Page 36 of Ruthless Prince

Chapter

Thirteen

VINCENT

“Vincent, wait,” Nico calls out, stopping me. “Why are you leaving? Is it something we said?”

I turn back around to face him. “I have to know something. Did you kill Igor Antonov?”

Nico’s face tightens. “Why are you asking about Igor Antonov?”

“I just need to know. Did you kill him?”

“I invite you into my home, and you make accusations of me? Who do you think you are, boy?”

His words remind me so much of my own father’s words—snapping at me. Scolding me. Calling me boy.

“I just need to know,” I repeat.

“So you can do what?” Nico’s eyes narrow. “Why did you come here?”

“Because I won the competition, and you invited me.”

“You’re right. But there’s another reason, isn’t there?”

I hold my hand out. “I’m here for the money.”

Nico shares a look with Aurora and nods. She grabs an envelope off a side table and hands it over. “There,” Nico says as I check the envelope, seeing all the money inside. “There it is. You can go now. But … I wanted to offer you a job, Vincent. You’re a fighter. I could use a fighter like you working for me.”

“You killed Igor Antonov, didn’t you? Why?”

“I don’t have to explain myself to you. Do you want the job or not?”

“Not.”

Nico sighs and opens the front door. “Then you may leave. Enjoy your winnings.”

With one last look at Nico and a lingering look at Aurora, I leave the house. Since I came here in Nico’s car, I have to walk a bit until I reach a bus station.

Nico all but admitted to killing Igor. He refused to deny the accusations, which means he did kill him. But why? Why kill my father?

I didn’t get the answers I wanted, but I did get the money, and that’s good enough for now. I can get Ellie out of her father’s house. We can have a fresh start.

When I make it back to Mr. Moore’s house, he’s waiting for me in the foyer. “Well?”

“Well, what?” I ask.

“What happened with Nico Mancini?”

I stuffed the envelope in my jacket pocket before I came through the door so Mr. Moore couldn’t see the money. “Nothing happened. He wanted to offer me a job. He didn’t even pay up. Cheap bastard.”

Mr. Moore huffs. “Seriously? I’ve known Nico Mancini to be a man of his word. No. You need to go back there and demand the money you’re owed.”

“Sorry. I’m done with Nico. And I’m done with you. I’ll be moving out since you won’t need me anymore.”

“Done with me? Oh, Vincent. We are far from done. No, you won’t be leaving. I need something from you.”

“Oh, yeah?” I cross my arms. “And what’s that?”

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