King of Diamonds (Vegas Underground 1)

Nico’s as handsome as ever in one of his fine suits and he looks like some kind of celebrity amongst the tourists. He arches a brow. “Me? No, amore. They’re looking at you. I heard one couple whispering that you’re a famous actress.” He picks up my hand and runs his thumb over my fingers.

If I’d worried that Nico and I would have nothing to talk about if we actually had time to spend together, I was wrong. He told me all about growing up in Chicago—the things he misses from the city, the things he doesn’t. How and why he ended up in Vegas.

I told him about Michigan, growing up across the street from Corey. How she became like a sister to me.

He rubs his stubbled jaw. “Here’s the thing I keep wondering, Sondra.”

“What?”

“How a woman as beautiful as you ended up in Reno with that lowlife bartender. It doesn’t make sense. Why aren’t you already married to some smart, nice intellectual who can talk about art and shit with you?”

I try to cover how much the question wounds me. Isn’t it the same one I’ve asked myself three dozen times?

I draw in a breath. “Well. I guess I had a smart, nice intellectual for a boyfriend when I was getting my Masters. He cheated on me with my best friend. Tanner—”

“Don’t say his name.” Nico closes his eyes like I’m greatly testing his patience.

“—he wasn’t the first to cheat on me. And John wasn’t even the first. Before that, my boyfriend in high school hooked up with a girl while camped out in line for concert tickets to Coldplay.”

Nico whistles. “That’s a bad pattern.”

“Yeah. I have terrible taste—” I break off too late. Nico’s expression darkens.

I clear my throat. “Present company excluded, of course.”

“No, you’re right,” he says. “I don’t cheat. You don’t need to worry about that. But I’m all wrong for you. Definitely wrong.”

The knife that’s been in my chest since the day I met him twists and I lose my breath.

“Stop saying that.” I should appreciate that he recognizes what a bad match we are, but I don’t. I resent the hell out of it. Because every time feels like another rejection. It’s just that this one isn’t for another woman, it’s for his job.

His life.

And I know he probably can’t help it. He is who he is.

Nico sits taller, watching me intently. “Why, cucciola mia? We both know it’s true.”

My eyes fill with tears and I lunge up out of my chair. He catches my hand and pulls me to his lap, oblivious to everyone in the crowded cafe. His strong arms band around me. “I wish I could be someone else for you. I want to be. But I can’t. I have family obligations you cannot fathom. I don’t see how I’ll ever be free of who and what I am.”

I give up the struggle and collapse back against him. He’s not saying he doesn’t want me. I’m finally hearing the words for what they are. He’s being realistic. Telling me he’s a Tacone.

So the question is—can I live with all that means?

Nico

We get back to the casino the next morning. I would’ve liked to stay longer, but until Stefano arrives, I can’t leave the operation unmanned for long.

Sondra sucked my dick on the plane ride home, which made me feel like a fucking king.

I’m happy, maybe for the first time in my life. Not just satisfied. Not proud of some accomplishment, not drunk on power, but genuinely happy. Sondra’s telling me all her plans for the casino redecoration, which is pure genius. She’s figured out ways to use much of what’s already in the Bellissimo, just rearranging it and categorizing things to fit into different Italian art movements and styles.

I escort her into the Bellissimo at the same time I hear Tony, who picked us up from the private airport, utter a low curse.

There, making a beeline straight for us, is a gorgeous leggy brunette.

Jenna Pachino.

“I’ll handle this,” Tony says. But I can’t snub her. To do so could start a war. I’m in a tricky fucking situation and any wrong word could cause things to implode.

Cristo, Madonna e Dio, why didn’t I deal with this situation sooner? Put more thought into the problem? Apply a little finesse? Now I’m about to fuck everything up.

“Jenna.” I try to keep the stiffness out of my tone. I take her shoulders and we do the two-cheek kiss.

Sondra’s gone rigid beside me.

Of course, this is her sore spot.

I put my hand on her back to reassure her, but Jenna’s eyes track to it. Christ, I don’t want her telling her dad I disrespected her.

I am so fucked.

Tony steps in to distract and they cheek-kiss.

“Tony, will you get Jenna anything she needs and take her up to my office?”