Page 54 of Vendetta

He smirks. “You know I’m a soft touch when it comes to charity. Though apparently so are you it seems.” He says looking at me before reaching out to run his fingertips down my shoulder.

Nico pulls me back, pulls me right off the stool and behind him so this man can no longer get close enough to touch me. And to say I’m grateful is an understatement.

“I meant what the fuck are you doing in this city?” Nico snaps.

Maybe I’m imaging it but he looks like Nico, just a little. The same face shape, the same jaw line and crevice in his chin. Even the ring on his little finger has the same crest as Nico’s.

He sighs before taking a languid sip of his drink. Whiskey neat.

“I thought it was about time we had a proper conversation.” He murmurs.

“You mean you’re done having a paddy and are ready to act like a man for a change?”

He looks at me again. I want to snap at him, to ask what the hell he’s gawping at but I hold my tongue. Something tells me Nico would prefer to handle this without my involvement.

“The family are meeting.” The man replies swirling the amber liquid as he speaks.

“I decide when we meet.”

He sneers stepping closer. “I think you’re still labouring under the illusion that everyone follows your orders.”

Nico grabs his shirt right at the collar where his bowtie hangs undone. “I think you’re labouring under the misapprehension that I won’t gut you right here…”

He laughs, dropping his grip from the glass and it splashes a little. “Calm down brother. You wouldn’t want to look bad now, not in front of all these people…”

Nico snarls glancing round and we realise there are people already looking our way.

“I don’t give a fuck what they think.” Nico says.

“No? What about your little bambino here? You don’t care what she thinks? Or is it just her cunt you care about because it’s not like her face is anything to look at.”

Nico goes to punch him and he laughs, moving his arm to reveal the gun under his jacket.

“Give me a reason.” He taunts.

“You’re not man enough.”

“Maybe not, but by the time this is over one of us will be dead and it won’t be me.”

Nico laughs. “Sure thing Roman. Tell yourself that as lullaby if it helps you sleep at night.”

He lets him go and Roman takes a moment to straighten his tux.

“It was nice meeting you sweetheart. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.” He says before turning and walking away.

Nico clenches his fist obviously weighing up the merit of going after him.

“Nico.” I say quietly.

“What did he say to you?” He asks turning back to focus all his attention on me.

“Nothing. Just some cheap chat up line about me drinking alone and then he saw my face.” I say trying not to wince. I shouldn’t care what he thinks, what anyone thinks except Nico and yet it’s hard to remember that when someone literally stands in front of you stating what a hideous creature you are.

He raises an eyebrow.

“Who is he?” I ask.

“My brother. My younger brother.” He murmurs.

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