“Not much longer.My lawyer assures me we’re in the home stretch.It’s just a matter of finalizing the paperwork and having us both sign.”Strange, but the idea left a vaguely bitter taste in my mouth.It was how things needed to be, for sure, because there was no way we worked in real life.She was too young, for one thing, and I didn’t have time for a wife or even a steady girlfriend.It was too much commitment.
“You know, I’m here, having your back.”Yes, he was there, along with a handful of his guys.They were spread out through the dining room, eating lunch, blending in.What was I expecting from Riccardo?I didn’t know, and that was the problem.I didn’t want to give the bastard the benefit of the doubt, not for a minute.He was capable of anything.
“Word is he’s in with the Russian mob.”Grayson’s mouth barely moved as he murmured.“According to my intel sources, he’s in deep.They’ve been doing this for many years.Then it’s likely that as soon as Nova graduated high school and was out of town, he ramped things up, but he’d already been using these guys’ connections to bring girls over to… well, entertain his high rollers,” he concluded with a growl.
“No surprise there.The slimy bastard.”As the words left my mouth, the slimy bastard himself walked into one of the restaurants on the ground floor of my building.I watched, my blood heating as he glanced around, sizing the place up, clearly underwhelmed.He ran a hand over his bald head, his pinky ring gleaming.This was the father Nova still loved, a guy who had been peddling flesh for the Russian mob for years.
“That’s my cue.”I stood, turned around, and did my best not to openly snarl as I approached the man.Behind him stood a tall, wary, black-eyed man who could only be Nico.We had never been introduced, but one look at his stone-cold expression told me he could be no one else.
“Mr.Mancini.”I outstretched a hand, shaking Riccardo’s firmly before motioning to a corner table with my other hand.The old fuck tried to squeeze it like that would intimidate me.“Please.Join me.Thank you so much for taking the time.”
“I knew you would call eventually.”His indulgent laughter left me grinding my molars, but I managed to take a seat across from him without showing my revulsion.Nico waited near the door, hands folded behind his back.Am I supposed to be impressed or intimidated?A glance at Grayson revealed his cautious gaze fixed on the mirror, watching the prick without turning around.
That allowed me to turn my attention to the man across from me.This meeting was a Hail Mary pass if ever there was one.A last-ditch effort to spare Nova since she still couldn’t sleep, much less go home, while the fucker at the door was capable of anything.
“There is a very serious matter I would like to discuss with you, sir,” I began.That’s right, kiss his ass a little, wear him down.“Though it’s not about my casino.”
His smile slipped, suspicion turning it into a frown.“Then what’s this about?What, you want to go into business together?”He punctuated that question with a soft snort like the very idea was laughable.
My hands tightened into fists under the table.He was already testing me.“No, sir.I wouldn’t dream of it.”
A sour look washed over his face when he picked up on my sarcasm.“Then what is it?Why are you wasting my time?”Already combative, I would have to proceed with caution.
“I’m a friend of your daughter.”
His shoulders fell inside his dark suit.For a man his age, he was surprisingly fit, though the way his color changed hinted at blood pressure issues.“Nova?What are you doing with Nova?”
“We’re friends, that’s all.”We wouldn’t be married for much longer.I didn’t need him to threaten breaking my kneecaps for putting a hand on her.“And it’s beside the point.It’s not for me to say anything about what’s going on between the two of you.That’s not what I’m interested in.”
Shifting in his chair, he asked, “Exactly what are you interested in?”
“Protecting her.”
“From whom?”When I stared blankly at him, he growled.“From whom, I said?”
“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?We both know who she needs protection from.That rabid dog you have guarding you has already hurt her… threatened her.He’s had her followed.She’s scared out of her mind.Your own daughter,” I muttered, revulsion building with every word.“I brought you here so I could tell you face-to-face that she is, as of this moment, under my protection.You or your errand boy come for her, we’re going to have a problem.Am I making myself clear?”
His response was a slow, soft clap.“Well said.You know, I always figured you would be better at this job than your old man,” he concluded with what my surprise sounded like approval.“He had a head for business, but he never had the stomach for what really needs to be done in this town.But you were getting your hands dirty from a young age, weren’t you?You have that instinct.You’ve got some fire in your soul.”
“I’m not particularly interested in what you think about my soul or any other part of me,” I shot back as if I needed his approval.“What interests me is you knowing I mean every word.You have resources at your disposal?So do I.If anything happens to her, I’m going to take it personally.”
His jaw ticked beneath tanned skin.“You would go to war over her?”
“Did I say I would go to war?Or is that you putting words in my mouth?”I asked as pleasantly as I could.“I have no interest in war, Mr.Mancini.What I want is peace.Peace for her.Don’t make her a casualty of what you have gotten into.”
How did he find the nerve to sit up straighter, almost gasping in outrage?“You don’t know the first thing?—”
“Are we really going to do this?”I asked.“I know a lot about what you’re into, sir.Frankly, my skin crawls at our proximity.But again, that’s not my business.Your daughter, however, is.”
It was uncanny, the way his brown eyes narrowed like he was trying to pry into my skull.I’d caught him completely unaware of all of this.He was still fighting to catch up.“What is she to you, really?”he asked, sly now, suspicious.
“Don’t worry about that,” I snapped.“Do I have your word?Because if I don’t…” I added, leaning in, lowering my voice further, “… I will make life very uncomfortable for you.Maybe even more uncomfortable than your friends in Russia would if you disappointed them.Understand me?”
“What are you talking about?”he scoffed, overplaying his hand, overreacting.Not like I didn’t know I was right, but if I hadn’t, his reaction would have confirmed it.
“Like I said, I have resources too.”I lifted a shoulder, enjoying the way he sputtered.“I think I’ve made the terms clear.Give me your word she’s safe, that none of this blows back on her, and life will…” I titled my head, “… go on.”
He reached for the water glass in front of him, gulping some of it down.Stalling.“Who the hell do you think you are?She ismydaughter,” he grunted out.
