Page 26 of Mafia Men Need Love Too
Nico pinched the bridge of his nose like he was tired of the room and everyone in it. “So, your answer was yes? You’ll take her?”
Tenley rolled her eyes. “Of course I will. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. I have it all under control.”
“And somehow that makes me feel worse,” he muttered.
“You’re absolutely no fun, Fortunado. When did you turn into such an old lady?”
“Since I met you.”
River’s gaze bounced between them like she was watching a tennis match. She was pleased to note she no longer harbored any jealousy. Tenley was gorgeous, smart, hilarious, and obviously well-versed in pop culture, but the one thing she wasn’t was romantically interested in Nico. They bickered like siblings and, oddly enough, that made River like her even more.
Tenley ignored his smart-ass comment and offered River a wide grin so infectious she smiled back. “Don’t you worry, either. We’ll find clothes you love that are as comfortable as your favorite leggings, but fancy enough to make the Russian mafia think you’re spending every penny of Nico’s money, which is exactly what a real fiancée would do.”
Comfortable and fancy? Seemed unrealistic. But River didn’t voice her skepticism out of respect for Tenley. “I really do appreciate your help.”
“Hey, I’m always up for a shopping trip.”
From the doorway, Van cleared his throat. “Boss, how many men do you want me to send with them?”
Nico snorted. “When she’s around?” he asked, gesturing to Tenley. “None. They’ll be fine.”
“Aw,” Tenley said, reaching out to pinch Nico’s cheek. “You trust me to protect the woman you lurv.”
He swatted her hand away. “To protect her? Yes. But if you steal anything from her, I’ll destroy you.”
She looked genuinely offended. “Gross. I don’t steal from women.”
He shot her a pointed stare.
Another eye roll. “Fine. That’s a lie. I have stolen from a woman before. But only the bitch who was trying to steal my husband. She deserved it.”
Seemed reasonable to River. Must’ve made sense to Nico too, because he gave her a nod. “Fine.” Then he turned to Van. “You have the tracking app on her phone, right?”
“Yeah,” Van said, eyeing Tenley like she was a tornado bearing down on his house. “If they go off-grid, I can find them. Both of them.”
“How very stalker-y of you, Van. I’m flattered,” Tenley said with a smirk and a fluttering of lashes.
For the first time since she’d met him, Van looked a little uncomfortable. Clearly, Tenley had knowledge to offer on topics other than fashion, because if a tiny woman like her was good enough to protect her against the Russian mafia and she made Van nervous? Well…that was a woman River needed to spend way more time with.
Tenley threw an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s ditch these stiffs and do some damage.”
“Be careful,” Nico said.
“I’m always careful,” Tenley said.
“Fiorellino.”
She turned back to find Nico staring intently at her.
“Have fun.”
His mouth didn’t smile. It looked as stern as ever. But his eyes? Those were smiling in a way that made her feel like she was seeing a part of him he hid from the rest of the world but trusted her with.
“I will,” she answered shyly.
“Aren’t you going to ask for my credit card?” he asked Tenley when they were more than halfway to the door.
Tenley whipped a black card out of her cleavage and held it up for his inspection. “You already gave it to me.”
