Page 70 of Pay the Piper

“Starting with everything you can tell me about your husband and what you’re doing here in Thunder Bay.”

I do. Somehow in the midst of my confusion from learning about Conor’s involvement in the Mafia, I’m able to tell him everything I know. Nikki listens intently as I recount all that’s transpired from the night of the gala until now.

“So you and Misha, huh?” he asks with a smirk when I finish telling my piece.

“Nikki! That is so not what’s important here!”

“You’re right! What’s important is that I’ve known about you and Misha, and I haven’t been able to say anything about it!”

“No! What’s important is that Conor is out for your family! He sent me to take you down, and if I don’t report back with something useful soon, he’s probably going to kill us all!”

“First off, sweetheart…No offense, but that scum of the earth excuse for a man isn’t going to lay a goddamn finger on anyone in my family.” He takes my hand and squeezes it, and the bite in his voice drops. “Or you.”

His assurance of my safety after my dreaded confession calms me, and for the first time in years, I’m able to completely let my walls down.

“Second, we’ve known about his threat for a while now. In fact, I dare say that I know more about your soon-to-be ex-husband than you do.”

“I knew he was bad news,” I whisper, looking down so that I don’t have to look Nikki in the eyes. “And…the men he hangs around with are as well.”

Nikki sighs, “I’ve been studying Conor for a while and…you’re right, he’s bad news. I can only imagine the horrors you’ve gone through at his hands. Why do you think I’ve been so adamant about our friendship? I wanted to keep an eye out for you and make sure you were okay. And I assure you that the next time you face him, it will be with the entire strength of the Santori Mafia as well as the Taranov Bratva. We will keep you safe.”

“It’s not just me…It’s my parents too. I would’ve run years ago, but I knew it would put them in danger.”

“We’ll take care of them too, cara amica.” He catches a tear falling from my face and tilts my chin up.

“So you think we can do this?”

Nikki grins. “Oh, I know we can do this. We already have a plan in action, and honestly, your involvement will only help. That is, if you’re willing to play along.”

“Yes, of course! What do I need to do?”

“You aren’t the only one Conor sent down to spy on us. There’s a mole somewhere in our midst. I have an idea of who it could be, but I’m not sure yet, and…I don’t want to do anything drastic until I know. I never thought it was you, by the way.” His loving demeanor changes so quickly, and for the first time, I get a glimpse of the Nikki his enemies face. “I mean it. I don’t play around when it comes to my family. If I had believed for a second you would put Ellie in danger, I would’ve taken you out the first time she brought you home.”

I gulp. Nodding is the only response I can muster.

Like a light switch, he’s back to the fun-loving Santori I know. “That being said, if Conor thinks you’re still on his side…we might be able to feed him just the right amount of intel to make him trust you, then lead him into a trap of our making.”

“Okay…I can do that. It would definitely get him off my back for a while. He’s been especially moody lately and— Wait…if there is another mole down here, do you think he knows about Misha?”

“Probably.” Nikki sighs. “You’ve already told him that the two of you practice together. So there’s a chance his men know that it’s normal for you to see him and don’t have it on alert. I would always assume the worst, though. Would he be terribly upset about you messing around with Misha?”

“Honestly, as long as I’m accomplishing my mission, I don’t think he would care.”

“Your mission to seduce a Santori brother?” Nikki winks.

“Yes, exactly that,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Then tell him you have. Tell him you’ve successfully seduced the younger brother. I’ll play along. I mean, you’re around here with Ellie enough for it to be convincing. We can decide what info to feed him so that you continue to be useful.”

“Okay…I can do that.”

“You have to tell Misha, though, okay? I do not want to be on the receiving end of that man’s wrath.”

Oh shit, Misha…I still have to do this all over again with him.

“I know, I know, I’ll tell him. I just need a few days to muster up the courage. He confessed everything to me a few days ago.”

“Everything?” he says with a raised brow.