Page 41 of Of Desire And Deception

“Yeah.”

I didn’t expect him to act interested in what I did with my time; Niccolò wasn’t like me in that way. He would kill for those he loved, but he didn’t want to do it for the family. When he said nothing else, I jumped right into the real reason I’d called. “How do you woo a woman?”

“The fuck?” He let out a choked laugh. “Woo a woman, Cos? What the hell is that about?”

I sighed, realizing he wasn’t taking me seriously. “I’ve got a date. How do I do all the boyfriend shit?”

“A date?” That had his attention. “And you want it to last more than one night?”

“Preferably,” I answered flatly. Inside, I felt a desperation to make things with Wynn work. I needed to be as close to her as possible. I wasn’t above stalking her, but dating was a much more practical option. And a lot more legal.

“Does Dante know about this?”

I paused, debating how much I should tell him about Wynn and me. It wouldn’t hurt to tell him the truth. He’d likely find out anyway when the rest of the family realized I was pursuing her. “Dante and Romeo may have stopped me from tearing her off the stage at the club.”

“Sounds like there’s a story that goes along with that.” Amusement made his voice light.

“I didn’t like other men looking at her,” I admitted, my hand fisting at the memory of her dancing. “I had to get Wynn off the stage or slit the throat of every male patron with eyes.”

Niccolò chuckled. “Not really a choice, then.”

“It was the logical solution.”

“And she agreed to a date after that?” he pushed.

I smiled to myself and visualized pinning Wynn to the wall. How she’d smelled, tasted, and moaned my name. “I can be convincing when necessary.”

“I have no doubt,” he agreed.

“So, are you going to help me?” I glanced at the clock, tapping my finger against my thigh for each of the eight hours left before I picked up Wynn.

“I’d tell you to be yourself, but I think a few caveats come along with that advice,” Niccolò offered. “Don’t show off your knives on the first date.”

“I’m not stupid,” I retorted, taking my fingers from where they’d rested on the weapon in question.

“Talk to her. Ask her about herself and show genuine interest,” he advised. “Learn what she likes and dislikes.”

I nodded, tucking the advice away for later. “I can do that.”

“And Cos, whatever you do, don’t stay the night.” It was a prudent warning, but for the first time since my last disastrous night with a woman, I didn’t want to follow that advice.

“I won’t hurt her like that.” It was a promise to myself. If I wanted to keep Wynn, I couldn’t slip up like that again.

“Can you guarantee that? Are you willing to bet on her safety?” There was a prolonged silence before Niccolò spoke again, his voice softer. “Her life?”

I hated that I couldn’t say for certain that I’d never react defensively if something startled me when I was sleeping. There were nightmares that plagued my unconscious hours, and my response was unpredictable at best.

“I’ll be careful,” I vowed. The sight of Wynn’s blood made my cock fucking rock hard, but the mental picture of her laying in a pool of blood on my bed, throat slit by my hand, turned my stomach. She didn’t deserve that.

Niccolò cleared his throat. “Good.”

“Do you know if you’re coming home soon?” I asked, changing the subject. Things didn’t feel right with my twin so far away. I’d give nearly anything to sit across from him and see his face while we talked, even if I didn’t like the topic of conversation.

He sighed, and I knew he was about to disappoint me. “I don’t know that we’ll be back before the birth.”

“Yeah.” I’d figured.

Niccolò droned on about everything he was doing with Mia in Calabria. None of it was interesting, but I listened anyway. My brother’s voice washed over me, settling like a blanket of comfort and calming my mind until I ended the call.

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