Sienna Galeon

I've been pacing back and forth in the room for what seems like forever. The only thing keeping me sane in this God forsaken room is the clock on the night stand letting me know it's 11:03 p.m. so I've been here for about a couple of hours since the Gala.

My parents are probably worried sick right now wondering where I am and what happened.

Would they send help?

I hope so because I sure my death will come shortly if I stay longer with Nicolai.

Realizing that he is in fact a made man wasn't what worried me as much. What worries me is being held captive and not knowing what my future holds. A feeling of death knocking a door from the other side.

The bedroom door clicks unlocked having me stop my pacing. A little petite older woman with red hair comes in, a frown seems to permanently mark her features as she looks at me, her eyes running up and down my body with a distasteful sneer. She is holding folded clothes in her arms, "ты выглядишь как шлюха." She says.

'You look like a whore.'

She was speaking in a different language.  an accent Nicolai and the others have. Russian.

"Oh, uh, thank you?" I cross my arms feeling the heat of her stare. I didn't know what to say, but hopefully is was thoughtful.

She shakes her head, "I speak little English. My name is Rue and I help you clean up."

I nod, "sure."

Rue guides me into the bathroom, helps me strip naked too. I was used to having Greta helping me clean up so this was no different, I guess. Only stings a little when she slaps my hand away when me when I try to fix my hair.

Pulling my hair down she combs it down, "much hair, little time, tut tut."

I bit my lip and squeeze my eyes closed as she tames my frizzy hair. After she was done I look into the mirror. My hair is now braided into a dutchess style. A small black silky ribbon tying it off. Rue took her time polishing me up with makeup, a simple gloss over my stained red lips. A hint of blush on my cheekbones and the tip of my nose. She also brought a metal stick out of an ink bottle and did my eyelashes.

To be honest, she was good at it, better than I can ever do with makeup.

Tossing me the folded clothes that were on the counter, "Get dressed. Master waiting." Then she left the bathroom.

Master...

Ugh.

Brungetly I get dressed. It was a simple fit, which isn't formal what's so ever. A big baggy black shirt, and black sweats.

I put it on, having to roll the top twice on the sweat pant hem around my waist. The shirt engulfed me in one bite. Lifting the fabric to my nose, I inhale a familiar scent. Cologne that reminds me of wood and embers like a fireplace lit in for a winter night.

Obviously it was Nicolais'.

Walking out barefoot of the bathroom I check the clock, 11:32p.m. It late to be having dinner but I guess he wanted a chat with me. Which I'm going to dread.

Exiting the bedroom, it took me a bit to find my way around. One way was dead end the other way of the hall led towards a staircase so went down the stairs which welcomed a big lobby area with a huge 8ft tall front door.

My conscience is screaming at me to get out, it's your shot, take it.

"Thinking about trying to escape again." Nicolai says from across the room. Wheeling  towards me while his eyes start to access me. Blue eyes flash with what looks to be satisfaction in my appearance. This goes on for longer than a minute.

"Take a picture." I say lazily, flicking my braided hair away from my shoulder, "that way I don't have too stand here all day like a museum statue with you gawking like an idiot."

I watch as Nicolais' grip tighten on his wheels like restraints,  "that fucking mouth of yours..." he mutters, "Let's go. Food is getting cold." Whirling around he spins away into the threshold.

Following behind I make quick work on seeing my surroundings. An elevatore door in the middle of the two way split staircase I was just on. No pictures, no books, no plants as far as Ican see. Just boring walls and boring empty tables in the living area that we're passing through.

Once we finally made it to the dinning room, the table is small with only eight chairs. The oak wood looking chandelier is hovering on top with low lighting. Tall white wick candles in silver stands are placed between two sets of platware and tall glasses of water. Empty wine glasses, and silver salt and pepper shakers in place.

I had to fight my feelings at the moment. Only in my day dreams was when I envisioned me and my future husband would have something like this. Little cute dinner dates at home set up just like this.

Closing my heart up I take the seat by the head of the table, assuming the head of the table with no chair is for him.

He slides right on in and grabs a grey cloth napkin and unfolds it before placing it on his lap.

So proper...

I grab my napkin and flick it out several times to unfold it, making a ruckus out of it before doing the same and putting it on my lap. The look on his face was of annoyance on my behalf. I smile in return.

Nicolai picks up a tiny gold bell and rings it.

The servers start coming in and places our dishes infront of us.

I stare at the food, it looks so good, so good. But I've promised myself that I would defy him in anyway I could. So I just stare at my delightful food with longing--but still refuse. I've decided on a hunger strike. 

Until my eyes finally look up and land on him. He hasn't touched a single thing as he stares back at me with a deep frown on his face. I raise an eyebrow, "what?" I ask.

