Page 85 of Nico

“I’m scared for you Nico,” Luca said after John left. “You can count on your wife not bailing you out of trouble. Can you keep out of trouble?”

“Maybe Bianca will straighten Nico up,” Cassio chuckled. “But if your husband gives you troubles, Bianca, you call me, and I’ll back you up. I’ll help you bury the body.”

Cassio gave Nico a pointed look, but my new husband didn’t seem worried at all. It felt like there was significance behind it.

My head turned towards those two, my eyes narrowing.

“Mom, Nico is not gonna die, right?” Arianna asked, making me forget about Cassio and Luca. There was honest-to-God concern on her face and her lower lip trembled. “I like Nico.”

“Of course not,” I told her, quickly, lowering myself to my knees and she walked into my arms. “Nobody is going to die.”

Arianna was my sensitive one. And when she was tired, tears flowed fast and easily.

“You like him too, right?” Hannah blurted. Kids always asked the most difficult question.

“Hmmm.” I left my answer vague, my eyes meeting him over my daughter’s head.

If only it was that simple.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

NICO

It took my breath away seeing Bianca on the screen. My mother was right, she looked happy and young. There was no missing the love she shared with her father and grandmother.

Her young, carefree face shone with happiness as she danced uninhabited. It wasn’t the first time I saw Bianca at that age. The first time I saw her was in one of my clubs, she couldn’t have been more than nineteen at that time. She danced with John and several girlfriends. Our eyes connected for a fraction of a second, but even back then she took my breath away with her dazzling smile. Except, back then she was a stranger that had no business being wrapped up in my world. So, I just watched her from afar for a single night. Never in a million years did I think we’d cross paths again.

Then she was thrown my way. The daughter of my worst enemy. In my eyes, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. She stirred something in me I had never felt for or from anyone else. Even when she bantered with me or was furious with me, there was something about her that I had never seen in anyone. Yes, there was attraction between us but also something unique, a rare treasure.

And I wouldn’t discard it. I would have her and my revenge. Once Benito paid, I’d do everything in my power to make it up to her and focus on building a life with my wife.Our family.

It would take some work. Ever since the fiasco earlier, she built walls thick and sky-high around herself. The fragile trust was shattered into a million pieces. But I’d get it back; I’d use a bulldozer to knock those walls down.

For now, I’d focus on tonight.

“Girls, would you be okay if your mommy and I went to set up our new house while Matteo stays here with you?”

Bianca’s head whipped my way, but she didn’t say anything. We both knew the wedding night would happen. Whether the wedding was today or next week, this marriage was going to be consummated.

It was a little past six, and I intended to make full use of our night.

“We need adults to watch us,” Hannah replied, her eyes serious.

“I’m glad you said that,” I told her seriously. “Luciano, Grace, Ella, Massimo, Luca, and Cassio will stay here with you.”

“You guys are staying too?” Bianca asked, surprised.

“Do you mind?” Cassio replied. “If it’s a problem-”

“No, no. It’s fine,” she quickly added, her eyes softening. “I just didn’t expect it. Nancy is staying too so you guys will have to share the guest room with two twin beds.”

I was surprised to hear my mom was staying. And I haven’t seen her touch alcohol since she arrived.

“What do you say, Hannah and Arianna? Do we have enough adults?” I asked them both. They were used to their grandparents, but today they had a lot of new faces. They didn’t know Luca and Cassio were their uncles and would kill anyone that even looked their way wrong.

“Yes,” they both agreed unanimously.

“Great,” I said. “Are you ready, Cara Mia?”