the table. “I’m sorry you have to be here.”
“I thought we were past all that?” He gave me a pointed look. “I’m here because I want to be here, Ari. You know, you seem different.”
“It’s him...” My eyes went to the hall where Nicco had gone. “I know you probably think we’re too young and foolish...” I stopped myself. Luis didn’t want to hear this.
He covered my hand with his. “Quite the contrary. I think what the two of you have found is quite remarkable. That man would die for you.”
“I’d rather he didn’t.” I forced a smile, my stomach clenching at his words. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Do you think my father is being blackmailed or threatened by Mike Fascini?”
“I think it’s the most likely scenario, yes.”
“But before all this happened, when I first started MU, what do you think my father was thinking then?”
“I can’t answer that, Arianne. You know as well as I do your father is a determined and successful man who cares deeply for his family. I think he probably genuinely thought he was doing a good thing. By promising you to Scott, he was securing your future and absolving you of the full burden of one day running Capizola Holdings. I think part of him just wanted to see you cared for and looked after.”
“But I’m eighteen. He could have waited.”
“I think the likelihood is Mike Fascini has always been pulling the strings and whispering in his ear. Your father is a driven man, Arianne. The opportunity to merge with Fascini and Associates was too good to pass up. But the lines between business and family got blurred along the way.”
I scoffed at that, and Luis squeezed my hand. “Hey, I’m not trying to excuse his actions. He has made a lot of mistakes, nothing will change that.”
“Do you think he knows who Mike Fascini really is?”
“If he doesn’t, he will soon enough.”
I pondered on that thought. If my father didn’t know, did it change anything?
I didn’t have all the answers. Not yet. All I knew, was that in my heart, I felt betrayed. He was supposed to be the man I could trust with anything, the man who would move mountains for me.
He’d let me down too many times to just brush his infractions under the rug.
I finished my coffee before going to the refrigerator. “Are you hungry?”
“I wouldn’t turn down the offer of breakfast.” Luis gave me a rare smile. “If you’re sure you don’t mind?”
“I don’t see anyone else here to cook, do you? Besides, it’ll keep me busy.”
And I could really do with that right now.
After breakfast, Enzo returned.
But he wasn’t alone.
Nicco’s father, his uncles, and Matteo filed into the cabin, filling the room with their somber expressions and larger than life presence.
“Ari,” Matteo came over and hugged me, taking me by surprise. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he whispered.
“Arianne,” Antonio said, giving me a nod. He was conflicted, his stormy eyes at war with the faint smile he wore.
“Miss Capizola.” One of the other men stepped forward. “I am Michele, Matteo’s father. It is nice to finally meet you.”
“Hello.”
“Vincenzo,” Enzo’s dad said coolly. He reminded me so much of his son, only scarier. If Enzo was cold, Vincenzo was a glacier. Disapproval radiated from him and I inched closer to Luis’ side.
“Niccolò, perhaps Arianne would enjoy a walk. I’m sure Vitelli can—”
“She stays.”
“Son, that is not an option.”
“It’s okay,” I stepped forward and laid a hand on Nicco’s arm. “I wanted to call Nora and my mom anyway. I’ll give you all some space.”
He looked at me, his brows drawn tight with uncertainty. “I’ll be fine,” I urged. “Go talk with your family.”
“You stay,” he said to Luis who stiffened.
“Are you—”
“You stay.”
I went to leave but Nicco snagged my hand, drawing me back to him. “We won’t be long.” He cupped my face, leaning down to kiss me. My cheeks burned. Everyone was watching. His father, his cousins and uncles, the most important people in his life. Yet he kissed me like I yielded the real power over him.
It was heady.
Overwhelming.
It was everything.
“Go,” he murmured quietly against my lips, “before I throw them all out and drag you back to our bed.”
I couldn’t hide my smile as I left them and went to our bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I grabbed my cell phone off the dresser and flopped onto the bed. I wanted to call Nora, but my mom had been bombarding me with texts since the party,