Page 30 of Ruthless Mafia Daddy

Arielle

“Did you forget the part where he has like a million CCTVs in his house? There’s absolutely no way I can take any of your calls without being caught on camera, and if I go out to make calls, that’ll be much worse.” An exasperated sigh left me.

We were over an hour into this meeting, and for some reason, Father was being particularly unreasonable today. I understand how sensitive Mikhail’s case is, but if we don’t exercise caution, we’ll be shooting ourselves in the foot. Between the time I first met him and this moment, I’ve seen him covered in blood, I’ve watched him take a life, and I’ve heard him order for lives to be taken without batting an eye. Mikhail wasn’t someone to be impulsive about.

“How about we all calm down a little? I’m sure if we take a moment and circle back to the issue, we can find a way or arrive at a common ground,” Viv said, looking between Father and me.

“I could build you software that helps you override the camera anytime you need to,” James offered with a shrug.

It was very easy to forget he was in the room or to forget he existed entirely. He was the last kid Father took in, and he took antisocial to a whole new level. Whatever activity he was feeling like, he made sure it left no room for anyone to join.

“That would’ve been a great idea if the person we were currently dealing with was an idiot. Do you really think Mikhail won’t notice his cameras glitching? Even if he doesn’t, Enzo will pick it up.” I was slowly running short on my very limited store of patience every time someone said something.

I had met Enzo once. He was a sharp contrast to Mikhail with dirty blonde hair, the classic beach boy looks with the charisma to go with it, but even that did not fool me. I could see how he observed the world around him. He had the ears of the greater wax moth and the eyes of an eagle. No detail seemed to escape him. The combination of him and Mikhail was lethal.

“There’s always the option of texting, and if it is absolutely important, I will schedule a meeting. You’re moving in with Mikhail,” Father said with a tone of finality.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Vivian beat me to it. I was glad she did because I would’ve said some very inappropriate things.

“How about we create some sort of code?” she announced, causing Father to raise a brow in her direction. “It’s almost impossible to continually hide your phone from your boyfriend, who you happen to be living with, without raising suspicion. So, I propose we come up with something that enables Ari to talk freely without the next person knowing what the conversation is about.”

That was a smart idea, and if I weren’t so angry about how adamant Father was being, I would’ve brought it up a long time ago.

“And what would these codes be?” Father asked.

I butt in before Vivian had the chance to say anything. “I’m currently working with the finance team of the Vanderbilts. I will come up with some finance terms that can convey our messages without giving out anything. That way, it looks like a regular work call.”

I was the one at the forefront of this project, and whatever was happening should be things I didn’t find heavily inconveniencing. I would be the one to get affected the most if this goes wrong.

“Alright then,” Father said, getting on his feet. “I’ll give you some time to come up with terms, and while you’re at it, be sure to inform Ivanov of your change of heart.” With that, he left the house with James hot on his heels.

“I swear he’s getting more difficult with the years. I held my breath the whole time he was here.” Viv heaved a sigh of relief, adopting a more comfortable position on the sofa.

She was right. Father was growing more difficult, less flexible, and heavily fixated on things. I attributed it to him wanting to achieve every deadline he set for himself before old age sets in.

“He needs to chill with it unless he wants to take over the project,” I hissed.

She scrunched her nose, looking to be deep in thought. “I’m certain Mikhail is not keen on gray, old men. I’m having a hard time conjuring an image of him cozying up to Father and revealing his secrets.”

I almost choked on my saliva with the wave of laughter that hit me following her comment.

“Where did that come from?” I asked between fits, and Viv only chuckled. My stomach was hurting by the time I calmed down.

“Feeling better?”

“Yeah,” I smiled softly. My work can get very difficult, and it was in moments like this that I appreciated Vivian’s company the most. I would’ve lost my mind if I had to do this on my own.

“I’ll have to go see Mikhail and make up a suitable excuse for my sudden change of heart,” I sighed, making my way into my room.

“Will you be okay?” Vivian asked, her voice heavy with concern.

“Would it matter?” I fired back and was met with no reply.

That’s what I thought.

******

“How do you have this much stuff?” Vivian stared wide-eyed at the moving truck in front of my house. Even I was shocked. I didn’t expect everything to be that much.

---