Chapter Thirteen
Olivia stared, mesmerized by the candlelight reflecting off the large, square-cut diamond that graced her left ring finger. Less than an hour ago, she'd officially become Mrs. Nicoló Conti.
The private ceremony had taken place in a small church just off the strip with only a few of Nico's men and her mom in attendance. Standing at the altar, dressed in her Grecian gown at the side of Nico, her arm clutching his for support, she'd listened to the priest drone on. She'd tried to pay attention, but after the second—or was it the third?—prayer, her mind drifted until it was time to exchange their vows.
She'd never thought about what her wedding would be like, but she'd been relieved it had been small. Nervous and self-conscious, she'd whispered her vows, and would have been embarrassed performing in front of a large audience.
In contrast to hers, Nico's voice had been sure and strong as he'd recited his vows. And the look in his eyes as he'd stared down at her while he'd spoken them, if she hadn't known better, she would have sworn he'd meant every word.
The long ceremony had taxed her mom, and one of Nico's men had taken her home shortly after. Olivia had just been delighted she'd felt well enough to attend. It would have affected her deeply if her mom had missed her wedding.
A hand covered hers, and she looked up to find Nico gazing at her, a small smirk on his lips. "Shall I be flattered you seem to enjoy your ring, or insulted from your lack of attention?"
Olivia smiled, heat warming her cheeks. "Sorry, wool gathering. Did you say something?"
"I asked if you knew what you wanted," he said, nodding to the menu that lay open on the table in front of her.
"Oh." She looked down, seeing the words, but it took a few seconds for her brain to catch up enough for her to comprehend what she was reading. "Um, everything sounds good. What do you suggest?"
"The veal piccata is my favorite."
"I've never had it."
"Then that's what we'll have." He hadn't let go of her hand, and his fingers absentmindedly played with the ring on her finger. He had also produced matching bands at the ceremony, and she felt a small surge of pride when he lifted his water glass and the gold band on his own ring finger caught the light, drawing gazes.
As she sat in the dining room of the exclusive Italian restaurant, she couldn't help note how much attention her new husband attracted. As she slyly looked around the room, she caught curious glances. Not just from diners but the staff, as well. Upon their arrival, they'd been swiftly escorted to a table, and wine delivered and poured, all without a word spoken from Nico.
"Do you come here often?" Olivia asked, wondering if that would explain the special treatment they'd received.
"You can say that." A smirk played on his lips.
She frowned at his cryptic answer.
He chuckled. "I own the restaurant."
Her lips formed an O before she said, "Well that would explain it."
His lips quirked when he asked, "Explain what?"
Olivia waved her hand. "The royal treatment."
His lips quirked again as he parroted, "The royal treatment?"
"Everyone is so attentive. As if they don't wish to displease you."
"And what of you, wife? Do you wish to please me?"
She could tell he was teasing from the slight twist of his lips, and she felt an answering smile tug at hers. "Of course, husband." She paused a moment for added effect before adding, "So long as you please me first."
Nico tipped his head back, laughter spilling from his throat. Olivia's smile grew at the deep, rich, masculine sound. Heads turned their direction, and Olivia noticed some surprised expressions. Was her husband's laughter really such an oddity?
An older gentleman in a navy suit stepped up to their table. "Nico, good to see you, my boy."
Nico stood, shaking the man's hand. "Oscar."
Olivia noticed Nico's change immediately. Gone was the mirth replaced with the expressionless mask of the man he showed the world. Olivia felt a tug at her heart when she realized he gave her a part of himself he didn't give others.
She was pulled back into the conversation when she heard, "I'd like to introduce my wife, Olivia."
She noted the man's startled expression. "I didn't realize you were married. Congratulations." He turned to Olivia, holding out a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Conti."
Olivia gave him her hand, and he bowed over it. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mr..."
"Just call me Oscar."
"Then you must call me Olivia."
Oscar gave her a smile. "Beautiful name for a beautiful lady." He turned back to Nico. "You're a lucky man."
"Yes, I know." Nico's reply had been for Oscar, but his eyes held Olivia's as he spoke.
"Well, I'll let you two get back to your meal. It was good seeing you, Nico. We need to get together soon. Come over for dinner. I'm sure Grace would love meeting your wife."
"I'll give you a call." One of Nico's hands landed on Oscar's shoulder as he shook Oscar's offered hand with his other.
The gentleman nodded to them both before going back to his table to join a blonde half his age.
Olivia frowned. "Is that his daughter?"
Nico turned to where she was looking as he retook his seat and chuckled. "No."
"Is Grace his wife?"
"Yes."
"And I'm going to assume that's not Grace."
"Your assumption would be correct."
"Oh."
He must have heard something in her voice because he said, "Tesoro, look at me." When she gave him her eyes, he continued, "What I said to you yesterday, I meant. I don't lie, and I don't cheat."
Olivia nodded, not wanting to ruin their evening with her insecurities. She'd keep silent on the subject but knew only time could gain him her trust.
Their meal arrived, the waiter setting a plate in front of her with a flourish. It smelled divine, and she eagerly dug in. The rich buttery sauce with the tartness of lemons hit her tongue, and she couldn't stop the small moan as it slipped from her lips.
