Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,103

hierarchy, Jamie technically outranked me since my place in the family was still being determined, but in my mind—the mind of the boss’s daughter—no one outranked me except for the boss himself. The power here was mine and I wasn’t giving it up.

“The ball is in your court, Nicky.”

His eyes held mine, still seeming unsure.

“If it makes you feel better, I planned on approaching you after Mark left. You just saved me from giving you a cheesy pickup line. You have questions. I have questions. Shall we have a civil conversation?”

The corner of Nicoli’s lips pulled up slightly. He removed his gun from my head. With his hand still tangled in my hair, I knew he was waiting for me to make the next move.

“Put your guns down,” I ordered. Dean immediately lowered his. Louie looked to Jamie for reassurance while Jamie just stared at me, the muscle in his jaw flexed. He was not happy with me. I understood why, but the part of me that cared was smothered at the moment. Reluctantly, he removed his gun from the guard’s head and stepped back, with Louie following suit.

Nicoli released my hair. I stretched to my feet slowly and took a step toward my guys. Squaring my shoulders with confidence, I placed a hand on my hip, not giving a fuck what I had on display. I looked between the three of them. Dean's and Louie’s eyes wandered, taking in my goods. Jamie’s, however, stayed leveled with mine. “Wait for me out there,” I said, tilting my head toward the showroom. “I want to speak with the don alone.”

“Maura—”

My expression must have stopped Jamie from saying more. His disobedience made me itch to spill blood. Now was not the fucking time for him to question me. He briefly glanced at my state of undress, which only further angered him. As his eyes met mine again, I saw a small flicker of hesitance within the fiery blaze of his rage. He took a small step forward and in a low voice, he said, “I’m not going anywhere until you put some fucking clothes on.”

“Alec, go fetch a shirt from the office,” Nicoli ordered as he watched us. The guard next to Louie nodded and rushed out of the room. While we all waited silently for him to return, Jamie and I glared at each other in our usual battle of wills.

When Alec returned, a black T-shirt with the club’s logo on it in hand, he went to give it to me. Jamie intercepted him and snagged it from his hand. Without a word, he shook out the cotton shirt and pulled it over my head. I shoved my arms through their designated holes, and he pulled the hem down until it ended at mid-thigh.

“I’ll give you ten minutes,” Jamie said loud enough for everyone to hear. He glared at Nicoli before he stalked from the room.

I took a seat across the room to face the don and crossed my legs. I masked my face, leveling my stare with his.

His brow narrowed, eyes studying me. “I believe we had a deal. I removed my gun. Why are you here?”

My lips curled slowly into a mischievous smile. “Didn’t I answer that already? I believe it’s your turn to answer one of my questions.”

His features hardened.

“Were you aware Stefan had no knowledge you were a customer of ours?”

He didn’t even hesitate in answering. “I had the feeling he didn’t. Never really cared enough to find out for sure. They delivered the drugs. I paid Dylan’s lackeys. Transaction complete.” My lack of reaction seemed to intrigue him. He was trying to get a read on me. Good luck, buddy. “Why were you following Mark?”

I also didn’t hesitate in answering. “Because our profits have decreased by a suspicious amount. I’m looking into it. Who approached you with the offer to be your pipeline?”

“Dylan.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and placed his chin on laced fingers. He stared at me intently, making me arch a brow in question. “You don’t intimidate easily, do you?”

“Would you prefer I quiver with fear? I could try, if your ego is in dire need of it. I’ve been known to be quite theatrical.”

The side of his mouth curled up. “Were you really going to approach me later?”

The honest answer was yes…after I'd spoken to Stefan. I didn’t know how or if he’d want to proceed with the current dealings with the Italians. As of right now, things