She looked okay, smiling to the group as Scott made introductions. His hand remained possessively on her waist. I wanted to tear it from his body and beat him with it.
I wanted to watch that fucker bleed out and beg for his life. The need to hurt him never went away, it lingered under the surface. A sleeping beast waiting for its moment to strike.
“You need to go.” His grip tightened, trying to guide me away from the cover of the large white oak tree. But I couldn’t look away. Mike Fascini and his wife joined them, laughing and joking like they were old friends.
Like they were family.
The thought gutted me.
“Nicco, you need to—”
“I need to see her,” I rushed out, slipping out of his hold, and taking a step forward. But Enzo grabbed me from behind and yanked me backward.
“What the fuck are you thinking?”
I spun around and met his thunderous expression. “I can’t just stand by. It’s killing me.”
“Now is not the time. You’re already risking everything by being here.”
“I need to see her.”
“Nicco, listen to me.” He gave me a pointed look. “You need to get on your bike and get the fuck back to Boston before Fascini realizes you’re here.”
“No, I need to see her.”
“Porca miseria!” he grumbled. “It’s not like I can walk in there and get her out here.”
“No, but Nora or Luis might be able to help.” I dug out my cell and thrust it at him.
“You’re serious?” His eyes bugged, glittering with disapproval.
“I just need five minutes.” It would never be enough, but it would settle my soul until the next time I saw her.
“You’ve fucking lost your mind.”
I didn’t deny it.
I felt unstable.
Lost.
Like I was drowning in dark angry waters, being pulled under by the riptide.
“Wait here.” Enzo glared at me. “I mean it, Nicco. You don’t move a fucking muscle. If Vitelli says it’s a no go, it’s a no go. Do you hear me?”
All I could manage was a tight nod. I was too busy overanalyzing Arianne’s every move. The way she stood close but not too close to Fascini. The smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Enzo gave me one last look before ducking out of the tree line. I wanted to go after him, to be the one calling Nora or Luis, and going to Arianne. But despite my evident lack of restraint, I didn’t have an immediate death wish.
The minutes ticked by painfully slowly as I waited. People had begun to sit again as the servers went from table to table refilling glasses. I’d lost sight of Arianne.
Nervous energy vibrated through me as I rocked on the balls of my feet, desperate to see any sign of her.
But she didn’t appear.
Enzo did.
“We need to move, now,” he barked, beckoning me from the shadows.
I jogged over to him, following him around the side of the building to a small terrace area.
“Five minutes,” he said. “I mean it, Nic. A second longer and I’ll personally drag you from this place and kick your ass all the way back to Boston.”
“You couldn’t take me,” I quipped back.
“Don’t push me,” he growled.
A door opened and Luis appeared. He shot me an irritated look. Apparently, Enzo wasn’t the only one pissed at me. But none of it mattered when Arianne appeared.
“Bambolina.” I rushed over to her, running my eyes over every inch of her body. “Thank fuck.”
“Nicco,” she sighed. “What are you doing here?”
“I had to see you. I had to know you’re okay.”
“You can’t be here.”
“Ssh.” I brushed the hair from her face, moving in closer until I could smell the sweet notes of her perfume.
“Nicco.” She fisted my jacket. “You shouldn’t have come here.”
My eyes snapped open, my brows pinched with confusion. “What do you—”
“It’s not safe. If anyone were to see you...”
“They won’t. After our conversation this morning... I couldn’t just leave things like that.” I ran my nose along Arianne’s cheek, breathing her in. She shivered at my touch and the possessive part of me rejoiced at knowing I still affected her so viscerally.
I wound one hand around her neck, holding her against me. “You look so beautiful, Bambolina. I saw you... with him. Talking to his parents.”
“I’m playing a part, Nicco. That’s all this is.” She stepped back but I snagged her hand, noticing the glint of light hit her finger.
“Is that... Fuck.” I breathed through my nose, trying to rein in the tsunami of emotion crashing over me.