Mafia Men: Nikolai's Inferno - Chapter 84: Chapter 84

-Evangeline.
I grabbed two plates of lasagne the cook has made for me and walked out of the house. Lorenzo stood at the side, his hawk eyes traveling everywhere. "Lorenzo..."
He turned to me, and the scar on his face looked really red in the morning light, "Yes?"
"Did you have lunch?"
His eyebrows pinched together, and he looked down at the plates in my hand and then back at my face. I offered him a plate with a smile.
"I really don't like to eat alone..."
The hesitation on his face was clear as day, he doesn't take bathroom breaks or food breaks, he only smokes and makes sure nothing gets to me and I'm perfectly protected.
"Please, almost thirty soldiers are at the gates right now, I don't think anyone can get past them without alerting the whole army of you guys. So, it's okay for you to take a few minutes off."
He reluctantly nodded and I handed him the plate. My gaze wandered to the giant metal gates. They were huge but you could see the street ahead from between its slits.
I sat on the stoop stair while Lorenzo kept standing upright. He stood behind me right now, I could hear him sigh every two seconds as we silently ate our meal.
"He is not coming, Mrs. Costello."
My head snapped in his direction, my lips parted. I got up and faced him; no one here talked about him. They avoided talking about him in front of me, and whenever I asked where he was, they'd excuse themselves and go elsewhere. This is the first time Lorenzo told me something about him, "Do you know where he is?"
Lorenzo opened and closed his mouth before he shook his head, "Stop waiting for him, Mrs. Costello. He has no plan of getting back to you."
I swallowed thickly, "Where is he?"
"I'm not allowed to say..."
"Where is he, Lorenzo?"
"My loyalties lie with Don Niko."
"And I'm his wife, you should be loyal to me too!"
"I'm loyal to you, I will protect you with my life but I don't take orders from you. I only take orders from your husband."
I nodded, Lorenzo was one of his closest men, so it's understandable that he will not do anything without Nikolai's order; most importantly he can't go against Nikolai's order.
"Is he alright? Is he fine, Lorenzo? I'm just concerned for him... please, tell me."
"He has a lot of places here in New York City, he is fine, he isn't hurt in any way. He is living his life just like he was living before you and I think it's time that you live your life and stop worrying about him. He isn't coming back to you, Mrs. Costello." 3
With every word that left his mouth, it felt like he chipped my soul away little by little. What did he mean by that? I just wanted to see him before I think about what I am going to do with my life next.
We were happy, we were together and it all just stopped so abruptly that it's making my head spin. I wasn't ready to let it all go just yet. I needed to see him, maybe have a conversation.
"If you need anything, Mrs. Costello, I'm here for your protection."
I gave him a little smile, a smile that didn't reach my eyes, "Thank you, Lorenzo. I know no one was allowed to tell me anything but you did, so, thank you for that..."
I walked inside with slumped shoulders and a broken heart. Today marks a full month since I had seen or talked to Nikolai. Maybe, Lorenzo is right, I should just accept it. Accept that everything between us was done, over and I need to move on with my life but I can't move on when I'm trapped between his mansion's walls.
I looked out the window and thought about how big this world is, and how many things there are that I haven't experienced. So many places I haven't seen, different kinds of food I have never tasted, different cultures I know nothing about, and so many countries to visit. There was so much more to life than this-this life that I'm living.
Maybe, this is exactly what I needed.
I wanted more.
I needed to move on.
But before I do that, I deserve some time. Some time with the people I have grown to love here. The people who may not love me back but in my heart, I have formed a bond with them. And also the people that loved me back with all their hearts. They are the ones who actually deserve a little more from me, so they won't think that I betrayed them..
I went to my bedroom and grabbed my bag, I pulled out my psychology notebook and went straight to page number thirty-five. A little crinkled piece of paper that I put there a week ago.
I set aside my book and evened out the paper, grabbing my cell phone from the nightstand I dialed the number written on the paper.
I waited as it rang two times before a familiar voice answered.
"Evie?"
I stood in the parking lot, looking around for him. Where is Marco? Every single day he is here right on time and this one day I was actually looking forward to seeing him, but he was nowhere to be found. The Maybach's tires screeched right before me and I jumped back, "Marco!" I shrieked.
