Chapter 49
Nico
“It’s been a long time.”
The man in front of me looks so similar to me I could be looking in the mirror. If I had darker hair and was an inch taller, we could pass for twins.
My doppelganger scoffs at my greeting. “Almost fifteen years.” He pulls a box of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket, offering me one.
“I’m good.”
“Of course you are, goody two shoes.” He snorts, placing it between his lips and lighting it. He inhales, blowing smoke into the air then smirking at me. “You’ve always been one. Except you can’t be the perfect angel you act like if you’re here with me.”
I sweep my arm, motioning for the other alpha to walk with me. “Well, it’s a serious matter.”
We walk in silence, side by side for the first time in fifteen years. Around us, Scentral Park hums quietly with the noises of night.
I’m thankful for the mask of midnight. Beyond the lights, it’s too dark to see the painful memories of her. I haven’t been here since Ariana’s birthday picnic.
My heart aches at the thought of my pretty girl, making me stop in my tracks. Almost a full season has passed since the first day we met her here.
Emilio comes to a halt a couple steps in front of me. He turns and studies me through narrowed eyes. “You really love her, huh?”
“I do, I really do. We all do.” I admit, meeting his gaze.
He takes a long drag. He watches the smoke dissipate after he exhales. “Enough to get your hands dirty? I thought you and dad swore off the family business.”
“The things you do for love,” I utter grimly. Even though I got out of the game, I’ll have to tell Ariana about the mafia ties soon. For now, for the first time in fifteen years since leaving my brother’s pack, I use them to help her.
Pulling out my phone, I show him pictures of her scent matches and the doctor from the hospital. I reveal our plan, having him make sure they don’t know peace in jail, the details of putting the pack and doctor into debt.
Emilio outright cackles. “Fucked up contract. You’re going to make me a rich man. How do I know they’ll sign it?”
“They will, once we’re done with them. That’s the type of men they are. Desperate people do dumb things. This one,” I slide to the picture. “Liam Hale. He will for sure. I’ll text you the details.”
My older brother blows smoke into the air. “Smart. Tear half their money away, have me promise them more, and then what, you’re gonna pull the rest?”
“Exactly.” I’m glad to see he’s picking up what I’m putting down. We’ve already laid the foundation, all he needs to do is show up and collect. “Don’t forget to hike the interest.”
He nods slowly. “Then you want my guys to handle them in jail?”
“No?” At my denial, the other man looks away from his cigarette to my face, confusion filtering into his gunpowder scent. “We’re going to handle them once they’re locked up. Your guys can do whatever after.”
The corners of my lips lift, and Emilio matches my smirk with one of his own. “Why do I feel like you’ve got some fucked up shit planned, Nico Coates?”
“You have no idea.”