Page 17 of Nico (Belles & Mobsters 2)

When she abruptly got up and left, I had to force myself not to grab her wrist to stop her. There was so much vulnerability in those eyes as they darted around the restaurant. I have been scheming to get Bianca into my life for so long, but one thing I never anticipated… that I’d feel a pang of remorse for using her.

Her friend, Angie, had better find a way to convince her to be my companion. I bribed her with a significant amount of cash to work on her friend. I had to scoff at the term companion. I wanted more from her and wouldn’t stop until I got it.

I knew everything there was to know about Bianca Carter. She married her high school sweetheart. They were both young. Right out of college, she worked in a legal department as a paralegal juggling criminal cases, and not long after, she got pregnant. When she had her twin daughters, she became a stay at home mother and wife. They made a picture perfect family, both were loved by their friends and family.

What got Bianca and William onto my radar three years ago was learning that she was Benito King’s only daughter. Her mother hid her from Benito, dumping her with the man she loved before Benito took her for himself. The only thing I couldn’t comprehend was why her mother ever crossed paths with the King family. There were no connections between the two. Her mother never left Maryland until the day she left with Benito. I left it to coincidence that Benito spotted Bianca’s mother during one of his visits.

Unfortunately for Sofia Catalano.

The night William Carter stole from me was supposed to kick off my plan. The bag planted with money was a test. I had it all ready as I watched their house from my small yacht in the stormy Chesapeake Bay waters and listened to their conversation. I watched Bianca see her friend out, glancing in my direction several times. Almost as if she could sense me. Ultimately, it was hearing the dialogue between Bianca and her husband that made me delay my plan. Her husband was gravely sick and was enroute to dying.

It was the only reason her husband got a free pass for stealing and my plans got delayed. Yes, I was ruthless but not a complete asshole. The man was already on his deathbed. And his wife… I kept an eye on Bianca, waiting for the right moment to restart my revenge.

Well, now was that time. She was within my grasp, and I'd use any means necessary to complete what I set out to do. Keeping her in my life would be an added, unforeseen bonus; the one that wasn’t on the table when I started this.

Bianca’s life had spiraled out of control. She was left in severe financial trouble and was on the brink of losing it all. And I could help her with that. And she’d help me avenge Nicoletta’s death.

Should I feel guilt at using Bianca?Maybe.

Did I?No.

She’d be safe for the rest of her life, along with her children.

It intrigued me that she didn’t flirt with either Gabito or me, knowing we were wealthy. Most other women in her position would have flirted and thrown themselves at us at the restaurant. Her friend, Angie, certainly went straight to work and she wasn’t in financial trouble. I had already refused her a few times before.

As irony would have it, Angie was hungry for power and status and would probably fall all over herself to be Benito King’s relative. Yet, her friend seemed her polar opposite. Angie was beautiful but in a boring, predictable kind of way, and she was after the money along with status. She would fit the profile of Benito’s daughter.

But not Bianca Carter. She sat there lost in her thoughts; sadness enveloped all around her. She kept as much distance from me as possible, keeping herself guarded. I didn’t think she knew about Benito King. All my information showed she had very little contact with her mother and has never met him nor his son, Marco.

She was a mystery. I would have expected her to be more aggressive going after the money than Angie since she had a lot more to lose. Instead, she stood up and walked away.

It meant she had more at stake to lose than money and her home. What was it? I didn’t like not having answers. So for the first time in my life, I found myself obsessing over someone.

“Mr. Morrelli, do you agree?” My lawyer’s voice brought my attention back to now. I forced my thoughts to the gentlemen in front of me. It didn’t matter what they hoped for, I would get the terms exactly as I wanted them. My fantasizing about Bianca would have to wait.

An hour later, the meeting was finally behind me, and with the terms as I wanted them, I strode back to my office. It was almost too predictable. Some challenges would have been welcomed. I had a feeling Bianca wouldn’t disappoint me in that department.

My phone beeped, and I retrieved it.

It was from my secretary. Angie couldn’t get Bianca’s agreement to take my companion offer and refused to share her number. Her phone number was redundant since I already had it. But I wanted her willingness.

Well, that didn’t work.I knew she’d be a challenge, and I was up for it.

On to plan B. Because I had no qualms using other methods to convince her to take my offer. Except, the offer was just upgraded and terms more permanent. And this one I would work out directly with Bianca Carter. After all, with interest, she owed me millions now.

It was the only leverage I had, and I’d hate to use it. So, I hoped she’d take this first bait, and I’d ease her into my plan. She wouldn’t know all the variables, just the necessary ones. But now I would have to force her hand. I needed to understand her, what drove her. Somehow I wasn’t surprised to hear she refused the deal.

Truthfully, I didn’t need Angie for plan A either, but it would have been easier if she dealt with her friend rather than me directly. I suspected Bianca’s connection to William Carter was why she refused the offer. It certainly wasn’t because there was no chemistry. There was plenty of sizzling in that department.

She was petrified of me, and what would happen if I connected her with the stolen bag of money.

Poor little angel. She didn’t even realize that I’ve known all along.

ChapterSeven

BIANCA

The girls sat at the kitchen island, eating their cereal as I packed their lunch for the day. My motions were automatic, but the entire time my conversation with Angie played on repeat in my head.

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