Page 49 of Mafia Men Need Love Too
She snorted. “You were an unemployed gambling addict. That money was mine, and you know it.”
“I was going to pay you back once I got money from…” he trailed off, his eyes shifting over to Ricky.
“Once you and Ricky were able to betray me, trafficking drugs from the Russians through my territory and skimming off the profits?” Nico supplied.
Ricky squeezed his eyes shut like he was waiting for a killing blow. And since he was still gagged, it was Jeremy who answered, “No one was going to get hurt. It was the best way we could think of to make money fast and pay off my debt to the Russians. It was a win win.”
“That’s what was in it for you,” River said. “But Ricky doesn’t look like he needs money. What was he going to get out of this?”
Jeremy pressed his lips together like he wasn’t going to answer. Nico slid a knife out of his inside jacket pocket and held it casually to his throat. “Feel free to stay quiet,” he murmured. “But know that if you’re not talking, you’re of no use to me and you’ll be disposed of like the garbage you are.”
Jeremy licked his lips nervously. “He was going to use the Russian money we skimmed to buy support and make a play for your job.”
Nico snorted. “Which certainly wasn’t Ricky’s idea, because we all know he’s too fucking stupid to plan something like that. Right, Jeremy?”
“It was my idea,” he admitted quietly. “All of it. I told one of the Russians at the casino about it right after I got Ricky onboard.”
The one Alexi killed for plotting behind his back, River realized. Jeremy went on to explain that the Russian had been interested, but skeptical. He’d wanted to speak to Ricky immediately to ensure that Jeremy’s Italian mafia contact was actually going along with the plan. Jeremy had agreed to arrange a meet-up, but the Russian had gotten impatient and tracked down Jeremy’s last known address. He’d found River instead.
She shook her head. “That guy threatened me, Jeremy. Blackmailed me into luring your idiot friend here out of the club. I could’ve been killed—or worse.”
He had the nerve to narrow his eyes on her. “I knew they wouldn’t hurt you as long as you did what they asked you to. How was I supposed to know you’d screw it up so royally?”
She sputtered. “If Nico hadn’t saved me, anything could’ve happened! Do you even care?”
“Of course I care!” he insisted.
He didn’t, though. That much was abundantly clear. She’d always wondered if he was a sociopath, but now, she was thinking it was simpler than that. He was just a narcissist who was incapable of giving a shit about anyone other than himself.
River wouldn’t lie and say his indifference didn’t piss her off. It did. But mostly, she was mad at herself. She’d married this shallow, petty, conniving little man. She’d been a lousy judge of character. That was on her.
On the flip side, however, if Jeremy had never betrayed her, she wouldn’t have met Nico. So, on some level, maybe she should be thanking this fucker for being the world’s worst husband.
She wouldn’t, though. Because fuck him.
Nico laid his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward him. “What do you want me to do with him?”
She blinked up at him. “What do you mean?”
“He betrayed you. What he did could’ve ended very badly for you. It’s only fair that you decide his punishment. If you want him dead, I’ll happily kill him for you.”
Both Jeremy and Ricky sat up a little straighter. “River—” Jeremy began.
She ignored him. She only had eyes for her future husband. He meant every word. He would kill for her. And while she appreciated the sentiment, she didn’t feel right about it. She had to think that taking human life left marks on a soul, and Nico’s soul was too precious to risk. She couldn’t ask him to kill for her.
River shook her head. “He’s not worth it.”
Jeremy let out a sharp, relieved breath. “Oh, baby, I promise I’m going to make it all up to you. I’ll never?—”
She shushed him with a quickness. “Don’t get too comfortable, asshole. I don’t want you dead, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.”
“Definitely not,” Nico said dryly.
“What are you going to do with Ricky?” she asked.
“I promised I’d let Van handle him. He’s always hated this fucker. Enzo said something about a rain barrel and lye in the potting shed, though.” Nico shrugged. “Maybe he’ll go that route.”
Ricky whimpered.
