“It’s still true that I did, ” I murmured, my voice cracking.
“No, it doesn’t. But your perspective determines the outcome of the situation. You weren’t recognizable to me when Mathew abducted me, so I assumed you didn’t know me. For a while there, I didn’t feel like I could put my faith in you. But I was correct about you all along. Nicola, we’ve met before. I think you’re a decent human being. When this is all done, we’ll return to Lasvagas and start living the life you’ve always imagined. The life that you are due. ”
Her comments caused a tightness in my chest. I really hoped they were correct. Her response to the unpleasant reality about me made me feel better, but I knew her ideal future with me was unrealistic. Since she had entered my realm, I could no longer send her back to her previous existence.
Just because I couldn’t bear to see her leave. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t bring myself to let her go.
“I’d appreciate that, Sweetheart,” the only truth I could give her. I wanted nothing more than to have a regular life with her, but that goal was now hopelessly out of reach. There was never any chance of it happening.
The remark made her so happy that she grinned at me. She had no idea that I was lying to her again, but I couldn’t bring myself to ruin this time with her. Miraculously, she wasn’t shocked to learn that I was a murderer. I didn’t want to spoil it by making her feel disappointed. In time, she would get used to her situation and forget that she had ever considered leaving.
A part of me hoped I wasn’t fooling myself.
Emily
I frowned as Nicola ushered me into the enormous garage, but I didn’t question his authority.
As the fluorescent light glinted off his aquamarine eyes and luscious lips, he smiled crookedly and with a heart-stopping grin. I’m planning on doing something “a bit more adventurous.”
His soft fingers wrapped around mine, binding me to his strong frame. He was so enraptured with the event that I failed to see the rows of expensive automobiles, motorbikes, and all-terrain vehicles.
“Mathew lets me keep some of my favorites here,” Nicola said, pointing to a number of flashy and, presumably, costly cars. The storage conditions are perfect, and the garage is just half full. He isn’t as enthusiastic about automobiles as I am.
Nicola took me on a tour of the neighborhood’s many sports cars, educating me on their history while using terms like “make,” “model,” “horsepower,” and “a lot of other jargon” that I didn’t understand. but I didn’t mind it. The sheer brilliance of witnessing his face light up as he spoke about his prized belongings held my attention.
After a while he broke off with a sardonic look at me. “Excuse me, I was getting emotional. How well-versed are you in automobiles? It’s possible that I may grow too nerdy for you if we continued talking about this. ”
The buoyancy of his spirit inspired me to giggle uncontrollably. Gorgeous, self-assured Nicola is the last person I would have pegged as a nerd. His childish enthusiasm, though, was utterly charming and heartwarming. This garage was his domain, and I could sit here and listen to him speak about all kinds of engines all day long, even though I had no idea what he was talking about.
When asked whether I was bored. ” I appreciate you telling me about this. Obviously, this is very significant to you. “I stood on my tiptoes and planted a passionate kiss on his cheek, the scratchy stubble of his beard tickling my lips. “And it means a great deal to me, “I whispered.
I didn’t know Nicola very well until Mathew grabbed me and told me he was a mafia. After spending more time with him here on the estate, I began to realize that maybe I had always known the truth about Nicola’s character: he was a nice guy, and he nearly worshiped me.
I hid my true emotions for him beneath a cheerful front, barely able to keep back a declaration of love. Many questions remained unanswered regarding the guy who had swept me off my feet with his stunning good looks and impressive strength.
But suddenly he was opening up to me. In doing so, he was revealing not just his true character, but also endearing facets of his character that had me falling for him all the more. Suddenly, I felt an insatiable want to know everything that interested Nicola, everything that made him shine so brightly.
“Please elaborate on the meaning of the jargon for me. ” I made an inquiry. “I’m not very auto-literate, but I’m interested in finding out more.”
He kissed the back of my hand, just where my knuckles meet his. Despite the innocent display of love, a fire burned in his blue eyes. “We’ll begin your training in automotive detail at another time. The part I was most excited to show you hasn’t even happened yet. “