“You need to grow some fucking balls.” Enzo clapped him on the back.
“Being a cold-hearted bastard does not mean you have big balls.” Matteo flipped him off and the two of them started jostling and punching one another.
“Knock it off,” I ordered. “You two need to get going.”
“We should probably stick around—”
“Now,” I said, narrowing my eyes at them.
“Come on, E. Nic’s right. We should make tracks.”
“Call us after?” Enzo met my stare, concern shining in his icy gaze.
“I’ll text.”
He rolled his eyes. “Whatever, just let us know, okay?”
“Like he needs to.” Matteo smirked.
“Goodbye.” I tipped my chin to the door. I appreciated their support, but I wanted a couple of minutes to myself before Arianne got here.
There would be no going back after tonight.
I watched my friends leave. Watched as the headlights of Luis’ SUV appeared in the distance. I watched him roll to a stop and climb out, opening Arianne’s door.
I watched her climb out, a look of trepidation on her face. “Nicco?” she said, confusion clouding her eyes. “What is it?”
“Will you come inside with me?” I asked, holding out my hand.
Luis caught my eye over her shoulder and gave me a curt nod before climbing back into the SUV. Arianne glanced back. “He’s leaving?”
“I wanted to be alone with you.” I gently tugged her hand. “Come inside and we can talk.”
“Nicco, you’re scaring me.”
“You have nothing to fear, I promise.” I pulled her closer, brushing her cheek. “Do you trust me?”
“You know I do.” She gave me a tentative smile.
“Then come inside, Bambolina.” I led her to the cabin, my body trembling with anticipation.
“You’re shaking,” she said, glancing up at me.
“I’ll be okay in a second. Go on inside...”
Arianne gingerly made her way up the steps. “Nicco,” she gasped when she stepped inside. “What did you do?”
“Every girl deserves their fairytale,” I said, wrapping my hand around her waist and pulling her back against me. Dipping my head, I brushed the shell of her ear and said, “I’m sorry.”
But they wouldn’t be the most important words I said to her tonight.
Not by a long shot.
Chapter 26
Arianne
The cabin had been transformed into something out of a fairytale. Twinkle lights hung from the wooden beams, casting a flickering glow around the room. The open fire crackled, filling the room with its smoky scent, and vases of white roses littered the table and breakfast counter. It was so beautiful; I was overwhelmed with emotion.
Nicco walked us forward, keeping his chin tucked into the crook of my neck. “Do you like it?” he whispered.
“I love it. But I don’t understand...”
“Sit.” Nicco moved around me, guiding me over to one of the armchairs.
My heart was in my mouth as he dropped to one knee in front of me. “Oh my god,” I breathed, clapping a hand over my mouth. My body trembled, blood roaring between my ears. “Nicco.”
“Just give me a minute.” He popped the collar on his dress shirt. It was then I realized how smart he looked. The black material molded to his shoulders, and he’d rolled up the sleeves to his elbows, revealing his strong forearms.
“You’re all dressed up.” I smiled.
“Well, yeah, this is a special occasion.”
My hands went to his face, as I leaned down.
“God, I love you,” he murmured against my lips. But Nicco didn’t kiss me. He pulled away gently. “You’re distracting me.”
“Sorry.” My cheeks burned, but he looked so good down on one knee, his eyes burning with nothing but love and adoration. “Okay,” I sat up, “go on.”
He took a shuddering breath. “If someone had told me four months ago, that I would have been here right now... I would have laughed in their face. I wasn’t interested in a relationship. I knew what this life meant for me and, honestly, I wasn’t sure I would ever want to drag a girl into that. And then I met you.
“That night I saw you in the alley, my first instinct was to let Bailey deal with you. And then I looked at you, really looked at you, and something snapped into place. I wanted to wipe the tears from your face. I wanted to pick you up and keep you safe. That feeling only grew the more time I spent around you.”
Nicco took my hand in his, brushing his thumb across my skin. “It was disarming, Bambolina. You disarmed me. But I couldn’t get enough of you. You consumed my thoughts and haunted my dreams.”