Page 31 of Nico (Belles & Mobsters 2)

I narrowed my eyes. Every word this man uttered was deliberate. I’d stake my life on it. Though I couldn’t accuse him of not being generous. That seemed like an extravagant amount of money just for spending. But I could put it into savings and keep it for rainy days. Because they would surely come. The first chance I got, I’d take my girls and run.

“And you’d text me when you need me?” I rasped, repeating the question, nervous energy swimming through my body.

I preferred to stay in my own home. I should just be direct and ask if he expected us to live together and sleep together. However, if that never crossed his mind, I certainly didn’t want to offer up ideas. It was a tricky balance.

His gaze softened, but the guard never left his expression. Something about the way he watched me made my insides clench, although I wasn’t sure for what reason. Scratch that. No sense in lying to myself. I knew why; I was attracted to him. Dangerously and intensely.

Our food arrived at the moment delaying his answer, and I tried to get myself together.

Oh my Gosh, thirty thousand dollars a month!

I knew it would be greedy to ask him how fast I could get my first allowance. But with the foreclosure letter hanging over my head, I needed to pay the bank as soon as possible. I owed the mortgage company a little over thirty thousand. Of course, they gouged me for all the fees they could tack on.

He said he’d take care of my monthly bills, but I assumed it would start after our marriage. If I could get the money within the next week, I had a chance of saving my house and then his accountant would take care of it going forward. Well, until I come up with the plan and ditch him.

I wanted to save the house for my girls. It was silly to put so much value into something so superficial but part of me clung to it, like a life raft. Considering we’d probably have to disappear in the near future, it made no sense to keep the house. But damn it, I wanted to keep it. Maybe for the girls when they grew up and all the mobsters were dead.

The waiter poured wine in both of our glasses, keeping his eyes averted from me. Not that I could blame him after Nico's obsessive outburst. Pushing the alcohol away, I stuck to my water. I didn’t want alcohol clouding my judgment.

The waiter left and Nico spoke up. “I would like to be honest, Bianca.”

“Yes, please.” I wasn’t sure if I’d like what he had to say. I probably wouldn’t like it, but my mind was already figuring out how I could save my house. Stash up enough money to run away with the girls, and bring Mom and William’s parents along.

If Nico Morrelli wanted to get married, I’d keep up the appearances till I was ready to run. Because there was no doubt in my mind, the day would come when we would have to run.

If Benito King ever realized I was his daughter, he’d come after me. I wouldn’t pretend that I understood why my mother kept that secret from him, but I was grateful. Although, I would have preferred she kept her distance from him. But I understood it wasn’t her choice. She suffered the most here, and it was time I took care of her.

Fucking Benito King has a wife, for Pete’s sake, and kept my mother as a side piece. Why couldn’t he just be happy with one woman and worship her, instead of being greedy and having a damn harem. I wasn’t naive to think my mother was his only side piece. Men like him needed multiple women to make themselves feel important.

“First, you will quit your secretary job.” I frowned, slightly agitated that he felt entitled to tell me what to do. Not that I was crazy about that job. “As my wife and a mother to my children,” There he went again. “... you will be plenty busy and won’t need to work for money. I will need your company during the day events as well as evening,” he justified. “I want your commitment to me.”

As if he had me under the spell, I just nodded. My life went to hell in a handbasket and all it took was a visit by Nico Morrelli.

“Good,” he answered, clearly pleased with my easy compliance.

“What about the schedule for your events?” I asked, hope in my chest refusing to give up. “Maybe we could share a calendar so I can see when you need me.”

Before he even answered, I knew his response. I could see it in his eyes.

“We will live together in my house and sleep together in my bed. Leonardo will ensure you have ample time to arrange for a sitter for the events we have to attend.” Goddamn hope was a killer every time. I couldn’t sleep in his bed. Resisting him without clothes on would be torture. “The babysitters will be screened and approved individuals only. For their safety. I’ll have the bedrooms redone for the twins before our wedding day, and I assure you they will love them.”

He stared at me intently in a way that scared me. Fire burned in his eyes, making them appear as molten silver.Everything is going to hell, my mind whispered.

“In your bed?” I gulped, heat pooling between my thighs. From all the damn things he said, it was what shook me the most.

He took my hand across the table with his right hand, while his left hand went into his pocket. My pulse raced and my eyes darted to where his hand held mine. His touch was warm, his tanned skin in contrast with my pale tone. Again, I caught a hint of ink under his diamond cufflinks.

“Yes, in my bed,” he purred, his voice slightly raspy. “In our bed.”

The thumb of his right hand stroked my skin, his finger against my wrist pulse and he smiled, his eyes searching out mine, taking my breath away.

Keep your cool, Bianca. Don’t melt for him. He’s a killer.

None of those damn pep talks helped.

Nico held my eyes when the cool touch of a metal against the skin of my finger had me gasp. My eyes lowered to see a beautiful teardrop diamond on my finger, where a little over a year ago William’s ring sat.

Too fast. It was all happening too fast.

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