Vicious Little Princess (Coveted Kingdom #2)

1. ~Nico~

1

~Nico~

“You just walked into a kill zone, mafia prince.”

Carlo’s words ran through my mind.

I was sure he intended them to be received in a haunting way.

But the bold statement with a healthy dose of a threat thrown in had actually given him away.

Not to mention this entire setup he’d arranged.

The heavy-handed nature of it wasn’t doing him any favors in concealing his true intent, either.

He didn’t need three dozen men to take us out.

It wasn’t just overkill or a demonstration of his power, because Carlo Benzino didn’t operate like that. He wasn’t insecure in his standing, with his position in our world. Even with this recent fucked-up shift with the alliances and the complete shattering of the three families treaty. He didn’t feel the need to prove himself. He knew how damned good he was, how accomplished, and how impressively adaptable he was.

This display was all for show.

What’s more was that you didn’t tend to announce your plan to murder someone. You just fucking did it. There was no preamble. You got a shot to take out your enemies; you took it. Immediately. It was an unspoken reality in our world. Unless torture was involved, but that would have been arranged a whole lot differently to this. Not with a face-off or a perceived ambush of this particular nature. It would be more a case of grabbing somebody off the street, tossing them into an unmarked vehicle, then transporting them to a dark hole somewhere, or a warehouse, to be brutalized. A place that would also make it easy to dispose of the body—or what was left of it—inconspicuously.

Carlo wanted something from me.

Or he wanted me for something.

He’d arranged all of this to gain my undivided attention.

Away from the Marchettis and Leones.

“Lay down your weapons,” I told Milo quietly.

“What? You’re serious?”

“Would I really be anything else in this sort of situation?”

He sighed, but did as I’d instructed, lowering his gun, securing it, then slowly laying it down on the ground before kicking it away. As he did the same with his backup gun, I divested myself of both of mine too, kicking them out of my reach.

My assessment of the situation was proven correct in the next moment as all of Carlo’s soldiers lowered their weapons in quick succession.

Carlo’s lip curled with appreciation. “You’re a great deal more intelligent than your uncle.” He shook his head to himself. “Fucking hothead, beyond all sense of reason.”

He was right on the money there.

I strode toward him, Milo tense and in his ready-for-anything state beside me.

“Where are my men?”

“Your men… hmm. Your first concern is them, rather than the rather lucrative coke shipment you need to deliver tonight to Harlow.”

I felt my eye twitch. He shouldn’t know about her.

“That bodes well,” he went on. “As does all my research on you.”

I played along—for the moment, unless he delayed on revealing where my soldiers were—and asked, “Research, to what end?”

“To determine the most optimal way to acquire your cooperation, of course.”

I scoffed. “And you truly believe that attacking my soldiers and commandeering my shipment was the way to do that?”

“You wouldn’t have come willingly. You would have believed it to be a trap anyway if I’d asked for a meet. It also had to be tonight. While the Marchettis and Leones are stretched thin due to some poor decisions on their part—seeking vengeance when they should be reinforcing their territories and business partnerships.”

Our thinking on such matters—and certain people—was very similar.

“I see you share my assessment. Not just on that, either. Isn’t that right?”

He knew something.

Obviously, I needed to know what that was in order to protect myself and my loved ones.

And he damn well knew that, the self-satisfied smirk spreading over his face making that clear.

He was good, I’d give him that.

But he also needed something from me.

That gave me leverage.

“This conversation goes nowhere unless you take me to my men.”

“As you wish,” he said, gesturing toward the diner. “Come with me.”

Two of his men joined him, sticking close to him for his protection, while Milo did the same with me as we made our way over there.

The curtains were drawn, even one over the door, so I couldn’t see a thing within.

One of his men opened the door and Carlo stepped inside.

Bracing myself, I followed, with Milo being sure to stay close, especially as the two guards followed in after us.

Red vinyl booths filled my vision as we strode along the beige linoleum floor. There were a couple of his soldiers sitting on stools up at the counter, their sharp gazes focused on the rear of the diner.

As we veered around the corner, I realized exactly why they had their eagle-eyes focused in that direction.

Carlo came to a stop just before the swinging doors leading into a storage area.

And there were my soldiers, sprawled out before the doors and some visible even inside the storage area itself. They were unmoving, laid out across the space.

Surprising me, there was no blood pooling around them, and only a few scratches and bruises between all ten of them.

“Milo,” I said, snapping my fingers.

