Page 30 of Ludovico's Vengeance

“Will you ever let me off the hook? I’m back and you’ll see me as often as you’d like now.” I chuckle as I press a kiss against her cheek.

She swats my chest as she drags me over to behind the counter so we can sit on the stools she has hidden back there. I shake my head with a small smile, this place hasn’t changed at all.

“I figured I’d see you at some point when I heard about him.” She cocks a brow at me with a silent question. She knows why I left all those years ago.

My shoulders lift and fall nonchalantly but I can’t fight shooting a wink which makes her laugh. After a few minutes of playing catch up and confirming that my return is permanent she stares at me, her gaze bores into my soul and she lets out an excited gasp.

“You’ve got a lady friend! Did you bring her back with you? How did you meet?” She rapid-fires question after question before I hold up my hands in surrender and explain as much as I can. Nina’s story is her own to share after all.

Twenty minutes later I’ve got a bouquet of sunflowers and pink roses in hand with a promise that it will have Nina devoting herself to me. My mind begins to wonder at the possibilities after that comment as I return to the car and stare out the window watching the town pass by while we head back to my house. My phone dings with a notification dragging my attention away from my completely inappropriate thoughts.

Mother:

Where the hell are you! Milo has everyone here, Jade has everything ready, and Abel just messaged saying that they’ll be here in twenty minutes!

I shake my head and put my phone away as we pull into the driveway, the front door swings open as soon as I step out. My feet move forward with purpose as I approach, the scowl on my mother's face has me chuckling.

“I was talking to Aunt C, I haven’t seen her since I’ve been home. It’s not like I would let Nina beat me home.” I roll my eyes at her, “You know I had Abel messaging me when I was at the thirty-minute mark.”

She swats my chest in the same way Celeste did not long ago, I groan in annoyance since my mother didn’t hold back. I step aside and walk toward the kitchen where my men who have been a constant in Nina’s life since she’s arrived here, Aunt Tabs and Jade are waiting for us. I turn and grin at my mother who is hot on my heels and pull her into a hug.

“Thank you for doing this for her.” I praise my mom who pushes me away so she can join Milo and Jade by the counter. My eye twitches at the sight of them being so goddamn obvious. They’re not even attempting to hide it anymore. I can’t wait to end this shit with Barone so I can kill my best friend.

A few minutes later, Nina and Brittany walk into the kitchen carrying several black bags along with an obviously amused Abel, and stoned face Rand.

“Happy birthday, Short Stack.” I grin at her as I step forward and pull her into my arms, my mouth crashes against hers as I take the kiss I’ve needed since I left her this morning. It only lasts a moment before we separate.

“Hi,” her breathy response has my dick hardening in my pants. Nina glances around and her cheeks flush as she takes in everyone who is here. “What’s going on?”

Brittany snorts from behind us and quietly says “Surprise, Tink. It’s your birthday party.”

Nina’s eyes go wide as she looks at me and down at her hands before glancing back up at me. I cock a brow at her, but don’t say anything as I hand her the flowers. She instinctively reaches out to take them from me but loses grip on her bags, which drop to the ground. An audible buzz sounds from the bags which makes Abel burst out in laughter, while Nina’s face pales to a sickly white. Her eyes don’t leave mine as Brittany kneels down to pick them up. She fails horribly at hiding her laughter, even more so when something bright pink rolls out. I glance down at the ground, my own grin unable to be contained at this point. Nina’s chest and cheeks could rival Ariel's hair color. I take a step toward her to try to ease the discomfort until I hear a voice behind me speak up.

“That thing will blow your mind!” Milo’s remark is met with an audible slap followed immediately by my mother's voice.

“Idiota!”

My expression must show the rage that the exchange between my mother and Milo solidified for me on what I already assumed was happening because Nina lunges forward and wraps her arms around me. Her body trembles against me as I encase my arms around her, finding solace in her embrace.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispers into my neck as tears coat my neck. “I won’t use them.”

When the meaning behind her words registers, I lift her into my arms and carry her across the open space of the kitchen toward the pantry. My hand presses against the frosted glass door and it swings against the wall just enough to rattle whatever is on the shelves before I slap it closed. I set her down and lean down so my face is mere inches from hers.

“Amore mio, I want you to understand something right now. I would never be upset with you over something like this.” I cup her cheeks between my palms and press my mouth to hers briefly, separating just long enough to make sure I’m crystal fucking clear. “If you want to use toys with me, without me, on me. I will do any fucking thing that will make you happy and bring you pleasure.”

Her eyes blink rapidly as I speak, her breaths are still coming out in quick succession.

“Bella, the anger you saw out there wasn’t even close to being directed toward you.” A gentle smile pulls at the corners of my mouth as she begins to calm down. “Why don’t you head back to our room. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes, alright?”

Once the door is closed behind me, I turn the lock before I step further into our space. Nina’s sitting on the bed, her face in her hands, her bare legs on full display with the flared mini skirt she has on. My eyes roam up her body realizing she’s wearing another low-cut crop top. A sly grin twists my lips, my girl isn’t afraid to show off some skin.

I cautiously drop the bag on the ground and kick off my shoes leaving them by the door before I approach her. She glances up at me as soon as she senses the movement. Her expression softens when she realizes I'm alone. I take a seat next to her, my arm tugging her into my side.

“Bella, may I ask you a question?” I break the silence; the curiosity burns through my veins. She lifts her gaze to meet mine as she waits for me to continue. “Why did you decide to buy all of that today?”

She blanches and tries to pull away, but I hold her tight against my side, not allowing her to hide. After a long huff she replies.

“Brittany said that I needed to practice before we went any further.” She groans and drops her face back into her hands.

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