I killed him.
It had to be done. He was bringing down the family and ruining the Ricci name. His involvement with human trafficking still brings bile to my mouth.
I’m a man of many talents and business dealings. I’ve sold drugs, illegal weapons, you name it, I’ve dabbled in it, but I won’t stand for such inhumane behavior selling women and children.
It’s another reason that I intend to destroy the DeLuca Family. As far as I’m concerned, they’re the reason I was forced to kill Enzo.
“Any idea what he wants?” I ask. I gesture for him to shut the bedroom door.
He closes the door behind him.
I grab clothes from my dresser and closet and take the articles into the bathroom. I leave the door open so that we can speak privately.
What I’m really asking if his visit is because of Enzo’s disappearance. We made sure there was no body to be recovered, but that doesn’t mean the feds and the local sheriff’s department aren’t going to dig around looking for dirt.
“Something about your car,” Moreno says.
I can’t see him while I dress, but I can feel the concern that ebbs off him and flows to me.
“Then we’ll take care of it,” I say.
We can handle whatever drama that Nicole throws on our doorstep.
I zip my slacks and button my dress shirt, making sure I look like the boss. I can’t have the local sheriff looking down on me.
I have a reputation to uphold.
And uphold it, I will.
“Let’s get this over with,” I say and gesture for Moreno to open the bedroom door and step out first.
He leads me down the stairs and to the living room where our guest is waiting.
Sheriff Nelson doesn’t sit. He stands, one hand on his weapon. He appears anxious, though I’m not sure why.
We’ve kept our dealings to ourselves and have done our best not to warrant unwanted attention from the authorities.
I don’t need my men getting sent to prison. That doesn’t bode well for me.
“Mr. Ricci,” Sheriff Nelson says.
“Dante,” I offer, correcting him. Letting this become a familiarity and friendly visit, trying to change and shift his mannerisms. I want to allude to him that we are friends and that he has nothing to fear being in my home. The first way to do this is by letting him use my first name.
“Dante,” Sheriff Nelson says. He gives a flick of a nod. “We have surveillance footage of your truck stealing fuel from a gas station. I’ve spoken with the owner, and knowing that you’re an upstanding citizen in this community, he’s agreed not to press charges if you drive down and pay for this little mistake.”
Moreno opens his mouth to speak, and I shoot him a glare. He’s not about to interrupt me.
No one interrupts me.
He lowers his voice. “Now I saw the footage. I know it wasn’t you. If you’d prefer to hand over the name of the girl who did this, I’d be happy to arrest her and book her.”
“That isn’t necessary,” I say.
Why am I covering for Nicole DeLuca?
I could have her ass tossed in prison.
I should have her facing the consequences of her actions, especially after stealing my truck, but turning her over to the authorities isn’t how we Ricci’s do things.