Page 6 of She Belongs to Me

That’s what I did, driving to a less populated area, finally ending up parking in a little lot of a special park that I’d been to a couple of times. It was still risky being out in the open, but if the assholes hadn’t followed me by now, I doubted they would. Eventually they’d find me and I’d need some cash. I’d use my debit card and not use another one again.

I thought.

Maybe.

God, I wasn’t certain. What I did know was that I had to do something. Staying here wasn’t an option. A hotel would only be protection for a day or so.

What the hell could I do?

I dropped my head into my hands, gasping for air.

Seconds later, a name floated in my mind, the one man who could help. The single man who might be able to get me out of this jam.

I was hesitant to call, but I had no other choice.

With my hand shaking, I dialed his number.

And I said another prayer the powerful, dangerous man would help me.

CHAPTER 3

Nico

Wham!

I wasn’t a patient man, nor did I accept bullshit from anyone. However, the worst offense was lack of respect. For my person. For my business. For my family. And for my home. My private home and grounds were sacred to me. I rarely handled business from my estate, preferring leaving the majestic seaside space free of bloodshed and violence.

Gio grunted from the force I’d used to slam him against the wall. “It was important. You didn’t answer your phone.”

“I tried. I really did.”

Christ. Now the asshole was whining. I loathed whiners. That resulted in a hard punch to the stomach. I wasn’t usually a violent man over the last few years, but this conniving asshole had gotten on my last nerve.

I allowed him to double over, trying to figure out what to do.

It was fucking ten at night. I’d settled in by the fire, enjoying a whiskey after a fucking long week and this clown had arrived unexpectedly. Not only had he interrupted my family time, but he’d also brought me an inferior deal involving my wines.

Not that my sister and brother or my mother lived here any longer. I was completely alone in a huge house with two dozen rooms. The thought was ridiculous at this point.

“Please. New contract.” He coughed and wheezed. What did the bastard think he was trying to do?

It was easy to read between the lines on the contract he’d presented, acting as if the new bigwig client he’d found all on his own mattered to me in the least. But the trouble he was causing was enough to piss me off. Everything had been set into motion, including the cargo ship docket. Fuck him.

I was a fucking billionaire. What the hell did I care about some businessman from Milan who was branching out from fashion design? He also mentioned the client in Philly was trying to pull back on the product that had been ordered, a deposit made. Not possible.

“You need to take this deal,” Gio dared recommend.

Fisting my hand, I pulled my arm back, ready to punch him in the jaw. I already had my other hand wrapped around his throat. I could snap his neck at a moment’s notice. It had been a long time since I’d reveled in that joy.

“Allow me to teach you something important, Gio. There are very few things in life a man should grasp with both hands. The love of family. That comes first over everything else. Years pass quickly, so much so that before you realize it, a loved one has faded, no longer able to recognize you. You spent so many years building up a business, you forgot about enjoying the real perks. Not yachts. Not fancy cars. Just family. Do you understand?”

I’d been known for being a bit deranged, which was all an act. “Yes, sir. Yes. I’m close to my sister.”

The guy reminded me of a used car salesman. Slick and always knowing when to say the right words. But I could tell he was scared, believing I was unhinged. Good.

“Equally as important is a man’s integrity. Without that, no one will ever be able to respect you. Now, in this case, I will never do business with a man who avoids rules and the sanctity of them. My suggestion is you take that deal back to this… businessman and tell him I am not interested. As far as the asshole in the United States, tell him I’m furious and might take my business elsewhere.”

I started to let him go when he balked, even blubbering. “He won’t be happy. He’s a dangerous man.”