Page 82 of Little Rabbit

“My father was worthless,” Nico agreed. “And since I saw him being so worthless, I learned everything not to do, Giovanni. Which is why I’m a Don, and you are not. I have all the power and alliances behind me that you wish you had. You never had the stones to overthrow your brother until now, and your entire alliance with the Parisi’s is now gone. Bury your son. Perhaps it’s time you realize you’re never going to make it here. Cut your losses before you lose the rest of your sons and your own worthless life.” Nico cuts the call and then looks at me. “Giovanni won’t stay down for long and he’ll be searching for another family to align with him.”

“Once word gets around about what’s happening here, the European families won’t touch it,” I say as we continue to make our way down the hall. “I can’t speak for those on this side of the world, but most won’t want to enter into a war between family members.”

“Which leaves him to go to another type of ally,” Dante points out grimly.

“You think he’s going to approach the Gallos or Morozov families,” Nico replies grimly. “Considering how Seamus is currently working with Marco, that doesn’t seem likely.”

“Seamus has never been one to abide by alliances,” Dante reminds him. “If he felt there was a better chance to gain ground with Giovanni, he’ll leave Marco high and dry or kill him and be done with it.”

“If he aligns with the Russians, the city will be involved in an all out war before the week is out,” I remark, giving Nico a pointed look when we reach his office. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out about you inciting a war before all this shit happened between the Irish and Russians? Or that you were planning on using that information to gain control of the entire city?” Nico’s face gives nothing away and he doesn’t reply. I give him an annoyed glare. “Oh stop it,” I snap. “I don’t give a shit what you do, but keeping important things to yourself isn’t helping anything.”

“It has nothing to do with you,” Nico replies simply.

“Like fuck it doesn’t,” I growl at him. “Marco De Luca aligned himself with the Gallos, and you said yourself Giovanni may align with the Russians. Both of whom, when they find out that you were the one that started their little feud again, are going to try everything they can to retaliate against you. Something we don’t need in the middle of battling the De Lucas on all fronts as well. Do you plan on emerging victorious after all of this and running the entire city?”

“There is no plan. It’s going to happen,” Nico answers. “I intended to be more stealthy about it and take them down slowly and carefully, but with everything happening, it’s time to stop pussy-footing around and get it done.”

I huff out an annoyed breath. “And you didn’t feel the need to share that plan before now? Or you were hoping we would help you do the dirty work and then leave and call it even?”

“What purpose would it serve for you to know?” Nico argues, irritation sparking in his eyes. “You have a problem with it, take Sienna and your men and leave. We can handle this shit on our own.”

“You’re a bastard, Nico,” I tell him darkly. “You really think I care what you’re going to do over here? You want to get yourself killed or lose more ground than you have out of pure stubbornness, fine. But you’re not going to take Gia or Sofia down with you.”

“Don’t you fucking dare bring my wife into this,” Nico snarls, getting to his feet behind his desk and leaning over it, entire body strung tight with tension.

“You brought her into this when you kidnapped her,” I toss back, watching him as I stay in my seat. “And you’re the one that’s put her in danger because of your plans.” His face flashes furiously at me. Dante gives me a look that tells me to shut my mouth, but I ignore him, focusing on Nico. “You think I don’t understand the desire to be better than one’s father? My father has been making small and careful moves for years, and it’s slow and tedious. We have argued far too many times about moving faster, about making bigger moves, but he’s always proven that doing it carefully has worked out better in our favor than rushing in and getting our men killed for some power and territory. You want to take out the Russians and Irish, fine, but you need to consider if it’s worth the losses you’ll suffer in the process. Especially considering how many you’re going to lose just fighting the De Lucas.”

“You are not our only ally,” Nico snaps at me.

“No, but we’re the only ally with the power to help you,” I remind him as I get to my feet. “And perhaps the only one willing to. Because you certainly aren’t going to go to your uncle for help, and most of the others that you align with won’t touch this mess or sacrifice more than the bare minimum of soldiers, and you know it. Which is exactly why you haven’t called them. Whether you like it or not, you know I’m right, and you’re going to have to make some decisions quickly. But just know, if you want our help, you’re going to need to fill us in, and you’re going to need to quit keeping secrets. It’s all or nothing. I won’t go into things blind. Until now it didn’t matter, but knowing what other alliances could be made, there’s no point in hiding shit.”

Nico doesn’t say anything for a moment. Instead he glances at Dante and the two of them share a wordless conversation before they look back at me. “What more do you want to know?” Nico asks tightly.

I smirk at him, knowing how much this is costing him. Still, despite what others might say or think, I do know when not to push. “Right now, nothing, but if shit hits the fan as badly as we expect, no more keeping important shit to yourself. You’re lucky I figured it out and not my father, or you’d have a whole other problem. Now, I’m going to need one of your cars and one of your men for an errand.”

“You’re going out,” Nico states, a hint of incredulity in his tone.

“As much as I love your company, Boo Bear, every couple needs a little time apart,” I smirk.

“Fuck off,” Nico snarls at me. “Dante, bring a car around.” Dante nods, and I don’t bother to hide my grin. Of course this controlling fucker wouldn’t want to let me out of his sight.

When we reach the jewellery store, Nico glares at me. I grin wickedly, especially considering the memory of the last time we were here. “Sorry, Boo Bear, but this time, you’re going to have to watch me shop for a ring and secretly cry inside,” I tease as we head in, Dante standing guard at the door after barking for all the other customers to get out. The staff don’t so much as utter a word as Nico and I approach the display of diamond rings. The same jeweller from the night we were here picking out Gia’s ring emerges from the back, cool as a cucumber.

“Welcome back, sir,” he says politely. “Mr. Armani,” he adds with a respectful bow of his head. I nearly roll my eyes but manage to hold myself back. “How can I be of service?”

“I’m in the market for an engagement ring and wedding band,” I tell him. I glance at the display. “Something unique and different.” Nothing is catching my attention, and I try to push down my irritation. I want the perfect ring. One that I know will suit the woman who will wear it for many years to come and even possibly pass it on to our children.

“I have just had a new set come in that hasn’t been put out yet,” the jeweler says. “If you’ll allow me, I’ll go and grab it.” I nod and then turn to see Nico eyeing something in the case. I walk over to look and smirk when I see him eyeing a simple diamond necklace.

“I’m not sure that’s my style, honey,” I say loudly. “But you did just buy me that diamond encrusted cock ring, so I suppose something simpler is more appropriate for our coming out dinner.”

Nico turns around and punches me square in the face, and I step back, laughing. My nose smarts and I simply swipe my hand under it as I hear someone gasp. We both know he pulled his punch, considering the damage we can both do. “Fine, fine, get whatever you want,” I tell him as I accept a tissue from one of the staff that rushes over wide-eyed. “He’s a bit touchy lately. Last minute jitters I think.”

“I’m going to kill you,” Nico vows darkly.

“See?” I say as I toss the tissue in the garbage and turn back to the jeweller who is calmly waiting, display already waiting for me. “Don’t worry, though, this is normal for us. Keeps the spice alive.” I wink at the woman, who just gapes at me. I look back at the set that he’s brought for me, and I know instantly that I’ll be taking it.

The engagement ring is a beautiful oval cut blue topaz stone with simple small diamonds surrounding it, the band a rose gold that makes it pop. The wedding band is a matching rose gold, but the diamonds dip down to perfectly surround the base of the stone in a half circle. It’s stunning, and exactly like Sienna. Different, but also still simple enough that she shouldn’t balk at it too much.

---