Page 54

Chapter 54

Nova

" Dayum , girl. You look truly and well fucked."

"Gemma!" I whirl around, my cheeks blazing. I glance sidelong at Jerome, and my embarrassment grows as I see him hide a quiet laugh. Turning back to the feisty woman, I narrow my eyes. "Yeah, okay. Pot meet kettle."

Her silky raven hair is mussed, and I'm sure those are bite marks on her neck before she gathers her hair over her shoulder to hide them. She rolls her eyes, but her cheeks pinken. Then her smile turns soft as she watches me.

I'm unsure why she's looking at me like that, but then it dawns on me…

I'm eating strawberries. Freely and without any thought, without anyone giving me permission. Without Massimo being with me as my quiet strength or to feed me.

No mental gymnastics to coerce myself or overcome my father's brutal training. I hadn't even given it a second thought before popping the berry into my mouth.

Tears spring to my eyes, and I can't force them back. I'm suddenly on the verge of breaking down and sobbing in the kitchen.

Gemma rushes toward me.

"Miss Nova," Jerome sounds panicked. "It's okay. You're making so much progress." He takes my hands and rubs them between his.

I shake my head, trying to get words out. I half-laugh, half-cry. "I don't know why I'm so emotional."

"Because you're doing something your father never wanted you to—you're beating him. You're winning, my dear." Jerome's lined face softens with pride, and I feel a sudden urge to hug him.

Gemma wraps her arms around me from the side and squeezes me. "Yes. You're a fucking badass, Nova." When I scoff and shake my head, she squeezes me harder. "Yes, you fucking are. You beat him. Silvestro Mancini has no hold on you anymore."

I smile because I'm getting there. The healing I've experienced in this home is unfathomable. The connection and friendship—something I've never been allowed to have—the feeling of family… Again, something I haven't had since my mother was taken from me. I feel so blessed.

And I'll lose it all once Massimo destroys my father, and he lets me walk away.

Which makes me want to sob all over again, for real this time—not because of some weird flare of emotions, but because of the reminder that Massimo isn't truly mine.

Although, he's putting in a gallant effort of acting like it. It's been days since our marriage, and he's insatiable. I mean, I am too, so I'm not complaining.

During sex, Massimo talks about filling my pussy with his cum and me pregnant with his child. It must be some sort of sexual fetish or kink, because every morning, he personally gives me my pill.

Instead of acknowledging the hurt that fills me with taking that pill, I focus on the time I have with Massimo. Reveling in the pleasure and multiple orgasms he ensures I have. Loving how he seems to love to take care of me in all ways, not just during sex.

Suddenly, the back door to the kitchen slams open, and Gabe rushes in, looking panicked. "Marco and Vincenzo are here."

My heart leaps almost out of my chest. "I thought Vincenzo returned to Italy."

"Who the hell let them in the gates without giving us a heads up?" Gemma hisses.

Massimo. I need Massimo.

But he isn't here right now. He went to meet with Ash and Dom. He insisted Gabe stay here with me and went with Vito.

Fear coils inside me, a living, breathing thing. I can feel it crawling under my skin, telling me to run, to escape the threat that's here for me.

Gabe rushes to me. "Massimo is on his way home," he reassures me, likely seeing my terror.

"The staff quarters, Gabe," Jerome says. "Go quickly."

"I fucking knew it."

I freeze at the harsh voice. Looking up, I watch Vincenzo Pisani walk into the kitchen and stare into his cold, hard eyes. Beside him is a man who resembles Massimo and looks like he could be his father. I know Tommaso has died, so this must be Tommaso's brother, Marco.

"Get the fuck out of here, Pisani," Gabe warns.

Vincenzo takes a step toward me and both Gabe and Gemma pull their guns.

"Gemma. Gabe. Lower your weapons," Marco commands.

"Not a fucking chance, Zio, " Gemma grits.

"I mean no harm to the Mancini Princess. Hand her over, and I'll take care of everything," Vincenzo says almost pleasantly.

"Bullshit," Gabe growls.

"The fuck we will." Gemma widens her stance. "Get the fuck out of here. You've been told twice, Vincenzo."

I'm shaking. If they shoot a Don of another family—an unarmed Don—this will mean war. My head spins at the thought that they'd do this, and I grip the counter beside me as dizziness assaults me.

"Gemma and Gabe, lower your weapons," Marco says in a raised, firm voice. "We will not have war over a Mancini ."

I feel the blood drain from my face, and I sway again.

All the horrible things my father is responsible for—against innocents and against their family… I can't blame them for their hate.

"Give me the Mancini Princess!" Vincenzo shouts, his pleasant and calm demeanor falling. He makes to move toward me, looking almost desperate.

The cocking of a gun behind him stops him.

"Her name is Nova. And she's my princess. "

My eyes fly to where that deep, lethal voice came from, rumbling like a seismic tremor.

Massimo stands behind Vincenzo, pressing a gun to the back of his head.

Vincenzo lifts his hands, his eyes trained on me. "Son…she's not worth—" His words cut off as Massimo presses the gun harder into his head. He looks genuinely afraid and even more desperate. "I promise, I mean her no harm."

"Massimo, lower your weapon, and we'll talk about this," Marco reasons, eyeing his nephew.

" Zio, am I your Don or is Vincenzo Pisani?" Massimo's voice is cold and menacing.

My world tilts again as I think of Massimo bleeding and dead after starting a war within his own syndicate. Making his family lose him and suffer greatly because of me, his enemy's daughter. The spawn of a snake.

Marco shifts. "Massimo, be reasonable—"

"I am being reasonable!" Massimo's shout reverberates around the kitchen. "I'm protecting what is mine to protect!"

Vincenzo snorts, and Marco starts to protest.

Massimo's dark brown eyes lock onto mine. With the coiled rigidity of his large frame and his outburst—his usual calm and control on the verge of snapping—I expect him to put a bullet in Vincenzo's brain. But as he stares at me, the tumultuous rage swirling in the depths of his eyes begins to bank, and he lowers his gun. Gabe and Gemma keep theirs aimed at Vincenzo.

Massimo engages the safety on his gun, holstering it beneath his suit jacket, before walking toward me.

"Nova is mine to protect. She is my wife." The intensity of his gaze pins me in place, and I feel my world spin once again. "And she's carrying my child. My heir."

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out.

Massimo catches me just as the world tilts completely, then fades to black.