Mafia Men: Nikolai's Inferno novel Chapter 2

•Nikolai•

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Family. Honor. Loyalty.

These are the three things that are of great significance in our world.

I was Luciano Costello's firstborn and the only son, Nikolai Sin Costello. Luciano Costello had been the most feared don of New York City and now in his place, I was. I was destined to be a ruler, I was raised to be merciless, ruthless. It's the only way around in our world.

The first time, I killed a man, I was only seven years old. My father had his first kill when he was twelve. I took over the mafia at the age of twenty-six, I took over before he had passed, my father took over the mafia after my grandfather passed away, pops was forty-two at the time. I was feared more than my father and I saw it as another one of my achievements.

I intended to surpass my father in every way possible.

My father carried the legacy of the underworld from his father. Which my grandfather inherited from his father and so on. We had ruled for generations and I intend to rule and carry on the Costello lineage. After Luciano Costello retired, he passed down everything to me, from the dirty money, drug, and political connections to our group of companies that covered all of our illegal work and turned all our black money into white. Costello Group Of Companies was the perfect cover.

I picked up a glass tumbler from my desk and drank the whiskey. The liquid danced in my mouth for a few seconds before allowing itself to seep down to my throat, the burning sensation teased my throat. Reclining back in my seat, I placed both of my legs over the table.

Two of my men... They were my men until they decided to betray me. I watched with satisfaction as they were getting tortured to death in the next room. This special torture chamber was divided from my office by a one-way mirror.

This torture chamber was hidden behind the bookshelf of my office, specifically designed for traitors. Disloyalty just rubbed me off the wrong way, the one thing I could never forgive my people for is betrayal.

I took great pleasure in their pain. Their agony-filled screams were like music to my ears. The satisfaction that gave me was unmatched.

The door to my office creaked open. Selena pushed her head in, keeping her gaze steadily on me. She knew better than to look around to see what was going on.

"Mr. Costello, Mr. Ramirez is here to see you"

I sighed, pouring myself another glass of whiskey. "Send him in"

Favors.

People came to see me for favors. I granted them favors and in return, they would sell their souls to me. That is how I got the nickname “The Devil”.

Ramirez walked in, sweating like a pig. He heard the painful groans and his headshot in the direction of the one-way mirror. I could visibly see his adam's apple bobbing up and down with fear. I knew the smell of fear all too well. Most men reeked of it whenever they came to see me.

"Don Nik" I breathed out.

"Only my friends call me Nik, Ramirez. You and I... I don't remember us being friends"

He nervously laughed. "My apologies, Don Costello"

"What brings you here, Ramirez?"

"I needed a favor, Don"

"You know what asking me for a favor means, Ramirez? Your soul will belong to me"

"I'm aware. I'm desperate, I need help. I will do anything you'd want me to" he said, desperation exuded from his body.

I watched the barely alive men behind the mirror, crying like the cowards they were, asking for mercy, asking for forgiveness. They knew I don't forgive traitors yet they went on and betrayed me anyway.

"You see that?" I pointed toward the big, muscular men who were now reduced to whimpering, bloody messes. "This is what happens when someone crosses me"

"Don Costello, I swear on my daughter's life, I will do anything you'd want me to do. Just help me, get me out of this problem"

I savored his misery a bit more before I gestured for him to continue.

He nodded, and a smile covered his face. He slid back a chair to sit down but I raised a hand stopping him before he does.

"I don't remember telling you to sit"

The smile fell from his face before he pushed the chair back in its place and kept standing before me.

"It's about my daughter, Don Costello. I got into a fight with my landlord, I couldn't pay rent for this month. I didn't have the money. He..." his voice broke. "He took my daughter. She is just fifteen, he is holding her against her will until I pay him the rent. I don't know what he did to her if he hurt her or..." he started to cry. "Please, help me, Don Costello"

I nodded. I got my feet off the table and poured another glass of whiskey before sliding it across the table. "Take it" I ordered, he wiped his tears and took the glass.

"Consider it handled, Ramirez. Your daughter and your little rent problem"

He grinned like a fool and made his way around my desk. He bowed in front of me and held out his hand. It was a gesture of gratitude and respect. He wanted to kiss my family ring on my finger. I let him and then swatted him away.

"That would be all, Ramirez. I'll call upon you when I need you to do something"

"Forever at your service, Don Costello"

He placed a hand on his heart and walked out of my office.

I had men ready to give their lives for me at my single order all around the world. They gave me their lives and in return, I took good care of their families and friends. Their women and children were taken under our wing. Given that, their respect for me increased tenfold.

I pulled out my cellphone and called Declan. I told him what needed to be done for Ramirez and then hung up. I don't have to tell him how to do his job, I just needed to order and Declan knew what to do next. By this time tomorrow, Ramirez will own the house he lives in and will have his daughter back.

My phone rang as I placed it over the table. I checked the caller ID and placed the phone next to my ear.

"Father..." I voiced.

"Nik, have you forgotten about your old man? I haven't seen you in days." my father's authoritative voice came from the other end.

"I will come to visit soon" I glanced at the two men, slowly bleeding to their death, still toed to their chairs. "I've been busy dealing with some minor problems"

"Your mother misses you, and it's high time I act on the word I gave to Paul Russell. His daughter isn't getting any younger,"