An Ally - Vivian POV

I can't believe that arrogant caveman. I know he is clueless when it comes to women, but he has no heart whatsoever.

"Ms. V, please calm down." Marie shushed me while blotting my makeup. I only let a few tears fall but it was enough to make my eyeliner run.

"I'm sorry Marie. I didn't mean to ruin my makeup. He just gets me so pissed off how he thinks he owns me. I'm losing my mind in this house and he finds it amusing."

"Oh child, are you so blind you don't see how he cares for you? Niko had no one growing up and was raised to be a protector of the families. He doesn't know how to love, but he shows you in other ways."

"By constantly requesting my body for his pleasure. That isn't love, that is lust. That man wants me because I'm young with a nice body. If I was killed tonight, he would be upset he failed Tommy and nothing else. Probably relieved he didn't have to listen to my tantrums anymore."

"Maybe..." she sighed before continuing. "I've known Niko since he was a boy. Even before his family was killed, he was always very strong and protective. His sister was a few years older than him, but he had no problem beating boys her age for making her cry. After they were buried, he turned colder, darker to everyone around him except Tommy. I only ever saw him smile around him and that was still rare. Girls never held his interest and sometimes I feared he would never marry. Did you know he used to rarely come to this house? Only if Tommy made him or for a meeting. Now he cuts his trips short to be back home more, he watches you like a hawk, asks for hourly updates of your mood. He is in love with you and just doesn't know it dear."

"He is infatuated with me and nothing else. He is fascinated that I fight back and have my own mind. I'm like an exotic animal to him and he has me caged for his entertainment. I won't be his Mistress, Marie. I'm trying to adjust to this life but I won't sacrifice my body to get what I want or to feel like I belong. I can't do that. Niko can rot in hell and hopefully soon because I do hate that man."

———

I descended those stairs for what felt like the hundredth time. I was all made up to look like Niko's perfect wet dream. I put a smile on my face but it didn't reach my eyes. As I circled the room engaging in polite small talk, I was sure to avoid Niko. My eyes never met his gaze that I felt wrapped around me. He can look all he wants but I would never be his.

"You're avoiding me?" His deep voice came from behind me.

"Fuck." I whispered then turned to face him with a big smile. "Of course not, boss."

"I said I'll leave you be. Why are you being weird again?"

"God Niko, you don't give up."

"I just said I give up. This is too exhausting for a good fuck."

"Please stop talking."

"Are you done avoiding me?"

"Sure buddy. Want to go watch a movie and paint each other's nails." I rolled my eyes. What did that man want from me?

"Can't you ever just talk normal."

"This is how I talk, Niko. Sorry to disappoint."

We stood side by side almost touching arms as we watched the people dance. They looked happy in their fucked-up world of privilege and crime. I smiled at Dominick twirling Sophia on the dance floor. That boy was falling hard for her. I gave her a few tricks to make him eating out of her hands and she was using everyone to her advantage. I really hope they find a way to be together.

"Are they fucking?" Niko asked looking at them dance.

"The normal thing to say would be are they dating or are they together. No one asks, are they fucking."

"This is how I talk. Answer my question!"

"No, but obviously they like each other."

"Why are you miserable?" He asked out of nowhere.

I felt his eyes on me the whole time. Examining my body language trying to figure me out. That man will never be able to figure out any woman. He was beyond clueless.

"Because you took everything from me and now just want me to warm your bed. I had a life, a purpose, and you ripped it away then offered me nothing in return. That is why I'm miserable." We were in a dead lock stare now.

"I didn't fucking do anything. Tommy put you in danger and Tommy saved you. I'm simply following his wishes."

"How did Tommy save me?"

"Do you really not understand the danger you're in?"

"No! When do you tell me anything, Niko?" I turned back to watch everyone dancing. This was quickly turning into a fight.

"If you stepped foot off this property Grasso will snatch you up. He already knew Tommy would be a fucking idiot to save you and thinks I'll do the same. You are like their golden ticket for our lives. I personally would have hand delivered your head to them, but fucking Tommy ordered me to protect you instead. Tommy saved you from me and now I'm stuck protecting you from Grasso. Do you understand now!"

