Page 36 of Texting My Mafia Savior

Nico looks at me, his eyebrow raised. Panic grips me. Nico is wordlessly asking me if we should tell the truth. But what truth, exactly? Are we going to tell Dad we’ve talked dirty, flirted, got physical and steamy? It’s not like we’ve even been on a dateunless we count texting, which we can’t. I give a subtle—I hope—shake of my head.

“I’m sorry, Rocco,” Nico says. “But I didn’t come here to speak about this. I’m here to keep your family safe.”

“That’s as good as sayingyes,” Dad snaps.

“It doesn’t matter right—” Nico cuts Dad off.

“It matters tome.”

“What matters,” Nico growls. “Is what Dominic Carusothinksthe facts are? I can’t take Lucia from the city without causing suspicion, but you’ve only been here a short while. You can go back to the West Coast, to California.”

I gasp. The idea of leaving Nico… shouldn’t matter. It should be easy. I was thinking about all that stuff —no date, no genuine closeness. But it doesn’t feel that way at all. It feels like something important would end somehow.

“I’ve got my dream job here,” Dad snaps. “A chance to build my business. Investors. Responsibilities. I can’t just leave.”

“Even to save your daughter’s life?” Nico says, lashing out.

“Don’t use that tone with me, Nightmare,” Dad snaps back. “Something’s clearly going on between you and Arria, even if neither of you will admit it. I can see how you look at each other; the brief messages are way too familiar. You caused this mess by taking advantage?—”

“Nobody’s taken advantage ofanyone,” I cut in.

Dad tilts his head at me. “I thought nothing had happened?”

“Dad, this is aboutthe mob. Aboutyour lie. Stop taking it out on Nico.”

“No, this is about Nico forgetting that he’s a married man and letting himself get feelings for his goddamn niece. Even a blind man could see that he has feelings for you. Even a blind man could see that he’s crossed the fucking line. Yourniece, Nico? Yourwife’s niece?You’re technically family.”

“We’re not blood-related,” I mutter.

Dad glares at me. “Do you have any idea how you sound?”

“Enough,” Mom yells, slicing her hand through the air. “We all know that Nico married my sister to save her life. We all know, I think…” Mom looks at me. “About her other relationship?”

“I know about Giancarlo,” I say. “I know about the sacrifice Nico made… knowing he’d never be able to have a family or a marriage of his own. All to keep a woman he didn’t even really know safe. What aterribleman he is, right, Dad?”

“Enough,” Mom says again.

“Arriana is right,” Nico says. “You may not be happy with me, Rocco?—”

“The truth would make me happier.”

Again, Nico glances at me. But I can’t nod at him. I can see how badly he wants to reveal it, but then what? Where do we go from there?

“There’s that look again,” Dad grumbles. He stares at Nico, then at me. “Fine, let’s do this, then. You don’t want to give me the specifics? Then don’t. But let me clarify one thing: even if a blind man could see it, I’mnotblind. I see it. Whatever’s happened oris happening between the two of you ends here. It ends now. I’m her father, and I’ve got the right to be disgusted and outraged when an older family member preys on my daughter.”

“Dad, stopphrasing it like that,” I hiss.

“Why would it matter if nothing was happening?” Dad turns to Nico. “Do you understand me, Nico? I left the East Coast because I wanted to get away from the mob life. I could’ve returned and never heard the name Caruso again if you and Arria hadn’t decided to become entangled.”

“My only concern,” Nico growls, “is keeping you all safe. You need to leave.”

“I can’t just leave my job,” Dad snaps. “Why would Dominic target me, anyway?”

“But you’re happy to let him go after your daughter?”

“He won’t do that, though. Even the Carusos know better than to go for civilian women. Don’t forget. I’ve lived in this world. He’d only do that if you slip up, seeing her, texting her when you know you shouldn’t. Even you being here is a risk.”

Nico turns to Mom. “Sandy, I’m telling you right now, you need to get her out of the city. If Rocco won’t listen,youneed to. Take her on a trip. Leave for a couple of weeks. Let me try to…” He laughs darkly. “Fuck. I don’t know. But let me try to fix this.”

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