Page 20 of Nico (Belles & Mobsters 2)

A silent whimper got stuck in my throat at that image. I wasn’t ready to die. And I certainly didn’t want to be stuffed into a trunk.

“Do you know why I’m here?” Nico’s deep voice sounded like a threat. Or was it only my imagination? I wasn’t sure. My eyes traveled over the two men behind him. They weren’t as tall as Nico, but they looked just as strong, impassive expressions on their faces.

I lowered my gaze to my hands that gripped the knife like my life depended on it. It was the only weapon I had. Could I stab a man and take his life? I didn’t think so. Just the thought of hurting someone didn’t sit well with me.

My father taught me how to shoot, and some basic self-defense skills. He guessed one day I’d need them. But guns and violence just weren’t my thing. At least I didn’t think so. Father always said you didn’t know what you were capable of until you were cornered.

I weighed my options. I could outrun them. Lifting my gaze, I studied their form. They were big so probably not as fast, although they seemed fit. Too fit for my well-being right now.

I had to try and run. I couldn’t just sit here and wait for them to kill me. Maybe I’d run to John’s house until I figured out my next step. I glanced at my cell phone that still sat on the little kitchen table. Reaching for it was out of the question. I’d never make it out of the house if I went for it.

Taking an even breath in, my decision was made.

I’d run.

At least I would try to.

I knew the chances were slim to get away from all three of them, but I was younger. And faster. It played in my favor. My body shifted to the left when Nico’s voice stopped me dead in my tracks.

“Don’t do that,” he said in a smooth, timber voice, a clear warning in it. “I like the chase. With you, I’d like it even more.” My body froze at the unspoken threat.

I met his unmoving gaze clear of any emotions, but knowledge seared deep in them. He casually shoved his hands into his pants pockets, his blazer opening just enough to give me a glimpse of his gun holster.

A loud gulp echoed through the kitchen. It was mine. There would be no winning against this man. He knew it too. I was no match for him.

William and I lost the moment he grabbed that bag and I’d spent the money on his treatments. We gambled, and we lost - both William’s life and the money. Now, it would cost me my life too. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest. It seemed to swell into a mallet and swing against my rib cage causing sharp pain with each breath I took.This is it, I realized. My girls would be left without either parent to see them grow up. Open for Benito’s taking.

I’m dead.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. The images of Benito getting his dirty hands on them played in my mind and terror filled me. I needed to buy time.

“Just don’t do it here,” I choked out, thinking of all the horrible ways to be found dead. “My- my kids and in-laws will be back tomorrow,” I rasped, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. Maybe if I could buy some more time, have them take me somewhere else, I could escape them. “I don’t want them to find me dead here.” I gulped hard, every fiber of me shaking with fear. I was grasping at straws here. “P-please.”

I knew when I spent that money that nothing would be the same ever again. I had been on borrowed time, just as William was on his while the disease ate at him.

But I still hoped.

ChapterEight

NICO

Fear rolled off Bianca in waves, and for a fraction of a second, guilt flooded my senses, but it dissipated just as fast. It was dangerous having those kinds of feelings in our world. I considered them dead to me, along with decency and compassion. If I had any left, I wouldn’t be doing this.

The smell of her fear mixed with her perfume, but there was still hope shining in her eyes. She was a determined woman, and it drew me in further under her spell. It made me want her even more. Life dealt her some crappy cards, but she powered through it, fighting for her girls. She was stronger than my mother or my father, that was for sure.

Heck, she was debating stabbing one of us with the knife clutched in her hands. She was a fighter. She might not have known it yet, but there was no doubt in my mind that she was.

She eyed that knife in her hand like a lifeline, calculating her chances of escaping us. I could see it all in her eyes as she weighed her odds. But I knew she had nowhere to run, no funds to support her life on the run either.

“Guys, wait outside.” My men obeyed without delay, their steps silent behind me.

Surprise flashed in her eyes, but she said nothing. There was no mistaking she was scared, though it didn’t stop her from watching me defiantly. Her determination and fire reflected in her dark gaze, burning there and clashing with my stare. She was intoxicating, my perfect storm of attraction. I had to sate it.

It would tie her to me for life, put her in a gilded cage.

She shifted nervously on her feet, her light blue dress hugging her curves and accentuating her dark hair even more. She called out to me like a siren’s song. I just had to make sure I didn’t fall under her spell.

That never bode well for any man.

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