Page 51 of Buying Angel

I hurried over to him to try to get the key from his hand, but like a child, he just held it up in the air so I couldn’t reach it, never taking that sexy smirk from his face. I desperately tried to reach his hand to grab the key, my panic and anxiety rising within me as the thought of someone getting hurt thanks to me ran through my head. The tears were flowing down my face as my hysteria grew. I felt the despair through my body as my legs started to give way underneath me. Two strong arms grabbed me before I could fall to the floor, and Gino picked me up and sat with me on the bed, my legs across his lap.

Again he just held me there and let me cry, slowly rubbing my back to ease the pain I was feeling inside. I buried my head in his chest and just allowed his warmth to seep through into my body. I needed comfort right now, and I didn’t care who gave it to me. I was sure that Nico would be annoyed that Gino was holding me so intimately, but I would deal with that when the time came. This instant, I just needed this.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been sitting here in Gino’s arms when I heard the lock of the door open and someone walk into the room. I daren’t open my eyes, because I was worried who – or what – I would see. It was only when I heard his voice that I looked up.

“Thanks, Gino. Did Rosa cause you much trouble?”

“Only a little.”

I felt Gino chuckle underneath me and I finally looked up to see Nico standing there. He walked over to me and took me from Gino’s arms, taking his position on the bed.

“I’ll leave you two alone.”

I needed to thank Gino. I knew I had been difficult toward him, but throughout, he had cared for me as much as I would allow him to.

“Gino.”

He stopped and turned around.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble.”

That smirk came over his face again, but he didn’t say a word. Gino just gave me a nod and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Nico pulled me down on the bed with him, and I lay there snuggled in his arms, my head on his chest with tears still falling down my face. A sudden feeling of guilt came over me as I recalled how I had allowed Gino to hold and comfort me. I went to move, but Nico just held me in place.

“It’s fine. I knew Gino would take care of you. I expected him to, if that is what you are worried about. Also, Viktor knows the the full truth, as do I. Everything, including the miscarriages. We can talk about that another time, but all you need to know is Viktor is not going to come after you again. Now, I am going to take you back home to our apartment, and we can spend the rest of the day together. Okay?”

He pressed a kiss into my hair and continued to hold me for a while. The tears started to slow and I finally felt safe, especially knowing that both my men were safe, and so was I. I knew that Vincent wouldn’t give up that easily, but knowing that Viktor wouldn’t help him was a relief.

I moved in Nico’s arms and looked up to find him smiling down at me.

“Thank you, Nico. I’m not sure what I would have done if you and Hudson hadn’t come back when you did.”

He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on my lips. “As I said, we will all talk about today another time.” He hesitated for a moment before he continued. “You like Gino, don’t you?”

I was slightly shocked at his question. It was the last thing I thought he would ask me at this moment. However, it got me thinking.

Did I really like Gino in the same way I did Hudson and Nico? Or was it just a reaction to the way I was feeling at that moment in time?

“You don’t have to answer me. I know your emotions are all over the place right now. I know for a fact that he likes you – and me, for that matter. He has never admitted it, and would probably deny it if I came out and asked him. I’ve known for a while he was attracted to me, but held back because of my relationship with Hudson, along with the fact that I am his boss. Hudson and I discussed the matter some time ago and decided to leave things as they were for now, unless we found someone in our lives to share. All I’m saying is don’t feel embarrassed or think we would be upset if you had feelings for Gino, because we had already considered that. For now, though, let’s just keep this between us. We need to deal with one thing at a time and not complicate matters further.”

I breathed a sigh of relief that I wasn’t being judged for the feelings I might have had for Gino. Only time would tell if they were real or just a spur of the moment thing. All I wanted now, though, was to go home and spend the afternoon with Nico in bed. Even if it was just doing this, although I was sure that we wouldn’t stay clothed for long.

“Shall we go home and continue this there?” he asked.

“I would love that.”

“Come on, then.”

With that, Nico got up from the bed and helped me to my feet, and we headed back to our apartment for the afternoon.

Chapter Thirty

HUDSON

I HAD BEEN WORRIED about Gaby all day, especially when Gino came into my office and told me that she wanted to run away because she felt it was all her fault and she was causing us more trouble than she was worth. She couldn’t have been further from the truth. She was worth anything that Nico and I had to deal with, and the fact that this was all down to that animal of an ex-fiancé confirmed that we had to protect her.

I was surprised at Viktor’s reaction when I told him what Vincent had put Gaby through. I expected that reaction from Nico, but not him. It was important both of them knew the truth though, and it seemed that was what finally made Viktor’s decision for him. To know that he would deal with Vincent was a weight off my mind, especially knowing it would keep Nico safe from harm. I know neither Gaby nor I could take losing him because he’d done something stupid. However, I wasn’t positive it would stop Nico from looking. I just had to hope that Viktor found him first.

I decided to let Nico spend the afternoon alone with Gaby. They both needed it, considering what had happened and what Nico had found out today. Gino had already said that he would drive me home for the evening, even though I could use my own driver. I guessed, as he needed to go and get his own car after driving Gaby to work today, it made the most sense. The afternoon dragged without Nico and Gaby around, and I started to think about the conversation I’d had with Nico the other night about Gino.