Page 76 of Pay the Piper

I roll my eyes and continue to pout. Fifteen minutes is too long. Surely, she feels that way with Thatcher. Fuck, I don’t know how they do the long-distance thing.

“Oh shit!” Nikki steps out of Mila’s reach this time. “You met Abby? What did you think?”

Mila fixes him with a raised brow. “How do you know her?”

Nikki shrugs. “She and Ellie are close, so she’s around a lot.”

“Well?” I can’t help but press for my closest friend’s opinion, even if Nikki’s answer was impertinent.

Mila’s attention snaps to me, her eyes wide.

“Well, what?” she snips.

“What did you think of Abby?”

“You’re pathetic. You know that, right?” Mila rolls her eyes but can’t hide her smile. “She’s lovely, moya sila. I think she’s absolutely perfect. She’s sweet and beautiful and funny. I love her already.”

My grin couldn’t be wider at her confession, and Nikki looks just as pleased.

The door flies open to reveal Gabri, already dressed in slacks and a button-up, and Dante Santori, sporting a Thunder Bay jersey with Santori written across the back.

Dante smiles warmly as he greets Mila and me, then wraps Nikki in a bear hug. “Great game tonight, son! Your puck protection is looking much better than last year. The new drills you’ve been working on during the offseason—”

Gabri clears his throat and draws the room’s attention to where he’s propped against the desk. “We don’t have all night, Papa.”

“Yes, of course, go on.” Dante winks at Nikki before moving to take the seat behind the desk.

Mila, Nikki, and I pull up a seat while Gabri moves to stand behind his father. This is one time when I agree with Gabri’s lack of human emotion. I, too, am ready to get this show on the road.

“We got word that Conor Fitzpatrick’s men are en route to Florida as we speak. We’re tracking his jet and will diligently monitor his movements upon arrival. We don’t think he would do anything rash. It would be foolish for anyone to come into Thunder Bay and start a war, but especially someone with his forces so far away. We don’t know his motive yet, but we hope to find out shortly.”

Dante finishes his spiel and asks if anyone has any questions, but no one does. The Fitzpatrick operation is new to my radar, so I admit I haven’t been super concerned. Mila seems just as unfazed as I am, but Nikki seems troubled. And I’m not the only one who notices.

“Well, if that’s all, I’ll see you later.”

“Are you okay, Nikki?”

Nikki’s expression changes suddenly as he realizes his facade wasn’t on. “Yeah. I’m just thinking about the race tonight. A little bummed to miss it…but it’s no problem if you need me!”

Gabri rolls his eyes as Dante laughs. “No need to skip that. We’ve got plenty of men on this tonight, including your brother.”

“On that note, I’ll take my leave.” Gabri nods his farewells.

Mila squeezes my hand under the ledge of the desk, indicating she’s called Nikki’s bluff too. “Aha! I’ll finally get a chance to beat the great Nikki Santori in one of his precious races.”

Dante’s warm laughter fills the room. “I’ve seen Misha go on rides with Nikki, but I didn’t know you rode as well, Mila.”

“Of course. Unfortunately, I rarely have the time anymore, and even if I did, it’s becoming exponentially more dangerous. But Nikki promised me that the security tonight would be tight.”

“Oh, whatever.” I roll my eyes jokingly, grinning widely at Mila. “You stopped riding years ago when you couldn’t beat me.”

“I stopped riding when Giulia found out she was having a girl,” Dante says, laughing when Nikki grumbles something about Ellie being the favorite.

“Well, I’m beating you tonight, moya sila. And then I’m coming for you, little Santori.” Mila squints at Nikki.

“Nobody is going to beat anyone if we don’t get out of here.” Dante stands from his seat. “I wish you all the best of luck.”

I spring up as soon as Don Santori dismisses us. “You seem a little too sure of yourself, moya tsaritsa.”