MAFIA'S MUSE

corner of the room, a cigarette dangling lazily from his fingers. He watched Nico, the fa

the past few days. He had tried to ignore it, to push the anger and confusion down, but now it w

ou take the fall for him?"** His voice was hoarse, thick with frustration, but there was an edge of disbelief in it t

te, the glow of it briefly lighting up his face. "You're asking the wrong question, Nico." Nico's frustration surged, and he took another st

Nico could feel the heat radiating off him as he stepped closer. Giovanni's expression was unreadable, his eyes locking onto Nico's, cold and calcul

trol?" His voice came out a little too sharp, the disbelief turning to something dark

?"Giovanni's voice was quiet, almost taunting. **"I didn't do it for you. I didn't do it out of some sense of obligation. I did

he didn't want to name. **"So, you're saying you saved me just to prove something?"** Nico laughed, b

ico. I protected you, and now you owe me." Nico's heart was thumping in his chest now, each beat like a heavy drum echoing in his ears. **"Owe you?"** he whispered, barely able to keep the disbelief from his voice. "What the hell does that mean? You're insane." Giovanni stepped even closer

ion and anger making him stiffen. "You're kidding, right? After eve

vate performance. That's the price, Nico. You'll pay it, and maybe,

ng else. **"You're insane," he repeated, his voice hoarse with emotion. "You want me to play f

Like a what? A slave? A toy?" His voice was mocking, but

re going to perform for me and my friends. A

g at his sides, but there was nothing he could do about it. Giovanni had him cornered-he always

"You'll pay the price. But let's not talk about that now. Th

is? Why had he gone so far to save him? And what did he want from Nico in return? His body tensed, every part o

ly able to contain the rising anger and the unease

oom that only he could see. "Tomorrow night, I will be having some important visitors. You'll have time to thi

hrown at him. He wasn't sure if he was more confused or angry, but one thing was clear: he was bein

row night. I'll do it. But don't think for a seco

low, calculating. "Oh,

stopped him. "Tomorrow night is more than just a show. You'll pl

ht of Giovanni's words crushed him, the unspoken promise

rrow night really for?