Page 69 of Taming Nikki

I laughed. “Who needs girl shit when you have baseball merch? Don’t stress, I love your presents. I get to tell the world my big brother plays in the major leagues.” I pulled out the hat with a smile and he snatched it, dropping it onto my head.

“Damn right. We’re a team, you and me.” He tugged me into another hug before he sucked in a breath. “Got something else to show you. I’m not doing it tonight, but I want your opinion before I do.”

I frowned as I watched him nervously dig out something from his duffle. When he pulled out the black velvet box, my eyes lit up. “Holy shit. Are you finally going to ask her?”

He nodded and frowned at it. “It’s time. She’s great and I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I mean, she purposely picked her career so she could travel with me. Who does that if they aren’t in it for the long haul?”

I opened the box and immediately pretended to go blind. “Oh my god, is it big enough? I’m blind!”

It relaxed him, and he shoved my shoulder. “Shut up. She deserves it.”

I cupped his cheek. “I’m proud of you. You both deserve to be happy. Do I get to be there when you ask her?”

“Not a chance in hell. You have no poker face, you’ll give it away.”

My jaw dropped. “What the hell? You’re the second person to tell me that this week. Since when do I not have a poker face?”

“Maybe you should listen next time,” Leo drawled behind me. I spun and stepped closer to Diego. Leo looked irritated, his eyes narrowed.

“Hey, you made it!” I gave him an innocent look and basically glued myself to Diego’s side. Diego’s arm dropped around my shoulder as he stuck his free hand out for a handshake.

“Hey, I’m Diego, Nikki’s brother.”

“Leo. Nice to meet you. I’m her–”

“Boyfriend!” I shouted a little too loud. I winced, lowering my voice when a few eyes turned our way. “He’s my boyfriend. I thought you wouldn’t be here until later.” I shot Leo a pleading look. I forgot I was going to talk to him about the change in title earlier. But in my defense, he distracted me.

Diego’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re the boyfriend. I’m curious to meet the man trying to tie down my little sister.”

Leo had yet to even crack a smile. I knew I pissed him off, but damn. One of the teammates called Diego, and he left me alone for a second, so I had to deal with a very angry mafia don by myself. I spun, trying to follow my brother, but Leo snatched me around my waist and dragged me against him to whisper in my ear.

“I was thinking this should count as breaking the deal.” My blood ran cold, but he wouldn’t let me turn to face him. “Since it’s your birthday, I’ll give you a pass. Try that shit again and I won’t be so kind.”

Relief flooded through me and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Carefully, I glanced over my shoulder. He still looked pissed, but there was a ghost of a smile on his face. I took it and ran with it.

“I thought we’d race. You lost.”

He made a tick sound behind his teeth and straightened. I spun and grinned at him.

“I’ll make it up to you.”

That caught his interest. He crossed his arms and gave me an expectant look. “How?”

I licked my lips, watching as his eyes tracked the movement. “I’ll tell you later.” I kept my tone low and sultry, and he finally smirked at me. The hungry look in his eyes had lust pounding through my body. It took a lot more effort than I wanted to admit not to drag him into the nearest bathroom and have a repeat of this morning.

He moved quickly, snatching my elbow and pulling me against him. “Keep looking at me like that and you’re going to miss the game.”

His low growl made me shiver, but I pushed him away with a scowl. “Not a chance in hell. Keep it in your pants, Vitale.”

“Vitale? Like the mafia boss?” I hadn’t noticed Diego coming up behind me until it was too late. I stiffened, my eyes wide.

“Much to her chagrin, yes. We met at a party and she charmed me with her foul mouth and obvious hatred of me.”

I turned slowly. Diego looked suspicious, his brow drawn down. He glanced between me and Leo before forcing a smile.

“Sounds like her. Nikki has never been one to hold back her opinion. Hope that doesn’t bother you.”

It was a jab. I complained enough about the men in the Cosa Nostra for Diego to know what they were like. Leo took it in stride, his hand settling on my hip.

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