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He leaves me then and lets me greet one side of the room as he works the other. I stumble to it, in shock over what just happened. In fact, it takes me nearly three tables before my equilibrium returns.
When I get to Damian’s table, I look over at Nico, and he watches me over the edge of a whiskey glass from where he’s chatting with a few men. His eyes are intense, and of course my body decides to play horny little bitch and be terrified but aroused. I’m in the lion’s den, and I’m afraid of what that means.
“How could you let him kiss you like that?” Damian asks, his eyes searching mine.
“Because you left me behind.”
His question is upsetting. How dare he have the audacity to ask me this, as if I still belong to him? He abandoned me. He walked away without a goodbye. He broke all our promises. Now, he wants to ask me how I could let another man—my husband, might I add—kiss me like that?
“I had no choice. I knew your father was going to find out. It was either leave or die. I’m here; I came back for you. I will get you out of this marriage. I’ll save you now.”
Each time he speaks, it only offends me more.
Truly? Now? When it’s too late? How dare he do this to me right now!
I would slap him, but if I did that, Nico would be over here so fast, and I would have caused a scene. One thing I have learned—do not cause a scene in a room filled with the mafia. Blood will always be shed.
“If you know what is wise, you will walk away. Nico is dangerous, and he knows about you now. Just leave.” With those last words, I walk away and head to the front of the ballroom, where the bride and groom’s seats are, and take my place.
I’m getting a headache from the stress of this day, the tight, slicked-back bun in my hair, and the mess of my ex being here and Nico putting on the show of a lifetime. I’m tired. Exhausted, actually, and ready to go to sleep. Can this event just be over? I never wanted this day, and now I am fucking drowning in it.
“What did he say to you?” Nico joins me, the music and the talking from partygoers giving us some privacy.
“Nothing. He just said hello and that he wanted to see me on my special day,” I lie through my teeth.
“Sure. I will get the real answer out of you. We aren’t staying here long. I let your father know we’ll present the sheets and will be leaving.” I gulp, not over the fact that I don't want to have sex with him, but from not having the slightest idea how we will fake my nonexistent virginity being taken.
“Don’t worry. I have no plans to touch you. I have some deals I want to complete before we start for a child. And I’ll take care of the sheets. Just let me handle it.” He leans in when the photographer starts to approach us, and he kisses my neck, before whispering in my ear,“If you lied to me and he has plans to fuck with what now belongs to me, you will both pay. In different—muchdifferent—ways.”
A chill runs up my spine.
Will he kill me?
Would he do that to me?
“Nico,” I whisper. “Please don’t hurt me. That’s all I ask in this marriage, that you not lay a hand on me in anger. My body and soul can’t handle much more.” I show him an ounce of vulnerability, and I hate it, but the exhaustion, the shock and awe of Damian, and the show Nico is putting on are all fighting against the hidden independent woman who just wants… to breathe.
I excuse myself to go to the restroom before he can say anything back to me. I need a minute, and I should touch up my makeup before my mother has an aneurysm.
I can feel Nico and Damian’s eyes on me the whole time I make my way through the ballroom until I head up the stairs. Making it to my bedroom, I see my suitcases on the bed, and I take a moment to look around the room. I take everything in and consume the first moment of quiet time I’ve had today.
“Baby.” Damian’s voice fills the room, and I turn, my breath catching as I do.
“Damian, you need to leave. Nico will not be okay with you being in here. He will kill you.” My words rush out, terrified to be alone with him in this room, in a house filled with dangerous men.
“No, he won’t. He doesn’t love you. He would thank me for taking you off his hands.”
“No, that’s not the case. He doesn’t love me. He hates me, but he is a very possessive, jealous man. If he knows someone else is after what belongs to him, it will lead to bloodshed. I’m not a human to him. I’m just a piece of property. Please, go, and donotcontact me. Not now. Let me reach out when it’s safe.”
“Brave man, aren’t you?” Nico steps into the room, one hand in his pocket as the other one shuts the door. He’s cool, calm, and collected. More dangerous than any other emotions in this world, if you ask me.
“Nico, he was just leaving.”
“Tsk, tsk. See, wife? You told me there was nothing to worry about, yet I found you alone with an ex-lover on our wedding night.” He pauses, coming to stand in front of me, stopping within inches of my shaking, unsteady frame.
“Nico…,” I whisper, when he moves his unbuttoned tux jacket to the side and shows me his gun in its back harness.
“When will it be safe to call him, Emelia?” It’s a rhetorical yet terrifying question. “Because we made a deal. He stays away, we have no problem. But this man has the nerve to disrespect a boss on his fucking wedding day and be alone in a room with his bride. The room said boss plans to fuck you senseless in.” He turns and faces Damian, and I think on my toes.
