Page 79 of Isle of Seduction
“My Giulia,” he breathes into my hair but I don’t hear it, the throat clearing behind me alerting me that Nico doesn’t appreciate the familiarity of the gesture. That small hug was all I wanted to give, anyway.
“Come in, come in,” Louis says enthusiastically. “We haven’t met, I’m Louis.” He thrusts a hand to Nico, who shakes it with a stiff hand and the other hovering over the side of his belt where I know he hides his firearm.
Louis is none the wiser and closes the door behind us.
I take in my surroundings. The foyer is narrow and dark but leads to an open floor plan kitchen and living room that resembles Andrea’s house. So much so it’s uncanny. Visible wood beams on the ceiling, a cognac leather couch though this one looks pretty new, an oak tree wooden coffee table and dining table to match. The only difference is in the furniture bordering the walls, all made of black metal, giving the room a sharp edge.
Nico and I sit on the sofa, and Louis brings us coffee.
“With plant-based milk and sugar cubes, just how you like it.”
His knowledge of such a simple routine makes me cringe and I glance at Nico to see he isn’t picking up the cup and gives me a subtle shake of his head. I’m not comfortable either, but this is Pierce’s ex CFO. Someone I know. He takes care of his ailing mother; he’s harmless.
“Thanks. I heard about your mother, Louis. I’m so sorry. Is she here?”
“Oh no, I placed her in a home not far from here. She loves the nurses and gets better care than I can provide all on my own.”
“Good, good. I’m glad. So listen, I know you don’t know much about me and my family.”
“I’d beg to differ,” he says, a mysterious smile grazing his full lips.
“Right. Well, a lot has changed in three years since we last saw each other…”
“Since you dumped me via a note scribbled on a piece of toilet paper, you mean.”
My patience is starting to fray at the edges every time he interrupts me. It’s not that I can’t hear what he says because I do. I hurt his ego, but I’m here for his safety now.
Nico clenches the armrest of the sofa like it physically pains him not to hurt Louis. Unfortunately, my conscience won’t let me leave until he knows he’s in danger.
“Right. Listen, I’d say I’m sorry but I’m not. We weren’t compatible, and I was expected elsewhere.” He opens his mouth to speak and I raise a hand up. “I swear to God, Louis, if you interrupt me one more time, you won’t like the consequences.” He reclines in his seat in front of us with what looks like amusement in his eyes. I ignore him and continue. “My family’s… Well, we have different business interests across Europe and now, my husband and I are being targeted. People I knew end up dead, so I’m here to warn you. You should disappear for a while.”
His eyes flash with an emotion I can’t distinguish until he hides it again. He turns his attention to Nico. “You don’t like coffee?”
My mouth hangs open at his dismissal of what I just revealed.
“Louis, this is serious,” I insist.
“Is it?”
Unease prickles my skin and I look at him a little closer. Our eyes meet and the ember I see within turns my blood to ice. I saw that same mad fire in the eyes of another man, long buried.
“Well, I came to warn you and now, I did. Let’s go.” I stand up.
Faster than I anticipate from a man I thought harmless, Louis pulls a gun from under the cushion of his seat and Nico does the same with his.
Shots fire, a bullet grazing Louis’s temple and the other missing him completely. If he hadn’t shot at the same time, the recoil shifting his body to the left, the bullet would be embedded in between his eyes.
Nico isn’t that lucky, the wounds at his stomach and chest from the two bullets already licking blood. A deafening wail escapes my mouth as he crumples to the floor, but the trigger detonates once more.
I don’t register the pain for long seconds. Until the weight of it consumes me.
“You’re not going anywhere! Did you really think I wouldn’t shoot her just to get her?” he asks Nico, raging. “Now, drop your weapon or I’ll have to see how many bullets she can take until she passes out.”
Crimson liquid seeps from my veins and taint the pretty pink sweater I wear at shoulder level. I watch, wild-eyed, as the red seeps into the threads of fabric and the stain grows. Another puddle appears under Nico’s limp body, so red it’s almost black.
I jump in front of him, protecting him with my body.
“Please, please, stop.”