by Blue Saffire
“Ty, you did this,” I say and hang up.
My shoulder sag. I can feel him standing there watching me. He has been standing there for some time now. I want to run into his arms, but I know it is wrong. I won’t drag him into my mess.
“I’m fine,” I murmur.
“You can lie to yourself, Bella, but never lie to me,” Nico says before I hear his feet shuffle away.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Moving On
Reese
“Ha ha ha ha ha, Nico you are crazy,” I laugh as I throw popcorn at him.
It has been three weeks since that call with Ty. As planned, I have taken my vacation from work with the exception of Nico. After I thought about it, I really don’t want to disturb the progress we have been making. He is getting stronger each day.
“What… some of these American movies are so over the top,” he shakes his head. The action movie we are watching is really over the top and corny. Sometimes they should just leave the classic alone.
Nico has been frowning the whole time at the lame movie and making hilarious comments. I would never have thought the man I walked in on that first day would be so funny and down to earth. Nico is just that and so much more.
Nico reaches for more popcorn with one hand and my legs with the other. He draws my legs into his lap and starts to caress my skin with his fingertips. My focus is no longer on the movie, but him and his fingers. My body starts to react to his simple touch.
I am still trying to grow more confident in my body. The little shorts I have on are courtesy of Valentina. When we went shopping she distracted me, then she replaced all the sleep pants, I picked out with the short shorts versions. I didn’t know until we returned to Nico’s apartment.
It took me a while to wear them around Nico. Ty seeing my thunder thighs is one thing. I wasn’t sure how Nico would see me. One night, I woke up really thirsty and stumbled into the kitchen to find Nico sitting at the kitchen island munching on some cereal. The heated, hungry look in his eyes as they roamed over my legs told me that he more than appreciated the view. He has been trying to get me in a swimsuit to swim laps with him since.
I have picked up some yoga pants for our morning workout, but for now that is as far as I will go. I’m not ready to be in a swimsuit in front of him. Choosing these shorts tonight was bold on my part.
When I look up at his face, I don’t even think he’s aware of what he is doing to me. His face has become serious and he looks lost in thought. I watch his profile, taking in his strong jaw and straight nose. Nico is just a beautiful man. The stub that has grown from this morning just adds to his rugged good looks.
Suddenly, his lips turn up into a smile and he turns to look at me. “You do know I can feel when you are staring at me,” he says with a sexy grin.
“Is that a problem,” I ask smiling back.
“No Cara, never. I like your eyes on me,” he replies as his eyes drop to my lips.
I clear my throat and look back at the screen. I promised myself that I wouldn’t rush into anything new and technically I am still married. I don’t care if Ty cheated. I will never be labeled as a cheater.
We fall into a comfortable silence again for a while and then I feel his eyes on me. I smirk, but I don’t turn to look at him right away. He is still rubbing those torture circles on my skin, but I won’t be complaining. Nico’s touch makes me feel safe, wanted, and cared for. Things I haven’t felt in a long time.
At first, I tried to keep distance between us, but Nico wasn’t having any of that. The man calls my name through the entire apartment until I come out of hiding. I thought of going to stay with my parents, but I am still too embarrassed to face them or my friends.
“Now you are staring at me,” I whisper.
“I’m ready to get back on the pitch,” he says surprising me.
I turn to look at him and see that serious expression on his face once again. I study him for a moment before I start to speak. If he pushes too hard, too soon he could ruin all of our progress. Nico still has some ways to go before I would say he could play in a game. I furrow my brows trying to think of how to say this to him.
“Why now…what’s the rush? We could undo everything if we move too quickly,” I say cautiously.
“I need to make money. I need to get back to work. This,” he fans a hand in the air. “I grow tired of this. Sitting around all day, not providing for you the way I should.”
I sit up straighter and pull my legs from his lap. “Nico, you don’t need to provide for me. I have a job. I’ll be opening the clinic soon and I will be fine on my own. I will be out of your hair soon enough,” I say as I wrinkle my brows in confusion.
Nico narrows his eyes at me. “You think I say this to get you out of my hair,” I know he is pissed, his accent is starting to come through. “I say this because I want to be able to give you anything you want. This is what we as Donati men are raised to do. We give our women the world.”
“Nico, there is so much wrong with what you just said,” I say as my brows draw deeper. “I am not your woman. You don’t need to give me anything. My divorce isn’t even final. That asshat won’t sign the freaking papers.”
“He will sign,” Nico says with finality.
“O…kay, but we still have so much to talk through before we can even think about being in a relationship, Nico,” I sigh.
“Then I suggest you start talking, Reese,” Nico says looking me right in the eyes.
My mouth falls open and I just stare at him. He is really serious. I shake my head. None of this makes sense. Nico just told me the other day that he has made some great investments and that Uri has made him a silent partner in quite a few lucrative businesses, in the States and abroad.
“Where is this coming from,” I ask in confusion.
“Do not change the subject, Bella. You want to talk then let’s talk,” Nico replies.
“Okay, fine. I think I should move out. If we are going to have a serious relationship, I should move into my own place,” I sigh and rub my forehead.
