Chapter 55 Learn to trust me
Nico POV
Your mother’s hate for me is so intense, as if it was me who pulled that trigger, yet after what she told you, it’s clear that the plot between our parents to keep me and Nikolai apart was the reason he got killed.”
I glanced her way. “You’re right, it doesn’t make sense. We’ll find out the truth, today.”
I opened my closet door, then unlocked the safe I had hidden at the back. I heard lila faint gasp when I pulled out two guns.
“I suppose it is necessary for those,” she said behind me as I checked that the chambers were fully loaded.
“Was it necessary when I killed rex?” I tucked them in behind my back before straightening out my suit jacket. Her silence was just as good as an answer.
I couldn’t stop myself from smiling not that any of this was any matter to smile about. But for a woman who relished pain and loved to bleed, she sure was innocent when it came to my world. For some reason I liked that she wasn’t a part of all this.
She was my escape…the only problem was, I would ultimately be her cross. Just like the cross inked on my back, fire consuming it, I’ll be the cross with her fucking name on it, the blood in my veins being the flames that would want to devour her.
If anyone asked me what the definition of a cluster fuck was, I’d say three words…Lila, and me. Everything about us was wrong, yet I couldn’t imagine never having her again, not being able to feel her from the inside.
And if whatever was about to go down between me and my family turned out in our favor, I didn’t know if I would be able to let her go.
She chewed on her thumbnail again, and I walked over to her, gently easing her finger out from between her lips.
“Stop fretting, little pet. The look of worry doesn’t suit you.”
Her blue eyes looked up at me. “But chains do?”
“Hmm.” I groaned. “You have no idea how fucking good you look in chains.” I grabbed her hand and pushed it against my now rock hard cock.
“You feel that. Not even the probability of death can stop me from getting hard for you, thinking about you in chains while your skin blushes for me.”
I flexed into her palm, before taking her chin in my hand and forcing her face up toward mine. “Your blood feeds the beast inside me, Honey pie.”
My mouth claimed hers hard and unyielding, kissing her like it would be the last fucking time.
My body yearned and screamed for me to take
And by the way she kissed me back it didn’t seem like the threat that hung like dark smoke around us bothered her while I had my tongue in her mouth, and my hard cock rubbing between her legs.
But as much as I’d like to rip my shirt off her and show her once again how I ruled her body, we needed to face the shit storm that waited for us downstairs.
With heavy reluctance I removed my mouth from hers and pushed myself up, helping her up too.
“Do you trust me, little pet?”
“No.” She stood up.
“Good. You shouldn’t.”
There was a hint of a smile on her lips, but I guess the weight of what was about to happen was just too heavy for her smile to reach her eyes.
“Okay. Let’s get this show on the road.”
I walked toward the door, but just as I reached for the lock, she balked.
“What if they’re out there waiting for us?”
I traced a finger across her chin. “My sweet, naïve little pet. Soon you will learn to trust me.”
The lock clicked open and I kept my gaze on her face as I opened the door. The fear on her face was toxic, and for the first time I yearned for someone’s trust hers.
But maybe it was better this way, that she didn’t trust me. There was no way I could guarantee her that she or I would come out of this alive.
When the door was open, one of Uncle Lucas associates stepped into sight, holding a semi-automatic gun in his hands. Lila moved in behind me, and I fucking loved the fact that she sought out my protection.
“lila, meet Matteo. He’s here to safely escort us down to the dining hall.”
Instantly she paled. “The dining hall?”
“Yes. As you probably guessed, that’s where all our meetings and…events take place.”
I knew nothing I said would have been able to settle her. Even the air we breathed seemed laden with fear and uncertainty. But this all had to be done.
“Come on. Let’s not keep them waiting.”
I let her walk first, following Matteo. I took the back making sure she was covered at all times.
More of Uncle Lucas associates stood scattered around the halls. I’ve never felt so goddamn thankful for that uncle of mine as I did right now. He made sure that there was no way we could be intercepted.
Yet still, every step I took felt like I was a man living on borrowed time. I’ve always been the type of man who preferred no, needed to know all the risks involved. Only then I’d make any kind of decision, but only if I was one hundred percent sure that the reward outweighed the risk.
But that wasn’t the case today. I had no way of ensuring that the reward outweighed the risk I was taking now, by leading lila straight to them. And that thought alone killed me slowly, each step another stab through my chest.
I watched her while she walked, her head held high. How did she do it? How did she manage to face her demons head on even though she knew her chances of survival were slim?
Putting one foot in front of the other, lila walked with confidence, but I knew that on the inside she was scared beyond comprehension…and so was I.
After passing each associate, they fell into step behind us, instantly becoming allies. A family that stood vast for so many years got cracked right down the middle within the blink of an eye.
It made me wonder if our family was ever that strong to begin with. And now, as we stopped in front of the dining hall doors, I knew that life as I’ve known it was about to change.
Matteo glanced at me, and so did lila. Her eyes spoke volumes, displaying equal parts bravery and terror. If I was able to spare her what was about to happen, I would.
I would do anything give anything if it meant keeping her away from what awaited us behind those doors. But there was no other way. We needed to face these demons…together.
I broke eye contact with her and looked up at Matteo.
I nodded, and he opened the doors.