The Promise between us

They all settled on the floor again, forming a loose circle in the middle of the room. Ash sat stiffly among them, still wearing that annoyed, tired look.

Then — Léo dropped down right beside him, smooth and casual as always. Without a word, he handed Ash a cigarette.

"It's just a game," Léo said calmly, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder for a second.

Ash stared at the cigarette… then at Léo.

Then just let out a quiet exhale through his nose, took the cig, and lit it.

He didn't say anything — but he stayed.

Across from him, Luca grinned.

"Okay, okay," Luca said, clapping his hands once. "So… we never really did a proper intro, huh?"

He leaned in a little, that mischievous glint returning to his eyes.

"And the way we met? Kinda hilarious if you ask me."

The others nodded.

Luca pointed straight at Ash.

"So let's start with the newbie."

Ash took a drag from the cigarette, exhaled slowly, then muttered:

"I'm Ash."

Luca leaned forward, grinning. "Yes… and?"

Ash blinked once.

"That's all."

Luca let out a deep and dramatic sigh.

"We already know your name is Ash," he complained, tossing his hands up.

"We need other details!"

Ash clicked his tongue, annoyed.

"Other details like what?" he asked.

Luca shrugged, still fishing.

"I don't know. Anything. Hobbies. Age. Whatever."

"Ashley Cooper. Twenty-three." he said flatly, taking another drag from his cigarette.

Luca blinked "...Oh." he opened his mouth, then closed it, already giving up on prying more.

"Fine," he muttered, turning to the others. "The rest—"

"I like Listening to music."

Ash's voice cut in, quiet but firm.

Luca paused mid-turn and then slowly turned back.

His eyes lit up like he'd just won a prize.

"HAH!" he pointed at Ash like a proud detective.

"See? I knew there was more in there!"

With a triumphant smile, he nodded toward the group.

"Alright , you heard him.Now you can Introduce yourselves"

One by one, the guys started introducing themselves.

"Emil," the one withbrown hair said with a smile.

"Matteo," added the tallest, with a buzz cut and two piercings on his left ear.

"Sebastian," the lean one with a scar just under his left eye with black hair.

Then all eyes shifted to the last guy still grinning wide.

He gave a mock bow.

"As you already know… I'm Luca."

Ash rolled his eyes, but stayed quiet.

Luca leaned in with that same grin.

"Alright, Ash. You remember our names, or was that too much brain work?"

Ash gave him a side-eye and nodded.

"Emil. Matteo. Sebastian. Luca."

Luca blinked — then broke into a wide, dramatic smile, putting both hands to his chest like a proud teacher.

"Look at youuuu."

He nodded like he'd raised this boy himself.

"Already one of us."

From the side, Léo burst into laughter — short, dry, and amused.

Ash turned to him with that signature deadpan glare.

"What's funny?"

Léo just smirked through the cigarette smoke.

"Nothing."

From there each of them gave other details about themselves.

Ash sat quietly at first, just listening. That's when he realized something. He was the youngest one among them. The rest were in their mid or late twenties. But what surprised him the most was when they mentioned that they chose to be here. One by one, they talked about how they volunteered to join the Mafia even Léo.

Ash sat there confused.

"Why would anyone willingly join something like this" He didn't say it loud, but the thought stuck in his mind.

After the introductions, they finally started the game. It was loud,Chaotic,Full of teasing and fake accusations. And though Ash didn't say much…

He kinda enjoyed it.

Just a little

****************

[ The words in italics are in Russian ]

The room was quiet.

A soft breeze slipped through the open balcony curtains, carrying the faint scent of night jasmine. Nikolai sat alone at the marble chess table near the window, dressed in a silk robe the color of blood-wine. A delicate cup of tea steamed beside him.

He moved a knight piece forward slowly, eyes locked on the board. It was his favorite time — late, silent, undisturbed.

Then—

"Nik! NIKOLAI!"

The voice echoed through the hall.

Nikolai's jaw tensed.

Only one person had the nerve to shout his name like that.

He didn't even look up. Just sighed, picked up his next piece, and kept playing.

Footsteps approached.

Then a knock that didn't wait for permission.

Dmitri leaned through the open door, grinning.

"Found you."

That grin.

Click, the door closed behind him.

Nikolai's hand twitched, and his pawn slipped from his fingers — clattering softly onto the floor.

He sighed, long and slow.

Nikolai leaned down slowly, picked up the fallen pawn from the floor, and placed it back on the board with precise fingers.

He didn't look at his brother.

"What do you want, Dmitri?"

Dmitri walked in like he owned the place – which he did and sat casually across from him.

"Just wanted to ask if there's going to be a meeting with the captains and vice-captains at the compound."

Without invitation, he reached for the white pieces and began to set them into starting position across from Nikolai.

The older twin raised an eyebrow, watching him for a moment before responding.

"Why are you asking?"

His tone was flat, skeptical.

"You've never shown interest in the formal side of things."

Dmitri moved his pawn with cool precision, matching Nikolai's energy.

"Well," he said smoothly, "I figured it's time I assist you with something, right?

You always handle the boring politics."

Nikolai said nothing.

His fingers tapped a bishop into motion — quiet, sharp.

Then:

"Alexei informed me you went to the compound."

His voice was calm. Icy.

Dmitri didn't even flinch.

Still moving his knight, eyes on the board.

"Just attending to some little matters."

His smile didn't change.

A few more moves passed in silence.

Then—

"шах и мат " pronounced as shakh i mat

Nikolai's voice was quiet, final.

Dmitri sighed and leaned back.

"Again," he muttered, shaking his head.

"You always win."

Nikolai finally let the faintest smile tug at the corner of his lips.

Just a small one.

But it was there.

**************""

💌 Author's Note

Hey, everyone 👋

Don't forget to comment and vote

Xoxo,

Quillqueens 💞