Nico (Ruin & Revenge #1)(102)

And he could imagine just what he would do to calm his little tiger down.

“So this is good-bye.” Big Joe shook Nico’s hand. “I meant it when I said it was an honor.”

Emotion welled up in Nico’s chest. This was the part of the business he didn’t enjoy. When the political became personal. When he lost a friend.

“If you ever stop being a cop, you know where to find me.” Nico pulled open his door.

“If you ever stop being a wiseguy…” Big Joe shook his head. “Nah. It will never happen. You were born to be a wiseguy.”





TWENTY-NINE

Act like a Mafia wife …

… with a punk-rock attitude.

Mia swept past the security guards and into the high-stakes room at the Casino Italia, her high heels clicking firmly on the newly tiled floor. The police had come quickly after the 911 call, but not quickly enough. They had found only Vito’s body, shot by an undercover officer in the line of duty, alongside an innocent guest, Luca, in the high-stakes room. Eyewitness, and consummate actress, Kat Cordano, explained she had been gaming alone with Luca when crazy Vito burst in and started shooting unprovoked after ordering the cameras turned off.

Dante’s body was “found” in a burned-out car in the desert the next day, his death reported as fallout from the civil war between Mafia families. Although Mia couldn’t forgive his crimes, she was glad that Dante had at least found peace, and she remembered him for the fun-loving brother he used to be.

She spotted Nico right away, sitting on the far side of a blackjack table. She studied him for a moment, intensely aware of the strength hidden behind that tailored suit, the power he now wielded as the boss of a new family faction, the fearlessness with which he had entered the war with Tony and his crew.

As if he knew she was watching, he looked up. His lazy gaze drifted over her body, taking in her vintage 1950’s Paul Sachs black tuxedo lace cocktail dress, a little punk rock with a nod to Mafia-wife style. Since she couldn’t wear her long socks with heels, she’d gone for stockings with a lacy garter belt that had tiny skulls stitched into the fabric, and chains instead of garters. She’d never worn lingerie for Nico before, but she suspected he’d appreciate her style.

Nico gestured for Mia to join him at the table. “You look very nice, bella.”

“If you’d told me where we were going, I would have had a better idea how to dress.” She checked out the cards in his hand and the bets that had been placed.

“You are perfect.” He gestured to his stack of chips. “Bet.”

Her lips quivered at the corners, and she pushed all his chips forward. “Go big or go home.”

“I like a woman who’s not afraid to take a risk.”

She leaned over and pressed her lips to his ear. “I’ve taken much bigger risks than that.”

Nico gave a soft growl of approval and put his arm around her waist, his thumb stroking in and out of her curves. Her hand tensed, ready in case he dived beneath her skirt and found the surprise waiting for him under the crinoline layer.

The dealer dealt him a seven. His up card was nine. Mia grimaced. Sixteen was too low to stand on but if he hit he’d probably bust. Nico’s fingers skirted the edge of her dress and she gently slapped his hand away.

“This game is about emotional control,” he said, frowning at being denied the opportunity to feel her up in public. “Although around you, I find it a particular challenge.” He tapped the table and got a five.

“Very nice, sir.” The dealer counted out a huge stack of chips, and Nico waved for him to keep them.

The dealer smiled and retrieved the chips. “Much obliged, Mr. Toscani.”

“You don’t want all your money?” Mia looked back over her shoulder as Nico led her away from the table.

“I’ve got something worth much more.” He guided her through the casino, pointing out the new improvements he was testing for his refurbishment of the Desert Dream Hotel. He opened the elevator with his key card, and moments later they were on the tenth floor.

“I thought we were going out.” She looked around the newly decorated office, so different from the first time she was here. Dark wood, rich leather, and thick cream Berber carpet had replaced the cold, functional décor, and the walls were now a colorful mix of posters from old gangster movies and photographs from the days when the Mafia ruled the Strip.

“We’re staying in.” After closing the door, he settled in the leather chair behind his new reclaimed oak desk.

“Why did you ask me to dress up? I could have come straight from work. I had to leave Jules in charge so I could go home early and change.”

A slow, sensual smile spread across his face. “I’ve been imagining this moment since the first time you walked into my office. The things I wanted to do to you that night, bella…” He licked his lips like a predator about to feast. “I want it all. Now.”

“You want that night over again?”

“Yes, but this time you won’t be walking out the door.”

She shivered in delicious anticipation at the wicked look in his eyes. Oh yeah. She was fully on board with his plan.

“Sit.” He gestured to the chair in front of her, his tone laced with the same hint of command she’d heard that very first night.