Page 10 of Kill Shot

Things could not have gone any smoother in the week that followed. Nico was in awe of just how easy it was to lead the Altamirano boy on.

Strolling the streets during the day as Seb handed out questionnaires to strangers he met on the street for his research paper turned to venturing into parks that were known hotspots of gang activity.

Nico warned Seb about this, but he did it in such a way that the boy just protested even more that he should get to experience the real world.

Of course, Seb clearly didn’t need that much of a push, and Nico suspected that he could have said anything and Seb would be champing at the bit to throw himself into danger.

All he had to do was push or pull, and the boy leapt to do exactly what he wanted. Tease Seb, tell him he wasn’t ready to take it to the next level of danger, and he would beg for a chance to prove himself. Give him the slightest compliment, and he would preen for hours on end.

There was something about the experience that threatened to dig up old memories that Nico had long since repressed.

Memories of his own early years, when his innocence was stripped from him and he had to learn fast how to survive in the cruel and manipulative world of gang life.

You trust one person, and your life gets fucked over.

It was always survival of the fittest. No place for softness, no room for mistakes.

In a twisted way, Seb’s naivete and trusting nature reminded him of those younger years.

But Nico killed that thought before it could go any further.

For now, all that mattered was the mission, and he couldn’t be getting tripped up by feeling even a smidge of sympathy, regardless of whether it was for Seb or his own past self.

So he didn’t feel any sympathy as he typed his response to the message he’d received from Seb earlier—just another part of the plot in his seduction game.

Seb : I want to try that bar we passed last time

Nico : The one not so far from Kingsbury Park? Good luck blending in with your entourage

Nico had barely hit send before the reply came. It was like Sebastian had been waiting for it.

Seb : ??

Seb : Maybe… you could come with me?

Seb : It’ll be weird drinking alone with stone-faced men in black as company

Tempting, this boy. But if Nico was going to sink his claws further, he needed Seb away from those prying eyes of his watchdogs.

It was only a matter of time before Pablo Altamirano smelled something was off, and Nico didn’t want to let this drag on for longer than it should.

The faster he moved, the faster it was for everyone involved.

Nico : Are you asking me out on a date, Sebby?

Seb : A date? Oh, um… I just thought it’d be nice with you there ??

Nico : Fine, I’ll be your date.

Seb : It’s just drinks ??

Nico : Just drinks? Damn. And here I was thinking I was special

Seb : You’re gonna have to try harder than that ??

Nico : Ouch. What do I have to do?

Seb : Having drinks together would get you more points

Nico : I can go with you tonight, without your bodyguards. I know the people who run the place. They’re not the kind to allow that much security in there.

Nico : Can you come out by yourself?

Seb : That’s going to be difficult. You know, with my dad and all

Nico : But you’ve done it before, no? The night we met

Seb : That was a one-time thing. And you have no idea the measures I had to take not to get caught

Nico : Do it again

Nico : Do it for me, Sebby

Seb : Nico…

Nico: I’ll give you a big fat kiss when I see you

Seb : God, Nico! You can’t just… say that ??

Nico : What? I know you want it

Nico : You’ve been wanting it since the first time we did it

Nico : Dare you to tell me I’m lying

Nico didn’t hear back from Seb for several minutes, and he started to wonder if he’d finally scared him off for real this time. When the response came, Nico felt the tension leaving his shoulders, which surprised him. He wasn’t sitting on tenterhooks waiting for the kid’s message… was he?

Seb : You’re gonna get me in trouble??

Nico: Is that a yes?

Seb : Can’t leave tonight, but I can see you tomorrow

Nico : What sort of story did you spin to allow this?

Seb : Nothing too crazy

Seb : My dad felt bad about being too restrictive lately, so he was eager to take the opportunity to make up for it when I said I wanted to visit a friend.

Seb : He asked for your name

Nico went still. He was sure Pablo already knew about him from the daily reports from Sebastian’s watchdogs, so this was no surprise. Besides, there wasn’t much damage that could be done by Pablo Altamirano having his first name—and likely only his nickname at that.

Before this operation started, Nico had made sure to put in place the groundwork to make it a pain in the ass for Pablo and his Diamond Brotherhood to trace anything significant about him.

But that could change quickly if the man started to dig a little deeper.

Nico : Did he ask anything else?

The typing bubbles blinked on and off far too many times, testing Nico’s patience to the point where he wanted to reach through the phone and rip the damn words out of the boy himself. He let out a sharp breath when the message finally came through.

Seb : He asked what you did. I don’t think we’ve talked about it before, so I assumed you were into business.

Seb : Sorry. I should’ve asked first, but I thought I’d lose him if I didn’t come up with something on the spot .

Well, it wasn’t exactly off the mark. When it came down to it, the Black Cobra did have plenty of operations he was overseeing.

Nico : Excellent guess. Yeah, I’m into business.

Seb : Oh, great! I’ll see you tomorrow then? I have a few questionnaires to hand out to a few of the tenants in Caroline’s building, and then we can hang after

Seb : If you’re available, of course

Damn right he was. This was his entire reason for being here in the first place. He had all the time in the world for this.

Nico : Sounds like a plan

Nico: Though I didn’t know you needed Daddy’s permission to step out. You’re a fully grown adult

Seb : It’s a little… complicated, my father. I can’t give you all the details, but it’s not as bad as you think

Seb : It’s only when I ask for a change in my security detail that he probes, so I had to tell him I was meeting you. You know, less… entourage

Nico : And he agreed?

Seb : Yes. There’s been a bit of friction between us lately. I think he’s trying to make up for it. He rarely approves such requests

Seb : Only two will be with us inside the bar. The rest will wait outside.

Nico’s brows lifted as he read the message. Interesting.

Perhaps that explained why Sebastian’s security detail had loosened up over the days.

He’d noticed the number of bodyguards had gradually dwindled by one and two until there were only half a dozen.

It almost felt like he was trusting Nico to watch over his son.

That had just made Nico even bolder, of course.

He reveled in the idea that Pablo was letting his guard down even while Nico was sneaking stolen touches with his son at every opportunity.

His hated enemy was getting closer to his precious Sebastian, and Pablo had no idea whatsoever. At least, for now.

Nico : Good. That’s good

But Nico didn’t stop there. He just had to go just a little further with his prey.

Nico : You still want that kiss?

The typing bubbles appeared again, but he didn’t have to wait as long as before. And no gun pointed at Nico’s head could’ve stopped the wide grin that formed on his lips as he read Sebastian’s response.

Seb : Yes