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NIKO
Isit alone after Donovan hauls Elena out of my office, my thoughts a swirling mix of frustration and confusion. If I were smart, I’d send her to one of my othercaposto watch over so I didn’t have be around her. But I’m not smart, I suppose. I tell myself I need to keep her near me because she’s the prize. I can’t risk her father or the Abates rescuing her. While I trust my men, only I have the power and authority to protect her.
I can’t get over the way she looked at me as I confronted her about using my phone. She had fear, and I’m glad she recognized it even as something deep inside me hates myself for causing it. What the fuck is that about?
But then she also showed defiance and determination when I brought up her sister and her friend. It shows she’s loyal. But also, she’s vulnerable. The best way to stay safe and keep from being vulnerable is not to care about anyone or anything. Now I know how I can control her.
A thrill runs up my spine as I consider that. I don’t want to break her, but I do want her to know who is boss. Her nakedcurves flash in my mind. The way she responds when I touch her. The way her pussy wraps around my cock like a glove.
Holy hell. Why the fuck am I thinking about her like that? Yes, I like sex as much as the next guy, but I have more important matters to deal with, like taking down Fiori and Abate for their part in the deaths of my family and trying to infringe upon my business.
I run a hand through my hair in agitation. This attraction to Elena is dangerous. Any distraction could lead to my downfall. She is a pawn in this game between their Families, a means to an end. I can’t forget that. I need to regain control of myself because I can’t afford distractions now, not when so much is at stake.
My watch alarm beeps, telling me it’s time to go meet Liam. To help keep Liam’s involvement with me on the downlow, we always meet on the other side of the city, far away from any of my known businesses. I take two men, Lou and Marco, with me for added protection, but they keep their distance once I enter the coffee joint where Liam is already waiting.
“Ciao.” I smile and act like I don’t have a care in the world, mostly because I know it annoys him. Liam is the Scrooge of the underworld. I sit in the chair across from him, but at an angle so I can still see the door.
Liam glares at me over the rim of his mug. "You know you’re fucked, right?”
“I know I did fuck, but not that I am fucked.”
His eyes close for a moment, and when he opens them I see disappointment. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You are more like the rest of them all the time.”
His comment stings, especially since Elena made the same accusation. “I’m nothing like them.”
“Fucking a woman to get back at her family, her fiancé… yeah, that’s what they’d do.”
I lean forward, not liking feeling defensive. It if were anyone else, I might kill him for that, which I suppose would prove his point. “She’s come more with me than she ever would have with Abate.”
“I don’t need the details. Fucking hell, Niko. You’ve taken on two Families. Humiliated them. Taken what’s theirs. It’s a fucking miracle you’re not dead. Or your establishments torched.”
I smile in a way I hope looks menacing. “They know I’m not one to fuck with.”
“But they will, my friend. They will come for you. I don’t know that I can protect you.”
A server comes, and I order a double espresso. I still have a long day ahead of me.
“I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you? Because what was going to be two murders of the heads of Families became a kidnapping of one of their women. From what I heard, that was an in the moment decision. Why?”
I shrug. “Death didn’t feel like a big enough payment. I’ll kill them. I just want them to live in their cowardice, really wallow in their knowledge that I took from them. And it was easy, Liam. I basically walked in and walked out.”
“It’s not just you, though. This game impacts us all.”
“Do you really think that had I simply killed Giovanni and Tiberius that we wouldn’t be having a similar conversation? That their Families wouldn’t be after my head?”
“No. But Giovanni’s Family is weak. It’s probably why he’s trying to align with Tiberius. And Romeo… well… he’s all hot air and no substance. It's a miracle he’s not dead already.”
I agree with Liam’s assessment. I sit back so my server can set my drink in front of me. “Who is your guess for who follows Giovanni?”
Liam shrugs. “No clue. He has no sons. One daughter is married to Giuseppe Conti, but they’re in Italy. It’s believed the son Luka is mostly in charge now. Maybe they’ll take over.”
I shake my head. “No chance. I know them.”
Liam arches a brow. “Do you now?”
“I do.” But I don’t go into details. “Speaking of Conti, his wife could be coming to town. Elena was able to call her.”