“No,” Nico says firmly and I look up at him in shock.
“What,” I gasp.
“You will not waste your money. Uri is helping you with the Clinic, but I know you have used every dime you have for it as well. You will not move out when you have a perfectly safe home right here,” Nico shrugs.
“So you are saying that once we start to date, if we start to date, you will be okay with living under the same roof and going to your own bedroom every night,” I tilt my head to the side and narrow my eyes at him.
“When, we start dating, Reese. I will be okay with living under the same roof and going to my own bedroom, because you will be in my bedroom. Another reason it makes no sense that you want to get a place. You will be here in my bed whether you have a place of your own or not,” Nico says with a straight face.
“Seriously,” I scoff.
Nico lift a brow. “Do I play when it comes to you and how I feel,” he responds.
“Wow,” I give a short laugh. “Okay, well, there are so many other things.”
“I am listening,” Nico says, crossing his arms and propping his cheek on his hand as he gives me his full attention.
“Your mother hates me,” I blurt out.
Nico throws his head back and laughs. I met the petite woman a few weeks ago. I got the vibe that she really doesn’t like me.
“My mother does not hate you. She is concerned for her son. She knows you are still married and that I’ve had feelings for you well before you were available,” Nico says softly.
I bow my head as I think over his words. When they seep in, I look up through my lashes. “You have feelings for me,” I say so softly it sounds like a whisper. I wince and bite my lip.
“Cara, do not ask questions you know the answer to. I have been counting down the days until I can make you mine,” he says as his eyes burn into my soul.
“You’re twelve years older than me,” I try.
“Is this a problem for you? I haven’t thought of it much,” Nico shrugs. “It has not been a problem in our friendship. You are a very mature woman.”
“A friendship and a relationship are two different things,” I roll my eyes.
“Your age is of no consequence to me,” Nico says looking at me pointedly.
I pause and draw in a deep breath. Reaching up, I twist my diamond studded earring in my ear. I release the earring and tug at my ear. Running a hand over my bun, I keep my eyes on my lap as I summons my courage. I decide to say what’s really on my mind.
“You want a family, Nico. What if I can’t give that to you,” I say through trembling lips.
“Look at me, Reese,” Nico says and reaches to lift my chin. “I want you. I will always want you. We will worry about our little family when the time comes. Believe me, we will try as often as we need,” Nico says then licks his lips. His eyes drop to my lips and I almost moan. I can feel myself being draw forward into him and I almost lean in.
I feel his words in my core and almost crawl right into his lap. For that reason, I stand and wipe my palms on my shorts. I lick my lips as I shuffle from foot to foot.
“I’m still married, Nico. I know you feel this attraction between us as much as I do. I think it is best if we give each other some distance until my divorce is final,” I say and bite my lip nervously.
Nico nods. “That is fine, but remember this. As soon as it is done, I am giving you all of me, Reese. We will be in this together.”
“Okay,” I whisper and turn to rush to my room.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Times Up
Nico
“Are you sure this is what you want,” Uri asks me as we sit in a car outside Tiberius Romans’ apartment building.
“Yes,” I reply. “He needs some motivation to sign. He continues to call her every day. He is not getting the picture yet. He needs to get the picture. It has been one month, Uri. I will not wait another day.”
Uri rolls his eyes and chuckles at me. “That is not what I meant, little brother. We will not Hush him. You yourself said Reese wants a divorce before she will move forward with you. The things I would do to him would not allow us to make it look like an accident. That would lead to him being missing. This is still not what you want.”
I run my hand through my hair. I have thought of this a lot. I know what it is like to be a little boy whose father was taken from him. I may not like what Reese’s piece of shit husband has done to her, and is still doing, but I would not want to hurt his sons.
I nod my head and heave a heavy breath. “No, that is not what I want. I just want him gone from her life. I want this over,” I say.
“Done, but are you sure you want to be here for this,” Uri points to my leg. “There is your injury and you are not unknown, Nico. It is very likely he will recognize you.”
“I don’t care. I want him to know who I am. I want him to know she is now mine,” I growl.
“Then remember everything I have taught you, Nicoli Donati. You are not Nico tonight. You will not freeze on me. We will do what must be done and we will return home to our families,” Uri states before turning to get out of the car without another word.
“You don’t have to do this. We will do it for you,” Michael says from the backseat.
“It is done,” I reply channeling the Donati in me. I may be the lover in the family, but there is a fighter in me, and Reese is worth fighting for.
Michael grunts in response and gets out of the car. I follow behind him and Uri. We are all dressed in black from head to toe, helping us to cling to the shadows. We enter the building through a back entry. Michael was able to fab one of their electronic keys.
We slip into the elevator. My lovely sister is in charge of making sure the cameras loop and no trouble heads our way. My heart swells in the most unusual way. I have never done something like this with all three of my siblings, where they have worked together plenty of times. I never knew how left out I felt until now.
I choke those feelings down as we step out of the elevator. We move silently to the apartment Reese and her husband once shared. I find it funny how he can stay home now that she is gone. He hasn’t left the state since Reese left him.
