the kitchen immediately, her face contorting with glee as she saw me, and a wide smile appeared. A maid helped her take the apron off and she came running toward me. My mother, my beautiful mama. She pulled me in a hug, wrapping her arms around me. I rested my chin above her head and smiled, hugging her back. "Oh, I was so scared. I prayed day and night for you to come home safely. I hate this, Niko, first your father and now you. Every time you and your father stay away from home for more than a week, I die a little from the inside, Durak!" "I came to you the second the plane landed," I told her. She pulled back and held my hand, taking me to a couch, "Okay, what did you bring for your mama from Sicily?" She watched me with hopeful b
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ I waited for a few moments and then moved closer to the window to see where he had gone. I noticed the flickering light of a drugstore as Nikolai stepped out of it. I frowned, he left me all hot and bothered to get medicine or some shit? Maybe, he was getting condoms or birth control pills. I was still in my thoughts when the door swung open and Nikolai grabbed me like a savage and hovered over me, shutting the door behind him and locking the car. In a second, his hand was on my neck, choking me, pushing me down into the seat. "Shit, you're so fucking hot and it makes me fucking furious that I can't fucking resist you." My hands went to his arm—the one holding me in place. "Furious enough to fuck me like you fucking hate me?" I managed to ask, remembering what he once said to me. A dark look flashed across his face, his eyes turned a shade darker, oh, he was furious alright. "Furious enough to fuck you like I'd fuck a lowlife whore who doesn't even deserv
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ "B, I don't know why I am so damn nervous when I am already freakin' married!" I tugged at the wedding dress I was wearing, "Don't you think it's too tight?" "Maybe because now you are getting married to the man you love..." she said as a matter of factly, standing behind me as the woman adjusted the dress. I rolled my eyes, "He was always the man I loved..." I lightly touched the saleswoman's shoulder, "I don't think it's the right dress for me..." She gave me a polite smile, "I'll bring out a few more dresses, Mrs. Costello." Bianca blew out a raspberry, "Nope, he was the man you admired, you had a teen girl crush on him. My cousin, Niko is a handsome man, I have seen how girls throw themselves at him; you were just one of them that's why you jumped into marriage with him without even understanding what it was. You first married him because you wanted him but now it's different. Now you are marrying him because you love him, you need him because h
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ A huge cake was brought out, and Nikolai handed me a knife as I cut into it. His hand was glued to my back the whole night, he didn't let me out of his sight not even for a moment. I met with Alessandro after ages, I had met him once before in Sicily when Nikolai took me to the woods to shoot Grace. I stand corrected in my statement that Alessandro is still my favorite Costello of all—second to Bianca of course. "Happy Birthday, Mrs. Costello." I turned and saw Lorenzo with a gift in his hands. I pulled myself out of Nikolai's grip and jumped into his arms, "Thank you, Lorenzo!" "Here's your gift," he pushed it into me; he didn't hug me back as usual. "Thank you..." I took it and as I was about to hand it to a maid to put it with the mountain of gifts I had received tonight, Lorenzo stopped me. "Open it." I smiled, shaking my head, I pulled at the ribbon. I took off the lid of the box and saw red lipstick, "A lipstick?" "It's not just lipstick, it'
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ "Is Nikolai going to be there?" I asked Bianca as I ran my hand through my wet hair, blow-drying them. Today was my twenty-first birthday. Bianca being a party animal as always decided to throw another party for me. Sometimes I think she just needs a reason for partying, nothing else. I really didn't want another party after what went down last time. Also, Nikolai still hadn't wished me. Ugh! I don't know why I keep wanting him and pushing him away at the same time, my indecisiveness was getting on my own nerves. I really don't know what I wanted. One second I want him and the next second I remember what I went through because of him and that scenario ends up with me in a comatose. Bianca was laying on my bed, over her stomach applying nail polish over her fingernails as she blew on them, "I don't know..." I raised an eyebrow, her tone seemed way too carefree to talk about Nikolai, "What do you mean, you don't know? Aren't we going to his nightclub?" Sh
•Evangeline• ╌─═❁═─╌ "I know things hadn't been the same between us since I came back but I promise you, no more bullshit..." I said, looking at her with hopeful eyes. "I really missed you, E, and you came back as a completely different person, I couldn't even recognize you." I grabbed her hand. "Hey, no, come on, it's still me, B, I'm right here." "Then you went into a coma and I felt so guilty and I cried because I thought I'd never be able to talk to you again and I wished I could just turn back the clock and hug you one more time—" I cut her rambling off and placed an arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer. I rested my head against hers and sighed. We were sitting on our living room couch. Nikolai had been sending Bianca back every time she came to meet me but luckily it was me who found her today because Nikolai wasn't at home. A maid told me he never came home last night. After an hour or so, Bianca left. We had lunch together and hung out, she had gossip about almo