Page 74 of Ruined in Vows
His gaze narrows on me. “The operative word beingbefore. Now, I don’t see any other woman but my wife.”
Smiling softly, I admit. “I know. I’m sorry, Nic. Forgive my bad mood. It’s just that spending time with that vile excuse for a man, brings out the worst side of me. And instead of taking it out on who I really want to, Riccardo, I’m taking it out on you.”
Nico sighs, understanding crossing his face. “Don’t be sorry. Just remember that when you want to put all men in the same category, some of us are good and faithful. Dante included. He never looked at another woman when you two started dating.”
Beaming at his words, I open my mouth to speak, only to snap it closed, when loud footsteps pound on the marble floor.
Dante appears, concern in his eyes, with Mamma and Ocean close behind him.
“What happened?” he asks, sweeping me up in his arms.
Cupping his face, I try to ease his worry as much as I can. “It went exactly how I expected.” I brush my lips against his. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” He smiles, pulling back. Circling my waist, he tugs me into his side, holding me closely to him. “Well?” he jerks his head to Nico, who is embracing his wife.
Nico glances up, glaring at Dante for no doubt interrupting his reunion with Ocean.
“We can discuss it in my office.” He looks back down at his wife, pressing a kiss to her mouth. “Why don’t you go up to bed? I won’t be long,Tesoro.”
She smiles fondly, rubbing at her round belly. “Sounds good to me.Yourbaby is killing me with fatigue.”
“Ourbaby.” Nico shoots back.
Ocean chuckles, shaking her head and slowly moving past us. She makes her way up the stairs, murmuring her goodnights to us as she goes.
“I think I will also say good night. I’m exhausted.” Mamma yawns as if proving her point.
Kissing us all, she too disappears up the stairs.
“Well. Let’s get this over with.” Nico sighs, sweeping out his arm in the direction of his office.
When no one moves, Nico shakes his head, before striding down the hallway. Linking my hand with Dante’s, we followhim. I can feel the tension in Dante’s body with every step we get closer to the office. I hate this. Hate the uncertainty that currently surrounds us. It feels like a noose around my neck, getting tighter with every minute that passes. And right now we don’t know whether the outcome is going to be in our favor.
Nico is already seated behind his desk when we enter.
Dante and I both take a seat and wait for my brother to start. It doesn’t take him long.
“Allegra believes Riccardo knows something.”
“What the fuck?” Dante’s head snaps to the side, his eyes burning into me intently. “What did he say to you?”
Exhaling a calming breath, because I feel that I will need it right now, I shrug. “Everything. Nothing.”
“What does that even mean?” Dante grates out.
“He was very cryptic. His usual behavior was off. Don’t get me wrong, he was still a pig, but there was something different. He asked questions without really asking them. Of course, I acted blasé, but I could tell he had his suspicions.”
Dante’s jaw tics, anger radiating from him. He looks at my brother. “So, what do we do now?”
“Nothing.” Dante opens his mouth to speak but Nico holds a hand up, cutting him off. “Only a select few of my most trusted soldiers know that you are alive and here. I am not going to take any chances after what happened last time and the rats we had in our organization. You are not to leave this house, not even to use the garden or beach.”
“I’m not your fucking prisoner.” Dante scoffs, shaking his head.
“It’s for your own safety.” I back up my brother. Betrayal flickers in Dante’s dark orbs when he looks at me. My chest tightens but I press on. “For all of our safety,” I add, beseeching him with my eyes, and hoping to convey how important it is that he is not seen by the wrong people.
Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair, throwing both me and my brother a pointed look.
“I don’t like this.” he grumbles his acquiescence reluctantly.