Chapter - 8

After coming back from the party all Elio think about was Nicolas's words. When Nicolas said that Elio didn't know anything about business, he felt ashamed and maybe insecure? So he was determined to show Nicolas that he is not that dumb. He decided he'll ask Nicolas about their business. But what should he ask? He knows both his and Nicolas's companies manufacture gadgets that's it. He knows only that. Should he ask about the meetings? Every company have meetings right? Or maybe he'll ask about deals? Fuck he really doesn't know anything about business huh? He opened the door and saw Jay waiting for him outside.

"Why is my baby pouting?"

Jay asked pinching his cheeks. Elio swatted his hand away.

"I'm not pouting."

Elio said defensively. Jay snorted and walked downstairs to the dining room. Nicolas was already sitting there and scrolling through his phone. He gave Elio a small smile when he looked up.

"You still tired?"

Nicolas asked to which Elio shook his head. Elio sat down and the three took their places behind him. Carla brought a plate of pancakes and put it in front of him. He started digging into it. Elio mustered up the courage to ask him about the business. Elio cleared his throat before speaking.

"So do you have any meetings today?"

Nicolas looked genuinely shocked by the question. Well it was the first time Elio was asking such questions. Elio felt it was a bad idea to ask this by looking at Nicolas's reaction. Red coated his cheeks.

"Umm yeah. We have a meeting to finalize the deal with a Taiwanese company."

Nicolas said. Elio nodded and thought what to ask next.

"So do they- um they.."

Elio didn't know what to ask next. Nicolas chuckled and stood up. He straightened his coat and looked at Elio.

"Don't worry your pretty head. Leave the business things to me and your sister."

Nicolas pinched his cheek making both Elio, him and the rest present there shocked. Nicolas was standing frozen there with his fingers still pinching Elio's cheek and Elio had his mouth open. Elio smiled at him to not make it awkward. Nicolas cleared his throat before leaving to his office.

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Nicolas can't believe he did that. Did he just really pinched Elio's cheek? But what surprised him the most was how soft Elio's skin was. It was so soft and smooth like a baby's.

"Nick!"

Elena shouted cutting his thoughts off.

"Umm?"

"I was telling that we may have a lead on Atticus."

Nicolas nodded signalling to continue.

"Atticus went to a travel agency and when we checked if he made any travel arrangements there was none. But when we checked the tickets under all name and cross verified with the people. Guess what we couldn't contact only one person."

Nicolas raised his brows in question.

"Atticus escaped to Bali by the name Michael Soprano."

Nicolas snorted at the name.

"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go get that fucker."

Nicolas said.

"I already send our men there to check. Once they confirm it's Atticus actually we'll go."

Nicolas agreed to what Elena said. They both got up ready to go to Giovanni's company. They meet up often to talk about the situation.

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Elio and the three were on their way to the local bookstore. Elio had to convince them hard to take him there since it was not safe. He decided to read some books on business so that he can interact with Nicolas more. Tyler was driving the car with Simon in the passenger seat and Elio and Jay at the back.

"Okay once again, what are the rules?"

Simon asked Elio who rolled his eyes.

"First always stay in your line of sight, if something happens run without looking behind."

Elio said bored.

"Great. We have reached."

Tyler parked the car and Simon and Jay got outside first checking for possible threats. Elio stepped out and walked inside with the three shielding him like a shield.

"Okay so what type of book should i get first?"

Elio said to himself.

"Maybe try getting books for beginners?"

Simon said and Elio nodded in agreement. Elio was going through the book racks when he felt shivers along his body. Was someone watching him? Elio turned around looking around the store. He shrugged of the feeling of someone watching him. Tyler watched with a small smile how Simon and Elio was looking for the perfect book. Suddenly Tyler saw a movement around the corner. He stood straight and looked at that place. He saw a man wearing a mask and cap peak out. He quickly walked towards them. They looked at him concerned since his whole demeanor changed.

"We need to go. Now."

Simon understood something was wrong and he held Elio by his arm dragging him away.

"Wha-"

Elio couldn't even complete his sentence when out of nowhere a person wearing a mask attacked Tyler with a knife. The person stabbed Tyler's shoulder with the knife. Elio screamed and tried to push that person away.

"No! Go to the car."

Tyler said holding the hand of the attacker. Elio looked conflicted but was dragged away by Simon. Simon pushed Elio inside the car while he took the wheel. Jay was in the back seat trying to call Nicolas.

"What the fuck is wrong with the network?"

Jay said angrily. It was the first time Elio seeing Jay get serious and angry. Suddenly a motorcycle rammed into Simon's side making them jolt forward. Elio hits his head on the dashboard. He groans and before he could check if Simon is okay another motorcycle hits Jay's side. Now both Jay's and Simon's side is blocked, meaning they couldn't get out. A man wearing a mask opens Elio's door and drags him out.

"Get off of me."

Elio shouts. He looks at Jay and Simon who are unconscious.

"Why are you taking me?"

Elio had tears running down his face.

"You wanna know why we are kidnapping you? How about this? Your gang messed with ours and what better way for revenge than to kidnap one of La Rosa's heir?"

Gang? La Rosa? What are they even talking about?

"I think you mistook me for someone, my family is not mafia."

"Alessandro Giovanni head of La Rosa gang and Nicolas Luciano current head of Phoenix gang."

The person said making Elio's whole world freeze. The guy pushed Elio inside a van and closed the door. Elio wasn't thinking, his whole mind was blank. He heard gunshots outside and a panicked looking Tyler opening the door.

"Are you okay?! Did he hurt you?"

Tyler asked checking him all over. Elio wasn't speaking making Tyler panic more.

"Say something!"

Tyler said urgently. Tyler dragged him towards their car where Simon and Jay was standing. They looked bruised up.

"Hospital."

Elio said making everyone frown.

"We need to go the hospital, you're bleeding."

Elio said looking at Tyler's wound. So now they were on their way to the hospital. The ride was silent and calm until Elio asked a question.

"Are you guys members of Phoenix gang?"

Everyone tensed at the question. Nobody answered and Simon's grip on the wheel tightened. Elio got the answer from everyone's silence. He just let out a sarcastic laugh. Of course they are and they hid it from him. But he thought they were friends. Tyler stopped the car and got outside waiting for the others to get out too. They walked inside the reception and answered whatever they told. When they turned around Elio was missing.

"Fuck!"

Simon cursed.