Page 3 of Nicco

“We don’t have to worry about transportation. Someone is picking us up from the airport.”

“Who?”

“Nicco arranged a driver.I hope you don’t mind. We’re going to stay with Nicco.”

“I don’t mind. Is his place big enough for guests? I know he has a wife and kids. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Yes, I’m sure his place is big enough for guests. He has more than one home. I’m not sure where we’ll be.” I had to say something. I didn’t have a clue where Nicco laid his head or the size of the place. Nicco was like a nomad. He flew all over the world.

I’d never been to any of Nicco’s homes in Vegas. He always flew to Chicago to see me. Since his younger brother was the Capo in Chicago, he used that as an excuse to check in on me.

Soon we landed at McCarran airport and deboardedthe plane. We had someone remove our bags from the plane and wheel them down to an arrival area. We walked out of the automatic double doors that lead to the taxis, Ubers and Lyfts.We didn’t stand there for a long time.

A man I recognized approached us. He was waiting for us. It was Lefty. I was relieved to see him, but wondered why Nicco would give up his trusted employee just to pick me up from the airport. I didn’t know why Nicco was being so hush-hush.He didn’t give any real details. I knew Dom was dead. I didn’t know why I needed to come here. I just knew his tone was desperate. I owed him. He had gotten me out of a jam. Thinking about spending my life in jail for murders I didn’t commit still gave me a few nightmares. I still had a hard time believing there were two women dead only because they had once dated me. Nicco didn’t have to help me with my Lauren problem, but he did. It was my turn to help him with whatever he needed.

Lefty took our bags and put them in the trunk of the Bentley. Bria keep her LV purse with her and I only had my cell phone. After we were inside, Lefty took off from the curb into a massive amount of traffic. I glared out the heavily tinted windows as we exited McCarran airport.

“How was your flight, Mr. Donovan?” Lefty’s voice jolted me back to the moment.

“The flight was great.” I said.

Bria was looking at me. I took her hand in mine. I couldn’t say Lefty’s name because she would ask me what his real name was, and I didn’t know it. One question could lead to another question, and I wouldn’t know how to explain any of it. My girl signed up for Lordes the legit businessman, not the Lordes that flew to Vegas to hang out with his half-blood mafia crime family.

I leaned over and kissed her forehead and leaned back to see the tension leave her flawless face. She was probably anxious because I was anxious. We seemed to be in sync. We often mirrored each other’s emotions.

Bria felt my calming energy take over, and she was quiet for the rest of the ride. I didn’t even know where we were going. I didn’t question it because Nicco had set everything up. We ended up at a private parking garage under the Palladium hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. This was one of many luxury hotels Nicco owned and operated.

Lefty parked the Bentley in a designated spot. There were cameras everywhere. I spotted them as soon as we pulled in. Along with Lefty, I gathered the luggage from the trunk. We wheeled the baggage into a private underground elevator. There were two security guards standing at the elevator. They were in black suits and they were just like the tough guys you saw in the movies. The guards nodded their heads but never spoke to us. Lefty punched in a code and the doors opened. We rode up to a floor that didn’t have a number on it. I was sure it was the top floor.

When the doors opened, Nicco was standing there to greet us. “Welcome to the penthouse.”

He went to kiss my girl on both cheeks. “Labria. I’m so happy you could make it.”

Nicco didn’t sound like a grieving son. His expression was that of a generous host. I glared at him to let him know I hadn’t told Bria anything, and he picked up on it right away. Nicco was many things, and one of them was intelligent.

“Lord, how was your flight?” He fiercely embraced me and patted me on my back.

“It was great.” How many times was I going to use the word great?

“Good, good. Please come on in, make yourself at home.” He said to us.

I watched carefully as Bria’s eyes roamed around the spacious room. There was a lot to see. The place was opulent and plentifully decorated compared to my place. I stood in his penthouse suite and took in his lavish taste. It was the first time I’d ever been in his place, in his territory, in his domain.

The penthouse felt like a fortress compared to my loft. I was a minimalist where Nicco was a maximalist. He had a lot of items in his place. Looking around, I knew this was more of a bachelor pad. There was no way he lived here with his wife and kids.

He had an overabundance of security, and probably more now that Dom was dead. I didn’t want to be here. I felt uncomfortable and out of place. I wasn’t a part of this mafia crap. The other Bregoli’s didn’t even know I existed. I didn’t want to know them, see them, or meet them.

I wasn’t adopted. I was abandoned. I was the bastard black sheep, and it was something I was accustomed to. I was here, and I just knew Nicco had something up his dirty sleeve.

“Labria, my dear.” Nicco called out to my girl. “Lefty will show you to your room. I want to steal Lord for a few minutes, if you don’t mind?”

“No, I don’t mind.”

I smiled at Bria and watched as she headed off with Lefty. Why did Nicco even have to say his name out loud?

When she was out of earshot and out of our line of sight, I turned on my heels to glare at Nicco. “We need to talk.”

“I know.” He solemnly nodded. “Follow me into my office.”

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