We’d worked together so long and so closely that he knew instantly what I was getting at, and he went to them, crouching down beside each of them and checking them over.

He moved swiftly and efficiently and within moments, he’d checked them all and came back to my side, reporting, “All alive. Virtually unharmed. Looks like tranqs, judging by the marks and bruising I saw on some of them.”

“They’ll wake up in a couple of hours.” Carlo told me. “With one hell of a headache and hangover, but unharmed, nonetheless. The automatic fire you heard from Rocco’s call was just for effect, to lay down the law and hold them off until we could get them all tranqed and nullify the threat they became to my plans to lure you here tonight when they fought so intensely to defend for you. The shipment also hasn’t been harmed. In fact, that truck outside is now empty, and the product has been delivered to Harlow in one of mine. On your behalf. You should be receiving confirmation from her at any moment.”

What the hell?

Milo and I exchanged a look.

“You’re not my enemy,” Carlo insisted. “And I apologize about the lengths I had to go to in order to bring you to me tonight. Unfortunately, extreme measures were required and made necessary by the complicated circumstances we are all immersed in with this foolish decision made by Marco and Santino to shift the balance of power and spit all over our treaty.”

Before I could respond, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out to see a text he’d predicted.

Harlow: Shipment received ahead of schedule. I’m impressed, Nico. Look forward to doing continuous business with you.

“Is that her?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He looked far too pleased with himself.

I didn’t want him believing in his twisted mind that he’d done me a favor. Because he fucking hadn’t.

And owing anyone in our world was a bad way to be in.

“So you’ve undone something that you caused in the first place. Am I supposed to be grateful?”

“You’re supposed to see it as the peace offering that it is.”

Enough bantering and circumventing the real issue.

“What do you want from me? Why go to all this trouble to get me here to you?” I demanded.

“Phones off, then we’ll talk.” He gestured at his men and Milo. “Alone.”

I nodded at Milo and we both shut our phones off, then pocketed them.

“I need eyes on him the entire time,” I told Carlo.

“Fine,” he said, gesturing at one of his men who then opened a couple of the curtains so there was a view outside.

Satisfied, I gave Milo the signal to leave my side.

We didn’t have secrets. And that wouldn’t change now.

I hadn’t just demanded that I have him in full view for his safety, it was also because he could read lips exceptionally well, so he’d be kept abreast of everything as I spoke with Carlo Benzino.

As he and the guards took their leave and went outside, Carlo slid into the nearest booth and settled himself.

I joined him, sliding in on the other side.

He finally got right down to business, telling me, “This new situation isn’t sustainable. Your father is flailing and Santino’s unhinged megalomania is now completely unchecked without the balance and the boundaries that our truce enforced.”

Interesting.

“And why are you coming to me about this?”

“I understand. You don’t want to give anything away for fear of betrayal. You’re protecting yourself and your own.”

“I’m doing what anybody would do in my position when being approached by somebody who is now considered an enemy to my Family and the new alliance that has been formed with the Leones.”

“I’m not talking about you protecting the Family. I mean Emilio out there and Julian Carver.”

“My guard and my college acquaintance, who serves Marchetti interests?”

“The true brotherhood that you serve.”

Our gazes clashed.

He tried to push me further to get to what he wanted from me, commenting, “Of course, that also now includes that exceedingly impressive new wife of yours.”

“Obviously she’s under my protection, it’s my duty as her husband and to the Marchetti-Leone alliance to safeguard the property given to me.” It took a lot to not cringe as I uttered those words. “And, yes, her business acumen is impressive. That’s been well-noted and documented throughout the city.”

“I’m not talking about her business acumen.” His lip curled. “And we both know she doesn’t need your protection.” He leaned forward, clasping his hands on the tabletop. “Furthermore, I don’t believe for one moment that she’s being owned by you.”

“Whatever you think you know—”

“Everyone else’s preconceived notions and a healthy dose of misogyny and fear led them to misinterpreting your playful war with her into an act of domination on your part, painting her as a weak link in the process, a submissive party, and giving those Leone bastards a sick thrill at believing that was what was happening to the woman who walked away from them and thrived from doing so. It was the only way they could allow themselves to look at it and still save face and not acknowledge their own failings.” A smug smile spread over his face. “When in actual fact it was you and Caterina sparring, conducting some sort of complicated and rather twisted mating ritual. She thrived from it and you experienced the closest thing you ever had to freedom, to having something that your family couldn’t touch.” He leaned back, shaking his head. “Although, now they’ve touched it and they have their hands all over it, wanting you to fulfill their sick intentions. That can’t be sitting well with you in the least.”

