Nico

I’m running on four hours of sleep, but I don’t care. I’m going to Violetta’s apartment. I hate where she lives, but of course she would pick some cheap, basic ass apartment complex to live in. Violetta has always been a stubborn dove. She would defy her father at every turn. Her mom died when she was young in some mafia involved violence, well, that’s what Mario claims. My theory is that Mario killed his wife because after Violetta was born, her mom started fooling around with one of the men under Mario. I don’t know all the details, and to ask my father about it now, I doubt I would get the truth. 

My father used to tell me everything. I was in on all his plans and secrets. Two years ago my father started to become paranoid that everyone was trying to kill him, even me, which at the time I thought was crazy. Over time, it’s gotten worse. I think he’s losing his mind from years of doing terrible deeds. My father has done some serious fucked up things that I never agreed with. My father likes his power which is why he put the obstacle of marriage in the way to hold on to his power longer. Once I’m married, he has to hand me Don. If he doesn't it will make him look bad. At that point I could kill him and not one person would question it because it would be my right since he refused me Don even though I complied with his terms. 

I need Violetta to get her stubborn, bratty ass home now. If she runs off with Anthony or anything crazy like that, I’m fucked. I need to be married and I need to be married now. I can force my father out if I’m married. I need a legit wedding that won’t take forever to plan, but is a step above eloping at the courthouse. Desperate times call for desperate measures. At least that’s what I tell myself before I have my driver take me to my dove’s temporary residence. 

I get out right at the entrance to the apartment building. I punch in the code and make my way to her apartment. I’ve come here when she is at work or out doing something. My dove has always been a creature of habit. I think it’s her way of trying to organize the chaos that surrounds her. It’s almost two in the afternoon which is about when she wakes up. Sometimes she sleeps in until three. She hates night shifts, but she is will to  fucking torture herself to prove she can be Miss Independent. 

At first I thought her need to move out was natural. I too wanted my space when I turned eighteen. It was cute and I supported it. Violetta is determined to break free from the mafia underworld,  but she never will. Her family’s blood is deeply rooted in the city's Italian mafia along with mine and Anthony’s families. The three families have been at odds for years however, the Callas decided to play both sides. Mario wasn’t the first in his family to play the two dominating sides. The Callas have always been inferior to the Ronkas and DeLucas. The Callas have been trying to take main control of the city and be the reigning mafia head. Except, they have mostly all gotten themselves killed for betrayals and poor choices. It’s almost as if the whole fucking family is cursed to yern for power only to eliminate their family bloodline in pursuit of said power. Violetta is one of a handful of Calla family members left. She has a cousin who decided to become the head of an illegal underground sex club that would probably make virgin Violetta blush. 

Before I know it, I’m standing in front of her door. Number 3 on floor 3. I knock gently not wanting to sound threatening. I know she is paranoid. She’s been that way since her father was killed. Violetta was aware of her situation when her father was labeled a traitor. She knew her life could easily be on the line depending on how vengeful my father wanted to be. Her life was always going to be protected. I would never let my father hurt her. Thankfully, my father did not see her as a threat. My father also knew I would keep Violetta in line so to speak. I love her and I know she loves me even if she thinks her love for me has died. I know it has not. 

After my knocks are ignored, I reach for my wallet and open it to retrieve the key I keep in it. I open up her door and then lock it once I’m in. I make my way to her bedroom to find her passed out asleep. I shake my head at her buried under the massive comforter. I can see the top of her head peeking out. I move toward the bed and lean over her before I gently shake her awake. My dove groans her displeasure. 

“Come on, Little Dove, time to wake up.” I say shaking her a bit harder to get her to come to. Those damn sleeping pills make her groggy as shit. I hate that she takes them. Her body stiffens under my hands. 

“Please tell me this is some taunting dream or nightmare?” She mumbles as she slowly pulls the blankets away, peaking at me before she groans. 

“Sorry, Little Dove, you’re awake.” I smugly answer her. 

“Barely.” She complains as she sits up. “You could have at least brought coffee and a chocolate croissant.” 

I chuckle at her. “We can pick that up on the way back home.” 

