Page 66 of Secret Vow (Mafia Marriages 1)

“Tick-tock,” Gino repeats.

“The mouse ran up the clock?” Rafael shakes his head. “I don’t get it, Boss.”

Neither did I. What was I missing? I listened to the message. I waited to understand what it meant.

“Nicole has been poisoned,” Gino says.

Vance’s brow furrows, and he stands to pace the room. “Why? You couldn’t possibly have known Dante was going to show up and suggest buying your daughter.”

“Of course not. We drug the girls, so they’re less likely to fight. Nicole took a heavier dose, and when she was out with the last batch, we mixed in a special cocktail. She’s been a problem lately. One who needs discipline. I thought after she’d be sick and on her deathbed that she’d come to see I was doing right by her.”

“But now she’s with the Ricci’s,” Rafael says. “Are we going to abduct her? Bring her home?”

“No. We’ll send flowers and our condolences. She’s already exhibiting symptoms, I’m sure of it. She’ll be dead in forty-eight hours.”

I drop the device at the desk. “Nikki’s dying?”

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