Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)

“They’re not your fucking family,” he growls. “Russo is just using you to get to me. You’re a fucking pawn to them, and you’re letting them walk all over you.”

“Just like you used me to keep tabs on my father?” I say, before realizing what he actually just said. My brows crease, and as I look at him, it hits me. A sick grin twists across my face, and I step in even closer, my skin brushing against his as I raise onto my tippy toes. “You don’t know, do you?” I whisper, taking a step and circling him.

Nic keeps his eyes straight ahead, refusing to get caught up in my little intimidation tactics. “Know what?” he spits, his voice low and careful.

“Russo stepped down,” I tell him, stepping around him more so that I can see the surprise on his face. “There’s a new leader now, someone else calling all the shots.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? Russo wouldn’t step down.

“Oh, but he did. Didn’t the boys tell you? I bet they would already know all about it. After all, it happened while you were spending those two cozy nights in a cell. How was that, by the way? I’m sure you had a great time.”

I come full circle, and as I place myself right back in front of him, Nic grabs me and spins me around until my back is against his car. “Fucking spit it out already,” he growls. “Who’s your new leader?”

I laugh to myself, hating how much my next words are going to hurt. “Damnnnn, the boys really didn’t tell you. I bet that one stings.”

Nic slams his hand down on the car right beside my face, and I flinch before reminding myself that I’m supposed to be right at the top of the food chain now. So, despite the way he has me pinned against his car, he still allows me room to breathe. I push up onto my tippy-toes before pressing a soft kiss to his warm cheek and then leaning into his ear. “You’re looking at her.”

Nic rears back, taking three large steps and looking at me as though I just told him that I fucked his mom in the ass with a power drill. “You’re lying.”

“You keep claiming that you know me the best, that you’re my family. So, ask yourself, would I lie about this?” I question, taking the three big steps with him and keeping right in his face. “I’m as serious about this as you are about the Widows. I’m the fucking bitch at the top so keep that in mind when you decide to make a move against the Wolves. A move against them is a move against me.”

Nic’s jaw clenches. “I don’t give a fuck who you are to me, if you hit against the Widows, I’ll fucking hit back.”

I grin wide. “You mean directly taking a hit against the Widows by doing something like taking out Vincent DeCarlo with a clean shot through the back of his spine?”

Nic’s whole face drops, and anger tears across his face, knowing just how fucked he is without the last DeCarlo still breathing. He goes to step into me, but as he makes his move, a voice sounds behind me. “Hey,” Miss Davies snaps, her tone low and deadly, something that not even Nic is stupid enough to argue with. “Step away from my student before I’m forced to call for reinforcements.”

Nic’s eyes swivel around to Roni, and recognition flashes before a wicked grin stretches wide over his face. Miss Davies reaches out and curls a hand around my elbow, yanking me back from Nic, not wanting me anywhere near the guy. But how did she know he was here? There’s only one logical explanation, but it can’t be true. Christian wouldn’t risk reaching out to his sister just to look out for me. The Wolves’ loyalty is strong, but it couldn’t be that strong.

Nic straightens and turns to face Roni as though she’s the bigger threat out of the two of us, and honestly, after her upbringing, she might just be. She doesn’t squirm under his stare, and the way he watches her is filled with curiosity. “If it isn’t little Veronica Russo,” Nic murmurs, roaming his eyes up and down her body as though she’s about to be his afternoon snack. “I’ve been waiting for my chance to get at you. I couldn’t believe my luck when Ocean mentioned her guidance counselor was a Wolf. I couldn’t resist doing my homework. Both the Widows and Wolves have been looking for you for a very long time.”

Nic goes to grab her, but she yanks her arm away, evading his vice-like grip. She steps into him, not fearing him one bit. “Touch me, and it’ll be the last thing you do.”