“Nico, I’m not going back to your family’s residence. I don’t want to be your wife.” Violetta firmly states as she crosses her arms against her chest making her perfectly peachy breasts more prominent. 

“Little Dove, we can do this the hard way or the easy way. I know you don’t like being ambushed, but Anthony left me no choice. I need us to get engaged before my birthday and married in a month. My father slowly losing it and he won’t hand me Don until I’m married. I wish I could give you more time, but I can’t. The family business is at stake and I will not let my father be the downfall of our family.” I declare, ripping the blanket off her. 

“Sounds like a you problem, Nico.” She replies getting out of the bed on the opposite side from me. I briefly close my eyes. I really should have had a plan instead of going on impulse and showing up here. 

“Little Dove, please don’t push me right now.” I say trying to hide my irritation. 

“Nico, you can’t just show up here five years later and expect me to just jump at your commands. We aren’t a couple and never have been. You aren’t the boss of me.” She counters coming around the bed to face me. Her hair is disheveled from sleeping under a pile of blankets. I quickly grab her, pulling her to me. The movement is sudden causing her to gasp in shock before I move my arms around her to secure her to my body. 

“I let you have your freedom, do your own thing for a bit, but now I need you to come back and help me keep my family business alive and thriving before my father destroys it. You owe me, Little Dove. I saved your life when I didn’t have to. The traitor's daughter, well, let’s just say you wouldn’t be a nurse. In fact, you’d probably be getting ready to take some early customers if you get my drift. So, stop being a little brat, get your ass dressed so we can get going. Don’t make me pull my gun on you.” I threatened no longer in the mood for her games. 

“So, that’s what I am to you, huh? An investment that you are now coming to collect? You act like you are so noble saving me, but you did it for your own selfish reasons.” Violetta angrily counters as her nose scrunches. 

“Please don’t twist it like that. You know you are more to me than a prized possession. I respected the space you needed, Little Dove. I let you live in a pretend world where you could simply be a nurse and have a regular life. It was temporary, you had to of known that.” 

“Still, it’s doesn’t mean you can break into my apartment and demand I come with you. What is it with you mafia men and your demands. Although, you seem a bit more demanding than Anthony.” She taunts. She’s playing dirty to bait me into be an asshole 

“Nice try, Little Dove, but you aren’t going to make me the asshole. I already know Anthony talked to you. It’s not secret, and I won’t let you use him to bait me into an angry fit. I think you’ll find I’m bit more controlled in the anger department these days.” I swiftly counter. I quickly became known as Hot Head Nic. I have an Italian temper that would rival the Roman gods. I knew I couldn’t stay hot headed when I became Don. So, I lowered my pride and highed some fancy therapist to help me with anger management. 

“Aren’t you a little jealous?” She taunts. 

“No, because you are coming with me now. Anthony wont get his hands on you unless I say so, and who knows maybe I’ll just let him have his own fun with you. So, don’t fucking test me, Little Dove. Now, be my very good girl and get dressed. While you’re at it gather some shit you want to take, and let’s get moving. I’ll be sitting in the living room waiting. You have fifteen minutes so make it count. Anything you don’t grab, I will have men come back later and clean out your apartment.” I command releasing her from my hold. My dove says nothing, simply glares at me before stomps to her dresser

I make my way out to her living room and plop on the lump ass sofa. I look around the apartment that I’ve been in many times, but honestly never observed. Mismatched furniture is throughout the entire apartment. I know she bought everything secondhand. Why? I don’t know because she sure had access to money to make this place nicer or even have a nicer apartment. However, Violetta is determined to make her own way in the world and while I admire that, I know she can’t escape this life. She has no idea how many enemies her father has made or the amount of people he owes money to that would surely take advantage of Violetta if they ever got their hands on her. I’ve been protecting her for years from afar from her father’s enemies. I’ve always tried to shield her from the more negative, intense, and gory side of the family business, but maybe I shouldn’t have because Violetta now has a false sense of security that I created in trying to protect her. Perhaps it’s time to take the blinders off so that Violetta can appreciate what I have done for her. Besides, she had no idea what I have planned for her. Something that will allow her to use that nursing degree of hers and allow her to help people. I just need her stubborn ass to hear me out first.