if the mafia can learn to love

[assassinrue]

Just as Nikolai was about to leave he noticed the girl. In a pause in her game he called out, "Well if it isn't Miss Pree."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aveline stiffened a bit and turned to face him. A chill ran down her spine. "And if it isn't Mr. Mafia," she said, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "What do you want?"

[assassinrue]

Nikolai raised his hands up, palms facing her. "Just saying hello."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Hey, Avi," Tobias called from across the park. "Tell the dude to get lost. He can flirt with you later."

Aveline rolled her eyes and ignored her brother. "Hello," she said.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai grinned at her little brother then turned back to her. "Best park in the city huh?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Yeah, gang free," Aveline said. Then she raised her eyebrows and added, "Most of the time." She'd never confirmed whether or not he was in a gang, but she would have bet a fair amount that he was. Easts or Wests? She didn't know.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai shrugged. "Yup, most of the time. Mamu!" He called over his shoulder. "Well, I should get going."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Mamu? Aveline thought. Then she saw that cat and her eyes widened. He had a cat? Mafia dude had a cat. What the hell? She shook her head and turned back toward Tobias, who had gotten bored and decided to try and hit her with the Frisbee. She turned just in time to have it hit her square in the chest. It bounce off without harm, but it sure surprised her.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai scooped up Mamu and watched the girl a moment before he left slowly, cradling Mamu like an infant

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Aveline's eyes darted toward him before she picked up the Frisbee. After that, she went back to playing with Tobias, but he lingered at the back of her mind.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai dropped Mamu off back at home and then slowly worked his way to the gang ring leader, he had an assignment from him waiting, and as much as he hated them, they were how he lived his cushy life as such a young age. He was payed handsomely for what he did.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

After their time at the park, Aveline and Tobias always went out for pizza, so that's what they did. They didn't have much money, so they frequented the cheapest place in the city, but it wasn't horrible food. I mean, come on, pizza was pizza.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai returned from his meeting with blue prints in hand and laid them out on his large dining room table. He began his planing and work. This would be a long con. He was excited for it.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

After that, Aveline went home while Tobias went out with some friends. She didn't have much to do, other than homework, but she didn't really have any friends either.

[assassinrue]

When a knock came at his door, Nikolai stashed his plans and blue prints and jerked the door open, his hand behind him on his gun.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Waiting... and watching. haha)

[assassinrue]

(I was expecting her brother again haha hint hint)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

When he opened the door, Trae stood on the other side, but this time he was alone. "Can we talk, man?" he asked. "Five minutes."

[assassinrue]

Nikolai eye balled him, glanced up and down the hall way the nodded once, stepping back to let Trae through

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae slunk into the apartment, his eyes darting around the room nervously. He turned to face Nikolai, his face turning hard. "Look, first of all, I was never here," he said. "If anyone knew I came to talk to you alone, they'd probably shoot me first and ask questions later."