Page 30 of Taming Nikki

I rubbed my bottom lip with my thumb as I tried to hide my amusement.

“No. I want to know what you’re selling.”

A smug grin morphed over her face. “Still haven’t figured it out, huh?” When I refused to answer, she snickered. “Man, I thought the great Leo Vitale was better than that. Guess you aren’t as powerful as you thought.” She waltzed past me, standing by her door with an exaggerated gesture. “You’ll receive your payment when the job is done to satisfaction. See you tomorrow, Vitale.”

She smirked at me, and I lunged at her, shoving her against the wall next to the door. Before she could react, I dipped my head, shoving my tongue into her mouth. She fought against me, trying to shove me away, but I grabbed her wrists, yanking them above her head until she was balanced on her toes. Slower this time, I pressed my lips to hers, nipping her bottom lip until she opened up for me so I could stroke her tongue with mine. When I pulled away, she was panting, her eyes wide as she gaped at me.

“Keep up with the brat act and I’ll find more ways to shut you up. See you tomorrow, Nikki,” I warned as I released her, disappearing out of the room.

ChapterFourteen

NIKKI

This was a stupid idea.This was the worst fucking idea in the history of ideas. Not only did I invite a fucking mafia boss on a job with me, I promised to give him the one piece of leverage I had against him in payment for it. If I had any other choice, I would back out immediately. But this job was the biggest I’d ever had and I couldn’t do it alone. I couldn’t go to this thing and grope my way into passing out the USBs. It had to be subtle, and I needed someone to help with that.

It was supposed to be Tony. We’d planned it for weeks. He would’ve received a substantial payout for it. Instead, he got back together with his ex, who hated me. She didn’t even know me, but she was friends with Bianca and followed her lead. Tony suggested taking Marco or Piero, but they were too young and immature for the job. Going alone wasn’t an option either, because there would be cameras and I needed someone to block the drops.

Leo was the last choice I’d ever consider for a job, especially one as important as this one. He had no idea what the goal was, and I didn't have time to go over it with him. He also wasn't unknown and that could cause problems with the people I was meeting with. They weren’t exactly known for their criminal activity and preferred to keep it that way. Being seen with an actual mob boss might not go well, but he was the only option I had.

The irony that I was doing a drop in the middle of a charity gala didn’t escape me. The city’s elite weren’t immune to the pull of power, they were just more subtle about it. They hired me to go after their opponents and dig up all the dirt in any way I found necessary. Even the ones who, on the outside, seemed above all of that sought me out to get what they needed, and they paid handsomely for it. Their payments went to a shell corporation under the guise of a perfectly legal data brokerage company. It all looked legal until you glanced under the hood.

Tonight, I was actually nervous. This was a big drop, and it’d open up a hell of a lot of doors for the future. I agonized over my outfit for hours, spent way too long on my hair, hiding the streaks of color, and kept my makeup simple. I wanted to look fancy enough for the event without being too obvious and drawing attention to myself. The dress I chose was long, black, and strapless, tight to show off my figure, with a slit up the side. I combined it with some dangle earrings and a bracelet to cover my tattoo and left my hair down over one shoulder. With some nice heels and a clutch, I almost looked like a proper mafia princess.

I worried about getting ready for this thing at home, Gino and DiAngelo were bound to be suspicious, but apparently I didn’t need to. Leo was thorough and showed up before I was ready in a tux with a cover story about an event across town he wanted to network in for some new business thing. I didn’t ask for the details, and it apparently satisfied my papa. I was a little surprised no one questioned why I willingly went with him, though.

I took extra care coming down the stairs, the dress was longer than I was used to. I didn’t look up until I was on the ground floor and I froze, frowning.

“Has this thing suddenly become a spectator event? Why are you all here?”

Papa and my brothers stood by Leo at the door. All four gaped at me and a scowl took over my face. “What?!”

My brothers blinked first, and Gino snorted. “Doesn’t matter what kind of dress you wear, you’re still a b–”

“Enough,” Papa snapped. I frowned as I stepped up to him. Since when did he care what my siblings said to me? He considered me for a moment before nodding. “You look nice.”

It felt like the wind was knocked out of me. I didn’t think Papa had ever complimented me before. My eyes widened, especially when he patted me awkwardly on the shoulder. Only when he paused to lecture me before walking away did I feel a sense of normalcy. “You are representing this family tonight. Act appropriately.”

Leo stepped forward, effectively blocking my brothers from shouldering past me. He watched them with a narrow-eyed stare as they followed Papa upstairs.

“I feel like I fell into an alternate reality or something. What the fuck was that?”

Leo glanced down at me with a frown. “What do you mean?”

I shook my head. I’d figure it out later. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

The event was in full swing by the time we arrived. It was held in the senator’s mansion. It wasn’t an overly big event, mostly for the pompous elite to mingle, but it was well covered, photographers everywhere outside. When we pulled into the circle driveway out front, Leo raised his eyebrows at me.

“Quell your excitement. We’re here for business.”

He huffed out a laugh and shook his head as he pulled up to the walkway. He told me to wait in the car until he pulled my door open for me, offering me a hand as I stood. I wouldn’t have accepted if all eyes weren’t on us at that moment. Leo offered me his arm and led me up the red-carpeted stairs. I nearly stumbled once, the flashing cameras made it difficult to see where I was going, but Leo kept me steady, slipping his hand around my waist until we made it inside.

It was significantly calmer inside. People dressed to the nines filtered throughout the hallway and disappeared into a large ballroom off to the side. Waiters in pristine uniforms moved fluidly through the crowds with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. I knew better than to go to work immediately. That would draw attention. Instead, I followed the crowds into the ballroom, snagging a drink from a passing waiter.

“Alright, I think you owe me an explanation.” Leo watched the crowd, a frown on his face. When I didn’t immediately answer, he fought back a scowl, glaring at me.

I sipped my champagne and moved silently until we were farther from the door on the outskirts of the dance floor. “What do you want to know?”

He didn’t seem to know where to start and I wasn’t giving away anything I didn’t have to.

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