“Most families in our business have cabins in Upstate New York. It’s secluded and off the grid. Perfect for extracting information from difficult targets.”
“Does Michael own cabins up here?”
Nick nodded. “He has a few scattered throughout Upstate New York.”
Leaning back on the couch, I sighed. “I hate the fucking mafia. So much death, and drugs, and women who are assaulted...”
“Michael has rescued countless women, and gives them jobs—”
“In his strip clubs?” I asked, lifting my hands. “Oh, great. Every little girl’s dream.”
Nick’s lips pursed. “I know it’s not ideal, but real life is messy, Alexis. Your dad was an asshole, but he loved you. That’s evident in the fact that you went to a top-tier collage and were never really dragged into our world. I understand you want out, but it’s ill-informed for you to judge others who didn’t have your privilege.”
Anger welled in my chest, and my head snapped toward him. “Don’t tell me I’m privileged. You assume I’m some spoiled princess, but my father wasterribleto my mom. I did everything I could to keep him from hurting her.That’swhy he loved me; because I had no other choice than to ingratiate myself to him, even though I knew he was evil.”
“Alexis...” Nick saidsoftly.
“He didn’t hit her as much if I was nearby, although he still hit her sometimes.” I swiped the errant tear that ran down my cheek. “But I realized that if I ran to him, and called himDaddy, he would focus on me instead of her. That he would stop hurting her.” Placing my face in my hands, I tried to push away the memories. “I realized it when I was young, and I tried to help so he wouldn’t hurt her...”
“Shh...” Nick said, scooting toward me and pulling me into his arms. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said, pressing my cheek to his chest. “I didn’t realize he hit her.”
“He hated her, and she hated him,” I said, sniffling. “It was awful, and I was stuck there, in that house with him and the person I loved most, who I wanted to save, but never really could.”
“That sounds awful,” Nick said, his deep voice rumbling against my cheek as he stroked my hair. “I can see why you want out. You were trapped in a very unhappy place.”
“I just want to live a life free of this world. And now Mom married Michael, so I’ll still be mafia-adjacent, even if I move to Africa.”
Nick leaned back and smiled. “Please don’t move to Africa. I promise, you can get away from the mafia in the US. We can figure that out.”
I huffed a laugh. “Maybe, although it’s going to be tough now. I mean, I have to celebrate holidays with Mom and Michael, at least.”
Nick frowned. “Just your mom and Michael?”
I bit my lip. “Maybe with you too. You’re kind of okay.”
He smiled as he wiped my tears with his thumbs. “Don’t go too far away. I think I’d miss seeing you. Every once in a while, at least.”
My eyes darted between his, and I felt myself drowning in them. His brown irises swirled with limitless emotions, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Just every once in a while?” I whispered.
“Yes,” he said softly. “Because I want you to have the life you want, and that’s not a life near me.”
Extreme sadness flooded my chest, and I felt a fresh batch of tears well in my eyes. The thought of only seeing Nick sporadically caused my heart to splinter in places I didn’t even know existed.
“Or maybe I could find a reason to stay...” I said, my voice shaking with emotion.
“No, sweetheart.” His thumb moved over my cheek in a gentle caress. “I want more than that for you.”
My chin lifted as I grinned. “I’m not sure how to break this to you, buddy, but I make my own decisions about my life.”
His lips twitched. “Oh, I know. You’re too fucking stubborn for your own good.”
“You’re goddamned right I am.”
Chuckling, he glanced toward the fire. “I need to put some more logs in. It’s getting low.”
“Do you think we have enough to last us a few days?”
