Page 42 of Lies like Rubies, Part Two (Savage Jewels)

“I said come here, Sofia,” he snapped, tapping his thigh twice like I was a goddamned puppy. Emotions tumbled through me, hurt, fury, and an intense desire to please this man—to be his good girl.

I blinked, surprised by how badly I wanted to earn his praise.

“I need—” I whispered.

“What do you need, baby?” Nick answered. “How can I help you get from there to here?”

I uncurled my arms from around my legs, clenching my knees with my hands.

“There you go, baby,” he murmured. “So fucking brave.” His reassurance shot through me, leaving courage in its wake.

I took one shuddering breath, and then another.

“C’mon, baby. You can’t lead your army from a bedroom,” he said. “But you’ll never have to do it alone, I promise.”

My eyes shot to his, mossy and green, reflecting nothing but affection and admiration as he watched me struggle.

“You can do this.”

Nick murmured soft praise and encouragement as Iunfolded my body and shifted to my knees. We stared at each other, then one slow movement at a time, I crawled over to him.

“Oh, such a good fucking girl,” he said, sliding his hands through my hair the moment I was within reach.

Relief made me weak, and I sagged against him. He caught me, settling me into a kneeling position at his side. I rubbed my cheek on his thigh, unable to make myself care about the weakness I revealed to him. I’d regret it later, of that I was sure, but right then, I drew strength from his touch, his unwavering confidence in me.

“Baby, there is nothing in this world you can’t do,” Nick said, combing his fingers through my hair. “You raised Lizzie to be strong and clever. You’re going to graduate in a few days. You’ve got the best people skills of anyone I’ve ever met. You’re a goddamned star, and Sergio can’t take that away from you.” He slid a finger under my chin and tilted my face up to meet his gaze. “Don’t let him take that away from you.”

We stared at each other as he waited for me to answer him.

Instead, I used his leg to lever myself to my feet, every muscle in my body sore and achy.

Nick watched me, not saying a word. When I stood straight, staring down at him, he smiled, and it was like the clouds opened up and let sunlight into the room.

“That’s my good girl. You’re so goddamned strong, Sofia.”

My eyes caught on his full lips, and for half a second, I had to resist the urge to bend down and kiss him, to swipe my mouth over his and tangle our tongues together. His eyes darkened as if he saw my need for him, but instead of tilting his head up to kissme, he stood and enveloped me in a firm, comfortable hug.

Disappointment surged through me, shocking me with its strength. I used it, turning it into resolution. If I was feeling good enough to wish for a kiss from Nick, I was feeling good enough to face the crowd in my living room.

When I stiffened, he allowed me to pull away.

“You good?”

I nodded, swallowing the instinctive thanks that threatened to escape me. Instead, I stepped into the bathroom to check my face.

Gaunt features that looked like I’d been through hell? Check. Limp blonde hair that I quickly pulled back into an elegant tail at the nape of my neck? Check. Bruises and cuts I didn’t bother to disguise with makeup? Check.

I looked up to find Nick leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed against his chest, watching me as I put on my mask.

“How can I help?” he asked.

“You just did,” I answered, keeping my voice firm and steady to discourage further conversation. When I turned away from the mirror and turned toward him, heat flashed in his eyes before he banked it. I’d deal with that another day. Right now, I had an empire to build.

Chairs scraped back against the hardwood floor of the dining room as the men stood when I walked in—first Lorenzo, then Dante, then, more slowly, Ginevra’s husbands and Luca. Declan was the last to stand, looking me up and down as if he hadn’t quite made up his mind about me, despite the support he’d provided over the last few days.

“Be seated,” I said quietly and looked for an empty seat. There wasn’t one.

Lorenzo stepped away from his, gesturing for me to sit inthe empty seat he left beside Dante, but my eyes didn’t move from my rightful place. As if he understood, Dante moved away from where he sat at the head of the table and pulled out the chair for me.

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