AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t know who is joining us and what the dinner entails, but I do find a long, red silk cocktail dress, with matching red soled pumps, waiting in my bedroom later that afternoon. Just from the outfit laid out for me, I come to the conclusion that it must be someone important if he is going to these lengths. I’m not particularly in the mood for socializing, but I know I have no choice. And like I said, I need to pick my battles.
Sighing, I take a seat in the Chesterfield chair so I can feed Romeo. Once he has had his milk, he will be due his afternoon nap, which means I will be able to prepare for tonight.
I don’t know why, but something tells me I’m going to need every little ounce of strength that I possess.
But that’s okay.
Because I will be ready for it and whatever Nico throws at me.
Chapter16
Nico
The front door being opened by one of the staff has me smirking. I already know who it is. Security alerted me of her arrival not even five minutes ago. I’m an asshole, but this needs to be done. Ocean needs to know her place.
Just as that thought crosses my mind, Gianna sashays inside, a triumphant smile on her face and her guard hot on her heels. She is dressed to kill, in a tight black dress and high heeled black pumps. With perfect make-up and hair, she is the typical spoiled mafia princess; coddled all her life by her papà and given whatever the hell she desired. Her papà has given her too much power and free rein, hence why she is allowed to dine with me this evening, alone, with only one bodyguard to accompany her.
This whole charade is a shit move on my behalf, but I want to get a reaction out of Ocean and using Gianna will do just that. Though she pretends otherwise, she still has feelings for me, and I know she is curious about the woman she thinks is my wife.
“Nico,” Gianna purrs, stepping right into my chest. Her hard nipples brush my white dress shirt, a tactical move on her part. She wants to get a reaction out of me. Little does she know, my dick only seems to work for one woman now.
“Gianna. You look stunning as always,” I say honestly, because despite me not wanting to marry the woman, or having a single sexual feeling toward her, I can appreciate that she is beautiful. Unfortunately for her, my cock is already owned and that is how it will stay. Leaning in, I press a kiss to one cheek, then the other, before pulling back.
Her eyes drip with lust, a seductive smile curving her lips. She flutters her thick black lashes up at me, her hand landing on my arm in a possessive grip. “Thank you. I have to say, I was both confused and thrilled at your invitation to dinner. Have you changed your mind?”
Resisting an eye roll, I smirk down at her. “We have much to discuss. Why don’t you head on into the dining room? I will be with you shortly.”
The sound of heels on the marble floor has me glancing over my shoulder, to find my sister and Dante entering the large foyer. Allegra’s face scrunches up in confusion when she spots Gianna. I can’t blame her. As far as she knows, the engagement is off. Indefinitely.
“Gianna?” she asks her name as a question, the bewilderment in her voice clear.
“Allegra. How lovely to see you,” Gianna’s voice drips with fake sincerity. I grit my teeth. It’s one thing I always hated about her. Like a snake in the grass, ready to attack at any point, Gianna knows just how to act to get what she wants. And she wants me. Unbeknownst to her, that will never happen, so she can quit the nice act. My sister’s lips form a tight line. She looks at me, with clear disappointment in her eyes.
“Dante, can you escort Gianna to the dining room and get her a drink.” It’s not a question but an expectation.
“Of course,” he holds his arm out for her to take, but the viper looks back to me.
“Is there somewhere Carlo can wait?”
“Mis–” her guard starts, but she cuts him off with a single glare.
“Sure. A couple of my senior guards are currently eating in the staff quarters. He can join them if he likes?” She smiles, nodding. As if Gio, one of my senior men, knew I was going to summon him he appears. “Ah, Gio, please take Carlo to the staff quarters while Gianna joins me for dinner.”
Gio glances at Carlo, jerking his head and silently telling him to follow him. He does. Poor guy has his orders and will follow them. Though he knows full well that Gianna’s papà, Arturo, will have his ass if he ever finds out that she was left alone with me, or any other man for that matter, while she is unmarried. I doubt Gianna is the innocent he thinks her to be, but Arturo would expect Carlo to stand guard, hidden in the shadows of my dining room while we eat. Strange to some, but it’s normal in our world.
Latching onto Dante’s outstretched arm, Gianna saunters down the hall with my second in command. Allegra watches them with narrowed eyes before she looks to me. Shooting me a glower, she hisses out. “What the hell are you doing bringing her here?”
Irritation slithers through me. She may be my sister, but she doesn’t get to interrogate me. Clenching my jaw, I pin her with a glare. “She is our guest. You will treat her with respect, Allegra,” I warn.
She shakes her head, concern flickering on her face. “Don’t do this to Ocean, Nico.” She pleads. “I know full well you don’t want that…” she trails off, her face screwing up like she is sucking on lemons. “You don’t want Gianna, Nico. I know Ocean hurt you. I know you want to punish her. But I see it in your eyes, you love her.”
A snarl curls my lips. I see red. “You know nothing. Stay out of it, Allegra, I won’t tell you again.”
My sister flinches, her eyes turning glassy. The sadness in them makes my throat tighten with guilt, but I can’t back down. “You want her to hate you?” It’s a rhetorical question so she doesn’t expect an answer. “This is the way to do it. You want her to start trusting you, loving you? Tell her the truth,” she snaps, glowering at me. With one last look of disdain, but without another word, she turns on her heel and heads for the dining room.
Scrubbing a hand down my face, I contemplate my sister’s concern. She doesn’t understand or know anything. She doesn’t know the torture and pain I felt every day for over a year, not knowing what had happened to Ocean or if I would see her again. Or how it feels, knowing that I missed the first couple months of my son’s life, Ocean’s pregnancy, and the birth, all because of her selfish actions.
Loosening my top button, I exhale a breath. My lying littleTesorodeserves to be tormented a little, even if it’s just to understand a fraction of how I felt.
