Page 30 of Nico (Belles & Mobsters 2)

Nico’s eyes on me made me want to fidget with my hands, stand up, and move around, but I forced myself to sit still. Forcing my smile, I prayed that this man wasn’t seeing too much. I didn’t want him to be aware of my physical attraction to him. I chalked it up to my long abstinence.

Clearing my throat, I decided I needed to stop lingering, like a leaf in the wind. If it turned out I was unsuccessful getting away before the wedding, I needed to know expectations. I didn’t want to piss him off and lose my life in the process. I refused to be killed by any mobster.

“What expectations did you have from this relat-” I cut myself off. No, not a relationship. “This arrangement?”

I wished I was good at reading people; although I had a feeling even if I was, I’d still not be able to get a read on Nico Morrelli.

“Loyalty,” he replied simply. “And honesty.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s kind of cliché and hypocritical, don’t you think?” He raised his one eyebrow and against my better judgment I continued, “You expect honesty, yet you are keeping secrets.”

“And how would you know I am keeping secrets?”

I scoffed at that. “You must be. Otherwise, why insist on this marriage?”

“Do you have any secrets, Bianca?” His question caused my heart to jumpstart into a frantic drumming against my chest. I would never admit to him my biggest secret. My only secret was tied to my parentage. I was a bad liar, I’ve known it my whole life, so I didn’t bother uttering a lie.

“That’s none of your business,” I said angrily, against my good sense. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself. It wouldn’t do me any good to piss him off. “Since this would be a contract, can we discuss terms?”

Maybe we could discuss sleeping in separate bedrooms and separate houses. It would be ideal if he envisioned this whole marriage being a business transaction without additional responsibilities in the bedroom. One could always hope. Maybe he could get an heir via adoption.

“Please, lead the way,” he replied, his tone mocking. This man could be a jackass.

“Well, I’d rather not get married so maybe we could start with that?”

He chuckled like I truly meant to joke. I was dead serious. Yes, the man did something to make me want to go all crazy and have sex, but it didn’t mean I ignored the dire situation I found myself in.

“There are business events and business trips that require my attendance.” He really had the sexiest deep voice I had ever heard. It caused my whole body to hum in anticipation of hearing one more sound from him which was completely dumb.What is wrong with me?“You, as my wife, will be expected to be by my side.

“Business?” Fear crept up my spine.

“Legal business,” he clarified. “You won’t be pulled into any of myotherbusinesses.”

Thank God!

“Okay,” I breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s reasonable if we absolutely need to get married. Of course, the cancellation of the wedding would be preferable.” I was actually proud I was able to think on my feet. I had never been one for words or will battling. And my voice sounded somewhat steady. “Anything else?”

I didn’t want to flat out ask him if he expected me to sleep with him. That part would be dangerous. I never did casual sex, and William was the only man I had ever slept with.

Hopefully, Nico understood what I was getting at.

“I’ll set an allowance of thirty thousand dollars for your monthly expenditures, to spend as you see fit. It will be for you and our children.”

My mouth fell open. Thirty thousand dollars a month! For monthly spending. How was that possible? And why did he keep saying ‘our children?’ The twins were mine. I wasn’t planning on having more children, definitely not with him. And he made it sound like he expected heirs right away while earlier he said the heirs would be on hold. Or was this man playing me? I was certain men of his caliber were master manipulators.

There was a catch, I was sure of it now.

“What-” my voice shook now. “What else?”

His expression immediately closed off, his eyes suddenly cold. “Please let me know what else you would like; name your terms. I am willing to negotiate.”

With a confused look, I chewed on my lip. I was so lost. Negotiate what terms?

“I don’t have terms, short of let’s cancel this.” His eyes studied me as if searching for a truth. I sighed. “Listen, this whole thing happened unexpectedly. I just want to be prepared and know what I’m getting into. And that’s a lot of money for monthly spending. Um, is it just for house bills or-” I stumbled over my own words. “Or something else? And would you text me to let me know when you need me to attend events with you? I don’t know where you live, but my place is kind of close to everything.”

Why did it feel like I was being stupid here?

“No, I have my accountants paying monthly house bills,” he replied. “And they will take care of your bills too, starting with your mortgage.” My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “You don’t have to worry about any of that,” he continued. “The money is for you to buy what you want for yourself and our kids, Cara Mia.”

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