Chapter 17 #2
“I want to know what’s going on with Luca.” I remove my sweater first, and Nikki holds a hand out, wanting to inspect each item of clothing.
“What do you mean? What’s going on with my son?” Nikki asks.
When I’m down to my bra and panties, she makes me twirl around to ensure there’s nothing on my back. “Bra and panties too. I’ve seen wires tucked inside them before.”
Rolling my eyes, I remove my bra and undies, tossing both items at her. “Have fun.”
She inspects it and then hands it back. Satisfied that I’m not wearing a wire, she hands me back my clothes. “Now, what is this about Luca?”
“The bruises. The cracked ribs. I want to know what’s going on.” I pull my clothes back on and her eyes tighten.
She had no idea about his injuries. “When did this happen?”
“Months ago, in the spring. He missed the last hockey game of the season because of his injuries.”
I manage to slip on my pants, and I’ve barely gotten my arms through my sweater when Nikki barrels out into the hallway, facing her husband. I yank the hem down before anyone else can see my bra.
“What the hell did you get our son involved in?” Nikki’s steaming, and I’m glad to see that she’s at least on my side.
Sort of.
“Relax.” Dante puts his hands on Nikki’s shoulders. His voice is calm, but it doesn’t do anything to soothe my nerves.
“Don’t tell me to relax.” She shoves his hands away. “What the hell did you get our son involved with? What did you have him go and do?”
He gestures for Nikki to step into his office.
Is he about to kick me out?
“Any wires? Bugs? Listening devices?” Dante asks, glancing me over.
“She’s clean. What is going on with Luca?” Nikki glowers at her husband, and for the first time, I’m not sure who actually has more power.
It’s an interesting combination to see. She clearly doesn’t take orders from him.
“Your brother is back in the picture.”
Nikki’s eyes widen. “Massimo?” She steps backward into the desk, and Dante guides her to sit in his chair.
I watch with fascination how he treats her, like a queen.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Nikki seems to forget that I’m in the room, or maybe she doesn’t care.
“I didn’t think you wanted to know.” Dante’s eyes flinch, and I suspect he’s lying.
“You didn’t want me to know.” Nikki shakes her head. “How does this have anything to do with our son?”
“I wasn’t sure who was behind the smuggling operation. I had my suspicions it was tied to the DeLucas, but I wasn’t expecting it to be your brother.”
“Once you found out it was, you should have come to me!” Nikki stands and heads for the door.
Dante is right there, blocking her way, pulling her into his arms.
Manipulative savage.
“We only know it’s Massimo because of Luca.”
She huffs and untangles from his embrace. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
I sit at the edge of the leather chair, engrossed, and surprised Dante hasn’t kicked me out of his office.
He probably forgot about me, or rather, I’m a minuscule problem compared to his wife.
“You know I always send teams out in pairs. Ashton and Luca did a little surveillance work; it just … got dicey.”
“What does that even mean?” Nikki steps forward, invading Dante’s personal space.
He’s silent, choosing not to speak.
Nikki answers for him. “It means Luca came home with bruises on his chest and broken ribs last spring.”
“I gave him time to heal.” Dante offers a smile.
“That’s why my son hasn’t been here all summer? And here I thought you were actually letting him spend some time with his family!” She smacks his arm. “Jerk. You never should have lied to me.”
Dante runs his hands up and down Nikki’s arms, attempting to soothe her. “I didn’t lie, kitten, I just refrained from sharing the whole story with you.”
“Same fucking difference,” she bites out. “Where is our son now?”
Dante glances from Nikki to me. “This time, I sent Luca and Ashton with Halsey and his team.”
“Wait—” Nikki holds up a hand. “You sent the boys on their own last time? What the hell were you thinking? Were you trying to get my son killed?”
“He’s our son,” he bites out defensively.
“And you still put him in danger!” Nikki’s fuming and her cheeks redden.
Dante looks a bit uncomfortable. “I was thinking that they wouldn’t be recognizable and would keep a safe distance. Clearly, I was wrong. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Damn right, you won’t. If you’re expecting our son to take over the family business one day, you’d better make sure to keep him alive.” Nikki smacks his arm again and then retreats back to his leather chair.
Dante watches her closely, smiling. There’s a hum of electricity in the room, a heat sizzling between the two of them.
Nikki glances up at me. It’s the first time she’s paid me any attention since she had me strip down to nothing. “Harper, you’re dismissed.”
The way Nikki commands the room from Dante’s chair, it’s hard not to believe she isn’t the one in charge.
My lips part, and I sigh. I appreciate what I’ve learned, but I’m still not confident about what’s going on with Luca and that he’s safe.
I stand from my seat but don’t move toward the door. “What is my husband involved in?”
Dante glances at me over his shoulder. “My wife gave you an order.”
“And I came in here for answers about Luca.”
“We’ve told you all that you’re going to hear.” Dante points at the door.
“You made me strip down to tell me that her brother, Massimo, is behind whatever the hell is happening?” I laugh darkly, the absurdity of it burns me.
Did they just play me?
Dante approaches the office door and yanks it open. “You’re dismissed, Harper.”
I glance back at Nikki, desperately hoping that she’ll help. She raises an eyebrow. “You heard him.”
I curse under my breath and stomp out of the office. But I’m wearing socks, and my heavy footfalls on marble fall silent.