Novel & Cerita Straight Man Richard Russo

Don Russo said with a pretty angry face. “I don’t remember lying to you Don Russo.” Sofia answered and used the title she knew that he did not introduce himself as. “So, you knew who I was all along but still dared to lie to me? Don Russo added as his voice got angrier. “I just played my cards right but honestly don’t tell me you fell for me.” Sofia said as she laughed at him. “Deal with her.” Don Russo said, and four men appeared in black suits and pulled out their guns.

A man, tall and broad, dressed in black. Leonardo raised his gun. "Stay behind me." We moved toward the figure. The man didn’t move. He stood with his hands in his pockets, watching us. As we got closer, the moonlight hit his face. I gasped. The man’s features were unmistakable: sharp jawline, dark hair slicked back, piercing eyes. Victor Russo. "No," I whispered. "That’s impossible." Leonardo’s grip tightened on the gun. "We shot him. We saw his body."

One sprawled on the bottom bunk, another sat at a metal table bolted to the floor, while the third leaned against the wall, eyeing me with open curiosity. I straightened my shoulders and nodded politely. The Russo name meant something, even here. Perhaps especially here. "Gentlemen," I said. The man at the table snorted. "Ain't no gentlemen in here, pretty boy." I ignored him, choosing the empty lower bunk and sitting with my back straight, hands folded in my lap. My father had taught me never to show weakness, especially among lesser men. These people would respect strength. Authority. "That's Russo," the man against the wall said suddenly. "Daniel Russo. Saw him in Forbes last year."

"Thank you, Russo. For everything." "Famiglia," Russo said simply. Family. "Rest. We'll talk strategy in the morning." He left, closing the door behind him, and suddenly the room felt too small despite its size. Cade turned to me with a smile still lingering from lunch. "God, I forgot how funny Russo is. Did you hear the story about the Russian? That was, " "I don't care." My voice came out flat, cold. His smile faltered. "What?" "I said I don't care about your hilarious friend and his hilarious stories about stealing from the mafia."

Jessica has really been nice to me and she's made me feel so relaxed about the whole situation. I walk to the living room with Jessica behind me. "Thanks Jessica" "Jess" she corrects for the umpteenth time today. "Thanks Jess" "Let's go" Nathan orders. Nathan is wearing a button up shirt and dark denim pants. His hair is perfectly styled as usual and his well trimmed beard makes him even more handsome. His lips tug into a smirk "Are you done checking me out?" He tugs his hands in the pocket of his pants. My cheeks redden and I stare at the floor. "Isn't Jess coming?"

"Do you want to know something Romeo?" "W-what?" "Gustav Russo doesn't feel a thing. He can't. Because he is a monster who traded his own first born child to a rival in order to save the Cross Sword Mafia. All these luxury you see around you Romeo? It is made up of my baby brother's blood." --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Gus chuckled under his breath and rubbed his temples. “No, ma’am,” he said quickly, hands raised in mock surrender. “Not at all. No funny business here.” I didn’t drop my glare. The tall man hadn’t stopped looking at me. His eyes flicked past my shoulder into the house—like he was hoping she might appear at the top of the stairs. Like he already knew she wasn’t here but needed to see for himself anyway. “So who are you?” I asked, folding my arms. He opened his mouth… then closed it. Licked his bottom lip like he was stalling. Like the answer was a curse he didn’t want to cast. “Uhmm…” His voice dipped. “…I’m Ricci Russo.”

He looked like a supermodel. "Good evening Mr. Richards. Nice to see you in one piece," said Mr. Jackson, Damian's arch-business nemesis. "Same to you Mr. Jackson. I love your jacket. Very stylish. But it seems to have been cut half your size, just like your recent profits."

Russo watched with an air of satisfaction as I examined the haul, his smirk never faltering. “You didn’t have to do all this,” I said, a mixture of gratitude and discomfort settling over me. Russo shrugged, his expression turning serious for a moment. “You deserve to feel good, Cleo. Even if it’s just for this weekend.” The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and for a split second, I saw a glimpse of the man behind the mafia kingpin someone who, despite everything, wanted to make this easier for me. I pushed the thought away, not wanting to read too much into it. This was all still part of the game, after all.

Their faces were unfamiliar. As I reached for the champagne glass in front of me, a short, bald man walked up to the table with his wife. I recognized him from the briefing Glinda gave us—Richard Valenti. His wife, Claudia, was tall, with sharp features was standing beside him. Richard was an influential figure with deep ties in the business. So, the show begins. Nolan stood from his seat “Richard.” Nolan said as he extended a hand to shake him. Richard’s lips curled into a smirk “Russo.” he proceeded to take Nolan’s hand in his, “Word got around that you got married huh? Such a shame I didn’t get invited.”