His eyes brighten, that rare, genuine smile spreading wide as he pulls me into his arms and holds me tight, like he’s afraid I might change my mind.
After a long moment, I pull back just enough to look at him.
“When I found out you were making plans about my sisters without telling me… it hurt,” I admit quietly.
“It made me feel the same way I used to feel with my father, like my life, and theirs, were being decided without any say from us. Like we were just pieces to be moved.”
Nico’s expression softens with regret. He cups my face with both hands, thumbs brushing my cheeks.
“That was never my intention,” he says earnestly. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. I’ve seen how much you carry for your sisters. The last thing I wanted was to add more fear to your heart. I was going to tell you once I had a solid plan. I thought I was protecting you… but I see now that keeping you in the dark made you feel powerless. I’m sorry.”
I know he isn’t the kind of man who apologizes. The fact that he did warms my heart.
I lean into his touch. “I know you were trying to help. And I appreciate that. But I need to be kept in the loop. Even if you’re handling it, not knowing what’s happening makes me feel powerless… trapped. I spent my whole life with no say in anything. I don’t want to feel that way with you.”
He holds my face a little tighter, eyes locked on mine with fierce sincerity.
“You will never feel powerless with me,” he says, voice deep and steady. “Never. If anything, you’ll feel more powerful because of me. You’re not a pawn anymore, Eleonora. You’re my partner. My wife. My equal. Your voice will always matter here.”
I search his eyes and find nothing but truth.
I don’t doubt him. Not even for a second.
“I'm not yet your wife,” I say with a coy smile.
A warm smile spreads across his handsome face. “You'll soon be,” he sounds so possessive.
I lean forward and kiss him softly, pouring everything I feel into it, the fear, the gratitude, the growing love. He kisses me back with the same depth, holding me like I’m the most precious thing in his world.
Pulling away, I look at him, my heart feeling a little lighter than it has in days.
“Thank you for saving me from Gallo and my father," I whisper.
Nico kisses me softly, his hand cupping the side of my face. “I’ll always protect you,” he murmurs against my lips.
“And I promise I’ll keep you in the loop from now on. But if I ever keep something from you, it won’t be to control you or shut you out. It’ll only be because I don’t want to put you in danger. Can you live with that?”
I nod, brushing my nose against his. “I can live with that.”
We kiss again, deeper this time. I lean into him, pressing my body flush against his, craving the warmth and closeness I’ve missed so much these past week.
My hands slide up his chest, fingers curling into his shirt as I kiss him with everything I’ve been holding back. I’ve missed him. Missed this. Missed the way he makes me feel safe and wanted.
But after a few moments, he pulls back reluctantly, breathing a little heavier, forehead resting against mine.
“As much as I would love to continue this right now,” he says, voice low and rough, “I have a meeting with your father this morning.”
I tense immediately in his arms.
He notices and rubs my back soothingly. “Now that Gallo is dead, the balance has shifted. Your father knows he no longer has the upper hand. He’s finally agreed to meet in person to talk terms.”
Nico pulls back just enough to look at me properly.
“Considering you’ve taken the ring back and agreed to be my wife… I want to talk to him about marrying you. Only if you’re okay with it.”
My heart skips. “You were going to talk to him about a marriage alliance even before I took the ring back?”
He shakes his head. “No. Originally, I planned to renegotiate the port access and the alliance without marriage.”
