Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
The final touch is the pearls, and when I put them on, I slowly run my hands over the classy white globes. I close my eyes and feel for Nico and imagine the pain in his heart when he lost his mother.
“A fucking vision, my love,” his voice catches me off guard, and I jump a bit, but I lock eyes with him in the mirror. He is in a three-piece suit I haven’t seen before. He must have had one picked up. He’s leaning in the doorframe of the bedroom with his hands in his pockets, and he looks at me with an expression that says he wants to eat me alive.
“Right back at you.” I giggle, turning and sauntering toward him.
“Your hips look like a delicacy in this dress.” He grabs my hips once I’m within reach, and he pulls me in flush against him. Hitting a wall of muscles and man, I cling to his lapels.
“Everything in this suit makes you look like a delicacy,” I remark.
“I shouldn’t have bought a dress I’d just want to take off.”
“I think that’s exactly what I should have on. Imagine it at my feet tonight, after you conquer all our enemies,” I remind him of tonight, and the mood shifts.
He admires the pearls around my neck, spinning them between his fingers, and I can see he’s having some sort of moment. I almost address it, but he beats me to it.
“You sure you want me to do this, Emelia? This is your family, and once it's done, it can’t be undone.”
Without an ounce of hesitation or even a moment of pause, I answer, “Yes. Nothing is going to hurt my new family. They were never really my family at all.”
I think of a future Nico and a future me, running around barefoot and laughing in our home, and I want to protect that. That life is the only thing I’m thinking of and the only thing I want to protect.
“Okay. Then let's do this.” He gives me his arm, and I wrap mine around it.
We make our way to the elevator with the three guards and Giulio in tow.
Once the doors to the elevator shut, Nico leans down to my ear and whispers, “I can’t wait to see that red lipstick smeared on my cock and around those pretty little fuck-me lips.”
I have to resist the moan that bubbles inside me. I grow wet and rub my thighs together, and he smiles down at me, knowing what he’s doing to me.“Ass.”
He winks but doesn’t respond, enjoying the arousal he elicited in me. He lets me in the black SUV and slides in next to me. The driver pulls out into the downtown traffic, and we make our way toward the ball.
“Plan? Do I get to know?” I ask.
“Some of it. You will go tonight, smile, dance with me, and just enjoy time with me. When your family is ready to go, I will instruct you on what to do from there.”
I nod. He wasn't lying. That was the bare minimum.
“Promise you will be safe. Please.” This is not a small task he’s carrying out. This is dangerous, and he’s had less than twenty-four hours to plan it. Anything can go wrong.
“I will. I'm starting to take offense that you think I’m some amateur here.”
“No, I don’t think that, but you’ve had less than a day to plan this out, Nico. God knows what my family’s been planning for months now.”
He looks at Giulio, and they both share a knowing laugh.
“What?” I question, looking back and forth between them.
“Emelia, we once took out thirty-three men with six of our own, and only two were slightly injured. I think I got this. I’ve gone through many things like this, and it's a rinse and fucking repeat task. Trust me, okay?”
This does nothing to calm my nerves, but I have to do what he says. I have to trust he can do this.
“Okay. Giulio?” I turn and face him.
“Yes, Mrs. Valiente?” he responds.
“Do not let anything happen to my husband. You bring him back home to me. Understood,” I say with authority.
“Yes, ma’am.” He nods.
“Good.”
Nico rubs my thigh, gaining my attention back.“You’re sexy when you’re bossy.”
“Don’t you forget it.” I kiss his lips, and when we part, I wipe away the lipstick I left behind.
Pulling up less than thirty minutes later, we get out and walk into the fancy downtown hotel. Strolling through the lobby, we make our way to the large ballroom. Entering, I admire just how stunning it is. Chandeliers hang in what looks like a thousand shimmering lights. The floor has been turned into a marble-like dance floor and seating area. The tables are draped in cream cloths with red runners, and glass vases filled with water, roses, and floating candles at their center.