There’s a second knock, and Nico shrugs when I glance at him. “It is likely Emilio.” He rolls off the bed and grabs his pants, hauling them on as he hops across the room to the door. When he opens it, his whole body stiffens, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Father.” That one word has me sitting up, wincing as my sides protest.
“May I come in?” Stefano’s voice is muted, cautious.
I’m only able to see his profile, but Nico’s jaw is getting a workout with all the clenching he’s doing. Pain in my side be damned, I lean against the headboard and assume a confident, relaxed pose, arranging the blanket strategically low on my hips so there’s no doubt in Stefano’s mind that I have claimed his son, body and soul, and belong here with him. If Nico lets his father in the room, it’ll be for shock value, and I’m more than willing to be the centerpiece of the display.
Nico backs up and opens the door, waving his fatherinside. Stefano’s gaze takes in everything, including me sprawled wantonly across the bed. He clears his throat and nods in acknowledgement before focusing on Nico.
“I was hoping we might talk about what happened. You have been”—he clears his throat again—“otherwise occupied since your return. You might have some questions, and I have a few of my own.” He tries to keep his gaze on Nico, but I see the slight flick of a glance in my direction and smirk.
Nico must see it as well. He turns to me for the first time since opening the door and chokes back a laugh. “Yes, actually I do have several questions. Have a seat.” He winks at me cheekily, and I respond by blowing him a kiss.
Stefano is obviously uncomfortable but doing a marvelous job of keeping it together. I admire his composure. “I was hoping I might speak with you alone, at least at first, Nicolas.” He glances my way with a pleading expression. “If you would not mind.”
I examine Nico’s expression and assess his body language, because regardless of what his father wants, Nico’s wishes are the only ones that matter. He nods, and I grin at Stefano. “I don’t mind at all. In fact, I’ll take the opportunity to bathe. I do miss the waterfall from the Oht house, though.” My comment has the desired effect, if the surprise on Stefano’s face is real. And I believe it is. Once again, I’m angry for Nico. How can a father be so unaware of his child’s life, even his adult child, when they live under the same roof? Did he notice Nico was gone for six months? I keep my features relaxed, though I would love nothing more than to stab Stefano. Just a little.
Instead, I flip the blanket back and slide out of bed, walking across the room to Nico and placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “If you need me, love, I’ll be nearby.” As I walk away, Nico slaps my bare ass, and I chuckle, knowing it’s mostly for his father’s benefit. Mostly. And while I can definitely use a bath, I plan to make it quick. I will also leave the door ajar in case I’m needed.
Several minutes later, thoroughly clean and toweling off, I catch the response to a question that I’ve missed. “I forgave you a long time ago, Father. And if I had not already, then I would now. If I were to lose Zayd—well, I have no idea how you survived. I would not want to live.” I freeze in place, unsure what to do. Obviously Nico told his father who I am. I can see the need to share that information, but I can’t help worrying. I don’t know much about Stefano, but what I do know doesn’t instill trust. And was I meant to hear Nico’s comment? Surely he can see the door is open. But he might have forgotten in the moment.
“That is—very generous of you, Nicolas. I must say that I did not expect understanding. I was sure you would hate me for abandoning you.” I don’t want to eavesdrop on the conversation, but if Nico knows I can hear what’s being said, well, that’s entirely different.
Throwing the towel over my shoulder, I walk into the bedroom. Nico grins and devours me with his eyes. “You enjoy being nude, Bello, and I do not wish to dampen your happiness, but pants would be appropriate right now.”
I wink and walk to the dresser. “Anything for you, love.” I pull out a pair of clean pants and make a production ofpulling them on. Cinching the waist with a flourish, I pad over to kiss him on the cheek. “I’ll be on the balcony if you need anything.” I turn, walk outside, and lean against the railing, gazing out over the garden. I keep my expression neutral and my eyes on the lake, but my full attention is on the conversation happening behind me. Stefano shares the circumstances surrounding Sofia’s death. The details are mostly the same as what Emilio told me, but the delivery is understandably more intense. It’s clear that Stefano had been deeply in love with his wife, and one might argue he still is.
