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“Now who lies?”

Nico didn’t bother arguing over that. They both had enough stories and dirt on each other to last a lifetime. “How was Sofia earlier?” Filippo had stopped by to see their cousin and take her something called an açai bowl, which Nico didn’t understand but she seemed to love.

“Good. Said she’s keeping up with her classes remotely and may be ready to go back to campus soon.”

This was news to Nico, but he was glad. “She will take guards this time or she does not go.”

“She knows. She won’t fight you.” He checked his screen again. “She also said there are businesses that produce straws that turn your drink a different color if it has been spiked. She’s planning to ask you to invest in one.”

“If that is what she wants.”

“She has a soft heart. She doesn’t want this to happen to others.”

Nico didn’t care about others; he cared about Sofia. He cared about some stronzo hurting a member of his family and walking free, like he had the right. But Nico wasn’t good at telling Sofia no. If this was what she wanted, he would do it. And this had an upside. Investing in another legitimate business would allow him to hide more of the family’s illegitimate earnings during this forensic accounting the mayor spoke about. “I will talk to her about it tomorrow.”

Nico took a moment to check his messages. Notifications caught his eye—emails he needed to read and missed calls he needed to return—but he ignored them. Instead, he was re-reading his exchange with Verreault from earlier. It had been so normal—food, travel, games, schedules. Flirting.

Engaging in banter with another man was new for Nico. Women were always fun to flirt with, but interacting with Verreault was different, more aggressive and straightforward. He liked to see how far he could push the hockey captain. It would be a shame when this was all over and he had no reason to continue their interactions.

Filippo’s voice broke through Nico’s thoughts. “What do you plan to do to the man responsible when we find him? An accident?”

Nico was surprised when a new message appeared in his thread with Verreault. Why was he still awake? Absently, Nico answered his cousin, “After we have a chat, yes.”

Captain: I changed the security code.

Nico nearly laughed. Verreault really hated the idea of Nico breaking into his apartment, didn’t he? Not that it mattered. Security codes were annoying, but wouldn’t keep Nico out. He typed quickly, writing, Good for you.

Captain: …

Captain: Not the reaction I was anticipating.

Nico: What were you hoping for?

Captain: Disappointment.

Nico: Why would I be disappointed?

Nico: Your security code doesn’t matter to me.

Captain: It should.

Captain: And you should absolutely not bypass it to come inside my apartment.

It was like Verreault was daring Nico to do it. Nico knew the hockey star wanted him again; it was foolish to pretend otherwise. He wrote, It is adorable how you think you can order me around.

Captain: Fuck off, Marzano.

Captain: I’m serious.

Nico couldn’t resist pushing, writing, I will bring a bottle of wine.

Captain: No, you definitely won’t.

Captain: It isn’t a date.

“Who are you texting?”

Nico flipped his screen down onto his thigh. Filippo was angled slightly toward him, a curious expression on his face. He’d forgotten for a moment that his cousin was sitting beside him. “Fatti i fatti tuoi.” Mind your own business.