Straight Man Richard Russo Novels & Stories

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." --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

A small laugh almost escaped my throat as I looked at the muddy water dripping off Richard’s nose. “Oh, no, I am so sorry,” Marco muttered, though he looked anything but sorry. He glared down at Richard with total disgust, then leaned over to pick up his empty bucket. As he did, he caught my eye and gave me a quick, supportive wink. “Are you blind?” Richard screamed, leaping up from the booth as he wiped the greasy water from his eyes with his soaked sleeves. He was shaking with rage. “You pathetic idiot. Do you have any idea who I am? I will buy this entire building just to fire you! I will make sure you pay for this insult for the rest of your life!”

he asked, tapping his fingers in the rim of his glass. The unknown man just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “You know me, ” he said, “I am in demand. I don’t normally join parties like this but hey, there’s something interesting going on in this table that I just had to sneak in.” Something interesting? What is he talking about? The president seemed to catch his drift because I saw him pinch the handle of the glass. That made the Indian man grin. “May I know who this gorgeous woman is, Mr. President?” the man named Rohan said. He tilted his head to the side and glanced at me, showing his white smile.

I joined them not too long after and grabbed a little martini of my own. "Are you Miss Mancini?" A man asked as he approached me. His attire was business casual; dark-wash jeans, and a simple white button-up. His brown hair was slicked back, and his beard kept and styled. "I am. I recognize your voice… Are you Dante DeMarco?" "I am!" He smiled. "I'm glad you remembered. I've been looking forward to meeting you. Sir Antonio Russo Sr. has told me a lot about you, you know."

You ever wonder why sin was irresistible and sweet? Why bad habits were the hardest to quit? Well, I think I just found the answers to those questions in the form of the enigmatic man who sat in one corner of my room. Luca Russo. The ruthless billionaire. Here in my bedroom. Staring— no, rather, glaring— at me with those blue eyes.

I furrowed my brows - this man really didn't have a pleasant voice worth listen to. "Huh~." - Richard stared at the man, scratching his head. "Yes, and who are you?." I pinned my lips tightly, muffling a laughter that had escaped my throat. Richard turned to me, his green eyes twinkling with confusion. "Ah...... I'm Chairman Dennis Wilson from NC corporations." - the man introduced awkwardly, handing over a glass of champagne to Richard, which he took. " I ought to give some time to discuss things out." - I smiled briefly as i walked away

While stirring a pan, Isaiah said, "Honey, I got a great deal on this fish today; the owner knocked off a couple of bucks for me. "Also, I've been saving up cardboard scraps for the past two weeks and managed to make 68 dollars selling them, so after buying groceries, I still have five left over." I closed my eyes as my heart twisted painfully. I could not believe just how far he was willing to go to keep up this charade. Looking at the home-cooked dinner spread on the table, I could not help but feel bitter irony wash over me. In the past, I would have run over to hug him and tell him he was the greatest husband in the world.

Leonardo introduced swiftly. "Ah... very funny. Of course, I've heard," Mr. Russo cackled. I stepped forward, unleashing my charming mode. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Russo. Leonardo told me a lot about you," I said with a warm smile, which was fake. "Really? The Leo I know doesn't speak much about anybody to anybody," Mr. Russo joked, and Leonardo laughed – a rare sight. "Trust me, he speaks highly of you," I said.

Aaron asked raising his head up. “I couldn’t believe, mr stranger will be this loose while coming to Russia.” A man with a cigar walked towards the light as two bodyguards followed from behind. “And you are?” Aaron asked again because he doesn’t know the face. “Ruséf” The man said puffing smoke into the air. “My men told me, a young Americana was having a deal with my worst Enemy.” He said for Aaron to chuckle. “And what do I have to do with that?” Aaron asked for the man to sit down on the chair that was brought for him.