Fuck.

“I’m doing my duty for the Family.”

“You don’t trust me, so you’re denying everything. You’re skilled at wearing that mask of yours, I’ll give you that. However, it’s not conducive to what I’m trying to do here.”

“That’s too bad.”

He scrubbed his hand over his face at getting nothing from me. “Nico, I’m not trying to catch you out. I’m not trying to play you. I’m trying to help you. To help both of us. I know you’re not on board with the way things are progressing—or regressing, as it truly is. Keep in mind also that now the chaos of the wedding reception attack is waning, it will no longer be so easy to keep the true reality of your marriage to Caterina Leone off their radar. They want her hurt and controlled, broken. And they want you on a leash, expending a great deal of your time working on training her. They’ll come knocking asking for proof soon enough. The situation isn’t sustainable. None of this is. You’re smart and astute, so I’m sure you’re well aware of that. As such, it stands to reason to infer that you’re doing a whole lot more than merely resisting their despicable orders when it comes to your new wife, more than putting on a well-crafted facade.”

“You’re actually accusing me of working against the Family, against this new alliance? That would be an act of treason, punishable by severe torture and death.”

“I’m well aware of what the stakes are. It’s why I understand your continued denial and why I’m being incredibly patient with you, despite me knowing much better.”

“Beyond these baseless accusations and guesses on your part, what exactly is it that you want from me?”

He sat forward again. “Theoretically speaking, if you were intending to do something about the current situation—undermine it, possibly even destroy the new insane reality created by this foolish Marchetti-Leone alliance—it won’t be enough. It would leave a mammoth and very dangerous power vacuum. The three families alliance served to keep everyone in check, to ensure that not one single family possessed—and therefore abused—too much power. Between us, we also have differing areas of expertise that, when combined, form a whole of sorts, enabling our business ventures to be extremely diversified, which is needed in the world we operate within to stay ahead of competition, our enemies, and the law.” His eyes burned into mine as he said, “ You need to take power over the Marchetti Syndicate, Nico. And Caterina needs to do the same where the Leones are concerned.”

I started at his suggestion.

“And that’s why I lured you here tonight. To make it clear that destroying what exists now and then running and disappearing into the ozone as the ruins settle won’t achieve what you want to. It will just open the way for worse forces to take the power you would have ripped from Marco and Santino. You need to step up and take what’s rightfully yours. You and Caterina. The three of us will work together well.” He shifted his weight, urgency spilling from him. “To do that, you’ll need my help. My resources, for one. Not to mention my insights and experience.”

“What you’re suggesting—”

“I know it’s a great deal, especially when trust hasn’t yet been established between us. Although, keep in mind that I didn’t strike directly against you and only you, Nico. We both know that me sending the Red Vipers to your warehouse was merely for show.” He screwed up his face. “Until Leo made it a great deal more with his ridiculously overwrought retaliatory response.” He blew out a breath. “However, you need more. I understand that, especially given the stakes. You need confirmation of my sincerity. That will require endorsement from a reliable and already supremely trusted third party. Fortunately, for us, that individual does exist.”

“Who are you referring to?”

“Look into Joseph Stover.”

“Never heard of him.”

“I’m not surprised. She’s trying to protect him. He already warned me she’d do as much and be reluctant to bring him into this situation, despite him being more than willing to participate. Of course, given that he’s like the father figure she never truly had in that disgusting Santino, it’s to be expected.”

“You’re saying that this person is connected to Caterina?”

“Very much so. To the both of us now. All of us, in fact. So, look into him. She would be the best source, at least to start with. Do so carefully. Then contact me.”

He rose to his feet. “Those vehicles belonging to your men that were damaged during my surprise attack will be taken care of. I have my team of mechanics prepared to receive them and several tow trucks will be here within moments, so all of this will be covered up nicely, leaving the Marchettis and Leones none the wiser. My soldiers will also be transporting yours back to their respective homes within the next few moments, so you’re not left with that headache either. It’ll be as though this meeting never happened as far as they’re concerned.” As he rounded the booth toward me, he leaned down until he was eye level with me. “But it did, as far as you and I are concerned. I can help you. We can help each other. You are Marco’s true successor, and you should never have been passed over. We’ll remedy that. We’ll remedy it all.” With that, he rose back to his full height, adjusted his suit jacket, then told me, “It’s been nice having this sit down with you, Nico. I look forward to working with you and yours.”

I rose as he made his way to the door.

