Page 45 of Ruthless Prince

Chapter

Sixteen

VINCENT

Ihave no choice but to leave Ellie behind as I return to Nico’s house. The assassin doesn’t show itself again, but it makes me wonder—who wants me dead? It’s not Mr. Moore. He wants me to kill Nico. I doubt it’s Nico himself. Now that he knows I’m his son, why send an assassin after me?

Someone else is still out there playing a game.

Aurora greets me when I enter the house, and I can’t help but feel a stab of guilt knowing I have to try and kill her husband.

“Vincent, are you all right?” She nods at my arm.

“I’m … fine.” For some reason, I don’t want to tell her about the assassin. Aurora lost me all those years ago. She doesn’t need more pain to go through. “Is Nico around?”

“Yes, he’s in his office.”

“Thank you.”

“When are you going to bring your wife around?”

I hesitate. The only way I can bring Ellie here is if I kill Nico. “I’m not sure. Everything is still so new.”

Aurora smiles kindly at me. “I get it. Go talk to your father.”

I leave her be and head to Nico’s office. He invites me in after I knock.

“Vincent, what can I do for you?”

“Do you think we could … talk?” I have a gun in my jacket pocket that’s ready to be used. But fuck, I don’t want to murder Nico.

But I have to save Ellie.

“Of course.” Nico gets up and leans against his desk.

“If your wife was in danger, would you do anything to save her?”

“I would. And I have. I wouldn’t stop fighting for her. Aurora told me you have a wife.”

“Yes. And I would fight for her, too. Which is why I need to do this.” I pull my gun out and point it at Nico.

He tenses, slowly standing up. “Son, what are you doing?”

It’s the first time he’s called me that, and the meaning behind it hits me in the core. “I have to do this. I have to save my wife.”

“What’s wrong? I can help. I’m Nico Mancini after all.”

“You can’t help. Her father has her under his thumb. He’ll kill her if I don’t kill you. I’m sorry. I wanted to get to know you. I did. I do. I hated Igor. You’re my second chance. But … I have to do this.”

“If you pull that trigger, you might not regret it to save your wife. You love her?”

I’m still getting to know Ellie. Her father has made it impossible for us to truly be together. But I know I love her. I think I’ve loved her since the moment I first saw her.

“Yes.”

“Then do what you have to do.”

I stand up straighter. Nico’s giving me permission to kill him?

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