Page 62 of Nico
The Coulter was a well-known and very powerful name. Someone could have grabbed her and used her for ransom. She could have gone into the parking lot and ran out into the street. The awful possibilities left her weak.
But the incident had proven that she was not fit to be a mother. It was good that she found that out now, before they made a permanent commitment.
She was almost upon the vehicle in her circular driveway, before she noticed it and by then, it was too late to back out and drive away. And why should she? She thought angrily as she braked.
This was her home. Good, she could tell him it was over and be done with it.
Shoving at the door, she stepped out into the icy cold and marched towards the steps. She was halfway there when he approached, his long legs eating up the distance and his face was set and angry. Sparks seemed to be flying off him.
When he grabbed her arms, she could feel the anger vibrating off him.
"We need to talk."
"Yes, we do."
"Good." Pressing his lips together, he took her hand, and half dragged her up the steps.
Not even bothering to protest, she uncoded her door for them to step in. Slamming the door shut, he rounded on her, bottle green eyes almost black with anger.
"What the hell is wrong with you? I've been calling you for the past three hours--"
She quivered at the way he struggled to hold onto his temper.
"I had to get away."
"Why didn't you answer your damn phone?" He slapped a hand against the mahogany when she started to move past him.
"I was doing some thinking. Please let me pass."
"Do you have any idea what kind of hell you put me through?"
"I'm sorry!" She shouted, the tenuous control she was holding onto, snapping like a twig. "Is that what you want to hear? I put your daughter in danger, and I had to get away."
Lifting her hand, she tugged the simple, yet exquisite diamond solitaire off her finger.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"The right thing." She held out the ring. "I'm ending things."
A shiver went straight to her bones at the ominous expression on his face. For the first time since she saw him tonight, she realized there were shadows beneath his eyes and deep weariness stamped on his features.
"I cannot marry you Nico." Her anger dissipated like a puff of smoke and left her feeling exhausted. "And there's nothing you can say that will change my mind."
"Wanna bet?" he asked softly, his voice sending a warning to her brain.
"Please, I need to lie down. What--" She broke off with a gasp as he scooped her into his arms.
"Set me down." She shoved at his wall of chest, but he did not budge.
Turning around, he marched towards the staircase and bounded up the steps.
"Look, there's--"
"Shut up!" he growled, making her stiffen in anger.
"You don't get to talk to me--"
"Quiet." Kicking the bedroom door open, he did not stop until he was at the edge of the bed, where he proceeded to dump her in the middle.
