Page 36 of Happily Ever After
"This is going to be a cozy ride for you, Miss O'Neil," he says with a grin on his unfortunately handsome face.
His gaze meets mine, and we enter an uncomfortable stare-off. Well, uncomfortable for me; Niccolo's cocky expression doesn't waver.
My stomach still seems full of lead, but I'll be damned if I'll let this guy see how much he intimidates me. I've stared death in the face multiple times since I entered Tiero's world; I have a backbone.
On instinct, Ade steps in front of me, severing the connection, and I lean my forehead against his broad back. Letting out a long breath, I drink in his strength.
"Watch it, Romero. Touch her and you'll die." Ade threatens, his voice icy cold. He means every word, and I've never been happier he's with me and always on my side.
Niccolo's laugh is diabolical. "Uh oh, I'm so scared," he mocks.
What's more concerning, though, is the unmistakable click I hear.
It's the click of the safety on a gun being pulled.
No!
I fist Ade's shirt between my fingertips, willing him not to do something stupid. He's usually calm and level-headed… except when it comes to me.
"Don't worry, Burg. I'm here for only one thing. And as cute as your fiancée is, it's not her. She doesn't do it for me."
Thank the heavens for that!
"Now, let's get on with the show. I haven't got all day. And as we all know, nor do you. You want to get married later, don't you?"
I grit my teeth. Bloody asshole! He's ruining my day.
"Silas, the ties," he calls to one of his men.
Ties? He's going to tie us up?
Why does that surprise me? He knows who Ade is and what kind of training he had. Of course, he'd want to immobilize him.
"Ella, cutie, come on out," he coaxes, as if speaking to a toddler, and my hackles rise.
Asshole.
"You know, hiding won't save you," he continues his mocking.
Yeah, I know… I wonder if anything will.
Gritting my teeth, I leave the relative safety of Ade's back.
When I step next to him, I notice two guns pointed at Aiden, and my heart stutters in my chest again.
"Your hands, Miss O'Neil. Hold them out to me," Niccolo commands, but I don't move.
I shake my head frantically, my mind and body remembering the night his grandfather tried to kidnap me.
My heart rate quadruples. Dizziness hits me, and I feel sweat break out on my forehead.
Molinaro's men killed my guards, restrained my hands and legs, and plastered tape over my mouth.
I was utterly helpless.
The fear… the horror… it all floods back.
Until now, I've successfully suppressed the memories, but that one comment opened the floodgates.
