Page 71 of Christmas with the Mafia
I glance over and note Desiree leaning closer to Julius, smiling at something he says and, almost as if she can sense my attention, her eyes flick to mine and the pure disdain in them causes me to groan inside. She hates me.
Luckily, Sophia announces that we should all head inside where a celebratory lunch will be served. As we follow her, I’m on edge because this is the strangest Christmas I have ever experienced.
Thirty-Six
NICO
I’m on edge.Just being around my family usually has that effect, but there is something running underneath the surface that I can’t figure out. My father is interested in Regina; it’s obvious. He doesn’t usually single guests out, and especially not female ones.
Lunch is set out on the side, and we help ourselves before heading to the huge dining table, and I groan inside as Desiree takes the seat beside mine as Regina sits on the other side of me.
As we begin, Desiree’s husky voice steals my attention. “You have surprised me, Nico.”
“In what way?”
Luckily, Regina is chatting to mom who is on her other side, and I’m loving the connection they already share. I don’t know why it means so much to me because this is all a fabricated lie, anyway. However, what began as a kind of business deal has become a lot more personal real quick.
“I thought we had an understanding.”
“I wasn’t aware ofone.”
My tone is smooth and disinterested, and she shakes her head. “Come now, Nico, don’t play me for a fool. We are both aware that our families are hoping to merge through marriage and, as the heir to the empire, you were expected to marry for power. Not–” Shewhispers, “Lust.”
“Power?” I maintain a cool façade. “I have all the power I want, Desiree, and in my mind, true power comes through freedom of choice. Would you sacrifice your happiness, your future and freedom for power even if it makes you unhappy for the rest of your life?”
The insult scores a direct hit, and she replies through gritted teeth, “Are you saying that you would be unhappy to spend your life with me, Nico?”
“Yes. I am.”
I’m brutally blunt and give no shits what she thinks, and her eyes flash as she hisses, “You’re a bastard, Nicholas. Does Regina love that quality in you?”
“She loves what I tell her to love.”
I fix her with a dark glare, loving how she shifts a little on her chair, her pupils dilating as the blood drains from her face as I say in deep undertones, “I am not an actor following another man’s script, Desiree. Perhaps in time you will thank me for putting an end to something that would only bring us years of misery.”
I pointedly turn away and rest my arm on the back of Regina’s seat, and as she turns, her gaze would melt the ice caps as her expression burns with desire.
I can’t resist and drop a light kiss on her lips, and she sighs against me as she whispers, “How long?”
“Thirty minutes.”
“Are you joking?” She groans, and I chuckle to myself.If I had my way, we would leave this table now because I have a much better use of our time. However, duty calls, and lunch with my family on Christmas Eve is the main priority now, and there is nothing I can do about that.
As it turns out, thirty minutes turns into two hours and doesn’t end there. When we finish the liqueurs and coffee, my father announces, “Come, we will leave the women and head to my den. I have plans I want to run past you all, Vito included.”
My heart sinks, and Regina sighs beside me. “Will this never end?”
“I won’t be long. I’ll rescue you as soon as possible.”
She nods, and as her eyes follow me out of the room, I can only imagine the hellish afternoon she is about to endure. She has nothing in common with our guests, which fills me with happiness because if I thought she was anything like Desiree or Katrina, she would not be a part of my future.
“Nico.”
We are sitting in my father’s den, in wing-backed chairs while a large fire keeps the chill of winter away.
The bourbon is plentiful and cigar smoke rife, and as I endure the usual pastime, I find myself wondering what Regina is up to right now.
The use of my name brings me back into the room, and I note that Vito is watching me carefully as he says roughly.
