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Chapter Fourteen
Nico stood in his bedroom, staring out at the view. Marianna had gone out that morning to explore Corfu Town on her own. He’d wanted the driver to accompany her, but when he’d suggested it she told him she was perfectly capable of walking around a populated area on her own. Despite wanting to push the issue, he didn’t. From everything he knew of her life in Australia, her brothers had limited her freedom.
He wouldn’t do the same.
But last night had left him more fearful than ever. Fearful of the way he was starting to feel about Marianna, about their future. Fearful that if he lost her it would hurt deeply. After he’d walked out of Kosta and Alethea’s house a decade ago, he’d vowed never to let anyone get close to him again. And he’d achieved that by keeping his distance, not only emotionally. Physically, too.
Dion had joked he was like “the beast” in that childhood tale, locked away in a castle, snarling at anyone who dared disturb him. Maybe Dion was right, but Marianna had breached that barrier. She’d wriggled into his life with her earnestness and innocent outlook on life. She was his direct opposite—optimistic, kind, open. And last night he’d slept with her bundled up in his arms, intertwined in a way that would have given him hives not a month ago.
He was changing.
The porcelain cat stared back at him. Today, he’d found it sitting inside a coffee cup protected by a small piece of paper with her signature looping cursive.
Dear Nico, a cat deserves to live free and explore the vast corners of its world. I challenge you: let me stay here. Sincerely, Gáta.
Of course, stubbornness had made him put the cat back in its rightful place. But he’d smiled the whole time. He enjoyed the game of cat and mouse—no pun intended. Enjoyed that they had something uniquely theirs in such a small amount of time.
There was a soft rap at the door. “Nico?”
“Come in.”
Lydia poked her head into the room. “There’s a man at the front door, and he’s looking for Marianna.”
“Who is he?” Nico sprang up, all his senses tingling. And not the good kind of tingling.
“Julian Edwards.” She shrugged. “That’s all he would say. I told him she wasn’t here, but he won’t leave.”
“I’ll deal with it.”
The name was unfamiliar, and Marianna hadn’t mentioned any visitors. A man stood in the entryway of Nico’s house. He was fair-skinned, blond. Given the dark rings under his eyes and the tired droop of his mouth, Nico guessed he’d travelled a long way to get here.
“You must be Nico Gallinas,” the man said without smiling. “Where’s Marianna?”
Definitely Australian. “And you are?”
He hesitated a moment, pushing his fingers through his rumpled hair. “Julian Edwards.”
“I’m aware of your name,” he said smoothly. “I’m more interested in your relationship to my wife.”
Something unpleasant flashed across Julian’s face. “And that’s your business because…?”
“You’re in my house.”
“Her house.”
So this was how he wanted to play it? A pissing contest? “My name is on the title, ergo it’s my house. And if you’re a guest in my house, you can answer my questions or you can leave. Your choice.”
After a tense pause, he said, “I’m Marianna’s best friend.”
Julian…Jules. The person who’d sent the package. Nico swallowed his surprise. He’d expected Jules to be a woman. “And why are you here?”
“To see her.”
Nico ground his back teeth together. “Obviously.”
Julian’s body language oozed resentment. His arms folded tight over his chest, and there was a slight hunch to his shoulders. Coupled with the set jaw, narrowed gaze, and wide-legged stance, Julian looked like he was prepared for a fight.
“She’s not home,” Nico said. “She went out a few hours ago to go shopping.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried you wouldn’t even know where she was.”
“Excuse me?” Nico blinked. Who the fuck did this guy think he was?
“She’s been keeping me abreast of her situation here. How you’ve been ignoring her and acting like she doesn’t exist.” He snorted. “Hardly seems like an appropriate way to treat the future mother of your child.”
She’d said that about him? The comment stabbed Nico in the gut. He’d been trying to give her space in the first two weeks, allow her to settle into her new life. But that had changed since their “honeymoon.”
“We’ve been adjusting to this new situation,” he said tightly. “Not that I need to explain myself to you.”
“Why are you doing this?” Julian asked with a despairing shake of his head. “She could have a good life in Australia. She has a big family, people who truly care about her. And instead you’re keeping her here, away from everything and everyone she loves. You’re killing any chance she has of a good life.”
Nico’s heart hammered so hard in his chest he was worried it might punch through his ribcage. Ordinarily, he’d send someone packing for speaking to him in such a way. But if Julian really was Marianna’s best friend, then it would cause a rift between them, and he didn’t want that.
