Page 1 of Taming Nikki

ChapterOne

NIKKI

The house was in chaos.Everyone rushing to prep for tonight, where the women in my family would be paraded in front of the eligible bachelors of the Cosa Nostra. There are two things they’re looking for: a wife, and a deal with my papa. Women were just pawns, after all. Even my younger sisters were required to go, and they weren’t even of age yet.

“Has anyone seen my lucky earrings?”

“Did the caterer show up yet?”

I sat on the stairs, watching the staff bustle around, making sure the house was in perfect order. Because who wanted to visit a house where it looked like someone actually lived here? I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“Nikki!”

I could hear Papa bellowing upstairs, but I chose to ignore it. I knew what lecture he had planned and I couldn’t be less interested. I was not going to pretend to be a dutiful daughter so he could sell me off to increase his bottom line.

“Nicole Morelli, come here now!”

I smirked. I take great pleasure in making my papa angry. Since he needs me to stick around in order for him to play his games, he can’t really do anything to me other than scream. Honestly, I would’ve left years ago if I thought it was possible. But not only would the Cosa Nostra chase me to the ends of the earth, I have an odd sense of loyalty to the bastard. Even though he only wants me as a pawn, at least he wants me, even just a little. Still doesn’t mean I’m going to make it easy for him.

It’d been ten years since I was dropped off on the doorstep of Vincenzo Morelli. An illegitimate love child tossed aside by her own mother in exchange for a bag of cash and a promise to never come after her for hiding me for the first ten years of my life. Being given up like that leaves a scar that never fully healed.

When I first arrived, I was almost desperate to feel wanted. I was the quiet one, the obedient one, always where my papa and step mother wanted me when they wanted me, just so I could feel like they loved me. But as the years went by, the cruel taunts, the harsh whispers, the constant reminder that I wasn’t ever going to be one of them added up until I was a husk of who I used to be. I stopped trying to live up to their expectations and created my own. And boy, does my papa hate it.

Like all my sisters, my hair is long and dark, but I continually add streaks of color just to piss him off. Today was bright purple because why not? My makeup is always too dark, my outfits too eccentric, and my attitude is just too much. It thrills me to no end, and since he paid for none of it, I wasn’t confined to what he would allow me to buy. I had my own ways to get money.

“God damnit, Nikki!”

I snickered, enjoying this way too much. So much, in fact, I didn’t hear Nonna coming down the stairs until she smacked me on the back of the head. I scowled at her, rubbing the sore spot.

“Do you have to do that?”

“If I thought there was another way to get you to listen, then I would do that instead. Stop tormenting your papa and get upstairs.”

Nonna was one of the few people who I actually got along with. She didn’t care who my mother was. I am my papa’s daughter and therefore, family. It’s why she could get away with hitting me. I knew she cared, so I put up with it.

“I don’t want to. I know what he’s going to say and I’m not interested in playing his game. I’ve got shit to do tonight anyway.”

Her hand came up again, and I flinched, leaning away from her. When I peeked open my eyes, she raised an eyebrow before pointing up the stairs. I heaved out a sigh.

“You’re lucky I like you.”

She snorted at me. “Same goes for you, cara mia. Now get upstairs. I don’t want to deal with my son’s temper tantrums today. I’ve got shit to do.” She shot me a sly look, and I burst out laughing. Nonna didn’t curse, at least not in front of the family. She saved it for me when we played cards together. I think one reason she likes me is because I don’t call her out.

I made my way up the stairs much slower than necessary until Nonna pinched my behind to get me moving. I made a face at her before hustling up the stairs and down the hall to my papa’s office.

Like all good mafia men, he wore a suit at all times, trying to show off just how powerful he was. He wasn’t a big man, maybe a few inches taller than me, and skinny too, but that didn’t make him less intimidating to most people. Today he went with the whole ensemble; pinstripe suit, fedora set off to one side. I couldn’t help but chuckle, leaning against the doorframe.

“Did anyone ever tell you that you look like a cliché? Who wears fedoras anymore?”

“That’s enough out of you. Tonight is important and I won’t have you screwing around and causing trouble.”

I crossed my arms, giving him a smug look. He knew I wouldn’t do shit without an incentive. He scowled.

“What do you want?”

“Next weekend. I’m going to see my brother. I don’t want security.”

He looked incredulous. “Absolutely not. I’ve told you before, security is not up for debate.”

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