7. Nik

CHAPTER 7

Nik

The atmosphere in the conference room still tingles with potential violence, even though at Sophie’s words, I see Frank Colombo’s shoulders relax, and Vince Sabatelli lean back in his chair with a knowing smirk. Everything in me wants to eliminate Larry Caruso—undeniably a threat to Brie—but I force myself to stay still.

Sometimes protection means watching, waiting, reading the room.

Obeying orders.

And if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s obeying orders. I’m coming to understand my gifts with more clarity, to see that while I’m not exactly cut out for leadership and have no designs on that, I’m exceptionally good at follower ship—especially when I’m following the right woman.

And Brie Colombo, no doubt in my mind, is the right woman.

“There you have it, gentlemen.” Brie’s voice carries that edge I’ve come to adore. “Unless you believe this is some grand conspiracy that the casino’s CFO is also in on?”

Larry’s scowl deepens. “Maybe it is,” he mutters, eyes darting between Sophie and Brie. “Maybe you’re all in it together.”

“Have some sense,” Frank snaps.

And now Larry’s attention switches targets, like a dog chasing a new scent. “You’re awful quick to defend them, Frankie. Maybe you’re the one who wanted the old man dead. Maybe you thought you’d finally get your shot at running things.”

Frank’s laugh is dark. “Me, run things better than Terry? He was smarter than all of us put together.” His eyes fix on Brie, something like understanding in his expression. “I’m only now beginning to see just how smart.”

“The hell’s that supposed to mean?” Larry demands, but I’m watching the shift in Frank’s posture, the way his shoulders have pulled back like a man readying himself to unburden a heavy secret.

Vince slaps a hand not he table. “If you got something to say, let’s hear it, Frank. Some of us are actually interested in the truth here.”

Frank sighs, glancing at Sophie. “Good thing you’re here, actually, sweetheart. You can back me up on this.” He takes a breath, trying to find the words, and God, I wish I could stand closer to Brie. She gives me the slightest of smiles, reassuring, and firm, but I don’t feel reassured. “Terry made changes to his will before he died,” Frank says at last. “Ms. Johnson and I witnessed the new will for him. Isn’t that right, Sophie?”

“That’s right,” Sophie says slowly, her eyebrows drawing together as she remembers. “It was before Mrs. Colombo and I went out that night,” she adds. Clever woman—reinforcing the alibi even as she confirms Frank’s story. I’m impressed, even though I’d bet my life that Brie wasn’t anywhere near Sophie Johnson that night. “Mr. Colombo called me to his office around four in the afternoon. Said he needed two witnesses for some paperwork. Mr. Frank was already there.”

Frank nods, his gaze flicking toward Brie again. “Terry had plans,” he continues. “Big changes for the Family. He wanted?—”

“We all know his crazy ideas about letting in any rat off the street, make them full members,” Larry breaks in. “When I’m Boss, there’ll be no more talk like that. We keep to tradition, like we always have.”

“It wasn’t about the membership,” Frank says. Another pause, heavy with implications. “Terry wanted Brie to take over after him.”

The silence that follows is absolute. Brie’s perfect features remain marble-still, but the cords in her neck tighten up.

She didn’t know.

Larry’s laugh shatters the moment. “Bullshit. Complete bullshit. Some showgirl running the Family?”

“Careful, there, Larry,” Vince murmurs. “Your misogyny is peekin’ out.”

“God’s honest truth.” Frank’s voice is quiet but firm. “I thought he was crazy . But watching how Brie’s handled everything these past weeks…” He shakes his head. “Well, I’m starting to think Terry saw something in her that the rest of us missed.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Brie’s voice is strained.

Frank shifts uncomfortably. “A few reasons. First, like I said, I didn’t agree with Terry’s decision—thought it was irresponsible. I wanted to avoid exactly this kind of tension in the Family. And second…well, I thought it was unfair of him. That position ain’t a blessing. I thought it was cruel of him to pile that burden on to you, Breezy.”

She’s staring at him, unblinking. “But it wasn’t your choice to make.”

“No,” Frank agrees tiredly. “It wasn’t.” He gives a deep sigh. “But it doesn’t matter now, anyway. I can’t find the will. So without it, Terry’s previous will stands. He named Big Joe his successor for the Family, so we still got a problem there—although Brie keeps the casino, of course.”

I watch the news sink in around the room. Larry’s irritation, Vince’s stillness, Sophie’s expression that suggests she’d rather be anywhere else but here. But mostly I watch Brie, wondering if she’s thinking what I’m thinking. That someone wanted that will to disappear.

Someone didn’t want her to have power.