“Have you finished eating?” I ask Sofia.

“Yep. I’ve been waiting for you.”

I can fell Nico’s eyes boring a hole into the back of my head as I continue to ignore his presence. I won’t let him hurt me again. I remind myself of the pain I went through without him. Not only the pain in my heart, but the days and days of pushing my body to its limits just so I could walk again.

“I’ll eat quick, and we can be on our way.”

Pedro walks in with Isabel, and they take seats across the table next to each other.

“Where are you heading out to?” Isabel asks with her gaze firmly on the man next to me.

“You mentioned the dress in your shop. I wanted to start there, then do a little more shopping.”

“Wonderful.” I can’t tell what she’s thinking in the moment. I don’t let it bother me and focus on the breakfast Camila has set in front of me.

“Good morning, my dear.” She presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I hope you slept well.”

That statement causes me to shift in my chair. My nerves are wrapped so tight, I imagine Nico does the same thing. Once again, I push the thought from my head.

“I did.” Which isn’t a complete lie. I did sleep well afterward.

The eggs are piled high, more than I could ever eat on a normal day. My stomach protests at the first bite. It’s more unsettled with Nico sitting next to me. I can smell his cologne drifting over my senses, teasing me.

I force down a bit more. Relief fills me when Miguel walks into the room. “Ladies ready?”

He’s dressed in khakis and a teal polo. Not exactly what you expect a bodyguard to be wearing. Turns out it’s easier for him to do his job when people don’t assume he’s protection.

“I am.” I stand up abruptly.

“You didn’t—” I throw my gaze Sofia’s way, stopping her in the middle of her sentence. “Let’s go,” she says brightly.

I smile at Isabel and Pedro. “We’ll see you later. Isabel, are you going to be at the boutique?”

She looks behind me, then back to me. “I’ll be there in a bit. I can text you when I get there if you want to start at another store first.”

“That sounds great.” I pick up the bag I set on the table and walk away from Nico without another word being exchanged.

I walk out the front door where Miguel is holding the back door open for me and Sofia. I half expect to see Nico watching us from the front windows of the house, but no one is there.

The second the door closes behind us, I let out a loud breath. My nerves are fucking shot.

“Are you okay?” Sofia turns to me.

“Not in the least. Why is he here? If there’s a war going on in New York, why isn’t he there dealing with it?”

Sofia shakes her head. “I have no idea. Maybe the war is over and that’s what he came here to tell you.”

Elena dead and gone? No. My gut tells me that’s not the case. Nico wouldn’t look so ragged and weary when he arrived if she was dead, which begs the question, why is he here?

“No. She’s not dead. Not yet anyway.” Fear fills Sofia’s face and I know she’s read me correctly. I take hold of her hand and squeeze. “Let’s not worry about that today and enjoy the day shopping.”

ChapterEleven

Nico

The door closes and I slam my hand down on the table. “Goddammit.”

My father’s brows draw together. “Watch your language at my table.”