I’m quiet for a moment, processing his statement and thinking about the women in my past. Nothing but casual arrangements. I was focusing on my work and didn’t want more than a hookup, or maybe I never met anyone who interested me enough.
“What are you going to do about her?” Ash’s voice interrupts my thoughts.
I don’t have to think for long about his question because there’s only one answer. “I’m going to call off the engagement to her cousin, and then I’m going to beg her to marry me.”
Chapter18
Gemma
“Both of our dads flew out to Las Vegas for some business stuff and took Frederico and a few others with them. Don’t ask me how Niko knows all of this since I have no clue either, but he was highly amused about what happened at the restaurant and that Frederico is on a tight leash because of how he acted.” Ally sighs into the phone.
“Ally, he reacted like I should have reacted, but I was just too shocked. My dad really must have kept it a secret from everyone.” Getting a phone call from my cousin this morning has been such a pleasant surprise.
“All the damn secrets everywhere. It’s driving me insane, especially something like marrying you off to an old creep who will take you to the fucking other side of the world. What on earth are they thinking? No way will you marry Emilio. We’ll figure out how to fix this. For now, I’ve talked Niko out of taking out our whole family for what feels like a hundred times in the last few days, so there’s that. Good thing is, it sounded like they’ll be gone for a few days, or maybe even a week, so that gives us some time. And I’ll be back next week, I think, so I’ll try to help too. Maybe I can talk some sense into your dad, or mine for that matter.”
I walk up to the window and stare outside at the beautiful city skyline. “I’m afraid my dad’s a lost cause at this point. He might have always been, and I just didn’t see it.”
“I’m sorry, girl. I really am.”
The corner of my mouth quirks up. “You know, there’s a way you can make it up to me.”
She laughs. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“You could tell me all about Niko and you, for starters.”
She chuckles and blows out a breath. “About thaaaaaat, phew, that’s a long story. It’s also something I don’t really want to talk about while I’m here. I don’t want ears listening in. Niko keeps reminding me that most people think I’m being held here against my will and to be careful until we’ve got this whole mess sorted out. He knows this could end in a blood bath if it all came to light.”
Worry pools in my stomach for her safety, but she keeps assuring me she’s one-hundred-percent safe and that she wants to be with Niko—she’s given me that much—so I’m trying to trust her on this. At least as much as I can.
Voices float through the apartment, and a quick look at the clock confirms that this certain someone is here to see me. “I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to go. Zeno, or Mr. Grumpy Butt as I like to call him, is here to see me. And somehow, he doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who’d appreciate me being late. He’s probably already annoyed enough that he has to do this with me at all.”
“And here I thought my life had gotten interesting. Sounds like you’ve got me beat by a mile.”
“I’m not so sure about that, but a lot has definitely changed.”
“It has, but I think that’s good. It’s time to live our lives, Gem, especially you. We’ll catch up soon, okay? Love you.”
I smile like a lunatic, although I know she can’t see me. “Love you too. Be careful.”
“Always. Bye.”
I end the call, just as a text message from Luna pops up.
Luna: Sorry I’ve been so quiet. I’ve been out of town for work with my dad, and it’s been taking longer than we expected it to take. But hopefully, we’ll be back soon, so we can catch up! How have you been? Do you need anything?
There’s a knock on the door, so I throw my phone on the bed, planning on replying back to Luna later. But it’s nice to hear from her.
I take a couple of deep breaths and walk to the door to pull it open.
As expected, Zeno greets me with the biggest frown known to mankind, barely moving a muscle when I give him a small smile. “Hey, Z.”
Fake it ’til you make it and all that.
His inky-black hair is as disheveled as always, and his ice-blue eyes look extra cold today.
He turns around without greeting me and walks a few steps before calling over his shoulder, “Let’s get this over with.”
I know he isn’t thrilled about this arrangement, about helping with my training, but I am. Well, partially. I’m also a little scared because he could probably snap me like a twig with his bare hands, but I’m mostly excited. Matteo said Zeno is one of the best, and I trust his judgment.