Nicola hadn’t said a single word since deciding we were headed to the club. She didn’t need to. Her posture said it all—straight spine, jaw set, heels striking against the floor like war drums. She was a goddamn storm in glitter heels and a satin dress.
Lucia looked about five seconds from panic. “Okay, listen,” she started as we stepped into the club. “I fully support whatever you’re about to do—but maybe, um, tell us what that is first?”
Nicola didn’t even slow her stride. “I’m going inside.”
“Okay…” Lucia drawled. “And to do what?”
I tried to hold in my grin. My sister looked ready to have a breakdown, and Nicola…looked mildly unhinged. Not in a bad way. More in a terrifyingly hot, goddess-of-wrath kind of way.
“Just talk,” Nicola said with a wicked little smirk that lit up the adrenaline in my veins like a fuse.
I didn’t even know how she knew who Matt was. I had never told her about him. But Nicola had her ear to the ground when it came to the F1 circuit. She probably knew everyone’s shoe size and therapy schedule. She didn’t just walk into rooms—sheownedthem. And right now, she was parting the club crowd like the damn Red Sea.
Lucia trailed close behind, shooting glances over her shoulder like we were headed into a lion’s den. Alexander was a solid wall at her back, protective and silent. And me?
I followed in the rear, heart pounding. Terrified and awestruck. Ready to tear Matt’s throat out and kiss Nicola senseless all in the same breath.
We spotted Matt and Theo by the bar—Matt leaning smugly against the counter, Theo looking disinterested in the way only he could, sipping his drink like the world owed him a podium.
Nicola didn’t hesitate.
“Hey, shithead!” she called, striding straight up with her arms crossed.
Matt’s head whipped up. Theo glanced over, looking bored.
“Excuse me?” Matt sneered, eyes narrowing.
“Yeah,you.” She pointed.
I clenched my fists, fighting every instinct in me that screamed to shield her. She didn’t need protection. Not from me. She was all fire and fury.
“And who are you?” Matt asked, voice dripping with smugness.
Her hip cocked as she stared him down. “You knowexactlywho I am.”
She leaned in, voice cool and low. “I want you to know you’re a pathetic little worm of a man. I want you to know I knowexactlywhat you did. And if you come near me, my family, ormypeople again, you’ll never work in Formula One again. I will ruin you. Burn every bridge you have left and salt the damn ashes.”
A few people at the bar looked over, drivers looking impressed before going back to their conversations. Lucia blinked like she was watching a live crime drama. Alexander looked ready to put Matt through the floor, which was comforting.
Matt laughed, mean and mocking, “You gonna let your girlfriend of the month fight your battles, DeLuca?”
I didn’t even get a word out before Nicola stepped in front of me.
“I’m speaking to you,” she said sharply, and in a single move, swiped Matt’s phone from the bar.
He lunged.
“Don’t you fucking touch her,” I growled, heat and fury flooding my body like wildfire.
Matt recoiled but spat back, “Give me my phone back, you stupid bitch?—”
Wrong.So wrong.
Alexander and I moved at the same time.
“Watch your fucking mouth,” Alexander snapped, pulling Lucia safely behind him.
Nicola didn’t even flinch. She smiled sweetly, then lifted the phone and smashed it on the bar.
