Page 76 of Lethal Infatuation

I smiled. "Are you and him close?"

"Definitely." He chuckled. "A little too close, because he thinks I'm his father. Which is understandable, given the fact that I've been looking after him since he was thirteen-years-old."

"That must've been a really huge responsibility for you."

"It was, but I suppose things were meant to happen that way. I'm not pleased with it because they should've been here to see our accomplishments, but hey, it's in the past."

I held his hand, fiddling with his fingers. "Your feelings are valid, you know. Grief doesn't come with an instruction manual. In my opinion, you turned out to be a fine young man and I just know they're looking down at you smiling."

"It's been twelve years, but I can still picture their smiles," he said, gazing into the distance. "My brother has a beautiful daughter. A three-year-old menace. My father would've spoiled her rotten."

I laughed softly. "You're saying it as if you're not already spoiling her."

"How did you know?" He clutched his chest. "Who's the stalker now?"

"You once told me that you'd spend your entire pay check on me. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that you probably spend more than that on her, too."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, but it wasn't awkward. It was comforting. The kind of silence that provided you with peace and solace. The kind that made me forget about every single worry and fear. I wish he knew that I'd choose to sit in silence with him for the rest of my life. As long as he was always beside me.

TWENTY NINE

Nicolas and I were at a new restaurant that opened in Manhattan, getting ready to order dinner. "I'll be right back, my wallet's in the car." I nodded, smiling when he kissed me on the cheek.

After we revealed parts of ourselves to each other that had been hidden from the rest of the world, there was a shift in our relationship.

"Is that what you tell women before you leave them all alone until they realise you're not returning?" He chuckled darkly, resting his palms on the table and bent down until he was eye level with me.

"You should really watch what you say, because it might get you into a lot of trouble," he murmured suggestively. I fiddled with my fingers, looking up at him with droopy eyes.

"What kind of trouble?"

"You keep this up and you'll findout." He held my chin between his thumb and index finger, forcing my lips together. "Now close that mouth."

This man truly had a way with words and he rendered me speechless every single time. He smirked at me, releasing me from his grip before slowly backing away.

I watched him walk, my eyes zeroing in on his broad shoulders and those rippling back muscles that you could see flexing with each step he took. The man was monstrous.

I was too engrossed in Nicolas that I hadn't noticed Liam approaching my table. It was the man who worked in the same building I did—and the man Nicolas warned to stay away from me.

He came to a stop next to me. I knew this interaction was only heading in one direction and I needed to make sure he left before Nico returned. "Hey, gorgeous," he mumbled. He seemed intoxicated.

I smiled politely, my stomach churning. "Hi, Liam."

"Mind if I join you?" Before I could protest, he already slid onto to seat beside me and pressed the side of his body against mine.

When I tried to move away, he placed his palm on my thigh, squeezing the flesh harshly. I grimaced when I felt his clammy hands on my skin, the grip painful.

"What the hell are you doing?" He gripped my wrist with his other hand. The action was subtle and done under the table, so anyone passing by wouldn't notice.

"Oh, come on, Gabs." The nickname coming from him made bile rise in my throat. "That little boyfriend of yours isn't around to save you now, is he?"

I wanted to scream. I wanted to do something, but it's like my body wouldn't cooperate with me. "I've always found you attractive. He doesn't even seem like your type. Why don't you just give me a chance?"

One moment, it felt like the walls were closing in around me and the next moment, Liam was being ripped away from me and thrown onto the floor. "Do you know what my mistake was,Liam?" Nicolas asked sarcastically.

Of course he couldn't answer and just looked at Nico with wide eyes. The fear was evident. "My mistake was giving you a free pass when I should've fucking killed you the first time I saw you."

I watched the scene unfold, feeling as though I were experiencing a panic attack. Nicolas spoke lowly so only Liam and I could hear. We were also in a secluded section of the restaurant with dim lighting above and around us, so the scene taking place wasn't causing any traction because nobody could really see it at first glance.

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