Page 19 of Twisted In Obsession

Glancing around, I spot families laughing and playing in the sand. People in the sea as they enjoy the hot weather. They look happy, carefree. The kind of life that I was looking for and I imagined for myself when I first ran from my family.

Swallowing, I think back to last night and how I told Nico everything. Just recalling the fate my father bestowed upon me, of the many times he put hands on me, hitting me until I was a canvas of bruises. The purple, blue, and yellow hues of my skin. Of how there were times I couldn’t dance or go to school because my injuries were so bad. I shudder. He was a monster. Money and power meant more to him than anything else. I dread to think how my life would be had I stayed. I know I would be married to Xavier Anderson by now, no doubt suffering more than I ever did at the hands of my father.

Nico may be the devil, dressed up in his designer suits, with a handsome face that draws you in and a perfectly sculpted body. But my father and the Andersons are the worst kind of monsters. They hide their sins and deviant behavior behind nice smiles and fake façades. At least with Nico he doesn’t hide who he is. Before I knew he was a mafia heir, you could tell from one look that he exuded power and a ruthlessness that would scare most people. Even knowing all that, I would rather face off with Nico a million times over, than ever having to see my father or Xavier again.

Loud squealing snaps me from my thoughts, and I smile at the child being chased by who I assume is her mother. What I wouldn’t give to be like that. Free to do as I please. My throat tightens. Fucking Nico and his overbearing ways. Glancing over my shoulder, I glower at the two men standing guard not ten feet behind me. Their stance is combative, ready for any threat that may present itself. My eyes drop down their bodies. I smirk at the black dress pants and shirts they wear in this heat. It’s karma.

Turning back to look at the sea, my thoughts go to Nico’s words at breakfast this morning. The vitriol he spat about me keeping Romeo from him and how he should do the same, just so I know how it feels. I shiver. I can’t even imagine life without my son. A question echoes in my mind. One that, if I’m being honest, has been there since the moment I saw Nico again. I give it life, allowing it form in my head.

If Nico had never found me, would I have told him about Romeo?

I think it over for a second, though I know with everything in me what the answer would be. It’s selfish of me, and I should go to hell for even thinking it. But no, I wouldn’t have told him. What with him being in the Mafia and the fact he has a fiancée – or a wife, or whatever the hell she is to him – those two things would have kept me away indefinitely. It’s fucked up and under normal circumstances, I would never condone keeping a child from his father, but this isn’t your usual, everyday situation. I only did what I had to do in order to survive. Had Romeo’s dad been someone like Harrison, it would have been different. But it’s not. I am where I am, and it is what it is. I chuckle humorlessly under my breath. Out of all the people in the world, I had to go and get knocked up by Nico Marchetti.

“Jesus,” I mutter quietly.

Even though Nico is a complete asshole, he is right about one thing. The web of lies that I wove are getting so far out of hand, the truth is now blurred with all my dishonesty. I huff, shaking my head. I made my choices and I now have to live with them. Literally. Nico has a lot of anger inside him and from the way he looks at me, it’s all aimed in my direction. It’s clear in the spiteful, venomous, words he spits at me. I know damn well he is going to use me as his punching bag and it sucks, but like I said, I am no longer the girl he remembers.

He can throw whatever the hell he likes at me. Because one thing that I am certain of.

He won’t break me.

***

I don’t know how long we spend at the beach, but by the time we get back to the house, Valentina is home from her yoga class. Being the absolute saint she is, she offers to watch Romeo after I feed him, so that I can go and speak with Nico in private.

“Thank you for doing this. I don’t want him to pick up on any animosity we have toward each other.”

She rolls her eyes, tsking. “Ocean, it’s my pleasure. I don’t know whether Nico told you, but I lost my husband the day you left…” She frowns, trailing off. Her face turns solemn, eyes apologetic. “I’m sorry for what he did to you.”

Shaking my head, I reply softly. “That’s okay. It wasn’t your fault.”

She smiles. “Anyway, this little boy has given me a purpose. I love having you both here.”

I nod. “I am happy he got to meet his grandma. Even if it’s not under the best of circumstances.”

She waves me off, smiling down at Romeo. “Everything will work itself out. You will see,” she says, so quietly I almost miss it. Glancing at me, her eyes narrow. “And less of the grandma, you’re making me feel old. I’m Nonna.” There is no malice to her words. If anything, all I hear is humor.

“Got it,Nonna,” I tease, grinning.

She chuckles, jerking her head to the door. “Now stop putting it off and go talk to my son.”

I groan. It’s scary how she knows that I am stalling. How quickly she has picked up on some of my habits. With a peck to Romeo’s cheek, I turn and start toward the door. Exhaling a deep breath, I pull it open and step onto the landing.

Determination surges through my body.

I won’t leave his office until I get what I want.

Chapter14

Nico

Asoft knock on the door has me pausing my conversation with Tony. By the way the hair on the back of my neck stands on end, I know exactly who it is.

“Tony, I will call you back.” I end the call before he can say anything else. Blood thrums through my veins, igniting every nerve ending in my body and I can’t wait another second before seeing her. Leaning back in my seat, I steeple my fingers, clearing my throat and locking that blank mask back firmly in place. “Come in.”

Not a second later, the door is pushed open and, just as I suspected, my littleTesorosteps inside. Worry filled blue orbs lock on me before she breaks the connection, and they shift around the room. She takes in the opulent space with intrigue on her face. I can’t say that I blame her. My papà designed his office like he did all things that belonged to him. Over the top. Lavish. Luxurious. I never bothered to put my own stamp on it when he passed. I didn’t see the point as I never spent much time here in the Hamptons, anyway. But now that Ocean and my son are here, I don’t want to be anywhere else.

“Can we talk?” she says softly, stepping further into the room.

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