Chapter 128

Lucky

The day after Nico arrived back home my parents arrived. My mother is all over me, she won’t stop trying to hug me or let go of my hand. It feels almost suffocating. Don’t get me wrong, I sense how it must have felt for her not knowing if I was going to come out of everything alive or not. But honestly, it is too much.

“Do you like the house?” I ask her as we wander from room to room before lunch is served in the main dining room.

“It’s big, right? I mean you can fit three of our New York properties in this one.” She is correct and our places in New York are not small by any stretch of the imagination.

“So, would you like to go out shopping, mother after lunch? I thought we could explore the city together. There are so many things I’d like to go and see.”

My arm is hooked through my mother’s arm as I show her my favorite room in Nico’s mansion, the library. She is taking it all in and it is impressive with its floor to ceiling shelves lined with books, and stunning views across the land at the back.

“Is it safe?” she asks worried with a crease between her eyebrows.

I tap her arm. “Mom, it’s perfectly safe. We have guards with us all the time and Yelena is not able to do anything. Listen, Mom we have to live our lives. Being with Nico was always going to be the dangerous option.”

“Yes, I get that, Lucky and I know that being a Gianluca puts you at risk, but don’t you just want to chill out and relax around her for a few days until the dust settles?”

We move out of the library and I take her a few doors down to where the home gym is. She takes it all in. “I want to live a normal life, Mom. Nico has said it will be fine. We are not going to give people the satisfaction. Jeez, let us breathe please.”

“Okay then, we will go shopping and we can do the sights together. I’d like that. It feels like forever since you and I have had any time together, Lucky.” She isn’t wrong there. Way too long.

“Are you ladies having a nice time?” Nico comes out of nowhere. The man I swear has some tracking device stitched into every garment I own. Kidding. I am sure he hasn’t but it’s strange that he knows where I am at all times. Maybe he has hidden cameras.

He is looking especially handsome today with a black T-shirt on that hugs every muscle in his body, showcasing toned arms and sexy veins on his forearms. His gold Rolex looks hot on his wrist; I lick my bottom lip. His eyes watch me, the intensity sparking a flame in the pit of my stomach.

I could never get enough of him and we had sex this morning. Shower sex, the best. Just thinking about him pinning me to the marble wall, hoisting my legs up around his waist and pumping me hard and fast makes me tingle. God, not when I am with my mother!

“Oh, Nico the place is amazing. Are you planning on settling here after the wedding?”

He tilts his head to the side and looks at me when he says, “it will depend on where my Princess wants to live. It will be her choice.”

My heart beats a little faster at his words and that longing look in his eyes. We are like a couple of horny teenagers not able to keep our hands off each other. Ever since he came back, and we had our sleep we have been at it like damn rabbits.

Mom turns to me, “do you want to stay in Atlanta, Lucky darling or come back home to New York?”

“Gosh, I am not sure. Things are happening so quickly. I love New York and it is closer to you and father but I absolutely love it here in Atlanta. It’s peaceful and spacious.”

“You don’t have to decide today, Princess,” he tells me. “Besides, you can speak to our realtor and see what else is out there. We can live anywhere you want to. Wherever your heart desires. I have some business to attend to quickly but will meet you both in the dining room. Plans after?” he asks.

“Shopping,” I tell him. He nods.

“Very well. I’ll make sure your driver and guards know. Enjoy the rest of the tour,” he says addressing my mother.

“He’s such a generous man, Lucky. It wasn’t our plan for you to marry a man like Nico Santangelo. But it has all turned out for the best,” she tells me squeezing my arm as we leave the gym and head back towards the dining room. My stomach is already making noises for food. Breakfast was some hours ago, on the terrace eating a mediterranean style platter.

“It has, Mom you are right and I couldn’t be happier. But you know we didn’t have a choice, right? He threatened dad’s life for this alliance so that he could have more power and control New York.” It seems horrendously insane to even think that is how I ended up being in an arranged marriage scenario. Yet here we are.

It's true I couldn’t be happier. The man I once hated and loathed with every fiber in my body, running through every cell is no longer hated by me. Every time I see him it skips a beat, my pulse quickens and my core tightens. Overwhelming love for a man I once couldn’t stand to be near.

My father at last can sleep well at night knowing there is no longer any threat over his head. Mom is right. Nico is generous with everything and loyal. He treats his staff well not just me.

He’d give me the moon if I asked for it no matter how impossible that sounds.