Velvet Lullabies

Niall O’Conner had been running the streets of Boston since he was 17 and his father was shot. He ran his territory through fear and intimidation, no one fucked with him.

But today, Lucian was probably going to.

> He had a hard time controlling his emotions when it came to Adelina.

Lucian wasn’t surprised to see a wall of muscle when he made it to Niall’s house in Cambridge.

“Italians.” One of the linebackers spat when Lucian exited the Mercedes.

“I’m here to see your boss.” Lucian smirked.

All bravado.

“He’s busy.” A slightly smaller linebacker told him from behind thick black sunglasses.

“Tell him Lucian Luchese is here. I think he can clear his schedule for an old friend.” Lucian leaned against the Mercedes. He was lying through his teeth. Niall was no old friend of his.

The smaller linebacker shrugged his shoulders and headed into the house. When he returned a few minutes later, he was waving Lucian in.

Niall sat behind a wide oak desk in his office when Lucian entered. The place was pretty nice. The desk was flanked by a set of matching bookcases, there was a dark leather couch in the corner, and several matching chairs. Above the desk there was painting with what Lucian assumed to be an Irish blessing.

“So, St. Patrick’s Day is coming up?” Lucian smiled.

“Hah!” Niall laughed. “I had no idea Italians had a sense of humor. Sit,” he gestured to the chair in front of the desk. “Liam, see if our friend here want’s drink.” Niall shook a glass of amber liquid when he gave the order.

Lucian checked his watch, 10 AM. The Irish started early.

Liam, Niall’s second oldest, set a matching glass of whiskey in front of Lucian.

“Thanks.”

Lucian could hear children singing in the background, he assumed Niall’s kids, the man had a handful of them. Lucian was only familiar with the boys of the family. Niall Jr, who was killed by the Providence Italians. Declan, the one most involved in the family’s illegal business since his brother’s death. And Liam, who managed the legal side of business. The rest of the kids - all women as far as he knew - were a complete mystery to Lucian.

“So, what can I do for you, Luchese?” Niall asked throwing his feet up on the desk.

“Well,” Lucian swirled the liquid around in his glass. “This thing, with the Maranzanos…” Lucian trailed off.

This seemed to aggravate the man, who was just laughing a few minutes ago. “What about it?” Niall spat.

“What will it take for it to stop?” Lucian asked, not beating around it.

Declan hissed. “Really, Luchese? You work for them now?”

“Declan.” Niall silenced him. “Tell me Luchese, I hear your marrying Angelo’s girl. Is that true?”

Lucian took a sip of the whiskey, letting it burn its way down his throat. “It is.”

Niall nodded. “So that’s why you want this to end then?”

“Yes.”

Niall thought for a moment. “You know what she did, Luchese?”

Lucian stayed silent.

“Didn’t think so.” Niall shook his head. “She’s a liar, that bitch of yours.”

Lucian felt his hands curl into fists. The last thing he wanted to do was punch this man and makes things worse, but he also hated to hear anyone call Adelina a bitch.