Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32346 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32346 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“The war isn’t over you. It’s over the other reasons. You were a convenient excuse for them. Now, follow Enrico out to safety. I’m sorry, but your father’s going to die for his crimes. I will not show him mercy when he doesn’t deserve it.”
“I know.”
“You’re going to have to make a tough decision, Ivy. What’s more important to you? He dies either way, but will you hate my brother for it?” he asks. There’s a tension in his voice that’s truly concerned that I’ll despise Niccolò which I never could.
“For what? This?” I aim the gun at my stepfather and pull the trigger, shooting him in the chest instead of the head which was my intended target. I suppose I got lucky when it came to Ella.
“Fuck, you stupid bitch,” my stepfather roars, falling back onto the floor. I should shoot him again, but I don’t know if I have any bravado left.
“Damn, you shot him,” Tony says, his voice in complete awe as he takes the phone away from me. Domani says something I can’t hear.
“Yeah, well I’m not a good aim because I meant to hit him in the head. I’m exhausted,” I confess. Footsteps from behind catch me by surprise. I spin around, pointing the gun until I see it’s Enrico.
“Okay. Enrico, take her, and I’ll handle these assholes,” Tony grunts out, pointing his gun at my stepfather and his stupid bitch.
“Sorry,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
He takes the gun from me and shakes his head. “Man, Nico’s got his hands full with you, Ivy.”
“If he still wants me.” I follow him to the car meekly.
He chuckles as he holds the door open for me. “He’s going to spank that ass of yours for sure, but there ain’t no way he’s letting you go.”
We drive back to the estate in silence because I’m not sure what’s waiting for me, and the entire time I’m afraid of Nico’s reaction. Hell, everyone’s reaction. They didn’t want me with Nico because I was bringing trouble with me and now I could have gotten Domani’s men hurt as well.
As I get out of the car, standing there is an angry-looking Dom and a furious-looking Niccolò. Goodness, they could truly pass for twins if it wasn’t for the glasses and the bandaged shoulder.
I walk up to them, feeling the weight of their anger. “What part of ‘I own you’ don’t you understand? I’m not getting rid of you, so if you ever think of running again, I’ll tie your ass to the bed.” A part of me is aroused and worried at the same time. I know he wants to marry me, but after everything that happened, how can he still feel the same.
“I… I…”
“Okay—now that you’ve warned her, do you mind getting your ass back in bed? We have a wedding to be at tomorrow.” Domani points at me to get in the house.
“He’s bossy,” I whisper.
“He’s the boss,” Niccolò adds before taking my hand and leading me up to his bedroom. I don’t know what he’s going to say or do, but I know I’m in deep shit right now.
As soon as the door closes, he’s on me, his hand on my throat. It’s not in a cruel or painful way, but to get my attention loud and clear. His beautiful gray eyes bore into mine. “Why did you run from me?”
“Because… I didn’t want you to suffer because of me.” My tears are automatic, falling from my eyes because the truth is I’m a liability.
“Suffer? You leaving me is far worse than this shit.” He points to his bandaged shoulder. “I could have lost you twice today.”
“I could have lost you, too,” I challenge. I press my hand to the side of his face, rubbing the scruff growing.
“Yes, you saved my life without us being aware of it. It’s something that I’ll never forget, my sweet Ivy, but we also need to talk about you using a gun. Who taught you?”
I shrug. “No one. I just knew to point and aim after you took off the safety.”
“Well, you are an amazing woman, but just so you know, your father is still alive.”
“What? Why?”
“Because he was slick enough to wear a bulletproof vest. Apparently he knew his days were numbered.”
“Damn it. So I shot the asshole for nothing?”
“You can do it again if you want.”
“No, I’ve shot enough people today. Can you be mad at me tomorrow? I’m drained.”
“Let’s get you to bed.”
“I seem to remember this happening before,” I mutter, feeling so exhausted it’s unexplainable.
“Alas, there’s no garlic bread.”
“Well, doesn’t that suck,” I huff, happy to have the playful Niccolò back.
We lie down and cuddle, which sends me into a deep sleep. I suppose I overreacted a bit, but at least Niccolò doesn’t want to get rid of me. Now only the rest of the family hates me.