deep breath. “I just...”
“Something triggered you.” Enzo came over, his eyes narrowed at me. “He called you that, didn’t he?”
I nodded, forcing down the tears burning the backs of my eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t—”
“Don’t ever apologize for that fucker. I’m sorry.” His expression softened. “I didn’t know, or I wouldn’t have...”
“It’s not your fault. Sometimes I’m fine then other times, someone says something, or I remember something, and it’s like I freeze.”
“Come here.” Nicco wrapped me in his arms.
“I’m okay, I promise.” I hated that Scott still had control over me, but I knew you didn’t just forget the kind of trauma he’d put me through.
“Nicco?” He was trembling again. I eased back, peeking up at him.
“Why don’t you come sit down,” Enzo said, gently taking my arm. “Give him a second to cool off.”
He pulled me away, but my eyes remained on Nicco. His fists were clenched impossibly tight, and I could feel the anger rolling off him. It was like a storm cloud circling him. Dark and angry, and ready to unleash its destruction at any moment.
I sat down, flinching at the sound of Nicco’s fist colliding with the counter.
“Should we do something?” I asked Enzo. He gave me a sympathetic look before going back to Nicco. He spoke in a low voice, making it difficult for me to hear. But I caught the odd word.
Calm down...
L’Anello’s...
She needs you...
“What’s L’Anello’s?” I asked, trying to break the heavy silence.
Enzo glanced over at me, running a hand through his hair. “Somewhere you’ll never go.”
“E,” Nicco sighed. “Don’t.”
“Fine. Have it your way.” The two of them shared a look. “It’s a bar. We... hang out there sometimes.”
“A bar?” Suspicion clung to my words. I knew I wasn’t supposed to ask questions and I knew even if I did, they weren’t supposed to tell me anything. But I wanted to know as much as possible.
“Remember how I told you I fight sometimes? To burn off steam?” Nicco came over to the sectional and sat down.
“I remember.”
“L’Anello’s is where I fight sometimes.”
“You fight in a bar?”
“The bar is a front for... other things.”
“I see.” My stomach twisted. “Are you good?”
“Jesus,” Enzo muttered under his breath, casting Nicco a dark look. But he only had eyes for me.
“I’m pretty good, yeah.”
“Okay.”
Enzo snorted. “Nic just tells you he’s a good fighter and all you’ve got to say is okay?”
I shrugged. “What else do you want me to say?”
“Nothing, I’m just surprised is all. I’m starting to wonder when any of this will freak you out.”
“Oh, I’m pretty freaked out.” I let out a strangled laugh. “But I also love Nicco and when you love someone you don’t get to pick and choose the parts you want.”
He studied me. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that.” He moved over to the window, pulling back the curtains. “It looks like Luis is back. About fucking time.”
I curled into Nicco’s side, letting out a contented sigh.
“What the hell?” Enzo yanked open the door and Nicco moved me off him to stand.
“What is it?” Strolling over to his cousin, he peered over his shoulder.
“What did you do?” Enzo growled. I couldn’t see him, but he didn’t sound happy.
I got up, gingerly going to them, coming to an abrupt halt when I saw what Enzo and Nicco were looking at.
They weren’t looking at Luis at all. It was the person standing beside him.
“Tristan?” I gasped, hardly able to believe my eyes.
He wasn’t in the hospital anymore.
He was here.
And he looked as nauseous as I felt.
Chapter 21
Nicco
“Tristan?” Arianne slipped between me and Enzo and hurried down the steps to greet her cousin.
“A word?” I tipped my chin to Luis. Enzo stepped aside to let him past.
“What the fuck were you thinking?”
“Relax—”
“Relax?” Enzo seethed. “You brought the fucking enemy into our safe house. I knew we couldn’t trust you, Vitelli, motherfucking—”
“E,” I cut him off.
“Look,” Luis said. “I knew if I gave you a heads up you would fight me on this. Tristan has intel; he might be able to help. I met him off the highway, we dumped his car, and I blindfolded him, so he doesn’t know where we are. It’s safe, I promise.”
Enzo made a hacking sound and I jabbed him in the ribs. “You did all that?” I asked Luis.
“I covered my tracks, yeah. I’m not stupid. I know what’s at stake and I don’t want Arianne in harm’s way anymore than you. But you’re going to want to hear what he has to say.”
I gave him a tight