All I've Never Wanted(129)

Slowly, I reached into my bag and pulled out the picture I’d picked up from the Fioris’ bathroom floor.

Rico immediately snatched it from me, a scowl taking over his face. Roman’s signature expression. My heart panged at the thought.

“Where did you get this?”

I took a small step back, almost causing a passing woman to spill her soup. “In the bathroom at—at Thanksgiving.”

He stared at it for a moment, then shook his head. “Of course. I’m such an idiot,” he muttered. “I should’ve guessed.”

Since he didn’t look like he was going to kill me, I ventured asking him the question I was dying to have answered. “Where were you?”

Rico didn’t look up. “What?”

“Where were you?” I repeated. “You just disappeared, then you came back just as suddenly. Were you…I mean, everyone was so worried.”

He snorted. “Right.” He caught my gaze again, and I saw that sly gleam again. For some reason, it actually made me feel better, because at least it was something familiar. “So you know about how Lexi and I had an affair.”

I was slightly caught off guard by how bluntly he put it. “Yes.”

“And I assume you know James thinks I raped his cousin.”

I coughed. “Yes.” A pause. “Did you?”

Rico narrowed his eyes. “What do you think?”

I was so not in the mood for guessing games. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking you,” I answered flatly.

He smirked again. “No wonder Roman likes you.” He flicked his eyes over me. “For your information, no, I didn’t. Victor—my gang leader—did and pinned it on me.” His voice hardened. “He found out about Lexi and I and decided that was the best way to punish both of us. Since I was forced to leave the country, I couldn’t take care of her—though he actually did me a favor, considering she turned out to be a bit of a…"

“Bitch?” I offered. “Slut? Gold-digger?”

Rico startled me by bursting into laughter. It wasn’t quite as warm and velvety as Carlo’s, but it was nice nevertheless. Huh. Who woulda thunk it?

“I suppose there’s no love lost between you two.”

“Uh, well, she tried to seduce my dad and break up my family. I’m sorry if I don’t feel all warm and fuzzy towards her,” I said flatly.


“Right. I’m sorry about that.” Luckily, there was no pity in Rico’s voice.

“Thanks.” I shrugged, staring down at my stomach. “So you never answered my question. Where did you disappear to?”

Rico leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “Victor disappeared around the same time I left the country, and no one could track him down. I came back because a buddy of mine told me he saw him in New York, but on Thanksgiving, the people I sent to tail him lost him again.”

“Which was why you were so mad,” I realized.

He nodded. “Right. I kind of threw a fit and I suppose that’s when this fell out.” He waved the picture in the air.

I smirked a bit at the idea of this tough ex-gang member throwing a fit in the bathroom like a child.

“Then one of my contacts said they found Victor in Acapulco,” Rico continued. “I didn’t want anyone following me, so I booked a plane under a fake name and flew there.”

I bit my lip. “Did you find him?”

Rico’s eyes gleamed. “Yes. And let’s just say, James is a lot better off than he is right now.”

Considering James was currently facing many, many years of prison for kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder, I didn’t even want to know.

I realized with a start that I believed everything Rico told me. Even though he seriously creeped me out in the past, I had to admit he didn’t necessarily give off a rapist vibe to me. Just more of a sexual harasser vibe. (I’m only half joking). Besides, if he had done all the things James said he did, I’m sure Carlo would not be ok with him being anywhere near Valesca.

“Oh.” I fiddled with the edges of the Saran-wrapped sandwich.

“By the way, I’ll be collecting my payment now,” Rico added casually.

I snapped my head back up. “For what?”

“For finding you.” His tone was matter-of-fact. “I came back just in time to hear my brother and his little friends freaking out about how James must have kidnapped you. Once I heard that, I gave Lexi a call and, uh, persuaded her to tell me everything she knew. She mentioned James always talked about some warehouse where he met up with his partner, and bingo, there you were.” Rico shook his head. “That was a major slip-up on his part. Guess he didn’t think Lexi would be smart enough to remember that.”

“Oh.” A funny feeling washed over me when I realized I technically owed Rico my life. “I, uh, I guess I’ll treat you to dinner sometime.”

Rico laughed again. “Dinner? I save your life and you offer me dinner?”

“Well, what else do you want?” I asked crossly, then immediately regretted my question when his eyes raked over me suggestively.

“I think you know.” A sly smile broke out over his face.

I crossed my arms over my chest, which only served to amuse him more. “I don’t think so. I have a boyfriend. One who’s in a coma right now,” I hissed, instantly sobering up.