Uri has been keeping tabs on him this whole time. I already know that he knows where Reese is staying. At least, he knows the location of my apartment building. He hasn’t found out which unit she is staying in.
Reese rarely goes anywhere in the first place. When she does leave the apartment, it is usually with Tony to meet Uri at the new clinic. Reese still doesn’t know about my life as a Donati. She thinks I have Tony around because of my sports career. So she has fought me every time I send Tony with her. Doesn’t matter, we know I’ll always have the last say in the end, when it comes to her safety. It is best she gets used to it now.
Tiberius has tried to hire someone to tell him who Tony is, since he is the only man she has been with in public, other than Uri. He has also tried to dig more into who Uri is, beyond knowing he is the husband of Reese’s friend. This piece of shit has no idea the reach the Donati family has. No one will even take his requests for meetings. He has gone as far as trying to go under a different name, but has been met with the same results.
Like I said, my big brother has my back. Reese’s husband doesn’t really want answers to his questions. He won’t like them. Uri is not a man you want to inquire about. I smirk at that thought as Uri unlocks the apartment door and walks right in.
Michael and I follow not making a sound. Rage sizzles through my blood as the sounds of moaning reaches my ears. So much for this loser missing Reese and needing her back. I almost find humor in the scene before me, as we enter the living room. Reese’s husband is sitting on the couch with his head back, a scowl on his face and an arm thrown over his eyes.
It is identical to the precarious situation Reese found me in the first time we met. The irony. He doesn’t even realize we are in his apartment. We could be his wife, come to reconcile. What if Reese walked in on this shit? I am totally disgusted and second guessing have Uri hush his sorry ass.
Instead, I follow my brothers’ lead. Both Michael and Uri take a seat on either side of Ty, as Reese calls him. The girl, with her big hazel eyes and freckles on her face, is the first to notice us and she smiles around Ty’s erection in her mouth. I take a seat behind her on the coffee table.
Ty only shifts and grunts. Uri gives me a nod and I respond with what I know he is asking me to do. Just as the girl gets ready to reach out and touch Michael’s crotch. I grab a hand full of her sandy brown hair and yank her head back.
She whimpers in surprise and Ty’s eyes fly open. “What the Fuck,” he bellows but the end of his words are cut off when Uri throat chops him.
Uri is right. I feel the moment Nico is no more. I lean down by the now sobbing girl’s ear. The next words that flow are those of Nicoli Donati. “You are going to get up off your damn knees and put your clothes back on,” I hiss in her ear. “Then you are going to walk out of the door with the that nice man right there. He is going to take you outside to make sure you get a cab. Once you are in the cab, you will forget everything that happened tonight.”
Michael holds up her ID that he has retrieved from her wallet. “Kate, cute name,” Michael flashes her a smile. He then reads off the address on the ID, before continuing with, “I would hate to have to pay you a visit. So I am trusting that you will follow instructions just as they have been given. Is that correct?”
Still whimpering she nods her head as much as she can with my grip still on her hair. I release her and she scurries to put her clothes on. Michael rolls his eyes at her, then turns to a still choking Ty in disgust.
“Shut the fuck up,” Michael snarls.
Uri chuckles. “I was just about to suggest the same thing. This is not becoming a tough guy. You were a tough guy when you wanted to know of me,” Uri says calmly. “Put your shit away before it is the first thing I cut of
f.”
I smirk at my brothers as Ty gasps in a breath and quickly tucks himself back into his pants. His eyes bounce nervously between Uri and myself. Michael has already taken Kate by the arm and dragged her from the room. She wasn’t reluctant at all as she rushed from the room alongside him.
“Who I am is something you really don’t want to know,” Uri starts again. “If you continue to ask…you will ask questions no more.”
“Are you sleeping with my wife,” Ty rumbles as he rubs his neck.
“Unlike you, I don’t make vows I don’t plan to keep. Reese is a beautiful woman, but you have met my wife. Unless you just don’t remember, since you had your face in your phone the entire evening. No, you remember my wife. You stared at her tits when you thought no one was looking. It was the only time you looked up from your phone,” Uri says as he looks at Ty like the filth he is.
“You don’t know me and you have no idea what has happened between me and my wife,” Ty growls.
Wrong move. Uri grabbed the back of Ty’s neck and head butts him right in the nose. I wince, knowing his nose is now broken and probably hurting like a motherfucker.
Uri straightens his jacket as if nothing has just happened and sits back again. “What I know is, you no longer have a wife. Let me introduce you to the man that will be taking over the position you failed to fill,” Uri smirks. “This is Nicoli Donati. Ah, yes, I see you recognize him,” Uri says as recognition enters Ty’s eyes.
I take over from here. It is a must for me. “It is time you sign these fucking papers,” I say pulling out the fresh set Uri got from Paige. “I had a few things added to them that you will agree to as well.”
Ty scoffs as he pinches his bloody nose. “You’re fucking kidding right. I don’t want a divorce. When I get custody of my sons, I’ll be able to give Reese what she has always wanted and we can work things out.”