Page 6 of Born into Mayhem

Because I need to.

ME:

We have an arrangement, Mia. I take time out of my schedule to teach you. The least you can do is show up and not waste my time.

I swear I can feel her rage coming through the phone when I see the dots start moving across my screen. Mia never misses her lessons. This isn’t like her, and I don’t like changes in behavior. There’s always a reason for it. People don’t usually deviate, not by choice anyway.

MIA:

For fuck’s sake, Dario. My period is really heavy this month, and I have bad cramps. Happy now?

ME:

Not really, no. Let me know when you can train again.

She doesn’t respond, and I’m left wondering what the fuck is going on. I’ve been training her for a year and a half, and she’s never once missed a session, not for the flu, not for cramps, not for anything. Hell, she’s usually begging me for more sessions. We train three times a week now because she insisted on it. At first I was training her with Sasha, but Sasha doesn’t need my help anymore, so now it’s just one-on-one with Mia.

That probably wasn’t the best idea. Hindsight can be a real bitch.

When it’s obvious I won’t be getting another message, I put my phone away and start my bike, determined to not spend the next weekobsessing over my pint-sized student with the fiery temper and mouth that could put any mobster to shame.

Chapter 2

Mia

“Isn’t she adorable?”

I look up at my Aunt Emily and smile.

“She’s pretty cute,” I admit.

My newest niece is nothing but a tiny bundle in my arms. My cousin Luka and his wife, Lara, are flashing me huge smiles while Roma squeals at all the attention. Their son isn’t even two, and they’ve already brought another into the mix. They’re obviously thrilled, and I’m happy for them, but I’d be lying if I said I understood it.

Mira starts squirming, rooting around for milk, and I quickly shoot Lara a panicked look. She gives me a sweet smile while Luka laughs and reaches down to take his daughter.

“One day it’ll be you, Mia,” he says, scooping Mira into his arms while laughing at the look I give him.

“She has plenty of time,” I hear my dad say from behind me. He pats my shoulder and then gives my hair a gentle tug. “Don’t listen to him, little witch. You’re only eighteen.”

I smile at the nickname I’ve had since I was a toddler and nod my head in agreement, because there’s no way in hell I’m going to be pushing out a baby anytime soon.

Not wanting to hang around while Lara nurses, we all start making our way to the door. Hospital rooms aren’t made to fit my family. When we come, we come big, so instead of a couple of balloons and a handful of people, we have enough balloons to make it look like a prom’s about to take place, a huge ice cream cake thanks to my Uncle Vitaly’s insistence that every event, no matter how big or small, should be celebrated with one, and enough people and kids to ensure everyone on the entire floor can hear us.

It’s a madhouse, and I see the relieved looks the nurses give when we pass by their station on the way to the elevators. Lara had gone into labor last night, but it had been a long one, and she didn’t give birth until this afternoon. Now it’s getting close to seven, and I know the entire hospital staff is ready for us to get the fuck out.

When I see Niki, I ask, “Are your brother and Talia flying in tonight?”

My cousin nods while adjusting the worn leather messenger bag he always carries around with him. I swear he suffers from separation anxiety if he can’t reach out and touch his computer. “Yeah, they should be landing in an hour. You coming over later?”

I look over at my brother, and when he raises a brow at me, I grin and tell Niki, “It’ll probably be tomorrow. I promised Sasha I’d help him with his dog.”

“You mean Satan’s spawn?” Damien asks. Our cousin walks over with a grin, nudging Sasha when he’s close enough. “Has he killed anyone yet?”

“Chort’s a good dog,” my brother says, defending the Doberman he’d rescued from Colombia when they’d gone in and rescued Max and Talia from the Amaya Cartel.

Damien laughs. “Is that why he’s not allowed near any of the nieces and nephews?”

Sasha shrugs. “He’s still learning the rules. He shouldn’t be allowed near anyone who can’t defend themselves.”