So maybe he'd finally accept I was never going to dance to his tune.
Nicoli was waiting in the lounge, rubbing Tyson's head while the big dog seemed more interested in Coco who was curled up between his legs. They’d been inseparable since they'd first met, a ruthless little duo and Rocco and Sloan often kept Tyson overnight so he'd have somewhere outdoors to play with his new friend. It was kind of adorable.
Nicoli stood up and my breath hitched at the sight of him in the fine white button down and silken grey tie which hung from his throat. He pulled on his suit jacket and I just about melted as his muscles strained against the fabric. I wanted to run my hands all over this fine man and mess up his hair, rip open the buttons of his shirt and find my mountain man beneath it all. Later.
He held out his arm for me and I took it just as the door opened and Rocco strolled in looking like a dark god in his black suit and equally dark eyes. He smiled, rushing over to Sloan and taking the baby carrier from her before planting a lingering kiss on her mouth, his gaze trailing all over her before his eyes swung to us.
"Our ride is downstairs, Frankie and Enzo have gone ahead. And by the way, fuck me with a ten-incher, you really are getting that Romero shine on you Nicoli. No wonder Winter's fucking you, are you glad you shook off the dirty Calabresi name after all?"
"Rocco!" Sloan slapped him in the arm and he shot her a hungry smile.
"Come on, principessa, you know you’re the only exceptional Calabresi. Nicoli Vitoli was nothing but a wet sock hanging out to dry on a mild Tuesday morning."
"Don't be rude," Sloan growled.
"Nah, he's got a point," Nicoli laughed, pulling me closer to him.
"See," Rocco said with a smirk, looking to his brother again. "Now he's got a dark brutality in his eyes which makes me fucking hungry. When are we going on a job together, fratello?"
Nicoli looked to me then shrugged. I took his palm and painted a word on it, giving him a stern look. Go.
He frowned and I knew he didn't want to leave me here alone, but I had managed far worse things on my own. I stared him down until he sighed.
"I'll think about it," he told Rocco and his brother smiled like a demon.
"I'll be checking in regularly on your deliberation," Rocco said, then headed to the door. "Now let's go. Frankie and Enzo are probably on their second bottle of scotch already and you can only get sense out of them before the third."
Nicoli kept me close as we headed out the door, taking the main elevator downstairs to the foyer. My breaths came a little heavily as we walked across the beautiful gold and white atrium, a doorman opening the door and bowing his head to us as we passed. There were two fancy black cars waiting for us outside and Rocco and Sloan moved to the rear one while Nicoli guided me to the one in front.
He ushered away the man who tried to open the door for me, doing it himself and I murmured a thanks as I slid inside, moving across the leather seats as he followed me into it.
As the door closed, my heart rate settled a little. I was anxious, but looking forward to this too. I needed to start taking hold of my life again. I didn't want to avoid the world, I wanted to take it all in, start really living. Even if I was frightened of what the world would think when it looked back at me.
The driver remained silent as he drove us downtown and Nicoli threaded his fingers through mine, shooting glances at me occasionally.
I'm alright, I wrote on his palm and he smiled like he was relieved.
"Just say the word if you want to go home at any point tonight," he said, his eyes on mine.
I nodded, giving him a grateful smile before turning to look out the window. The city was modern and full of life. There were lights glinting around the entrances to swanky bars, and restaurants were thronging with people as we sailed by them all. We soon arrived at a skyscraper with shining walls of glass, the car pulling up in front of it as a doorman rushed to let us out.