Chapter - 20

Today was the day. Elio looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing black clothes from head to toe. Mafia members wear black right? He let out a deep breath and walked outside where Nicolas was waiting for him. He looked at Elio from head to toe. Elio was fidgeting with nervousness.

"Shall we go?"

Nicolas asked and lead him to their car. Inside the car Elio was biting his nails. Why the fuck was he nervous? Suddenly he felt a hand on his thigh. He looked at Nicolas who pulled his hand from his mouth.

"Why are you nervous?"

Nicolas asked staring at Elio. Elio sighed and held Nicolas's hand tightly, which didn't go unnoticed by Nicolas. But decided to not say anything about it and not pull away.

"I guess i'm scared that gang won't like me?"

Nicolas clenched his jaw and started drawing soothing circles on Elio's hand using his thumb. It comforted not only Elio but also gave Nicolas a control over himself.

"Did anyone say anything to you?"

"No n-o..."

Elio was quick to say that.

"It's just that i'm afraid they will think i'm too soft for this, and they'll mock you or loose respect for you because of me."

Nicolas's eyes softened at that. Elio was more worried that his members will disrespect him just because he married a softie like Elio.

"They'll love you and they'll learn to respect you."

Elio smiled and looked at their joined hands. Should he remove his hands? Would it be awkward if he did that? Nicolas answered his dilemma by tightening his hold. The car stopped at the heart of the forest. That's when Elio realised that they were out of town and deep inside the forest. In the middle stood a big building of more than 6 stories.

"Let's go inside."

Nicolas said guiding Elio out of the car. Elio saw guards stationed outside. All the guards bowed at them and Nicolas nodded back. The guards eyes lingered for a few seconds on Elio before they looked away. Elio looked inside the building expecting it to be eerie and dark. But the hall was bright. Elio looked around with curious doe eyes. Nicolas glanced at Elio and smiled to himself seeing Elio act like a child. Nicolas stopped at a dark brown door and turned to look at Elio.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

Elio said taking a deep breath. Nicolas opened the door and Elio was met with a big room with different people scattered here and there. Everyone's eyes fixed on Elio making him nervous. Nicolas saw Elio tense beside him, so he did what he thought was right. He pulled Elio to his side, putting his arm around Elio's shoulder. He led them to the table and he sat at the head of the table and Elio takes the seat to his right. Nicolas looked at Elio who was looking at the members with nervous smile. Nicolas felt like Elio looked too vulnerable, so he did what he felt was right. He pulled Elio by his chair towards him, startling him. Nicolas looked towards his men who quickly took their seats. Nicolas cleared his throat before speaking.

"As you all know i arranged this quick meeting to introduce you to your Donna. Meet Elio Luciano."

Everyone bowed their heads to Elio while he awkwardly waved at them.

"I expect everyone of you to respect and obey him like you respect and obey me. Anyone who fails to do that will be castrated."

Everyone who sat on the table gulped in fear. Nicolas turned to look at Elio and leaned to his ear. Elio's breath stopped breathing when he felt warm breaths touched his ear.

"This meeting will include almost everything. The deals, plans and such things. I arranged this so you could understand and know everything."

Elio leaned back to look at Nicolas and smiled at him, whispering a thank you. Nicolas looked at one of the men and nodded at him. He cleared his throat and started the meeting. Elio looked at every men present. The man who started the meeting, Luca his name, is the second in command and Nicolas's right hand man. Nicolas glanced at Elio from time to time and felt some type of feeling when he saw Elio looking at his men. What the fuck?!? He also noticed that whenever Luca asked for advices and his men gave them Elio opened his mouth but stopped himself from talking. Nicolas raised his hand gesturing Luca to stop talking. He turned to look at Elio which made everyone to look at him.

"Do you wanna give some advice or input?"

"I-i it's j-just."

Elio stuttered making Nicolas feel guilty. He shouldn't have suddenly asked him. Nicolas put his hand on Elio's to calm him down, which was a success.

"I want to give some advices but, since i don't know much about this deal i think it's better not to say."

Elio said with a embarrassed smile.

"I can help you!"

One of his men said gaining both their attention. That person looked excited and hopeful.

"I can give you the related files or better i can explain it to you."

Elio broke out into a full smile which made Nicolas's heart skip including his men also.

"Ohhh, how nice of you. Thank you."

Elio said making the guy smile proudly. Others looked at him with envy and some even scowled at the guy, because he impressed the Donna on the first day itself. The meeting went on for some time before it was dispersed. Nicolas stayed by Elio's side and most of his men came towards them to introduce them to Elio. Nicolas's jaw was set tight seeing Elio smile and interact with his men. The way Elio's eyes would sparkle whenever a member talk about their role and he would go wow like a kid is making him mad. He should be drooling over Nicolas, not his men. Luca, his second in command approached him.

"Boss the Shins are on the line to talk about their cargo."

Nicolas looked at Elio who was already looking at him.

"Go on, i'll be fine here."

Elio nudged Nicolas towards Luca who reluctantly left Elio's side. Elio was back to talking with one of the men who was showing his gun skills. Elio looked with awe at how fast the guy reassembled the gun after separating it into different parts.

"Wow! How did you do it so fast?"

"Practice."

The guy said smugly.

"I wanna try that."

Elio said pouting. The three men there took out their guns and held it towards Elio.

"Try with this Donna."

Elio took the gun from one of the men. The gun felt heavy on his hand.

"This is cool."

Elio says inspecting the gun. Suddenly the door to the room opened and in walked Elena Giovanni. She looked at Elio a shocked look on her face before it changed to something.