A tear slowly rolled out my eye. "Yeah Niko, I understand. I'll be sure to thank Tommy for making you vow not to kill me. I won't leave and I won't disrespect you. Can you please stay away from me now? Every time you speak to me it makes me feel like I would be better off slitting my wrist than living one more day under your roof." His jaw clenched at my words but I quickly walked away. I knew he wouldn't cause a scene here.

As I wiped my tears, I lifted my head to a familiar face. "Paul!" I whispered. He was standing in front of me in a sharp black suit. His light brown hair was cut short and those brown eyes looked at me with concern.

"Hey V, what happened?" He stepped closer cupping my cheek, then wiped the tears from my eyes with his thumb.

I took a step back. "I know about everything Paul. You don't have to pretend to be my friend anymore, unless Tommy made you vow to him too." I almost wanted to laugh at that, but it was actually fucking pathetic.

"V, we are friends. Why do you think Capo sent me and Danny away but keep Gio around?"

"I don't understand."

"He was pissed you got Tommy killed and didn't want us to be around to comfort you."

"How is that helping?" Niko's gaze was dark on Paul. He nearly jumped out of his skin noticing his boss standing next to him.

"Leave him be, Niko." I gave him the same hard stare back. You're not the only one with eyes that can burn holes into others.

"V be careful." Paul whispered wrapping his arm around my waist.

"He can't hurt me, Paul. Tommy made him vow to protect me and now he is losing his mind trying to handle me."

"Seriously!" He looked back to Niko.

"Just fix her. All she does is cry and it's fucking annoying." Niko huffed then walked away. Oh, he was pissed.

I wrapped my arms around Paul's neck and just breathed him in. Do I really have an ally inside the walls of Niko's prison now? God I really hope so.

"Come dance with me pretty girl." Paul pulled me to the dance floor and we spent a few songs just laughing and moving our bodies together. I missed him.

"Is Danny ok?"

"Yeah, he will be here with his wife in a few weeks."

"His wife? Seriously!"

Paul laughed at me. "Yeah seriously. He is actually 25 and has been married a few years. They just had their first kid a few months ago."

Come to think of it, Danny never messed around with the other college girls. He was always partying and having fun though. I can't believe he was married the whole time.

"Wow! The lies just keep piling on. Why was he at college with you guys then?"

"Tommy convinced his father to let him go to college so he could be better immersed in the business world. When the previous Capo agreed he sent three guards to protect him. There was no real threat back then so it wasn't a big deal. Now, I wish Tommy listened to his father. Grasso was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to get to him."

"By using me, right?"

"Yeah, but it wasn't your fault. I know the boss blames you V, but they would have got to him eventually."

"Why would Niko blame me for Tommy's death? I didn't know about any of this secret life he had."

"He blames you because he told Tommy not to go to that house. He knew it was a trap but Tommy didn't care. He wanted to get you out at any cost. We lost seven men that day rescuing you."

The tears were coming and there was nothing I could do to stop them. "Why would he risk so much?"

"Because he loved you. You know the bracelet he gave you?" I reached to my wrist playing with it. I still never took it off. "There's a tracking device in it. The second he got your location he sent out a team and left. He didn't tell Nikola because he knew he would try to stop him. We might have had a better chance of surviving that night if he did though. I'm sure Nickola blames himself for that too. He was pissed at Tommy for even entertaining the idea of getting you out and that's why he went off on his own with barely any back up."

"Tommy could never marry me and I would never be his Mistress while he had babies with Sophia. Why put so much at risk for me?"

Paul grabbed my face between his hands. "Because you little temptress made that fool fall in love with you. He wouldn't have married Sophia either way and he was trying to find a way to be with you. I know it was unfair. Tommy didn't know what to do with himself once he realized you were the only thing he wanted."

I shook my head then left his arms. I can't listen to this. I spent months hating that man for never loving me. I can't hear how he actually did and is now dead because of me. It wasn't my fault, but he did get killed saving me.

I quickly undressed and washed my face then headed to my closet. I never prayed so hard in my life to rewind time.

** I don't really understand this app but I'm going to try and finish loading my books this week here. Someone contacted me to upload here and enter for contest and contract but then there was nothing. All of my books are free on Wattpad under Phoenixrising011235. The titles and book covers are the same too. I feel like it's a lot easier to communicate on WP so if you have that app look me up there. Please vote or send gems or however this site works lol **