"I will not eat until you eat first, I will not have you defy me on food, Sienna. Not this. Anything but this. So eat." He says, his tone raspy and hoarse at the end. I've never heard such a tone come out of his mouth. But I've never thought to deep about how he may care for ones health...

Sighing I let my pity go and pick up my fork and start eating. The meat melts into my mouth while the tasty juices embed my taste buds, I couldn't help but moan a little in delight.

A clearing of a throat brought my attention. Nicolai watches me for a mere second, throat bobbing before shaking his head and starts cutting into his meat with a knife. My eyes intent on watching as he slowly forks a piece and places it between his teeth and slowly chews. Jawline rotating and flexing while eating his steak. A servant come by his side and fills his glass with red wine.

He nods to the servant before picking up the wine and takes a sip before placing it back down, his eyes glance over at me, "keep eating." He orders me.

I huff, "If I know any better, you make it seem like you care about my well being for a captive."

"Do you?"

My eyebrows knit together in confusion, "do I what?"

He stares at his wine glass, swirling the red liquid around before blue eyes flick back to me, "know better."

I roll my eyes, "why am I here? Why did you try to off my parents?" I cut right to the chase.

Nicolai places his wine down before setting back into his chair, steepling his fingers on the table. After he accesses me for another minute of wasting my time he finally speaks, "for years me and your father have not seen eye to eye, rather its drugs I told him that were none consumpted and tainted, or off market guns were being sold by gangs who tampered with them, or sex trafficking that I refuse to entertain. Years ago he has not once but many times undermine me in my opinion in every meeting and contract we uphold. So we play this back and forth game. But this time, I want to end it."

I let the words seep into me, only I caught on to one of them, "my Papa would never entertain the idea of sex trafficking..." he wouldn't I refuse to believe that.

"It was his idea."

No. That can't be true...he is lying.

"Papa wouldn't. He is a good man." I say, but  my words seem flat when I say them.

Nicolai sighs picking up his wine glass, "I see that he has caged you in your whole life and have you not see the real world he controls."

That wasn't true. I've seen him kill many times, but, "maybe he was protecting me." I swallow a lung full of air, needing it as my head is still pounding from earlier.

"Or...perhaps killing you. Living in a Mafia family should educate you in matters of war."

War.

It never occurred to me that there could be war. What if my Papa had died in the Mafia War...What would happen to Mama and me? If I were married it would be different perhaps.  If I had a husband, he would have taken Papa's place and protect the family.

But they refused to marry me off.

What were they playing at?

Clearing my throat, I straighten my shoulders, "you wanted to kill my father." I accuse.

"I just want the territory on the East Side of the Bay. A shipping company that would bring my goods from Russia." He says as if it were that simple.

I can smell the lie in his words but refocus, "who are you?"

His lip tilts up to one side, showing a deep dimple, my god he does have dimples, "My name is Nicolai Stone, Pakhan of the Bratva."

Pakhan.

PAKHAN.

How am I not dead yet? I've heard rumors before, at my Papa's house parties and in his Den when I was little. I snuck into the parties behind plants, tables, and couches listening in on his men.

"That man is a monster. The Pakhan of the Bratva kills with no mercy."

"I heard his first kill was when he was ten years old."

"He killed his father in cold blood so he could have his Empire."

My heart is beating so hard, lungs expand into fear. My eyes are met with none other than everyone's nightmare but with blue eyes that have at first sight captivated me. But now I'm his captive.

"Let's make a deal." Nicolai says, interrupting my own thoughts and self preservation.

Looking back up to meet his eyes I say something that I probably will regret but this was my shot. It was a smart idea in my opinion, I would be protected nonetheless even if my family will disown me.

I had to think about me, all my life people thought they were doing better by me by taking me out of the loop in the family business, but turns out they weren't for the better. A deal for a deal.

Bargaining with the Devil himself.

"I'll help you. I-I will help you get the shipment company under two conditions." I gamble.

The Pakhan frowns, "this is not up to negotiation or bargaining, little girl."

"Then would you trust me if I was in the very house of the Capo to get entail for you?" I ask, dumbfounded by his male pride for not giving me any leeway in negotiation.

His stupid male pride falters, broad shoulders tightening inward, "I wouldn't trust you with my own life."

That stung but understandable I don't trust him either.

But this might work.

"I'll help you get everything you need just don't kill them, please." I beg realizing I've been holding my fork into a tight white knuckling grip.

After several minutes of him staring into my eyes, a deadly silence was interrupted, "fine." He says.

"Fine." I nod.

"Fine." He clips getting the last word.

And here goes the bomb. The ultimatum in the deal for deal.

I grip the fork harder into my palm, heart hammering from nervessness.

Nicolai takes his eyes off me and takes a sip of his wine.

"Marry me." I announce.

Red wine spits out of his gaping mouth in a sputtering coughing fit, a horrified expression plastered on his pretty face.