Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Nia

I'm going to kill that Brit with my bare hands.

In this moment, I've never felt more like a phoenix rising.

"From the ashes," I murmur, and I know Jake hears me by the way he shifts in his seat.

I take two steps toward the man coming out of the cockpit, my teeth gnashing together when I realize something is wrong.

Even in the shadow of the doorway, I can see that he doesn't look quite right. The nose, the eyes, the cut of his hair.

"Nia," Luke clears his throat. "Meet Triston Smith."

My chin pulls back. "Triston?"

The Brit shrugs. "Our mother pulled most of our names from the family tree. I think I fared far better than my brother, Griswold." And then he gives me a wicked grin.

Luke starts for the door. "I'm going to patrol the perimeter, make sure none of our friends circle back."

I don't turn away from Triston. He knows exactly who I thought he was. "How is your brother?" I ask, intentionally making my voice sugary-sweet.

I know that I only just gained the trust of the Kincaids and I don't have a lot of room here, but then again, my cousins are a lynch pin in this plan and I'm no wilting flower.

"He's good. Yourself?"

"Very well," I say, waving my hand with the ring.

Behind me, Jake chuckles. "This is going to be fun."

I look back at him and he gives me a wink. It tells me that I have his support for whatever I say next. Which is good. Because Gris and I have a debt to settle.

I see Triston's slight wince and I know that he knows….

"That's wonderful that he's doing so well," I say, my chin rising. "Because the rest of us have been through hell."

Triston takes a step forward. "Now listen, it seems to me you ended up with a pretty good deal so?—"

"Big mistake," Jake mutters behind me, but Triston hears him and stops.

"Will the police be coming, do you think?" This is a question I ask Roman, not Triston.

"No," Roman shakes his head. "There is no one around here to report anything."

"Then the cleanup can wait for Gris to arrive?" I say with a smile. "Someone is going to have to bury my father's body." I put emphasis on the last word because this has been anything but a good deal.

I know I'm moving toward a good place. I'm supposed to be with Jake. But that doesn't change all the fear I endured, or the fact that I had to have the kind of standoff with Toni that is the stuff of nightmares.

Jake…he's paid for his part. He's bleeding in a chair because he took on my fight. It was me Toni wanted dead, and it was Jake who saved me.

But Gris will pay for what he did just like the rest of us. Make no mistake. My spine stiffens along with my resolve. Am I hurt and angry about everything that went down today? Maybe .

Does Gris get to just walk away a winner? Definitely not.

Triston brushes past me and kneels in front of Jake. "Let me look."

Jake eyes him. "You know what you're doing?"

"Two years of med school. I think I can manage."

I stand waiting as Triston attends to Jake's wound. And it does appease some of my anger as he pulls out a first aid kit, swabs the wound, which looks to be a surface wound only, and then stitches it up.

After he's bandaged it, he reaches into the kit and pulls out a few bottles of pills. "Antibiotics and painkillers. He'll be fine in a few days."

"Flesh wound," I affirm as I take the bottles.

"You're familiar?" he asks, cocking his head to the side.

"I'm a mafia princess," I retort, my voice full of acid.

He gives one nod. And then looks to Roman. "We should leave soon."

Roman jerks his chin, "That's my cue." And he starts for the door.

But I call him back. "Roman."

"Yes?"

"Who bought the Diamond?" I already know the answer.

Roman grimaces as he looks to Triston.

It's Triston who answers. "My family."

"Was that the deal? My life for a casino?" They are going to acknowledge it before this conversation continues.

But Triston doesn't answer. He doesn't want to answer for his brother's crimes, and I get that. Except I'm sure they all agreed to the plan.

"Just so we're clear…" I look to Roman first and then to Triston, "What happens next in Vegas happens with my help."

Jake shifts behind me and I turn to look at him. I'm about to make a major play here and say that I won't convince my cousins to side with the Kincaids. But I need to know that Jake and I are solid…

He gives me that half grin that I love. "Give him hell, baby girl."

That was all I needed to hear.

Did I ever worry if Jake was on my side? Never again.

Triston looks at Roman, who affirms my words with a nod. That one surprises me. I know Roman protected me today but this kind of support…

But Roman isn't done. "Our women are our center, and Nia is doubly so because she holds the keys to a great many opportunities."

Triston's mouth thins. "What is it you want, Nia?"

"I'm aware that the Diamond is yours. That was a deal made that I'm sure will be honored. But no further business is happening until your brother has settled up with me."

My hands come to my hips, my eyes shooting fire. "I love it when you're pissed, baby," Jake chuckles behind me.

I know he's seen flashes of this part of me and the fact that he doesn't just accept my power, but enjoys it…

I've never been more certain that Jake is the man for me.

Triston doesn't look at Roman or Jake, as he dips his chin in acknowledgment. "Your price?"

"I've got a plane ride to think it over." I take a seat, buckling my belt.

Roman gives me one last look, his eyes full of appreciation. "Nia, being a Kincaid looks good on you."

I smile back. I was a princess in my Italian family. But in this family of kings, I intend to be a queen. "Thank you, Roman."

I settle back. It's time to decide what I do with the Smiths.