Nico says very little, letting his father speak uninterrupted. “This is why I made the bargain I did. I had no desire to involve myself in politics, and I would have done anything to protect you.”
“I do not fault your decision, Father. But as I got older, surely you could have told me. Why keep up the façade?”
“You do not know your uncle like I do. To you, he was always a relatively nice man who you saw now and then. The reality is that he is very dangerous and still wants to be chancellor. I did not want to draw attention to you—to give him any reason to come after you like he did with your cousin.” Emilio had said that Stefano was aware of who Kas was, and what Lorenzo had done. Is he also aware of my part in it? “I have no idea how he had his own son killed. And I wanted to keep you out of trouble. It would seem that trouble found you anyway.”
I hear the growl first, followed by something heavy slamming against the wardrobe. I’m through the doorway in less than a heartbeat, both daggers in hand. Nico hashis father pinned against the closet, their faces only inches apart. There’s a similarity in height and build between them, but I’m confident Nico can beat him if it comes to that. But Stefano is not responding to Nico’s aggression, so I stay back and wait.
Low and menacing, Nico snarls at Stefano. “Zayd is not trouble. He will never be trouble.” His gaze darts to me, then drops to my daggers, and he relaxes his grip on his father. Stefano slumps down into his chair. Nico pulls his fingers through his hair, then smiles and holds out his hand to me. I set the knives on the dresser and walk across the room, placing my hand in his. He pulls me into his side and stares at his father. “Allow me to make something perfectly clear to you. Zayd is important to me. I love him, and have asked him to marry me.” Stefano’s gaze darts to mine, and I don’t look away. “He has said yes. He has trusted me with his life, and I trust him with mine.”
Stefano’s gaze darts from me to Nico and back again. “Forgive me, but I thought Shades do not marry.”
I smirk. “Change is coming.”
He considers that, then nods. “I understand.”
Nico’s muscles relax, and his expression softens. “Good. You can accept us and be part of our lives, or you can reject him and in turn reject me. It is your choice. And I am truly fine either way. But this is not open for discussion ever again.”
Stefano inclines his head in acquiescence. “You are your own man, and I must respect your choice, though I might want a different path for you.” He stands and walks the distance to us, placing a hand against Nico’s cheek. “Youare so much like your mother.” Smiling sadly, he glances between us. “She would have approved of you making your own choices.” He then speaks directly to me. “In her memory, and because I love my son, I can do no less. But promise me you will keep him safe.”
Without hesitation, I agree. “I swear that I’ll gladly give my life to save his, if necessary. Nothing will harm him.” I lean closer. “Not even you.” Stefano flinches but holds my gaze, which does earn him a very small amount of my respect. “I promise you, I will dismantle the entire Brotherhood before I let anything happen to him.”
Stefano grips Nico’s arm. “You have quite a few plans to make if there is to be a wedding. We should at the very least celebrate the engagement.” Nico protests, but Stefano holds up his hands. “Surely we can mark the occasion with a small family celebration? We can talk about that later. I will leave you to discuss your plans.”
Nico lets go of me and pulls his father into a tight hug. Stefano tenses, then grabs his son like a lifeline and holds on tightly. Stefano is the first to back away, but with a smile on his face. “If you are not busy, perhaps you both would join me later for lunch?”
Nico nods, unable to speak, so I speak for both of us. “We’d be delighted.”
Stefano closes the door behind him, and I wrap my arms around Nico, holding him tightly and gently stroke his back, letting him collect himself. “Well truthfully, that went better than I’d envisioned.”
Nico laughs. “Yes, I gathered that you were expecting trouble when you came flying in here wielding knives.Where did you even hide them? I watched you put those pants on and go out onto the balcony.” He shakes his head and laughs again. “Never mind. I do not want to know.”
I wink cheekily. “Why don’t you take a hot bath and change out of yesterday’s clothes? We have a lunch appointment, and you should look your best. I, of course, always look my best.”
