The Search

Chapter 16

Jade

Everyone stops and all movement in the dining room vanishes as they watch me, perhaps wondering what I am going to do next.

I take a deep breath taking a sideway glance at Nikolai who's knuckles have turned white on his utensils, specifically the knife.

I reach over and pry it out of his hand putting it far enough so it's out of his reach.

Before I can utter a word Sophie speaks up looking towards my Father, "what makes you think we are staying?"

My Fathers eyes move from mine to hers and Nikolai smirks leaning back in his chair. 

My Father leans forward resting his elbows against the table, "what I say, goes sweetie." He says softly but looks at her rather amused.

Sophie leans forward mocking his stance, "in our household, what Mom says, goes."

Alex joins in quickly after, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...." He pauses looking my Father up and down, "Nonno."

Hudson stands up going to the side where the drinks table is.  He pours 3 fingers of something I've definitely never heard of. 

"As much as I enjoy watching all of this drama, I agree with your Nonno. To keep you all safe, it is best if you stay here." He sighs leaning back against the wall.

Everyone starts arguing again and the room is full of yells and curses. Lexi ends up crying so I grab her and cross the room so she can calm down.

My family notices and calms down hearing Lexis large cries. I settle her down and Nikolai comes over with her pacifier kissing her forehead.

I look up at Nikolai, thoughts swarming in my head because I am rather stuck. My family has always been controlling, it's the reason I ran away in the first place.

But they have never been as forceful as now.

I turn to look at my Father and Brothers perhaps coming up with a plan that gives them exactly what they want. At least they will think so until I have them where I need them. 

"How about this." I begin, "you all come to live with us in Calgary for a month, one month, that's all I'm asking. When the month is over you decide if we have convinced you well enough that we are safe in Calgary and we don't need to live in Italy."

My Father bring his hand up to his chin, and rests upon it. "And what if you don't convince us?"

I take a deep breath, "we'll move to Italy where you can keep us safe."

They all take a moment to think, the deal would entail we come willingly and that alone would convince them well enough, maybe then I won't "hate their guts."

The deal also entails that as long as they stay in Calgary for only a month, they could easily get me back in the end. But I'm going to convince them otherwise.

My Father stands and moves around the table stopping right in front of me. He sticks out his hand, "you have a deal sweetheart," I shake his hand gulping down the air stuck in my throat.

He leans forward whispering close to my ear, "you'll live in Italy in the end Jade, mark my words,"

I sigh turning my mouth towards his ear, "perhaps, but until then you go by my rules Papa."