Mafia Men: Nikolai's Inferno - Chapter 123: Chapter 123

.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?"
She looked at me and then shook her head. "It's a surprise, E, don't try to get it out of me."
"Who planned it?"
She lifted a shoulder, "Me, who else?"
"Uh huh?" I squinted my eyes at her skeptically through the mirror.
She raised an eyebrow in return, "Oh, another thing, E, remember the stunt you pulled at your nineteenth birthday party?" she smiled and waited for me to say anything but I didn't because I knew it was a rhetorical question, "If you pull anything like that again, I will kill you myself and this time, I'll make sure that you die."
I rolled my eyes, "I won't."
My eyes went to the dress laying on my bed, Bianca bought it for me, for my twenty-first birthday party-that was what she told me anyway. I couldn't help but wonder if it was sent by Nikolai. It was his style, buying a new special dress for me and having it delivered to my room with perfect accessories-that had Nikolai Costello written all over it.
This time it was an emerald green silk slip dress with a long side slit and a diamond choker to go with it. I did my make-up and put on the dress and jewelry and so did Bianca.
Bianca's driver drove us to the venue, I checked my cell phone to see a text from Nikolai but there was none; after I gave him a half-assed handjob in the middle of the living room, I stopped talking to him one more. I shook my head and turned to Bianca, we talked all the way to the party.
I really just wanted to enjoy a party without worrying about him for once.
We stepped out of the car and my eyes widened looking at the magnificent castle-I'm not exaggerating-it was a castle. My lips slightly parted, taking in the magnificent decor. "It's It's beautiful, B..."
"I know..." she breathed out, she looked as mesmerized as I was.
For someone who had arranged it all, she sure looked surprised. A certain giddiness crept up from the pit of my belly, I heaved a long deep breath and entangled my arm with Bianca's.
I took my last step on the red carpet and went into the magnificent castle. Out of the hundreds, probably even thousands there, I only recognized one person. My husband; who was standing in the middle dressed up in a three-piece suit, looked so damn handsome that my breath got caught in my throat.
I don't know if I have enough words to describe how good-looking Nikolai was. His Italian/Russian heritage only added to his good looks. He got his father's darkness and his mother's bluish-grey eyes. I saw a picture of his parents the other day and he was a perfect combination of both of them.
I snapped out of my thoughts as I saw him walking toward me. I looked around and noticed that almost everyone was looking at me... at us. I mean, of course, they were, it was my birthday.
Nikolai stopped right before me, I looked up into his eyes, even in heels, he was way taller. He once told me that he was 6ft 4, compared to that I was only 5ft 5, so, the four inches heels really didn't help.
The scent of his custom cologne filled my nose, I blinked because that was the only thing I could do right now. He leaned in and I closed my eyes in anticipation. I felt his warm breath over my lips before it trailed down my jawline and settled over my ear. An unsettling wave of pleasure shot through my body, and I shivered. Instantly as if he could feel how unnerved I was, a strong arm encircled around my waist holding me in place and my body melted against his hard, warm one.
"Happy Birthday, Angel..."
I couldn't breathe in a good way. I needed air but I needed him more. I swallowed, he pulled his face out of my neck and gazed into my eyes. "You look beautiful..."
"You did all this?" I managed to ask.
Instead of answering me, he leaned closer and pressed his lips to mine. A shot of electricity passed between us, I know he could feel it as well.
"Come on..." he just said and pulled me along with him. He pulled me to the middle of the enormous hall. "May I have your attention?"
The chatter died down as Nikolai's deep voice resounded in the room, and the music faded into the background. Everyone looked at us and then his arm was around me.
"Thank you for coming today. I have an important announcement to make, the one I should have made long ago. Two years ago, I got married..." he looked over to me, a hint of a smile pulled at his lips. "to the girl of my dreams," he looked back at everyone and laughed, "It's not Grace Russells, It can never be her."
All I heard in return were cheers, the sound of mixed chuckles, and a few gasps. I think his entire Cosa Nostra, his business partners, and his all of his family were present in the room.
Nikolai pulled me to his side, "I got married to this beautiful woman, Mrs. Evangeline Costello. We got married in private and I never got the chance to introduce this wonderful woman to you all."
A waiter brought out a champagne bottle and poured two flutes glasses with it, he handed one to Nikolai and one to me. Then I noticed that everyone's drinks were being swiped with a glass of champagne, and the waiters all around the hall poured the champagne for people.
Nikolai raised the champagne glass in the air. "Everyone, please, raise a glass for my beautiful wife and the queen of the Cosa Nostra and wish her a very happy birthday. To Evangeline!" 1
Respect - this is what it was. He was giving me respect in front of every single person who ever knew him.
"To Evangeline!" a loud chant resounded in the hall.
I shrunk away in Nikolai's hold, melted against him. My cheeks heated up, I was flushed, I took a big sip of the champagne to calm the nerves and the giddiness. Goosebumps rose over my skin as Nikolai gazed at me once more and pressed his lips to mine.
I think I am about to faint.
"Thank you..." my voice was barely above a whisper.
"I should have done this sooner... I wanted everyone to know that you're Don Costello's wife and you are entitled to their respect and honor," he kissed the tip of my nose and then faced the room once more.