“I don’t wear shirts when I work out,” he said, his gaze intense as he stared into my eyes. “But if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll start, princess.”
My nostrils flared at the stupid endearment. “Don’t fucking call me that,” I said through clenched teeth. “You have no idea what kind of life I’ve led, but assuming I’m some spoiled brat is really insulting. I worked hard to teach myself valuable skills that someone like you could never understand.” Rising, I squared my shoulders. “I want out of this world, and one day, I’m going to accomplish that. So, fuck you.”
I slammed my laptop shut, ready to storm down the hallway.
“Hey,” Nick said, gently gripping my arm. “Wait. Sorry. I won’t call you that anymore.”
I wrenched free of his grasp. “Good. In fact, don’t speak to me at all. That probably won’t be hard with your caveman mentality.”
Nick’s eyes darted between mine, and filled with emotions I couldn’t decipher.
I flashed him one last glare before pivoting and heading to my bedroom. After slamming the door, I crawled into bed and tugged the pillow tight, holding onto it for dear life as I began to cry.
My father had left my mother and I with nothing when he died. He’d completely cut us out of the will, and I was now a young,inexperienced woman forced into exile from my father’s greatest enemies.
I was the furthest thing from a princess, whether Nick realized that or not.
What he couldn’t also know was that I’d always been a bit of an outcast. Someone who never really fit in during my awkward high school years, and someone who struggled to connect with people. My closest connection was my mom, and although I loved her dearly, I also knew it was super-lame to be best friends with your mom.
Sadly, I’d never had any other option. I’d always been a computer nerd with a weird personality that just didn’t click with people.
So, yeah, when Nick assumed I was a rich mafia princess, it made me pretty fucking pissed.
Sighing, I wiped my tears and replayed the argument in my head, acknowledging I’d been a bitch. In truth, I was annoyed at my attraction to him. I’d never really had boyfriends in the past, if you didn’t count my junior year prom date who was a terrible kisser. He’d come out as gay our senior year, which made me feel slightly better that he’d seemed about as excited to kiss me as a kid going to the dentist.
I’d always assumed I’d grow into finding love. That once I got a job and moved to Manhattan, I’d find someone more compatible. In a city of eight million people, surely I could findonewho understood me...right?
“You’re not going to find anyone until you get out of prison, Alexis,” I muttered to myself, sitting up and reaching for a tissue.
My lips fluttered as I blew out a breath, and I slid out of bed to wash my face in the adjoining bathroom. Gazing at myself in the reflection, I spoke with firm resolve.
“Antagonizing Nick isn’t going to get you anywhere. Be nice and that will make this situation much easier.”
Straightening my spine, I resolved to heed my own words and headed back to the kitchen to make some lunch.
Chapter 4
Nick
Ishowered before returning to my room and donning some sweatpants and a t-shirt from the clothing stash. As Michael’s top capo, I usually wore suits, but there was no need for such formality in the safehouse. If I was going to be stuck here, I figured I might as well be comfortable.
As I dressed, I acknowledged the guilt that sat in my gut after my argument with Alexis. During the brief time I’d known her, I’d assumed she was a rich mafia princess. After all, she was Victor Rossi’s daughter, and even if his power had diminished over the past decade, he was still quite wealthy and powerful.
I hadn’t considered that she wanted out of the mafia world, but it made sense. Many people in our world had become disillusioned with it, and many had left. Florida and Arizona were full of former mafia members and their families who’d left everything behind for a different life.
Michael had given me the opportunity to choose another life when I was younger, but I felt an intense loyalty to him. My parents died when I was young, and Michael was like a second father to me. He was my family, myblood, and I took my vow to him veryseriously.
“Speak of the devil,” I murmured when my phone rang. Lifting it to my ear, I smiled. “Hey, Michael. How’s married life?”
“I’ll let you know once I figure it out,” he replied. “But actually, it’s pretty good, all things considered. How’s it going with Alexis?”
Sighing, I sat on the bed. “Not great. I’m trying...but I could try harder. She’s a handful.”
“It’s important she trusts you, Nick. I want the information in her head. If I don’t get it, I’ll manage, but identifying Victor’s Eastern European trafficking contacts would help immensely.”
“I know.” I ran my hand over the comforter. “I’ll work on it. I won’t let you down.”
“I know, son.” He cleared his throat. “I’m proud to have you as my top capo. I’m not sure I say that enough. Sometimes, I wish you hadn’t chosen this life, but selfishly, I’m also glad you did.”
