Page 58 of Merciful Lies

He heads straight for me. Each step is deliberate. Every move is predetermined. His expression is intense as he moves, coiling through the throng. And me, well, I’m frozen.

I am completely caught in his thrall, My heart thunders, my pulse races, and my entire body lights up like a fireworks display.

He’s close now. Inches away. Then he’s right there, and I whisper his name.

“Nico,” I say reverently, almost like a prayer.

And maybe I am praying. God help me, Nico Fury is the answer to every single one of mine.

He cups my neck, claiming me publicly with his lips, and I melt into him.

It doesn’t matter where we are, I will always cling to this man, to my husband, because, like Angel said earlier, Nico is the king and I belong to him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO-NICO

“Uh, you gonna introduce me?”

I swallow my wife’s gasp, and I smile, releasing her lips with one hard, plucking kiss.

“Sorry,” she whispers, and her cheeks turn a dusky shade of rose. “Um, Nico, this is Sisi, er, Giselle, my best friend.”

She gestures to the woman beside her, and I nod.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, shaking her hand briefly.

“Thanks. For everything you’re doing for Anna. She’s important to me,” Giselle says.

“She’s important to me, too,” I tell her honestly and my eyes go to Anna’s.

“You comfortable? Everything okay?” I ask.

“Of course. We had a good day and, uh, Angel drove us right here.”

“That’s good. You look beautiful,” I murmur.

I take the fabric of her sleeve between my fingers and rub the material. It’s pretty and soft, just like her.

Anna smiles at me. It’s so bright and sincere, it takes my breath away.

“You wanna go to dinner with me?” I ask.

I rub the back of my neck and glance around to see who’s listening. But no one is. Angel is talking with Giselle, and Luc is at the bar.

Still, I feel foolish because she’s my wife and I shouldn’t be nervous about asking her on a date.

But I am.

There’s a commotion to my left. Something crashes, the sound of glass breaking reaches my ears. I spin around, careful to make sure I’m blocking Anna.

Angel is already on his feet and striding towards where Luc, my pacifist fucking Council, is beating the shit out of some guy. I see Maria shaking like a leaf. Her back is pressed against the back of the bar as she watches, wide-eyed.

“What’s happening?” Anna asks, her tiny hands clutching the back of my coat.

“Nothing. Come on,” I say gruffly, standing to my full height while I help her and Giselle out of the booth and direct them towards my office.

I signal to a group of my men, sending some to Angel and Luc, and the rest with me.

They know how to do their jobs.

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