Page 73 of Ruined in Vows

My brow raises on its own volition, and I smirk. “I was there?”

Ocean’s eyes bug out almost comically. “Oh, you were there. You actually held Romeo before Nico.”

I chuckle despite the heaviness in my heart, and muse sardonically, “Bet he loved that.”

“After hearing him cry, he ordered you to go get him from his crib. When he brought me home, Nico told me that he knew just from the look on your face, that Romeo was his child.”

I frown in confusion, something not adding up. “You said you ran. Why? Why did Nico have to find you? What did he do?”

Oceans face falls at my question. She sucks in a breath, her ocean blue eyes getting a faraway look. She sighs. “I found out some things Nico had been lying to me about…” she trails off, her breath hitching. “Well, to put it bluntly, he was engaged. It was an arranged marriage his papà entered him into, much like he did with Allegra. I also wasn’t aware that Nico was in the mafia. Well, not until Lorenzo, his father, confronted me.”

Nodding, I absorb all this information. “Then how did you meet Nico?”

Embarrassment coats her cheeks, her voice dropping to a murmur when she answers my question “I was a dancer at his club. The Executive Club. It is where I met Leo, Nico and you. Leo is the manager there. He gave me the job. It’s the place where you ‘died’ after the Bratva attacked to get to me.” Guilt laces her words.

Cocking my head, I state. “You blame yourself.”

She rolls her lips between her teeth, nodding. “Yeah. My father, along with Vadim Mikhailov, ordered the hit. It was because of me you lost your memories and so much time with Allegra,” she chokes out, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Valentina takes her hand, squeezing it gently. “It wasn’t your fault, Ocean. Neither Allegra nor Nico blame you.” She looks at me. “And I’m sure Dante doesn’t hold you responsible for their despicable actions either.”

I mull over everything, taking it all in. Valentina is right. I don’t blame Ocean. Sure, whatever happened involved her, but I think it also goes deeper than what we originally believed it to.

“I don’t. It wasnt your fault.” I tell her honestly.

Ocean smiles but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I can tell, despite my words, she still carries the burden of that day on her shoulders.

At this point, I don’t think it matters what any of us say. She will always carry some kind of responsibility for her father’s actions and the subsequent domino effect.

One day it will lessen, I am sure, but today is not that day.

“I’m going to get cleaned up. Then we could watch a movie?” Valentina asks, changing the subject.

Shaking my head, I chuckle. “Sure”

Before anyone can say anymore, the sound of the front door opening alerts us to someone’s arrival.

My heart beats erratically in my chest and I know without a doubt who has just stepped inside.

My angel is home.

Chapter 45

Allegra

Stepping through our front door, I let out the breath I have been holding since we left over four hours ago.

Tonight has been heavy and I want nothing more than to cuddle up to Dante and let him take all my worries away.

“Tough night, huh?” Nico rumbles from behind me, shrugging off suit jacket.

“The worst. The more time I spend with that man, the more nauseous he makes me feel. His derogatory comments, just everything about him is a turn off. I mean I know this life, and how made men believe they should act, but Riccardo is a next level pig,” I admit.

Nico chuckles. “Not all of us are like that.”

I pin him with a condescending look.

“You were a man whore before Ocean locked you down, brother, so don’t pretend otherwise.”

---