Page 90 of Endure the Pain

I pushed open the door, a silent gesture for them to come in. I turned and beelined for my suitcase. Lying on top of it was a baggy shirt I’d planned on wearing to bed. I scooped it up and quickly put it on. It covered me to mid-thigh.

Nicoli and Dario stepped inside and Nicoli stopped in front of Brenna. “You look familiar,” he said. Brenna didn’t shy away from his intense stare and gave himan unimpressed look. Nicoli smirked and moved further into the room. “You Quinns recruit young.”

I arched a brow at him. “You have no room to talk.”

Nicoli walked over to the small seating area by the balcony door and sat in one of the armchairs. Dario also paused in front of Brenna and eyed the gun in her hand. “Do you even know how to use that?”

The corner of Brenna’s mouth lifted slowly. “Want to find out?”

Dario let out an evil chuckle and walked across the room to take his place by his boss.

I set my gun down on the dresser and leaned against it so I wouldn’t sway. The champagne was hitting me hard. “Why the late visit, Nicky?” I asked.

“You told me to come find you when I had a decision,” he said.

“And what did you decide?”

Ignoring my question, he glanced back at Brenna. “What is your name?”

Here we go.“It’s up to you if you want to tell him but know that he will find out one way or another now that he has seen you,” I said to her.

She held the don’s stare again. “I kind of want him to work for it.”

A proud smile stretched across my mouth.Good girl.

“But I could be persuaded to tell you, if you agree to the deal Maura offered,” she said to him.

Nicoli appeared amused before he looked at me and his expression turned serious. “There were some interesting requests on that list you gave me.”

I kept my mouth shut, not willing to divulge.

“Who are you planning on starting a war with, Maura?” he asked.

“I’m not starting anything.”

“So much for honesty,” Dario scoffed.

My eyes moved to him. “I’m not starting a war…I’m finishing one.” I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping that would help hold my rage at bay because I was itchingly close to exploding.

Nicoli sighed heavily and stood. “You still owe me a date. Have dinner with me tomorrow night, alone. After, we’ll do our exchange.”

My eyes narrowed. “That’s a lot of trust you’re asking of me.”

He closed the distance between us. “It’s no more than what you’re asking of me. How do I know for sure that your father won’t retaliate if I agree to this deal?”

He had a point. “Fine.” If he killed me, I’d fucking haunt him.

Nicoli walked toward the door, with Dario following him. Nicoli paused in front of Brenna again and smiled down at her. “You owe me your name.”

She glared up at him. “Brenna.”

Nicoli’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Samuel Quinn’s daughter.”

Brenna’s glare deepened upon hearing her father’s name.

“Touchy subject, little Quinn?” he goaded.

She made me proud when her unimpressed facade returned. “Not at all.” She looked him up and down. “I just find it boring when old men talk a lot.”