AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, Mrs. Valiente.”
I don’t correct him as I focus on Nico’s bleeding arm.
“I don’t need you tending to me. I have been hurt worse than this before,” he tells me, and it comes out more as a fact than something condescending or disrespectful.
“I get that, but I know how to keep you from bleeding out, so just let me help. But it serves you right after tracking me like an animal.” I use my earlier anger without an ounce of shame.
“Fine. Giulio, send Dr. Fontelo into our room.” He nods toward our bedroom, and we walk there as I keep pressure on the bleeding wound. I will need more cloth, as it's already soaking through the fabric of my dress. I tug him toward the bathroom, and I search for towels or anything else I can find.
“Right side, second drawer down,” Nico tells me as if he reads my mind.
Hurrying, I grab the washcloths and rush back, grabbing his arm once again.
“Nico, they got you good. We might need to take you to the hospital.” Saying this earns me a scoff.
“I’m fine, Emelia. Seriously, I’ve had worse. Dr. Fontelo will be able to remove the bullet and stitch me up just fine.”
“Stubborn,” I grumble.
“Pain in the ass,” he retorts.
We lock eyes then, and I see that look again.“What?”
“They came after what was mine, Emelia. I told you I don’t take kindly to it.”
I gulp.“I know people coming after your men must be hard, but doesn’t that happen often?” How can he be this upset or shocked that people came after his outfit? He and his guards must be shot at on occasion.
“No. They came afteryou. They tried to touch what they know is off limits,” he says through gritted teeth, and I feel like I just got whiplash.
“What does that matter, Nico? If I get hit? Your pain in the ass would be handled, and you wouldn’t have to deal with me.” I change the cloth again. I seriously think he may bleed out if the doctor doesn’t hurry his ass up. “You and I both know this is only an arrangement.”
“Business deal or not, you are my wife, and I won’t let them attack you. You are not up for fucking grabs. No woman in the outfit should be, especially not mine.”
I almost say something, but he’s quick to speak again.
“I want you home. You are not allowed to leave here unless you’re with me. We will leave in a few days for the honeymoon, while my men investigate the shooting.”
“Okay.” I’m still fixated on the statement he made moments ago. And the fact that Nico is trying to act so unfazed by his feelings. My safety means something to him, soIhave to mean something to him. Right?
Oh God, I have no idea why I’m even entertaining this idea right now.
“Good.”
We don’t speak for a while after that. I’m thankful for this, because if I’m being truly honest, I don’t want this to be anything other than a simple conversation. I don’t want to read into it, and I’m sure he doesn’t either. This is all really messy and overly confusing.
What have the last couple of days of my life been—a cruel fucking joke?
Is someone just out to see me shake and cringe, while I simultaneously become a victim of the hot and cold tension between Nico and me?
My life has never been less than chaotic, but this is a whole new level of crazy. I’m a different person now with a whole new life. Will I ever get to experience “normal”? When will I be able to ice skate, read books, bake, and just exist like a normal person, instead of being controlled by power-hungry men and dodging bullets in a high-crime world?
Oh yeah.
Never.
“You think you know who it could be?” I finally ask, hoping it’s not my father’s name he spits out.
What would that mean for me, if he found out about my father and me?