"Get in!"
Today, I went around the hood and sat beside him in the passenger seat. My eyes widened momentarily, Marco's car smelled like him, it smelled like Nikolai, his scent was all over the seat that I was sitting on. Marco frowned and then shook his head, revving the engine to life.
I checked my makeup in the rearview mirror, playing cool, "Which cologne are you wearing?" I asked, casting a sideways glance at him.
"My usual..."
I got closer to him and smelled his suit jacket. His one hand was on the steering wheel while the other one landed over my head and pushed me back, "What the fuck?"
I laughed, "Nothing... I think I smelled something but forget about it."
There was a moment of silence between us before Marco spoke up again, "He was in the car with me, so, whatever you think you smelled, you're probably right."
I bit my bottom lip, swallowing. My heart dropped to my stomach but then the bitter taste of betrayal rose in my throat and I shook myself out of it. "Marcoooooo..." I smiled at him.
"If you need anything then it's a no."
My mouth hung open, "Why would you assume I need anything from you?"
"From your tone."
"Ugh, I'm starving!"
"We'll be home in no time, calm down."
"No, I'm craving a cheeseburger."
"Evangeline, I don't have the fucking time for any cheese "his words got stuck in his throat as I wrapped my arm around his neck; placing my cheek against his. His stubble prickled into my skin. "Please..."
I don't know when I don't know how but I get a brotherly feeling from Marco, we have that kind of bond where we don't have to say it but we know that we care for one another. "Fuck it, fine, now get off me, you weirdo!" he grumbled, pushing me back.
We stopped at the fast food restaurant and stepped out of the car. I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside with me. He kind of looked odd as he was wearing his all-black suit in a colorful restaurant. The kids stared at him with their eyes open, Marco was muscular and had tons I tattoos that went up to his neck. The dark hair and dark eyes only added to his darkness.
I ordered for myself and him because he said he doesn't eat this shitty food, so I need to make him eat it. When I pulled out my credit card, he again slapped the back of my head playfully telling me to shut the fuck up as he paid for our meal.
I picked up our meal and went to the corner booth so that no one can see Marco enjoying a cheeseburger.
I plopped a fry into my mouth, "Teach me how to drive."
"Fuck off"
"Please..."
"Fuck off"
"Please. "
"Fuck. Off."
"Please. "
"Evangeline!"
"Yes?"
"Fuck off"
"Marco, please, I want to learn, please, please, please!"
"Good lord, you're so fucking annoying, no wonder he is running from you," Marco snapped
The playful mood that I was in got replaced with something else, my appetite diminished instantly. I placed the burger back on the tray and wiped my hand with a tissue. I picked up the milkshake glass and looked anywhere but at him, god, please, don't cry, please don't cry, Evangeline. You're not gonna cry for Nikolai Costello, you promised yourself. 2
"Why aren't you eating?" he asked sternly.
I shook my head, "Not really hungry anymore..."
"So fucking annoying!" Marco grumbled before he got up, tossed some money on the table as a tip, and grabbed my hand pulling me to my feet. "I'll fucking teach you how to drive!"
My eyes lit up, "Really?!"
"I swear to god, Evangeline, if you crash my car, I'm gonna crush your head."
"Yes!" I squealed.
He made me sit in the driving seat and gave me a bunch load of instructions on how to do how. It was an automatic car, he took the control of the gear and also kept a hand over the steering wheel as we drove home, he didn't let me increase the speed. People were walking by us as I drove-no as I crept the car home.
We finally made it home after an hour and I jumped up and down the second I stepped out of the car, "Next lesson, tomorrow?!" I asked.
"Nope, the next lesson will be next month," he replied, running both of his hands down his face.
"But, I don't know if I'll be-"I stopped myself before I blurted something out.
"You don't know what?"
I smiled, "Nothing..." I hugged Marco, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly, "Goodbye, Marco"
He placed a single hand over my head as if my hug was the most disgusting thing on the earth. He patted the back of my head like it was a drum, "I'm taking you to college tomorrow, Evangeline. I ain't fucking dying."
I laughed, pulling back and keeping my tears in, "Yeah, right..." I pinched his cheeks before I walked inside.
