Page 38 of Deadly Don's Savage Vows

I bite my lip, then push my shoulders back and turn my eyes away from him.

“Morning, Killian.”

“Hi, Bella. Are you better? You’ve got really dark circles under your eyes.” Typical of Killian - just saying it like it is.

“I could do with a few more hours of sleep, but other than that I’m good, thanks. We have that new artist’s show coming up next week. Can you please send through the photographs of his work? I want to decide on a layout for the show.”

“I’m right on it.” Killian nods, spinning away from me to get that done.

Without look in Nico’s direction again I head straight into my office.

It takes a few hours to design the show layout. We have moveable internal walls which makes for a unique structure allowing us to recreate our gallery space to accommodate any type of artwork. I usually love this part - the design - the creativity - making it look amazing. But today my thoughts are scattered and messy and it’s taking much longer than it should. Killian has brought me two cups of coffee to keep me going and for that I’m grateful.

So far I haven’t had to face Nico. And for that - I’m even more grateful.

When I’m done, I stand up from my desk and stretch.

Now I’ve got to pull the pieces out from the back area and get them unwrapped and onto the walls.

I head into the main gallery area and Nico is there, talking to some men who work in the back rooms, packaging and dealing with the orders. Damn. I wish he was working in his own office today.

I don’t know how to act around him.

Things are so weird between us and it’s even more awkward because of the people around us. We can’t say anything - and it’s uncomfortable to say nothing at all.

I walk through the gallery, noting the current set up and what needs to be done to adjust it.

The place is busy. There are plenty of employees here to help me get this done by the end of the day.

When I look up to find the team leader of my work force, I see Nico. He walks towards me and my shoulders go tense. I take in a sharp breath.

Surely, he can’t want to talk to me now.

But he simply hands me a clipboard, with a list of the new artist's canvas titles on it. “I think you need this.”

“Thanks.” I mutter.

Him being this close to me stirs too many things in my body.

His eyes pierce into me and I can see his thoughts.What are you doing here? Why did you disobey me? Why did you hide the fact that I had a son?

My stomach lurches and I turn away from him and hurry into another section of the gallery.

The anxiety has stayed constant since I left my apartment. Being around him makes it worse. All I need to do today is work - focus on that - get through the day - get things done and go home to my little baby.

Nothing else matters but Dante.

Nico can do whatever he wants to do.

“Miss Bella, I got your email with the new floor layout. Can we move the internal walls now?” ne of our workers asks me.

“Yes, please go ahead with that. Once the walls are in place I’ll come through to the back to unpack the artwork.”

“Yes, mam.” He nods, then walks away.

For the moment I have nothing to do.

I would go on lunch now, or for a short walk outside. But, even though I was confident enough to come to the gallery to work today - I am not confident enough to walk around the streets of New York alone.

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