“Ty Prichina!”The taller one yells.
“NET! Ty Prichina!”The shorter one screams back, and then they notice me heading to the elevator, eyes focused on the one-time key card that causes them to practically growl at me. I don’t know what their problem is, but it seems I’ve done something to personally offend them because they might as well point their guns at me and shoot. My brows twitch into a furrow that I quickly fix, so they don’t perceive my offense.
I turn to the elevator and scan the card as their eyes burn a hole through the back of my head. It takes far too long for the elevator to reach me. When it dings open, I practically sprint into it, tapping my card over the suite 0 buttons on the way in, along with the button to close the doors. They don’t close soon enough. I’m looking at my boots on the sand-blown mirror floor of the elevator as the doors close. The moment they click into place, I let out a breath of relief and swallow the lump in my throat as the elevator rises.
When it stops, I take one last full breath, knowing nerves won’t allow me enough air until I’m alone again, and the doors slowly open. There’s already a crowd of men I vaguely recognize, and all five brothers are present, Kias nearest to me. I flash him a small smile, charming but not over-eager, and he tilts his head with an equally alluring one. My focus draws in another direction as a tall figure in the center of the group— slender, deep black suit, thick dark hair shaved close to his head. Nikolai Mikhailov turns on his heels, and I think I’m experiencing everything in slow motion.
My heart stops as I step out of the elevator, his shiny pointed boots aiming straight at me as he begins to stride in my direction. A grin grows across his thin lips, his teeth equally menacing as they are full of pride. I don’t know whether his pride is directed towards me, but it definitely feels this way. It’s almost as if he’s proud of me, but I have no idea what he would be proud of me for. That’s not to say I'm not exceptional– after all, I try my hardest to be the best. He’s just never recognized it.
Each tap of his shoes on the marble floors means his proximity to me is nearer, and I feel nervous even looking him in the eyes. I fight the urge to look away, make myself meet his eyes, even though everything in me is cringing uncomfortably.
I’m completely out of my limit, head bobbing just above the surface of the waves beginning to swell into a tsunami. The questions start to rise as he gets closer. Like a wave looming over me, darkening the ground where I stand and making my heart beat faster than a cocky drummer in a metal band.
The nagging, overarching curiosity gathering into one question I should have thought about more before attending such a meeting.
What am I really here for?
2
ROMEO
“This is a horrible, horrible idea.” Vince has that vein-popping, eyes blazing, face redder-than-a-sunset look that he gets when he’s in a fury. It’s the type of anger that can only be caused by people not following along with his plans for them. By people, I mean my family, and by plans, I mean anything that doesn’t align with hisNew Erainitiation. All I told him was that I simply wished to bridge out my practical hobby into a practical career— modeling, to be specific. Obviously, that didn’t roll off the tongue as nicely as I thought it would and hit his ears more aggressively than it should have.
I mean, at least he’s saying it to my face— that he thinks this whole modeling thing is stupid. The rest of my brothers and sisters say it behind my back. Now that it’s out in the open, it affirms what I’ve known about their whispers. Anything that doesn’t serve the family is typically scoffed at, even judged with such scrutiny that it rarely makes it past the idea stage. But I won’t let their cult-like tendencies deter me so easily.
I love fashion. My brothers do, too, except for Tito, but they’d never admit it. Traveling, runways, and cameras pointed in my direction give me a sense of purpose. (The hot women thing is a plus too.) So, modeling is what makes sense for me, and I have enjoyed doing it in secret for the past year. The only reason I’m bothering to bring it up with Vince is because I’ve just landed the biggest job yet.
“Look—“ I begin to reason, raise my palms, so he knows I’m not his adversary, though he’s making himself mine.
“No, Romeo. It’s not gonna work. You can’t just bail on us.”
“I’m not saying—“
“Anything. You’re not saying anything because this isn’t up for discussion.” I cock my head at his flippancy and let out a scoff that makes him clench his jaw. He shoves a hand through his jet-black hair, shaking his head in frustration. I bite my lower lip, waiting for something else. A ‘but’ at the end of the finality to his words. Instead, he remains silent, looking out at our rooftop garden.
“Brother—“ I take a step towards him, and he raises a hand for me to stop, making me purse my lips angrily.
“You will serve our family. It’s your duty.”
“Seems like Antonio had no trouble getting out ofhis duty—“ I grumble to myself, but he still hears me.
“Antonio saved our family. Made us stronger with a very crucial alliance. He served his purpose for the mafia side of our family. Neptune is in his hands now. That might not look like serving the mafia, but it is. If you can’t see that, it just proves my point.”
“Which is?” I raise my brows defensively, trying to study his eyes that are avoiding mine.
“That you’re not ready for the responsibilities that come with choosing your own career path.” I blink rapidly at him, shaking my head to disagree.
“Vince, most people don’t—“
“You are notmost people, Romeo. Just drop it.” He jeers, eyes on me now, teeth slightly barred. I continue to shake my head in disbelief.
“I feel sorry for you.” I quietly grit out between my teeth, and turn around to walk back to the elevator.
“That would require you to feel.” Vince snarls after a second, but I don’t allow it to fill me with rage. I have no more time to waste on him. I’ve got a shoot to be at.
---
Thank God I made it out of the office without running into any of my siblings or mafia guys looking to chat. I was already running late because of Vince, and showing up to a Miu Miu shoot with little time to get ready is very unprofessional. We’re almost there now, driving down the busiest street in LA to turn on an adjacent one. Finch Lane is the lot I’ve gone to for all the meetings and try-ons for pre-shooting requirements. It’s where today's shoot is that will be our catalog for the fast-approaching Paris fashion week. Only a few coveted spots will be filled by the best of the best to walk the Miu Miu runway.