Page 5 of Depths of Desire
The space suddenly feels too small, too intimate. The scent of his cologne—dark, masculine, intoxicating—fills my lungs. My head spins with his nearness. I need distance. But this room offers limited options. Other than pressing myself against the wall, the only other additional space is the bed. And I am not sitting down while he’s standing. That would feel too much like surrender.
"The more important question," Nico drawls, "is what areyoudoing here? And I think I’ve asked that enough times. I need an answer now."
I glare at him, but my mind is blank. No sharp retorts, no clever comebacks. Just the cold truth slamming into me like a freight train. "Fine," I huff. "I’m trying to escape."
He lifts his brows. "That much is obvious."
"Listen, smartass," I snap. "I just want to get out of Genoa without my family knowing."
Something shifts in his expression, his amusement fading. "Ah," he murmurs, his voice softer, more thoughtful. "You’re running from your father."
A lump forms in my throat. "Yes." The hissed admission burns on my tongue.
"Why?"
How do I even explain? My nails bite into my palms as I force the words out. "Ever since Mia married Renzo, things have changed. Suddenly, my father is a man possessed. He insists that I stay in the house. I have to beg to be let out. Someone is with me all the time. I’m not even kidding. Like every waking hour.At night, there is a guard is posted outside my door. And I’m…I’m sure he’s picked out a husband for me.” I shake my head, a shudder rolling through me. "Something snapped. And the pressure on me skyrocketed. But whoever it is, I think…I think my father is afraid of him."
Nico watches me, his dark eyes unreadable. “How did you get here if your father won’t let you be alone?”
Fuck. I swallow. “He thinks I am with Mia and Renzo in Venice.”
Nico eyes me. “Just how did you pull that off?”
I bite my lip. I don’t want to tell him the truth, but something in his gaze compels me, and I find myself spilling my guts. “I hired a car that looks exactly like Renzo’s and had it pick me up. I had the driver dress like Renzo’s driver, too. My father glanced out the window but didn’t look too closely.”
Nico’s face lights up with a wicked grin. “You put some serious time and effort into this escape of yours. I find that…charming.” A muscle in his jaw pulses as the smile slides off his face. "So, you’re running to escape marriage."
"Yes," I snap. "I’m running to escape marriage."
“Luna,” he sighs, “I’m afraid I can’t let you go.”
I cross my arms and lift my chin defiantly. "Can we just pretend you didn’t see me? You go your way, I’ll do my thing, and it’s all good."
He shakes his head. "Sorry, Luna. I can’t do that. Two of your best friends are married to my brothers, so you need to tell me what your plan is. I can’t just leave you here."
My shoulders slump. He’s right. I thought I was prepared for this. I thought I could do this. But already, I’ve almost been caught, almost been attacked. And I witnessed Nico’s body hitting the deck, not to mention another body taking Nico’s place on the hard floor.
I swallow hard. "Look, I don’t have to leave this cabin. Except to eat. And I can do that—"Liar. Liar. Liar.Going to eat is what almost got me killed.
Nico’s eyes darken. "A ship like this isn’t safe for a woman on her own. Especially one who looks like you."
My pulse stutters. "What does that mean?"
His lips twitch, but there’s nothing playful about his gaze. "Luna, you’re beautiful. Young. And you’re trapped on a ship full of men who don’t give a damn about right and wrong. This is not your wisest move."
A chill prickles my skin, but I shove it away. "I’m not going back."
Nico’s expression sharpens. "How long do you have before your father comes looking for you?"
“Four days.” I fold my arms tighter, my stomach knotting. "Even then, I’m not a total idiot, you know. I have a plan in place."
Nico smirks, but his eyes remain cool, assessing. "You covered your tracks. Your father won’t suspect you’re gone until you don’t come back from Venice. And when he realizes you’ve done a runner, he’ll check airports, trains, buses—all the obvious routes. This method of travel will throw him off, won’t it?"
I don’t answer. But I don’t have to. My face gives me away.
Nico’s grin is slow, almost admiring. "Clever. Not bad at all. But it doesn’t change the fact that you can’t stay here."
A desperate idea claws its way into my brain. A reckless, ridiculous thought.