He paused as he reached for the doorknob and turned back to me. “Oh, while you’re looking into Stover, you’ll also be receiving a gesture of good faith from me.” He gestured at Milo, who was watching closely, frowning when he saw Carlo bring him into the conversation. He turned as though knowing that he’d been reading our lips this entire time, his back to him as he told me, “I understand that his parents’ murderer was never identified, that you suspected one of my soldiers as being the culprit. With us slated to work together, that lie can no longer be upheld, especially not for the good of the alliance that has now fallen apart, as I’d initially agreed to. I can confirm that they weren’t Benzino kills. In fact, Enzo Bardi was never my target. Like you, he possessed a temperament and decision-making that I favored. Him dying was detrimental to me. I’ll send you proof of the true culprit.”

“Why not just tell me here and now?”

“Because you won’t believe me without incontrovertible proof. Especially given who is truly responsible. You’ll suspect it as my intent to sway you.” He smiled. “Have a good night, Nico.”

With that, he strode on out, giving Milo a polite chin lift, then swept away through the parking lot, two of his men leading him to his town car in the distance, while his other soldiers headed inside the diner and began hauling up my men to ready them for transport back to safety.

I stood there, my gaze clashing with Milo’s, trying to absorb what the fuck had just transpired.

Everyone was fine.

My soldiers, many of whom had woken up during transport, had been debriefed about the situation, told a version of the story that hadn’t involved the reality of Carlo Benzino organizing it all just to lure me to that meeting.

I’d told them that Milo and I had run them off and managed to save the shipment and also liberate my men from their clutches. I’d had to come up with a complicated explanation to make it believable that two of us had won out against thirty-odd supposed enemy soldiers. I mean, as their Capo, they’d accept my word and what I said, but I also didn’t want quiet suspicion right now, or any sort of dissent, albeit something they wouldn’t dare to act on. Soon, I would be testing their loyalty to the max as it was, when it was time to call on them to follow me through fucking hellfire with this war. To do that, I couldn’t afford anything impacting their faith and trust in me.

As I walked to my Ferrari, finally able to head home after one hell of a night, I turned on my phone, fortunately only finding one text message.

Julian: Out riding with Cat. Let the fun reign! Text me as soon as you’re clear, need to know you’re safe.

I winced when I determined that the message had come in nearly two hours ago, just after I’d had to turn my phone off for that meeting, and then been swamped afterward.

“Nico!” Milo whisper-yelled, rushing toward me down the steps of Rocco’s house after I’d just finished up filling him in. Milo had needed to take a piss, hence him trailing behind a little.

“I know we need to talk,” I said, as he reached me and my car. “About everything that was said tonight. Including what Carlo wouldn’t let you read.” How he’d known Milo was capable of that was concerning. How he knew half the things he did was.

“Yeah, we will, but there’s another priority.” Urgency was basically spilling off him like crazy as he held up his phone and spun the screen toward me. “Right now, there’s this.”

Adrenaline flooded my system yet again tonight when I took in the red flashing alert on his screen that indicated Caterina’s panic button beneath her engagement ring had been activated.

“Two fucking hours ago!” he cried.

“Have Julian or Caterina contacted you in any way since then?”

“No. I just got this text from him, the last one he sent.”

He basically shoved it at me in his worry and haste.

Julian: Out taking Cat riding. When we all get back to the house, I’m gonna be riding you, big boy. And while Cat swallows your cock and Nico takes her sweet ass.

“I thought him not sending any more was him not wanting to bother us or distract us while we were in the middle of what we believed to be a dangerous situation at the time, but clearly not.” He starting spinning around, then gnawing at his knuckles.

Usually Milo didn’t panic in the face of such circumstances, but when it came to Julian—and now Caterina—all bets were off.

I sucked in a breath, working on keeping myself calm.

The only thing that would help him, though, was to give him a task.

“Track the location she was at when she pressed the panic button.”

“Okay,” he murmured, getting to work, rapidly typing and swiping on his phone. “Yeah, I can do that… last known location… all right.”

I eyed Rocco’s house, considering bringing him in on this. But he was still reeling from the effects of the tranquilizers, as were the rest of my soldiers available to help, the others with Tony escorting another shipment tonight or safeguarding our territory.

“Got it,” he said. “Here.” I took in the specified location, then threw open the driver’s door of my Ferrari. “All right, let’s go.”

Fuck. What the shit had happened? Caterina wouldn’t activate the panic button unless the situation had been really fucking dire.