“What do you mean?” Mateo says sharply.
“I mean that I will be Don. I was born for it,” says Raoul, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I didn’t think you would want to know it. Was pretty certain you’d fight me. But now it’s done. I can turn to any one of a dozen heads who’d like to see the end of Caraldi. You do what you must to weaken him with your law enforcement. I’ll take him out with the law of the jungle. By the time we’re done, he’ll be begging for a prison cell.”
I feel a bubble of laughter rise up my throat.
“He won’t know what hit him,” I say darkly. “Let’s do it.”
Chapter 8
Nikki Love
Sophie’s staring at me as I steer the small Porsche out of the security gates and onto the highway. I used to love my little Ford Focus, but it wasn’t hard to part with it when Dario presented me with the silver 911. Screw women’s lib and self-sufficiency. I love the damn car. And now I’m maneuvering it into the traffic as if I’d been driving it all my life. While tearing a strip off my fucking father as he tries valiantly to weasel his way back into our world.
“Don’t make me warn you again,” I snap, fighting to keep my cool as I slip into the fast lane.
“But babydoll,” his voice whines over the car speakers. “I’m your old dad, and—”
“You don’t deserve to call yourself that,” I interrupt him. “I called you today to let you know you’re no longer welcome in our world.”
I’d been mulling over how to deal with him for a while. He’d given up messaging me when I blocked his number yet again, but he’s been calling Sophie. Upsetting her.
“Well, I’ll wait to see what Sophie says about that,” he says. My blood boils to tipping point.
“You can ask her yourself right now,” I say smugly. “She’s sitting next to me.”
Sophie’s eyes widen as she looks at me.
“Sophie!” Dad says brightly, as if she might be ready to disagree with me.
“I’m letting Nikki handle this conversation, Daddy,” she says softly. I reach for her fingers briefly and squeeze them before putting my hand back on the wheel.
“You are no longer our father. You will never try to contact us or speak about us to anyone, am I clear?” I bark. I’m so furious with this man, I wish he’d never been part of our lives.
“But Nikki,” he tries again.
“You fuckingsoldus, you fucking cunt!” I practically scream. Sophie takes a sharp breath. She’s never heard me use language like this. But if there’s anyone on this planet who deserves it, it’s the man on the other end of the line.
He makes a small sound. I don’t know why he’s putting up so much resistance to this idea. It’s not like we were ever close…unless he wanted something.
“You stay out of our lives, do you hear me? Don’t call. Don’t write. Don’t send fucking flowers. And if you ever…everpull another stunt like that again, I swear, I will fuckingendyou!” I hear him suck in a breath. Sophie does too. But I’m not kidding. “You know what I mean, don’t you…Daddy?” I sneer. “You know who I share my world with, right? What could happen to you, if I gave the word. Just one word…Daddy,” I sneer again. “
“But b-baby…” he stutters.
“Try me,” I say softly. “Go on, I dare you. Just fuckingtryme.” Oh God, if only he know how tempted I’ve been. I know all I’d need to do is give Dario the faintest suggestion that I wanted the scum removed from the planet.
The only reason I haven’t is because I don’t want my man tumbling back into that dark world. He’s promised me he’s clean now. We’re in this together and I trust him. But he’d do it. I know he would. I cut the call and glance at Sophie.
“Did you mean that?” she whispers. I nod.
“Does it bother you?”
She shakes her head. “It’s wrong…I know it is. But those men…” she swallows hard. She’s sworn they never touched her. But I’ve seen her face sometimes, when men get too close. Whatever happened has scarred her for life.
Fuck. Maybe killing my dad isn’t such a bad idea.
“We’re heading to see Andy?” she says, abruptly changing the subject.
“Yip. Overdue for some girl time,” I smile at her. What I don’t add is that I need some advice from my bestie. Something’s been bugging me. Something I need a doctor’s advice on.
