Page 142 of My Sweetest Temptation

I was about to call him back and tell him where he could stick his money when there was a sharp knock on my door. I tossed my phone onto the couch and looked through the peephole. Liam stood there, looking disheveled and on edge with his hair a mess and shadows under his eyes.

I opened the door and noticed he looked almost haunted, as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Liam, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“Can we talk?” His words came out in a rush, almost jittery.

“Sure, come in.” I stepped aside, my heart pounding as he crossed the threshold.

“Thanks,” he murmured, his eyes darting around the room like a trapped animal’s. I shut the door, keeping my gaze fixed on him as I watched him pace back and forth. First to the window, then back to the couch, his movements frantic and erratic, as if he were trying to outrun whatever was haunting him.

Finally, he stopped. Liam ran a hand through his tousled hair, the agitation radiating off him. “I found out some things, Winter. Things you need to know. Nico... he’s not who you think he is.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s involved in something dangerous. Illegal business.”

“What are you talking about? He’s a businessman.”

“Yeah, a businessman with ties to the mafia!” Liam exclaimed, his voice rising slightly. “That nightclub? It’s a front to keep the Feds off his back. The liquor sales, the cover charges, they’re all a scheme to launder his money—all those undocumented cash deposits go straight into his pocket.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “No, that’s impossible. Nico can’t be...he’s good to me. He treats me right,” I insisted.

“Winter, I’m telling you, I can’t make this shit up. I’ve seen the shipments.” Liam’s voice was thick with frustration, as if he was trying to break through my defensive walls.

“What shipments? What are you talking about?”

He was not making any sense.

“Drugs. Heroin, to be exact.” Liam’s words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Drugs?

“He’s a murderer, Winter. If you aren’t careful, you’ll get caught in the crossfire.”

“Stop,” I whispered.

“Take your goddamn blinders off, Winter! He’s the mafia don. The most powerful and influential boss in Chicago!” Liam yelled.

“Stop,” I repeated, my voice shaking.

“He owns all of Chicago. He has police chiefs, judges, lawyers, and politicians on his payroll. They do his bidding, cover for him when he needs it, and in return, Nico protects them. He’s playing you, and you’re too blind to see it!” Liam shouted, his anger a sharp blade cutting through my denial.

“Stop it!” I snapped, my heart racing, panic threatening to take over. “You’re being ridiculous.”

But then again, Nico admitted to killing his father and ex-girlfriend. And then there was Tabi’s ex, and Preston, who just vanished into thin air along with his friends. I could understand getting revenge against those who had wronged you. I’d felt that rage myself, but to murder someone just because you could? And ties to the mafia?

“Nico would never—” I struggled to finish my sentence, my voice choked with emotion, making the words difficult to get out.

“Would never what? Hurt you? Lie to you? You haven’t known him that long!” He’s obsessed with you and only wants to control you.”

Mya would’ve said something if all this was true, wouldn’t she? She had a little boy. She wouldn’t raise her son in that life. No, I refused to believe it.

Liam took a deep breath, trying to reign in his emotions. “Being with Nico is dangerous. He’s involved in things that will put you in harm’s way. I can’t just stand by and watch you get hurt.”

“This is insane,” I said shakily, running my fingers through my hair.

“Think about it, Winter,” Liam urged. “Have you noticed people are terrified when they hear Nico Moretti’s name? How they part like the Red Sea when he walks into a room? Or how certain people just… vanish? Especially the ones who tried to hurt you?”

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