“I always knew that one day, I would take his place. But it’s too soon. I’m not… ready.”
“You’ve got this, man. Arianne will be right by your side; me and E too. You’re not alone in this, cous.”
“I thought I had more time.”
I got it. If Uncle Toni had to step down, or worse, Nicco would become boss. That kind of pressure, it left little room to play happy family with your wife. And they were so young.
An idea struck me. “My old man—”
Nicco gave me a weak smile. “We both know Michele isn’t cut out to be boss. Besides, I’m not even sure my father would allow it. No, this falls to me, and me alone.”
Silence echoed between us, and then I said, “Whatever you need, cous. I’m here.”
“Thank you, Matt. It helps knowing I have you and E in my corner.”
“Of course.” I nodded. I’d known Nicco since we were babies. He and Enzo were the closest thing to a brother I’d ever have.
“Have you heard from Enzo?” he asked me.
“A couple of texts. He’s too busy wooing his girl.” I smirked, and Nicco chuckled.
“Who’d have thought it. Lorenzo Marchetti tamed by a female.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“You know, it’s your turn next. Arianne has some nice friends at—”
“Jesus, does everyone around here think I need help finding a decent girl?”
“Who—”
“Arabella,” I scoffed. “She was giving me shit last night.”
“She means well.” He pinned me with a hard look. “We all do.”
“I can handle my own affairs, Nic.”
He held up his hands. “I’m shutting up now.”
“Good,” I grumbled. “I have my whole life ahead of me to think about settling down.”
Yet, when I looked at what Nicco and Arianne had, what Enzo had found with Nora… I wanted that. Fuck, I wanted it. But I didn’t want it with just any girl. I wanted it with the girl.
The one.
All I had to do was find her.
“Listen. When Enzo gets back, I want the two of you to head to Providence. DiMarco is still making noise and we need to remind him that you don’t back out on a deal with the Family.”
“You want me to go?” I asked.
Zander DiMarco was one of the Family’s business associates in Providence. He owned a string of successful strip clubs that brought in a lot of money. The guy was a grade A asshole, but money talked, and DiMarco knew how to make it in spades.
“Yeah, I’d go myself, but I’m not sure that’s wise right now.”
Because his old man was sick and that kind of burden… it wreaked havoc with a man’s soul. Especially a guy like Nicco.
“Yeah, okay,” I said.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.”
It was just a trip to Providence. What was the worst that could happen?
You could try and look up Caitlin again…
I immediately shut down that train of thought. It had been months, and she’d made it perfectly clear she wanted nothing more to do with me. I had to let that shit go—I had to let the idea, the fantasy of her go.
“Who knows, maybe you’ll meet the girl of your dreams there.” Nicco chuckled, and I flipped him off, adding, “At DiMarco’s club? I highly doubt it.”
His girls were all beautiful, but I wasn’t sure I could handle my woman dancing for other men’s enjoyment. And I never wanted to be the kind of man who asked a woman to change for him. I could enjoy the view like every other patron at a strip joint, but I wouldn’t find anything more in a place like that.
“How far do we go?” I asked, dreading his answer.
Enzo was our enforcer. He had no problem persuading people—associates, enemies, sometimes even allies—to do our bidding using whatever means necessary. I preferred a softer touch. Negotiation. Coercion. Blackmail if it came down to it. But Zander DiMarco had been pushing against our agreement for a while now. He had warning after warning. If he refused to play ball, then it was likely he’d feel the full wrath of the Family before long.
“Relax, Matt. I’m not asking you to go put a bullet in his head. But DiMarco is becoming a thorn in our side. A thorn my father wants blunting as soon as possible. I’m trusting you can find a way to remind him how things will go if he doesn’t play nice. If that fails, I’m sure Enzo can help demonstrate how difficult life will be should he decide to keep disrespecting our arrangement.”
“Got it, Boss.” My lips curved.
Nicco shook his head, letting out a weary sigh. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.”
“You should probably try.”
Because if Uncle Toni was really sick… Nicco could find himself taking charge sooner rather than later.
And I didn’t envy my best friend at all.
Chapter 3
Caitlin
“Oh my God, Cait. What happened?” Gisele reached for my face, but I swatted her hand away.
“It’s nothing, really.”
“Girl, that isn’t nothing.” She scoffed. “You look like you got mauled by a—”
“Gisele, please…” I silently pleaded with her; aware we were drawing an audience.
I’d done my best to conceal the fingermarks around my throat, but the skin along your neck wasn’t the easiest place to cover up. I’d even added a scarf, but the bruising was still obvious. And then there was the slight split in my lip.
Maybe I should have stayed at my apartment and feigned a stomach flu. But sometimes it was easier to placate Zander by putting on a brave face and pretending nothing was wrong.
Besides, it could have been worse. He could have actually let Dominic touch me. He hadn’t—and for that, I was grateful. Even if he had punished me for exacting his wishes.
Men.
I would never understand their double standards or the games they liked to play.
But I was okay… a few bruises here and there was nothing.
I’d survived much worse.
“I should get ready for my shift,” I said, slipping past her to go to my locker.
“Hey, Cait,” she called after me.
“Yeah?”
“I’m here, if you ever need someone to talk to.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, but we both knew I wouldn’t take her up on her offer.
I was Zander’s favorite toy. If I spoke out against him, I’d find myself living on the streets without a job again. And although he was the devil in an expensive Italian suit, there were still worse things out there than Zander DiMarco.
Ignoring the curious stares of the other girls, I hurried to my locker and dumped my purse and jacket. I was tying my purple-trimmed black apron when Zander called my name.
“Caitlin, my office,” he commanded.
My stomach sank. I was hoping he would leave me alone after last night; he usually did. But I guess fate was feeling decidedly cruel.
Gisele shot me a sympathetic look as I passed her and made my way out of the dancers dressing room along the hall to Zander’s office.
“Come in,” he said, not bothering to look at me, too busy poring over the paperwork on his desk.