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“So what made you study law?” I ask, seeing if I can get her to open up to me a little more.
“As a kid, I was left on my own a lot, didn’t have any friends or family around, really, so I used to sneak around the house and listen to my father during his business calls and meetings. I was young, so I didn’t really understand what anything was about, but I think that sparked an interest in business.” She looks at me, then continues. “What about you? Is working for the mob like a lifelong dream?” she asks me, her sassy pants clearly back on.
“Sebastian saved my sister's life, so I owe him mine in return,” I answer her honestly.
“What? How so?” she asks, and I stir in my seat. I usually don’t like talking about it.
“My sister had cancer, and her prognosis wasn’t good. Our family was able to comfort her with love, but we did not have a lot of money. Not enough to heal her. Sebastian heard about our plight and offered the best medical care money could buy. My sister Sofia got better, and I pledged my loyalty to him. We have been brothers ever since.” I take a sip of my wine, the history of how I became part of the fold feeling like it was decades ago now.
“Is your sister okay now?” I am surprised by the question. She is a lawyer, obviously always wanting the answers, but instead of prodding more about the mob, she asks about the welfare of my sister.
“She is. She is very healthy and very happy and really annoying,” I tell her with a smile, feeling lighter for sharing a piece of myself with someone.
She smiles then too, a big megawatt smile. It looks good on her.
We continue talking throughout the evening, the conversation easy, and the two of us, although total opposites, find some common ground around business. I even open up and tell her more about my family, about Sofia, and a little about my parents and upbringing. Her eyes dazzle in delight at hearing about the strong family connections I still have to them all, even though they are far away in Italy.
We talk a little about her father, the boxes and paperwork, and it isn’t until she yawns that I look around and see we are the last ones here, and the streets outside are dark and empty.
“Let me get you home. It’s late,” I say, noticing it is close to midnight. I stand, before pulling out her seat and grabbing her coat from Guillermo, slipping him a few hundred dollars as I do.
“Not only are you bossy, but you are also full of surprises, Nico.” She belts up her coat, looking at me in slight wonder.
“How so?” I take her hand in mine and lead her out of the restaurant. It isn’t until we are out in the cool night air that she answers me.
“Who knew that you could be both a gentleman and want to fuck my needs away in one night? Quite the turn of events, I’d say.” She laughs as we get to the car, and I look at her, head shaking, wanting to lift her dress and push her underwear to the side right here in the street. Rolling my shoulders, I push her body back against the car and put my hands on either side of her head.
“Don’t push me, bambolina, I will bite,” I warn her, just so I can see the fire in her eyes, knowing she loves a challenge.
“Oh no, where has my gentleman gone?” she feigns distress.
I open the back door of the car for her and watch her sultry frame slip inside, relaxing against the soft black leather. Leaning on the door, I stare down at her. How I am meant to work alongside her now and not want to fuck her brains out instead?
She gives me a small smile, and I give her my smirk in return.
“Let me assure you Emilia… I am anything but gentle.” Then I step back and close the door to take her home. I will be on my best behavior tonight, dropping her at her door, but this good behavior won’t last long.
I wonder if she is ready for it.
18
EMILIA
Ihave never been more grateful to work near Bobby’s diner in my life than I am today. Between working all day on finalizing the paperwork for my former client and then working all night on the boxes Nico keeps bringing me, I haven’t had time to go grocery shopping and am living off takeaway most nights and his coffee most days. But today is Friday, and I need a bagel, preferably one freshly toasted with cream cheese, and Bobby’s makes them the best.
As I scurry down the street, I think back to the dinner with Nico. He was the perfect gentleman, for the most part. Hard to believe, really, given who he is, but he was. We still pushed each other, our banter something I enjoy. I like challenging him, and I like him challenging me too. It makes me feel alive, and I think he feels the same way. It is a sad realization for me that I’ve never felt the way I do with him with anyone else before. . To be honest, until my evening with Nico, I thought it was all in the movies, those men who pull out your chair, spoil you with flowers, maybe dance with you in the kitchen.
Unsurprisingly, Adam never called to see if I was okay after I walked out of the restaurant.
I stop on the sidewalk, waiting for the lights to change, and I touch my lips, remembering Nico’s scorching kiss. It was incredible. One of those kisses you can get lost in. One that I never thought I would ever experience. One that makes me wonder what it would feel like to have more of him. He is protective, strong-willed, my match in every way. But he is in the mob, and I am a lawyer, and a part of me wonders if I have absolutely lost my mind.
I roll my eyes at myself because whether I like it or not, Nico has infiltrated my life like no other man ever has. The main problem now is keeping my head on straight to get through this job with them. I can worry about the rest later.
I take the opportunity to look around. Usually, I have my head buried in my phone, but the lack of clientele means I am not as attached to it as usual, and with the morning sun streaking through the buildings, I stop and smell the roses for just a moment. Well, the trash, since New York is not really a potted flower scent type of place. But I enjoy looking over the buildings and notice some subtle changes from when I first moved back here and found my office.
As I turn my head to look behind me, my eyes catch on a man some distance away, staring right at me. He glances away the minute he sees me looking at him, and I can’t help but feel like he looks familiar. I squint to try to see him better, but the pedestrian lights turn, and I get a push from behind, so I shrug to myself and keep walking, eager to get to Bobby’s.
Seeing the diner up ahead, a smile comes to my lips as I step inside, feeling the warmth immediately.