After spending a few fun hours with Marco, I changed into my sweatshirt and sweatpants, read a book, studied, did my assignment, and then at night, I made my way outside.
Lorenzo leaned against the wall, smoking a cigarette when he saw me, he perked up. "Do you need anything, Mrs. Costello?"
"Evangeline, Lorenzo. I think you can call me Evangeline considering you are the only person I have talked to the most in the last month."
Lorenzo nodded, "Evangeline"
I descend the stoop stairs, "Can we go outside the mansion for a walk tonight? I feel so cramped up inside this house."
He looked confused and a little worried, "I don't think it will be safe outside at this time of the night-"
"You will be there to protect me, right?"
He nodded, "Let me order a few other guards to follow you and to keep watch."
"Okay..."
He came back a few moments later with a bunch of soldiers and gestured for me to walk ahead of them.
"Walk with me, Lorenzo," I said and intertwined our arms together.
He stiffened before he relaxed a bit and walked with me. Everything was so quiet and peaceful at night.
"You never tell me anything about yourself, Lorenzo."
"There is nothing much to tell about me, Mrs Evangeline," he cleared his throat.
"Liar, your life must be anything but boring and I'm pretty sure out of all the things you have done, protecting me was by far the most boring job you ever had," I said, looking up at him.
"I wouldn't say that, Evangeline."
I laughed, shaking my head, "You're just saying that because you don't want to hurt my feelings."
"I was assigned to protect you because I'm the most ruthless and vicious killer of the Cosa Nostra, I've killed more men and women than I can count. Shedding blood is what I am good at." Nice, this isn't how I expected the conversation to start...
My mouth dropped to the floor, and I swallowed as a lump formed in my throat, "Would you kill me if Nikolai ordered you to?"
He glanced at me for a second and then diverted his gaze elsewhere, "I might..."
I nodded, "Okay..."
There was a long silence after that. I still held onto his arm and he didn't pull himself out of my hold.
"Can I ask you a question, Mrs. Costello?"
I lifted a shoulder, "Ask away..."
He stopped walking and looked at me, not for a second but he stared for one good minute with a deep frown, "The night your parents were murdered, where were you?"
"Where was I?"
"Yes, how did you escape? From what I know every single person was killed."
"You know how at night, I'd like to spend some time in the gardens..."
"Yes..."
"I secretly climbed out of my bedroom window, I was hiding from my parents. They had never allowed me to go anywhere, then I heard gunshots and screaming, and many more sounds that I didn't even recognize. There is a dark space underneath my bedroom window, I just sat there while they killed my parents, I kept hiding, I was scared. I'm not really brave and they probably didn't know anything about me, so, I guess that's the reason I'm here today..."
And for the first time, Lorenzo smiled, like a real big smile, "I'm glad that you kept hiding."
I smiled too, he looked almost relieved at the fact that I didn't die that night, "Thank you." We roamed around the area for a few more minutes, he told me the story of how he became a made man. He killed a police officer by forcing his thumbs into his eyes, he left out a few details because he said I'll get scared, then he was named utterly evil and vile by the local news channel. He was only fifteen years old at the time. Now he was twenty-four years old but he looked much older due to the scars on his face. Nikolai had busted him out of jail when he heard how he murdered a man because my dearest husband was impressed by his killing skills. Nikolai practically raised him like a brother and the desire Lorenzo has for bloodshed, Nikolai fulfilled it too but under his watch, on his orders. He told that sometimes, Nikolai lets him torture his captives for fun.
Lorenzo might have left out some details but he didn't lie to me about anything thinking that I couldn't take it. He was completely honest about what he was, and who he was. I respected him for that and didn't
judge him.
We went back to the house, where I kissed him on the cheek, "It was fun talking to you, Lorenzo."
And as I was about to go inside, Lorenzo spoke up, "I don't think I can."
I frowned, "What?"
"I don't think I can kill you. Even if Don Niko ordered me to, I don't think I can. Not you, Mrs. Costello, not you. Even if Don Niko would kill me for it, so be it."
I smiled and went back to hug him, wrapping my arms around his waist, he didn't hug me back but that's alright, he wasn't a very affectionate person, "Just know if we ever get separated, Lorenzo, I will miss you."