Page 31 of Christmas with the Mafia

It’s only two days after all. What’s the worst that could happen?

It’s strange turning up at my apartment/condo on the rougher side of Queens. This car sticks out like a red ragto a bull, and I say slightly nervously, “You can’t park here.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s a no-parking zone and, newsflash, you may be targeted by criminals for your wheels, money, anything they can take, and it’s not uncommon for gunfights out here.”

I point to the car in front. “That car and the one behind are seriously ostentatious. You are attracting unwanted attention and should really be more careful. Just saying.”

I make to leave the car, and he pulls me back with a strong hand.

“Regina.”

It’s as if he is talking to a small child.

“You just informed me of the threats outside that door. Gunfights, thieves and people with no moral compass or fucks to give and yet you insist on stepping onto the sidewalk unprepared, wearing a dress that cost five thousand dollars.”

It’s strange that the only thing that registers is the price of the dress and my jaw drops.

“Five thousand what?”

He shrugs. “At a guess. It could be ten.”

“But–”

He places his finger on my lips, and his expression is fierce.

“You really do have a lot to learn, so it’s probably best for your own safety and mental well-being that you allow me to make the decisions from now on.”

“Decisions?”

My mind is spinning, and he shakes his head.

“You pointed out my security. Therefore, my cars will be perfectly safe. Because, like me, my men do not leave home without several firearms at hand. Secondly, I park where the fuck I like, and if the locals have a problem with that, they can request a meeting, but I don’t rate their chances. Thirdly, get used to the price tags. It is part of my world, which is now also yours. Ten thousand dollars for a dress is normal. Money is a byproduct of my success, and it’s vulgar to mention it. Act as if you deserve every penny, and nobody will question it. Now you can see why I surround myself with security because I will not allow another man’s desire to take from me and corrupt my day.”

The door flies open before I can answer, and the rude one stands there with a nod.

“All clear.”

Nico reaches for my hand and pulls me from the car, and as I gaze at the rundown building that I’ve proudly called home for the past year, I’m embarrassed for him to walk inside.

“I’ll, um, I won’t be long.”

I attempt to make him wait, and he says nothing and merely grips my hand and pulls me up the steps toward the door.

Sixteen

NICO

I am notunused to such places. I’ve visited buildings like this several times, and yet this is the first one I’ve entered with a woman. One who is important to me and as I gaze at the tarnished interior and detect the nauseating scent of human waste, my lip curls in disgust.

It appears that Regina is the queen of chaos and poverty, and that is nothing to be proud of.

This won’t take long.

We enter the apartment after she unlocks five locks with keys that fumble in her fingers, all the time looking over her shoulder.

“Why are you nervous?”