“You could be wearing a wire.” Dante gestures to my clothes. “Seeing as how I’m your father-in-law, I’m not getting my hands dirty with the search. Nikki, search her.”
“Are you sure that’s?—”
“Search her,” he bites out between clenched teeth.
“Got it. Would you give us some privacy?” Nikki escorts Dante out of his own office and shuts the door behind him.
She glances me over, perhaps waiting for me to undress. I don’t budge an inch.
“Do I need to strip-search you, or can we do this like adults, and you fully undress for me?”
“I’m not taking my clothes off for you. I’m not taking my clothes off for anyone in this house other than my husband.”
“Do you understand that if I’m not satisfied that you’re not wearing a wire, then Dante will have his men do it?”
I lift my sweater, showing her my lace bra. “Satisfied?”
Nikki shakes her head and leans against the door. “All of it, off. And this isn’t about satisfying me. I need to know you’re to be trusted, and you haven’t exactly exuded that level of confidence, have you?”
I scoff. “It was one time that I was snooping. Put it to rest.”
“That would be easy if we could trust you. We’ve bent over backward for you and your son. Now, tell me what brought you into Dante’s office.”
“I want to know what’s going on with Luca.” I remove my sweater first, and Nikki holds a hand out, wanting to inspect each item of clothing.
“What do you mean? What’s going on with my son?” Nikki asks.
When I’m down to my bra and panties, she makes me twirl around to ensure there’s nothing on my back. “Bra and panties too. I’ve seen wires tucked inside them before.”
Rolling my eyes, I remove my bra and undies, tossing both items at her. “Have fun.”
She inspects it and then hands it back. Satisfied that I’m not wearing a wire, she hands me back my clothes. “Now, what is this about Luca?”
“The bruises. The cracked ribs. I want to know what’s going on.” I pull my clothes back on and her eyes tighten.
She had no idea about his injuries. “When did this happen?”
“Months ago, in the spring. He missed the last hockey game of the season because of his injuries.”
I manage to slip on my pants, and I’ve barely gotten my arms through my sweater when Nikki barrels out into the hallway, facing her husband. I yank the hem down before anyone else can see my bra.
“What the hell did you get our son involved in?” Nikki’s steaming, and I’m glad to see that she’s at least on my side.
Sort of.
“Relax.” Dante puts his hands on Nikki’s shoulders. His voice is calm, but it doesn’t do anything to soothe my nerves.
“Don’t tell me to relax.” She shoves his hands away. “What the hell did you get our son involved with? What did you have him go and do?”
He gestures for Nikki to step into his office.
Is he about to kick me out?
“Any wires? Bugs? Listening devices?” Dante asks, glancing me over.
“She’s clean. What is going on with Luca?” Nikki glowers at her husband, and for the first time, I’m not sure who actually has more power.
It’s an interesting combination to see. She clearly doesn’t take orders from him.