Nico paused with his fork halfway to his mouth, staring. She finished chewing and swallowed. He smirked. "Good?"
She nodded, not pausing to speak as she took another bite. They ate in silence, each enjoying their meal until Olivia pushed her plate a few inches away, proclaiming, "I can't eat another bite."
Nico took a sip of his wine, raising a brow. "No dessert?"
Olivia groaned. "I wouldn't know where to put it."
Nico stood. "Come on, we'll take a walk, maybe you'll find your appetite."
She took Nico's hand as he helped her from her seat. Nico's restaurant was located on the strip tucked between two popular hotels. He steered her to the busy sidewalk, and they held hands while dodging clusters of people. It was still light outside, so none of the neon was aglow, but that didn't take away from the excited energy in the air.
Nico guided her to the entrance of a glitzy casino, the glass doors parting automatically as they stepped close. Cool air washed over her, coating her arms in goose bumps, and Nico wrapped an arm around her to take away the chill until she acclimated to the drastic temperature change.
"Have you gambled before?" Nico asked, dipping his head close to hers to be heard over the milling crowd.
She shook her head, her eyes wide as they passed banks of beeping and dinging slot machines. Cheers erupted, and she swung her head to locate the source. A small group was gathered around a gaming table, excitement clearly written on their faces.
Nico led her into a glassed-off room away from the noise and crowd. He sat her down on a stool in front of a machine and took a seat at the machine beside hers. "We'll start off easy. All you need to do is push a button." He fished a hundred dollar bill into the slot, and the machine came to life—ten credits appearing on the screen. "Push where it says max credit."
Olivia's finger hovered over the button, a feeling of horror overtaking her as she realized they were at a ten-dollar machine. "That's twenty bucks a pop."
Nico chuckled. "Just push it, tesoro."
Finger slightly shaking, she pushed the button. The reels came to life, and her heart pounded as she held her breath waiting for them to stop spinning. Single bar, double bar, red seven landed on the line.
Nothing happened, and she looked over at Nico. He chuckled again and nodded toward the machine. "Keep going."
She looked over at his machine. "Aren't you going to play?"
"I'm having fun watching you."
Again, she pressed the button. No symbols lined up, and she didn't win anything. She was down to four credits, but she pressed the button again. A cherry landed on the line awarding her four credits. She looked over at Nico and smiled. "Not much, but at least it's something."
She pushed the button again, noticing it was getting easier with each press, though she still cringed at how much money she was wasting. He slipped another hundred in the machine when she ran out of credits before she could protest.
A cocktail waitress came around, and Nico ordered a beer. "You want anything?"
Olivia gave a little shrug. "I'm not much of a drinker." That was an understatement. The few sips of wine she'd had with dinner had been her first taste of alcohol.
"Would you like a glass of wine?" At her nose scrunch, he chuckled. "Didn't like that, huh? How about something sweet. Do you like coconut and pineapple?" At her nod, he turned back to the waitress. "Give us a piña colada." He placed a hundred on her tray. "Not the cheap kind you give out for free. From the bar. Top-shelf, not well."
Olivia watched the waitress walk away before she said anything. "I didn't need anything fancy."
"I may be an asshole, and I'm sure I won't be a perfect husband, but from me, you'll always be treated special. It's a perk for putting up with all my other bullshit."
She could tell he was trying to make a joke, but she couldn't help but say in all seriousness, "You're not an asshole."
He stared at her for a beat, something working behind his eyes that she didn't know him well enough to figure out. Then, with a tip of his head toward the machine, he said, "Push the button, tesoro mio."
They sat and played for another couple of hours, winning a little then losing it just as quickly, but she was having fun. She discovered she loved piña coladas and after finishing the first one in record time, Nico ordered her another that she sipped more slowly once she felt the alcohol going to her head.
"What would you like to do now?" They were strolling through the hotel, loud music and a long line of people caught her attention, and she craned her neck as they passed to look inside at what seemed to be a nightclub. Nico stopped walking when he noticed her rubbernecking. "Do you want to go in?"
Though she'd never been to one and was curious to see inside, she shook her head. "No, I'm not a fan of large crowds."
He took her hand and started walking again. "I'll take you to one of my clubs on a weeknight when it's not busy."
"One of your clubs? How many businesses do you own?"
He looked at her, smirking and raised an eyebrow. "Legal ones? A few. Illegal?"
She cut him off by holding up a hand and laughing. "I don't want to know about the illegal ones."
Nico pulled out his phone and sent a text, then took her hand again while they walked out of the hotel and back to the restaurant. He led her around to the parking lot just as Marco pulled up in the town car. Nico followed her into the back of the car, sitting close and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Between the alcohol and the lateness, she found herself drowsy and rested her head against his chest. "Thank you," she murmured into the folds of his shirt.
He gave her shoulders a squeeze. "For?"
She sighed closing her eyes. There were so many things she could thank him for. Saving her mom. Protecting her from Carmine. Making love to her when she knew good and well he could have used her roughly and there would have been nothing she could have done about it. Showing her an evening she'd always remember. She wasn't sure how to express all that, so only said, "Just, thank you."