“Hey, I’m not irresponsible with my money.” I poke him in the side. “I just don’t have a fancy portfolio.”
“I’m going to help you with that.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because it’s important to have investments. It only adds to your independence. And after what you told me about your lack of trust with your family, I think it’s imperative that you’re dependent on them as little as possible.”
I stare at him, my mouth agape. “You’re worried about me.”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t be silly.”
“You like me,” I continue, teasing him. “I think you like me, like me, Carmine Martinelli. What will people say?”
“Stop talking.”
“The next thing you know, you’ll be pledging your undying love and proposing. I don’t want to have babies, Carmine. I’m telling you that now—”
The next thing I know, I’m trapped against the back of the seat, and he’s kissing the hell out of me. This isn’t a playful peck to get me to stop talking. It’s passionate, full of frustration and lust, and I hear the moan coming out of my throat as I sink my fingers into his dark hair and hang on tight as he takes me on an erotic ride.
“That’ll teach you to shut up when I tell you to,” he mutters against my lips as the plane taxis down the runway. “And the answer to your question is, no. I’ve never fucked her.”
I clear my throat as he backs away and returns to his seat, settles in.
“It’s none of my business.”
“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
“Maybe I should stay here.”
We’ve been in the suite at the Four Seasons for an hour. The space is decorated in black and white, all modern and clean and completely sterile.
It’s beautiful, most likely costs a small fortune, and is not my style at all.
But I’d rather stay here than head into the lion’s den.
“You’re not staying here, Nadia.”
“I told you before…the Sergi family doesn’t like me, Carmine.”
That’s putting it mildly.
“What did you do, kill one of them?”
“No. I was supposed to marry Billy but I threw a fit, and my father told them never mind. It pissed them off. You know how it is when a family is supposed to marry into another.”
“Elena was supposed to marry Alex,” he says dryly. “She dodged that bullet.”
“Exactly. I dodged the same one. And they’re just not happy about it. They don’t trust us now.”
“When did this happen?”
“Six years ago.”
He whistles between his teeth. “That’s a long time, Nadia. If all’s been quiet since then, I’d think they’ve moved on and have other things to be mad about.”
“Yeah, well, you’d think.” I bite my lip. “Still, I’ll just hang out here and wait for you.”
“No, you’ll come with me. But I suggest you change out of those heels.”
I shake my head, resigned to my fate. “They’re a weapon if I need them. And I can run in them as easily as I can in my sneakers. I also have a concealed sidearm on me.”
“Where?”
I smirk. “I’m not telling you that.”
He saunters over to me. “Maybe I’ll find it for myself later.”
“You can try.”
His jaw tightens as he looks me over with hungry eyes, but he only swallows and turns away.
“Let’s go. The sooner we do this, the quicker we can start asking questions in other areas of the city. This is a courtesy call to say hello and let them know what we’re up to.”
“Great.”
The Sergi’s headquarters is located in downtown Manhattan, right in the middle of all the action. The building looks innocent enough.
But I would bet every cent I have in the bank—which is more than Carmine expects, and that I invested just fine, thank you very much—that the things that happen in this building would turn Carmine’s hair white.
I take a deep breath as he holds the door for me. We’re shown into an office where Billy and his father Mick sit.
Mick’s the boss.
Billy does his bidding.
It’s all very customary as far as mafia families go.
“It’s good to see you, Mick,” Carmine says. But, suddenly, Mick flies to his feet, and guns are drawn, all pointed our way.
“What the fuck is she doing here?”
Chapter 6
~Carmine~
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” I hold up my hands and slide to my left, closer to Nadia. Jesus, she wasn’t kidding.
They really don’t like her.
“You didn’t say anything about that bitch being here,” Mick sneers.
“She’s with me,” I say quickly. “Our families are working together because we’ve recently come under attack. I’m here because we need your help.”
Mick’s eyes narrow, but he signals for his goons to put away their weapons.
“What’s going on?” Mick asks.
Billy hasn’t said a word. He only glares at Nadia as we step forward into the luxurious office and sit across from Mick.
I briefly fill the boss in on the attempt on my father’s life at the wedding in Denver, the subsequent attack on Nadia, and then remind him of my aunt’s and uncle’s murders long ago.
“Do you honestly think Vinnie’s murder is tied to this now?” Mick asks, doubt hanging heavily in his voice.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out,” I reply. “I need to ask around the city, find out what your men know about the attempt on my father’s life—and Nadia’s for that matter.”
“The Martinellis and the Tarenkovs are working together,” Mick mutters and shakes his head. “Fascinating. Well, you can ask around, but no one will tell you anything. Even if they do know what’s going on. This isn’t your territory.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Go home,” he says bluntly.
“Not without answers.”
Mick blows out a long breath. “We should have had this conversation over the phone. If you’d given me a heads-up, I could have asked around before you got here.”
“There’s a lot to be said for looking into a man’s eyes when you talk to him.” I clear my throat. “Mick, you aren’t behind this, are you?”
“No.” His lips flatten into a hard line. “It’s true, there is no love lost between our family and the Tarenkovs, but my beef isn’t worth a war. And Carlo and I have always had an agreeable relationship. But, if you’ll give me a couple of days, I’ll ask around. On the down-low. I don’t think it’s wise to bring a lot of attention to this. It might escalate the situation or make those responsible go into hiding. And then you’ll never get your answers.”
I nod in agreement. He hasn’t said anything that I didn’t already take into consideration.
“It looks like Nadia and I will spend a few days in your beautiful city. Take in the sights. Maybe see a show.”