Page 81 of Vengeful Vows

“You’re fucking amazing,” I say against her ear.

With a tiny sigh, she snuggles into me, and I cherish the moment.

Finally, maybe a full minute later, when we’re both breathing normally again, I help her to sit up. Then I lift her, only to pull her toward me, reluctant to let reality intrude.

When it does, it’s particularly jarring.

She wiggles away and turns her back to me, curling into a ball at the edge of the mattress, putting as much distance between us as possible while remaining in the same room.

Masculine pride demands that I go all caveman on her and drag her across the bed and hold her captive.

But then I hear her hiccup as she chokes back a tiny sob.

What the hell?“Bella?”

She shakes her head. “Everything’s okay.”

“Are you crying?”

“No.” Her voice cracks, betraying her lie. “Will you please leave me alone, Nico?Please.”

There’s a plea in her voice that I’m powerless to deny.

Confounded that I can’t reach her emotionally or physically, I plow a hand into my hair. For the first time since I’ve known her, I’m out of my element.

Though it takes all my self-control, I leave her alone until she’s in a deep sleep, and only then do I ease her back into the middle of the bed and embrace her tenderly.

Wondering how to emotionally reach my wife, I sleep fitfully and wake often.

Finally, a couple of hours before dawn, I get out of bed and head to the building’s fitness center to work out. When I’m done, I shower in a guest suite so I don’t disturb her. Then, wrapped in a towel, I go to my office to respond to emails.

When I return to our bedroom, she is gone.

Frantic, though I shouldn’t be, I check my app. I finally breathe again when I see she’s at her favorite coffee shop.

I touch a button on my watch to reach Sergio. “Bella is with Antonio?”

He confirms she is.

My pulse slowly returns to normal. But we cannot go on this way. I don’t want her lying in bed, crying. After work tonight, maybe over dinner, we need to have a serious talk.

A phone call drags me back to reality, and I snatch up the device.

Matteo.

Before the first ring finishes, I swipe to answer.

“You’re needed at the house.”

There’s no greeting, no warmth, letting me know this is urgent. “I’m on my way.”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Nico

My aunt meetsme at the door of their River Oaks estate, and I kiss her on the cheek. “Raffaele and Matteo are still meeting. And they’re waiting for Roberto. Why don’t you come into the kitchen, and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”

I tamp down my natural impatience. I’ve been summoned only to be told I can’t join the meeting?