Page 86 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins
“You do know that Nic killed your husband, don’t you? The father of those precious brats of yours. By the way, you should thank me that I’ve spared those kids out of respect for Aldo. I always liked him.”
I didn’t know Nic had killed Aldo, but I’d suspected it.
“Nic has no respect for his elders. For the past. My father helped your father build something real. And Nic? He destroyed it all. Piece by piece. Called it 'cleaning up the family'. But really, he was just eliminating anyone who stood in his way."
“Isn’t that how it works?” Nic isn’t the first made man to kill those who got in his way. Ricardo was planning on doing it himself.
He crouches in front of my chair, his face inches from mine. His breath smells of expensive scotch and desperation. "Yes, and now I'm going to give him a taste of his own medicine. I’m going to take everything from him. Just like he took everything from me." His eyes bore into mine, dark with promised violence. "Starting with his beloved sister. He’ll know that once he’s dead, you’ll be sold. Do you know how many men would pay for a turn with you?” He sucks in a breath like he’s experiencing euphoria. “Fucking Nic’s sister will be a satisfying, bigfuck youto him. Of course, his wife will be next unless her father wants her back and is willing to pay."
The intensity of his hatred and depravity makes my skin crawl. This isn't just about using me as leverage. He wants to break Nic completely.
"And when he knows he’s lost everything he loves?" Ricky's lips curl into a cruel smile. "Then I'll kill him. Slowly. I’ll make him feel every second of pain my father felt."
I force myself not to vomit as his finger traces my cheek again. "Such beautiful skin," he murmurs. "The buyers will pay top-dollar for you. Maybe I'll even keep you for myself first." He cups himself and rubs until I can see his dick bulging through his slacks.
Bile rises in my throat. The way he looks at me, like I'm nothing more than merchandise to be sold and used, makes me want to scream. But I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear.
"You're disgusting," I spit out.
He laughs. "Feisty. That'll fetch an even better price. Some men like breaking that spirit."
His hand grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. His eyes are dead, devoid of humanity as they rake over me like I'm cattle at auction.
"Maybe I'll take you now. Send videos to Nic of me fucking his sister’s pussy," he continues, thumb brushing across my lower lip. "Let him watch as I sample the merchandise before shipping you off." He drags his hand over his dick again.
He leans forward, his lips brushing over my ear. "When I'm done with you, you'll wish your brother had never crossed me."
His hand slides down my neck, across my collarbone. Each touch feels like acid. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to disconnect from the violation of his roaming fingers.
"Such perfect curves," he appraises clinically as he gropes my breast. "The clients will love this package."
I've never felt more objectified, more stripped of my humanity. Even when my father was arranging my marriage to Aldo.
My throat is raw from fear, but I force steel into my voice. "You really think you can take down my brother? The man who orchestrated our father's downfall?"
Ricky's hand freezes on my shoulder, his fingers digging into my skin.
“Nic isn’t a man to underestimate.”
"Shut up," Ricky snarls.
"How many loyal men do you have, Ricardo? Really loyal?” The fact that he’s the only man I’ve seen since he kidnapped me suggests he’s working alone. "Because Nic? His men would die for him."
He starts pacing again, faster now, his confident façade cracking slightly.
"And the other families?" I twist the knife deeper. "They respect Nic. He's brought prosperity, stability. What are you offering? Revenge? War? All for what? To get your rocks off?”
He whirls on me, pointing a gun I didn’t realize he had at me. "You've got a big mouth."
My pulse quickens as Ricardo presses the gun to my temple. I’ve pushed him too far. I close my eyes, waiting for darkness.
He laughs and pulls the gun away. "You think I haven't planned this? You see, sometimes, the simplest plans are the best. No elaborate schemes. Just good old-fashioned patience. Let Nic stew, wonder, worry where you’ve gone. Put him on edge. On the defensive.”
“His men?—”
“Okay, sure, he’s got good men. But he’d be dead if not for Giraldi, and he’s in Vegas. Everyone knows that it was Giraldi who helped Nic get the upper hand on your father.”
The mention of Max makes my heart ache even as I’m still angry at him for letting me and the kids go.