Page 80 of Ruined in Vows

They clearly covered their tracks well.

Nonetheless, you can only hide for so long until the truth is uncovered, and it may have taken time, but we finally found what we have been searching for.

Slamming the file shut, my jaw clenches tightly when I grate out my next words. “Did you speak to the commission?”

Nico shakes his head. “Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Fuck,” I growl, running a palm across my face. “With this evidence, do you believe, for sure, that this was all a part of a plan on Riccardo’s behalf to get me out of the picture? In doing that, he knew that the marriage arrangement with Allegra wouldgo ahead. He might even have anticipated you not challenging it so that you could avoid a war.”

Nico blows out a tired breath. “Yeah. You don’t remember my papà’s funeral. But the way Riccardo looked at you…” he trails off. “There was pure hatred in his eyes as he watched you comforting my sister. It was telling. I should have seen it then. I can only apologize for ignoring the signs. I was so caught up in my own problems after Ocean ran from me that I couldn’t see anything else.” I hear the apology clearly in his voice, but there is something else that caught my attention…

“Ocean told me parts of her story. I can’t imagine how difficult that time was for you,” I say, changing the subject.

“Yeah. But I got her back home where she belongs and that’s all that matters.” He shoots a knowing look at me. “So stop changing the subject and accept my apology. Had I been more observant, things would never have gotten this far. You wouldn’t have missed all this time with Allegra or lost your memories.”

Mulling over his words, I take everything in. I could be angry with Nico but what would that achieve? It won't change anything.

“It’s done.” I wave him off, shifting in my seat and uncomfortable with this version of Nico. I only know him as the cold, detached mafia boss.

Nico sighs. “How is your therapy going?”

I smirk at him now changing the subject.

“Good. There have been no big changes, and I still don’t remember anything, but I do keep having vivid moments where things involving you and Allegra flash in my mind.” I tell him.

It’s been just over two weeks since I started working with Dr. Baddour and his team. And though I am frustrated with the slow progress, I am seeing improvement.

The flashbacks, despite being vague, are proof of that.

“That’s good to hear.” Nico clears his throat, and I can tell he is uncomfortable with our littlebroment. “Anyway, there is something else I wanted to discuss with you.”

“Go ahead then, Nic. It’s not like you to stall.” I freeze.

Nico’s eyes widen.

Where the hell did that come from? I mean, it could just be a case of picking up his mannerisms in the weeks I have been here, but it feels like more. A memory of sorts.

“How do you know that?” he asks.

Shaking my head, I frown. “I don’t know. The words just came out of my mouth.”

Nico smirks. “You’ve said that exact same thing to me, many times before.”

Hope builds inside me, but I tamp it down. Until I speak to Dr. Baddour, I don’t know what I am dealing with or what it means.

“Say what you have to say, Nic,” I grunt out impatiently.

He clears his throat. “Right, well. I don’t think you are going to like this, but to be honest, I don’t give a fuck. We do this my way, or we don’t do it at all.”

I glower at him. Without Nico even saying it, I know I will hate whatever comes out of his mouth next. “Tell me.”

“I want Allegra to go ahead with the wedding,” he states bluntly.

I am up and out of my seat in an instant, Matteo right beside me, gripping me by the shoulder. Glaring, I shrug him off me, my palms hitting Nico’s desk. I don’t miss the way he doesn’t even flinch at my outburst. Clearly, he expected it.

“No.” I grate out.

I am clenching my teeth so hard; I’m surprised they don’t turn to dust.

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