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“Thank you,” she whispered, clutching at the lapels.
“Drive,” he told his driver.
Nikolai was pleased when Veronica rested her head against his shoulder. For now, she seemed to trust him, but Nikolai also had been in this game long enough to know that trust could be fragile. Veronica had been called home by her father only to see him dead at an assassin’s hands. Right now, she probably didn’t know what to think.
His driver seemed to know him well enough to take them back to Nikolai’s apartment and not his apartment. Once the driver found a spot at the multilevel parking space, Nikolai gently ushered Veronica out of the car. Two of his men were waiting for them outside the private elevator which led to his penthouse suite. It seemed his driver had informed them ahead. Nikolai’s phone kept going off during the drive back to his home but he ignored the messages. His priority was to tend to the needs of his future bride.
In the elevator, she huddled next to him like a frightened animal. Feeling bold, Nikolai stroked her back. To his pleasure, she leaned closer to him. He would not take advantage of her now, although some men in his profession might. Others might call Nikolai a monster but he still had certain morals.
“We’re here,” Nikolai said as the elevator doors opened.
He led Veronica to his front door.
Nikolai nodded to the guard stationed outside his apartment, before entering the key code, followed by a retinal scan of his face.
Once inside, he settled Veronica in the living room. She wore a blank look on her face the entire time.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked her.
No answer. Nikolai started for his kitchen but Veronica suddenly gripped the hem of her untucked shirt. Life returned to her eyes and he was struck by the sudden flare of passion there.
“Howdid you know?” she asked in a fierce whisper.
“Know what?” Nikolai asked.
“You called me right after my father was shot,” she said.“The timing seems suspicious.”
“Did Arturo mention he wanted to discuss something important with you tonight?” Nikolai asked. He handed her the glass of water, which she accepted. Veronica finished her water before answering him.
“He did,” she admitted. “We were about to have dinner when—” Veronica didn’t need to say the rest. She looked at him again. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Arturo knew he was surrounded by enemies. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the Romano Familia’s position in this city has been severely weakened over the years. Arturo made a few bad business decisions and lost some allies.” Nikolai chose his next words with care. “That’s why he made an arrangement with me.”
“What arrangement?” Veronica asked.
Nikolai sensed she knew where this was going. Veronica was an inquisitive woman. She was the daughter of a dead Don. Whether or not she wanted to escape this life, she could no longer do so. The assassin had orders to kill Arturo’s entire bloodline. Nikolai was betting those who hired Hyde had deep pockets. They would see this task done. They merely didn’t anticipate another player in the game.
“Nikolai, answer me. Please.”
Thepleasedid the trick. Nikolai realized it wasn’t necessary to play games with Veronica. After everything she had been through tonight, the least he could do was offer her the truth.
“Your hand in marriage in exchange for an alliance,”he said.
He noted the flush in her cheeks and neck. Veronica didn’t seem disturbed or appalled by the idea at all.
“I guess that’s off the table after tonight,” Veronica finally said after composing herself.
She didn’t jerk away when Nikolai touched her smooth cheek with the back of his tattooed hand. Her breathing turned rapid. Nikolai watched the rise and fall of her chest, the generous swell of her breasts pushing up against the fabric of her top. So tempting, he thought again, but tonight, he had decided to play the gentleman. Nikolai would ravish her another time. “Why do you think that?” Nikolai asked.
“Because my father’s dead and the Familia is in disarray. It would probably disband, the family assets stripped by my father’s enemies,” Veronica said bitterly. “You’d end up marrying a nobody. Just a woman with a target on her back.”
“You presume too much,” Nikolai said. “Your father might be gone but you’re still here. Arturo and I made this arrangement months prior to your arrival. He was aware of his imminent death, and had made the necessary preparations.”
“What?” she whispered, looking stunned by his revelation.
“Arturo cared about you, in his own way. Your legacy remains intact, Veronica,” he told her gently.
Nikolai gave her a few moments to fully process his words.
