if the mafia can learn to love

[assassinrue]

Nikolai cocked an eyebrow. "As far as I or anyone else is concerned you came here to give me a beating. You'll have to punch me a few times before you leave." He jutted his chin out to the room in general. "I've sound proofed it here, speak freely."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae nodded slightly. "I'm sorry about the other day. They did see you talking to Aveline, and they were very enthusiastic about coming here and threatening you. Actually, they wanted to beat you up, but I talked them out of it. I'm not really that kind of guy, you know?" He paused and shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm not going to make anymore threats, but you should stay away from my sister. If you finds out your in a gang, I won't have to kick the crap out of you. She'll do it herself."

[assassinrue]

Nikolai ran his hand through his hair. "Your brothers would give anything to get the drop on me. Me and my father have been such a pain in the a** for the Easts." He broadened his stance. "And what happens if I run into her?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae's jaw tightened. "Just tell her your not interested. In being friends, or whatever. You're both better off that way. I don't want Avi getting tangled up in the gangs any more than she already is."

[assassinrue]

Nikolai cocked his head again. "You mean you. She doesn't know does she?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae scowled. "Know what? She knows I'm part of the Easts. She just doesn't know why." He pursed his lips and looked away. "And she hates me for it."

[assassinrue]

Nikolai sighed. "I'm familiar with that story. I'll avoid her the best I can, but there are no guarantees. Anything else?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae took a moment to think about that, but then he shook his head. "No. I just want what's best for her, okay?"

[assassinrue]

Nikolai nodded. "Better get to punching then." He looked at Trae with a steady gaze.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae seemed entirely reluctant to do this, but he knew Nikolai was right. Best if they made a good show of this. He stepped forward and pulled back his fist, holding nothing back as he socked the other guy right in the face.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai straightened up slowly. "You've got a good arm boy, you could make good money off of that. Again," He smiled darkly, "Nikolai Ivanov doesn't go down with one hit."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I also assume he doesn't take hits without delivering some of his own," Trae said calmly.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai had the courtesy to look surprised. "I hadn't thought of that." And without warning he swung his arm out and hooked Trae in his jaw

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae staggered back, his jaw stinging and his vision fading a bit. The world came back into focus a second later. He lifted his chin, fighting through the pain, and threw another punch at Nikolai's gut.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai doubled over and when he came up, forced his fist into Trae's sternum.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The air whooshed out of Trae's lungs and he gasped for breath. He managed to stay on his feet, but just barely. This guy packed a wicked punch. "Think a kick in the balls would make it more realistic?" he remarked jokingly once he had his breath back.

[assassinrue]

Nikolai burst out laughing. "I think we can just say that part happened." Tentatively he held out his hand. "Are we good for now?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae nodded and shook his hand. "Good luck to you, man. Hopefully we never see each other again."

[assassinrue]

"Hopefully not, I think that would mean our brothers are at war again if so."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Trae nodded again. He turned and walked out the door without another word, headed back home to face the judgment of his siblings. They wouldn't ask questions, but he would see it in their eyes.