Page 56 of Endure the Pain
He tipped his head with gratitude, then asked, “Why does your family call you The Castrator?”
I felt Jamie and Stefan stiffen and it didn’t go unnoticed by Nicoli and Ivano either.
I was very curious to know how he knew that. They obviously had better spies then we did. If Stefan hadn’t explained prior to tonight’s dinner that the private dining room at Adrian’s was not only sound proof but every inch was inspected for bugs before we’d arrived, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable answering. “The first time I killed someone, I castrated him. I wanted him to suffer a slow and painful death. The third time, I unloaded thirteen rounds into a man’s groin because again, I wanted him to suffer.”
“How old were you when you had your first kill?” Ivano asked.
“Seventeen,” I answered freely. Both Ivano and Nicoli appeared impressed.
Nicoli peered across the table at Stefan. “I’ll admit that I’m amazed at how well you kept her out of the public eye and led everyone to believe that Jameson would succeed you.”
“I never confirmed that I would hand over the family to Jameson.” Stefan shrugged. “I suppose I never denied it either.”
Nicoli nodded, then looked at Jamie. “You don’t have any issues with taking orders from your woman.”
That time I stiffened.
Jamie leveled a look with the don. “Maura always has and always will march to the beat of her own drum. Why would I want to stop her from being who she is? Pride?” He shook his head. “She’s worth more than my pride and she’d gut me in my sleep if I ever did try to control her.”
“And does the third member of yourménage a troisfeel the same?” Nicoli asked.
Jamie did a good job at hiding what he was truly feeling. Before coming tonight, I'd pulled him close and reassured him that I had no romantic feelings for Nicoli. Then I'd explained to him how important it was to methat we settle the feud with the De Lucas and that if we had a shot of doing that—I knew in my gut—Nicoli was the one who would be able to help us do it.
I let out an evil little chuckle. “Just ask what you want to really know, Nicky. I’ll respect you more for it.”
He smirked, telling me that I had done something that he found entertaining again.
Before he could answer, I said, “But if you’re also going to ask personal questions, I get to ask you one next.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Is that what we’re going to do tonight, play twenty questions?”
My hand fisted under the table, the only sign of my unease, because I was about to take a huge risk. “Why did you agree to do business with Dylan? I’ve done my research on you and you’ve been approached by other suppliers who would have charged you less. I can’t say the quality is as good as ours, but still…why choose Dylan?”
He didn’t answer. However, I could see the wheels turning as he mulled over how he wanted to respond.
A little more. It could be seen as weak to reveal your hand and show the slightest vulnerability. At the same time, for trust to form, someone had to give a little.
“Our families have been feuding for generations.” I gave all four of them, including Stefan and Jamie, a hard look. “Iwill notbe dragged into it. I have enough shit to deal with as it is and I’m sure you do as well.” I directed the last part to Nicoli. “I don’t like to surround myself with people I don’t trust. If we’re going to be doing business, Nicky, I’d eventually like there to be trust between us.”
He schooled his face. “You want an alliance?”
“I’d rather have trust.” I smiled a little. “Maybe one day we could go see a Yankees and Red Sox game and I wouldn’t have to worry about you shooting me when your team loses.”
Despite themselves, all four of them smiled.
“You want to be friends?” Nicoli asked with a hint of amusement.
I shrugged.He better not make me regret this.
Nicoli looked back to Stefan. “What are your thoughts? You are the head of your family, yet your daughter has done all the talking.”
“I think it is better for you and my daughter to take the lead on thistrust. You are both young and haven’t become jaded by what has transpired between our two families like I have. I’m a prideful man, but I have the good sense not to stand in the way of what is right for my daughter and my family.”
Nicoli was silent for a moment, thinking. “I agreed to do business with Dylan because I’d hoped it would lead to peace between our families. But we all know how that ended. I found myself stuck with a decision to make. Cut ties and risk our feud blowing up again or continue doing business with Dylan and have things stay somewhat peaceful.”
“I probably would have done the same,” I admitted honestly. “Looks like I owe you a personal question.”
Nicoli’s devilish smirk returned. “I’ll ask it on the date you owe me.”