and I got caught in the crossfire, I needed to know she was protected.
We ate in comfortable silence after that. Arianne seemed lighter by the time we were done. “I’ll clean up,” she said, but I batted her hand away from my plate.
“Me and Enzo can handle the dishes. You go get a shower.”
“You two are going to do the dishes?” She wagged a finger between us.
“Don’t look at me, Princess,” Enzo teased. “I’m not—”
“Grab the towel,” I barked at him. “You can dry.”
Arianne’s laughter lingered as she left us to it.
“You are so fucking whipped, I feel like I need to check for your balls.”
“You just haven’t met the right girl yet.”
“If it turns me into... this.” He pointed at me. “Then count me out.”
My lip curved. “Thanks for looking out for her.”
“She’s family.”
“She is.”
“Well then, it’s that simple. I might not always agree with you, Cous, but we protect our own.” His words hit me square in the chest.
The fact he felt that way meant everything to me.
“But do me a favor, yeah, and keep your PDA’s to a minimum.”
“You just had to go and ruin it, didn’t you?” I chuckled as we got to the dishes.
Before long, we had the kitchen looking brand new.
“Luis has been gone a while,” Enzo said. “What do you think he’s doing?”
“He said he had to take care of something.” I shrugged, glancing down the hall where the bathroom was.
“You really trust him, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” I met my cousin’s hard gaze. “I do.”
“I hope you’re right about this.”
“I am.”
I had to be. Because I’d entrusted him with Arianne’s life. And if he betrayed me… it would not end well for him.
Chapter 20
Arianne
“I still can’t believe he did that,” Nora gasped. “I mean, I can... but shit, Ari. He’s a real piece of work.”
“I got away, that’s all that matters.” I tucked my legs up beneath me. Nicco was outside on the phone to his father, and Enzo was busy off doing whatever Enzo did.
“He’s sick in the head, it’s the only explanation.”
“He’s a monster.” I shuddered at the memory of Scott manhandling me in the hotel room. The way he’d shoved the gun into my mouth and—
“Babe?”
“Sorry, I just...” Breathe. Just breathe.
“He can’t hurt you now.”
“I know, but it doesn’t change anything, not really.”
Scott was deranged. The soulless look in his eyes as he’d attacked me would forever be imprinted to my memory. If I hadn’t found the knife... I couldn’t even think about it.
“They’ll figure it out.”
My eyes flicked to the window. I was so relieved Nicco was here. I didn’t want us to be apart, not again. But I knew it wasn’t as simple as him being back. Not until things were settled with Mike Fascini and my father.
“Tell me about your night with Dan,” I changed the subject, “how’s that going?”
“He’s nice enough.”
“Nor, come on. He’s a sweetheart. He got dressed up in a tux and came to the party for you.”
“I know, it isn’t him,” she let out a frustrated sigh, “it’s me. There’s just something missing. He doesn’t set my world on fire.”
“Maybe you just need to give it time?” Dan was solid. He attended classes, held open doors, and bought her coffee. “You said the sex was good.”
“The sex is good, it’s just not... life changing.”
I chuckled. “They’re some high expectations you have there.”
“I know, I know. You think I’m squandering a good thing. But I don’t want to settle, babe. I want epic love, like you and Nicco.”
Just then, Nicco came back into the cabin. He smiled at me, his eyes so full of love and possessiveness it made my heart skip a beat.
“He’s there isn’t he?” I heard the amusement in Nora’s words.
“Yeah, he’s back.”
“Well, tell him I say hey. And tell him he’d better keep you safe. You’re precious goods.”
“I will. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Damn right you will.” She hung up and I placed my cell on the coffee table.
“Nora says hi.” Nicco’s brows furrowed and I let out a weary sigh. “I didn’t tell her where we are. I promised you I wouldn’t.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” He came around the sectional and sat beside me. “I just wish it wasn’t like this.”
“It is what it is.”
“Bambolina.” Nicco pressed his palm against my cheek and I leaned into his touch.
“What did your father say?”
He stiffened.
“That bad, huh?”
“He’ll come around.”
I sensed Nicco didn’t want to talk about it, so I changed the subject. “Where is everyone?” Luis had been gone since before breakfast