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Sophie continues, still in that low, monotonous voice. “Well then, maybe the trip wasn’t a total bust after all. It should be pretty clear that I’m not a threat to you or the Outfit.”
I huff out a derisive laugh which makes her narrow her eyes. I wonder how long it’ll take her to figure out that we’re not in O’Hare airport. Or that she won't be leaving this plane alive.
“You’re not the trusting sort, are you, Nico?” She asks softly, no doubt seeing I don’t agree that she isn’t a threat.
“No.”
“Neither am I,” she says with a heavy sigh. And I don’t trust law enforcement either, so I’m not about to spill my guts in hopes that they’ll save me. The people who raised me taught me that.”
I lean forward, dropping my elbows on my knees. “Except that you’ve done everything in your power to distance yourself from the people who raised you. In the end, this new life of yours means more to you. You cared about Rafe, but you left him to rot because he didn’t fit inside your perfect, new-life box where everything is black and white.”
I regret the words the moment they’re out. Her lips part and her eyes widen and glow with a sheen of tears.
The truth is, I’m angry with myself for trying to look for bullshit ways to circumvent the inevitable. Because silencing Sophie Kellan is inevitable. It’s the only way to guarantee not only Maria’s and Victoria’s safety but also that of my entire organization, without having to look over my shoulders.
And yet, here I am, still hesitating.
The time for hesitation is over. I catch the co-pilot Riccardo’s knowing look and I subtly dip my head, a gesture of assent. I don’t need to glance back to see that Martina, the hostess is armed and ready, holding position at the back galley.
As the plane slows to a stop, Sophie stands. “You’re right,” she says. “I want a new life, something different from what I’ve known. And there’s nothing wrong in me wanting the plain and simple black and white. Goodbye, Nico.”
Fuck.
She turns away and walks down the aisle to the door, waiting patiently for Riccardo to open it.
But he doesn’t open it.
He won’t.
I can feel the holster against my chest beneath my suit jacket. The Glock inside it loaded. Ready.
I stand and call up an image of my parents and Dante, of my capos and their wives and children. I imagine them as I’ve seen other victims of Romano, butchered and broken, their bodies left as warnings to others. This is the future that awaits them if Sophie Kellan’s new life gets the better of her—if I let her new life get the better of her.
I cross the aisle and slowly close the distance between us.
She watches me approach, her hand hovering inches above her right thigh where she keeps her knife.
The look in her eyes tells me she knows what I’m about to do. But she doesn’t cower; she doesn’t even flinch. Even the pulse in her neck isn’t beating madly. One dirty word from me could make her pant, yet she stares down death without skipping a heartbeat.
My heart leaps with a strange but not unpleasant emotion at her unusual courage. Why does this part of Sophie excite me so much?
I stop an arms-length away because I’m not stupid enough to get within stabbing distance of her. In a matter of seconds, it will be over.
“Nico?” Sophie calls in a steady voice.
“Yes?”
I stare, transfixed, as she slowly reaches for her hem, then drags the skirt up higher and higher until the thick clingy material bunches at her waist.
Fuck. There isn’t a more provocative sight than the wicked-looking dagger strapped to Sophie’s smooth, shapely thigh with a rough leather holster.
I do the most idiotic thing; I take my eyes off her, turn my head, and glance at Riccardo. Sophie doesn’t take the chance to strike, though. She only keeps looking at me.
“Leave us,” I say to Riccardo because sending the man away is suddenly the highest on my list of priorities right now.
Riccardo’s eyes fill with confusion, but he inclines his head, opens the cockpit, steps in, and closes the door behind him.
After Riccardo leaves, I’m left with the reality of how truly fucked I just might be. The fact that I dropped my guard because I couldn’t bear another man’s eyes on Sophie irritates me so much that I draw my gun, cock, and aim.
