I have to wonder if studying it is how he got so ripped. He has a fighter’s body now. There’s nothing lean or soft about him. I have to wonder what he’d be like now, on top of me, pinning me roughly down, thrusting into me…
“We need to talk,” I say, changing the subject for the sake of my own sanity.
“Talking’s the last thing you need.” Nero flashes me a look full of dark foreboding, and dammit, I get goosepimples at the commanding tone in his voice. He turns and stalks back to the stairs. I hurry after him.
“If I’m going to help, I need to know more about what’s going on with McKenna,” I say, following him upstairs to the loft. “What do you need from him?”
“That’s family business.”
I know what that means. It’s code for mind your own business. These mafia guys are big on discretion.
“I need to be in the loop on this one,” I insist. “How else am I supposed to get you close to the guy, help set up whatever deal you need to make?”
Nero crosses to the kitchen area and starts programming the expensive Italian coffee machine.
“I mean it, Nero,” I try again. “I can’t do anything if I don’t know the game plan. We have to work together on this.”
Nero finally turns back to face me. He clenches his jaw for a long moment, searching my face. “I don’t trust you.”
“Well, that’s fine,” I reply. “The feeling’s mutual. Doesn’t change our situation though.”
Nero sighs. “Fine,” he says. But still, he makes me wait while he pours a cup of coffee and moves to sit at the table. I take a seat, too. “McKenna is on the City Council,” he begins. “He’s on the Planning Committee, overseeing zoning and development. Hell, he’s the chairman of the whole damn thing. Elected because he’s so honest and virtuous.” Nero’s lips twist in grim amusement.
“You have something you want to build?” I ask.
Nero nods. “The past couple of years, I’ve quietly been buying up buildings downtown around Canal Street. Old warehouses, apartment buildings… I’ve got the whole city block locked up now. I figured, if the fucking developers could hollow out this city, then why couldn’t we get a piece of the action, too? Prime Manhattan real estate, ready to be torn down and redeveloped. I’m talking, luxury condos, retail, office buildings… If we get the development approved.”
My mind races. “You need McKenna’s vote,” I say, realizing just how much rides on this deal. “My God, if a project like this went through, that land would be worth a fortune. Hundreds of millions.”
“Maybe even billions.” Nero agrees, meeting my gaze with a triumphant smile.
Then he seems to remember himself. The smile slips. “This is it. The big one. I have the construction crews lined up, and the plans are drawn. I want this project underway and breaking ground in the next three months. We thought we could buy McKenna off. Cash in a briefcase, same as the rest of those corrupt fuckers. But he’s not playing ball”
“Because he wants more than money,” I agree, nodding. “He wants power. So how will you talk him into it, if I get you in the same room as him?”
Nero gives a dangerous smirk. “You leave that to me, Princess. I have my ways.”
My blood runs cold. I’m sure he does. But that’s not my problem.
All that matters is fulfilling my end of the deal—and keeping my brother safe.
I stand. “I better get to work then. But I need one more thing from you.”
Nero arches an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“Your credit card.”
With Nero’splatinum AmEx nestled safely in my new bag, I direct my driver to Marche Salon. Yes, I have a driver now, one of Nero’s heavies outfitted with a Mercedes G-wagon and a scowl. I’m under no illusions, he’s a prison guard designed to keep tabs on me, but as I drive through the city in style, I try not to let it get to me.
I’m on a mission now. Get to Ian McKenna.
And my #1 way of doing that?
Get to his wife.
Fiona mentioned getting her hair done at this salon when I overheard her at the gala, so I waltz through the front doors and bat my eyelashes at the girl on reception, begging for an appointment. “My ends are begging for a trim,” I coo, playing the pampered Park Avenue princess. “I’ll take anything. Pretty please?”
She checks the books. “I did just have a last-minute cancellation, I can squeeze you in with Frederik?”