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“So, how’s it going atBellissima?” Leo asks, as he sits across from me at a high-top table.
After saying goodbye to Macy, we came to a bar a couple of doors down from my place of work. Though it would have been nice to go somewhere else in the city. It’s perfect, staying in this area, if only for the fact that it’s close to my new apartment and I won’t need to flag down a taxi or book an Uber to get home.
I shrug, taking a sip of my soda. “It’s good. I like it more than I thought I would.”
He nods, worry flashing on his kind face. He runs a nervous hand through his hair. I frown and wait for him to speak. Exhaling a harsh breath, he pins me with a pensive look. “I knew Nico was going to stop you from working at the club. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.” I see the apology in his eyes, but he doesn’t need to give me one.
Reaching across the table, I squeeze his hand. Did Nico go about things in the right way? No. But I am here now, and I don’t think I would change it. “It’s fine, honestly. It all worked out for the best.”
He sips his drink, his gaze on me as if contemplating how to say his next words. “And Nico, is he treating you okay?”
I get the feeling there is more to the question. Does he know about us?
Dropping my eyes to my drink, I twist my straw as I nibble my bottom lip. “Nico… can be intense.” I shrug.
Leo chuckles and I raise my gaze in time to see him shaking his head. “Yes, he is. But I can honestly say, I’ve never seen him act like this over a woman before.” My stomach dips at his words and it’s all the confirmation I need. Leo knows about us. “I would know. We basically grew up together.”
I sag in my chair, voicing my insecurities. “I don’t understand, though. He could have anyone.”
He cocks his head, shrugging. “Yeah, he could. But he wants you. You don’t even see it, do you?”
“See what? And why are you telling me this? Did he ask you to take me for a drink and talk to me?”
Leo laughs. “Nah. He will probably kill me if he knows that I’m having a drink with you alone.” he cocks his head, searching my face with an intensity that makes me squirm under his scrutiny. “And how can you not see how gorgeous you are. Had Nico not made a move on you, I would have made you mine.”
The honesty of his words makes my cheeks heat in embarrassment. What the hell? I like Leo but only as a friend. I’ve never looked at him in any other way. Sure, he is attractive, in that boy next-door kind of way. But I just don’t see him as more than he already is. When a long moment of uncomfortable silence passes, I open my mouth to respond, but am cut off by an angry, feral growl.
“Noprobablyabout it. I will kill you, you motherfucker. Friend or not. Now what the fuck are you doing withmygirl.” My head snaps to a fuming, snarling Nico.
I jerk back, nearly falling off my stool. Nico stands beside me, a cold, calculated look in his eyes as he glowers at Leo. “Nico,” I gasp, then frown. How did he know where we were?
My head whips back to face Leo when he chuckles. He holds his hands up in surrender, a big grin on his face. Nonetheless, I don’t miss the hint of fear in his eyes. Pushing off his stool, he steps toward him, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Hey man, I just thought I would take your girl here for a drink. She had a bad day and I wanted to cheer her up.” His gaze shifts to me briefly before moving back to Nico. He jerks his finger to the door. “I better get to the club.”
Nico’s jaw clenches. I feel the power and darkness radiating from him. A shiver runs up my spine. I have seen him mad, but this seems… more.
“You do that.” Nico barks. Leo nods, taking a step toward the door only to freeze when Nico adds. “And Leo? I will be discussing this with you later.”
“Noted.” He mumbles, defeatedly. And then without another word, he leaves.
My eyes snap back to Nico. I glower.
What the hell just happened?
Chapter 29
Nico
She glares at me. I glare back.
I’m so fucking angry right now.
As soon as Gio texted me to tell me that she had left work, with Leo of all people, and was in a bar, I saw red. Within five minutes, I was in my SUV, making my way here. It was the last thing I needed after the meeting with my papà earlier.
This morning we all – Dante included – attended Allegra’s awards ceremony at her private school. After that, we headed back to the house where Papà took me aside and told me that not only do the Romano’s want to go ahead with the arranged marriage to my sister, but they want to do it as soon as she finishes school. In just five short months and at only eighteen, my papà wants to marry Allegra off to Riccardo Romano. I had already hit my anger limit with that information, but then I find out that Leo is trying to sneak around with my girl.
