Chapter Twenty-Three
"Please tell me she's not going to be there," Olivia said into the bathroom mirror as Nico came up behind her. They were getting ready to go to his parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner, and she'd been fretting about an encounter with Elena all week.
"She comes to all family functions. But I won't let her get near you."
"I'm more concerned about her being near you."
His arm snaked out to wrap around her waist with his hand resting low on her belly. At twelve weeks she wasn't showing yet, but there was the barest bump where her stomach was once flat that didn't go away, even when lying down.
His other hand fisted the long fall of her hair, brushing it to the side so he could plant his lips on her neck. "Though I find your jealousy sexy, you've no need to worry. When you're in a room, you're all I see."
Her head tilted of its own accord, giving him greater access to the line of her neck, her lids falling to half mast as she watched him through the mirror. "I'm not jealous."
"You're jealous."
She heard the smile in his voice, and it pissed her off. "Not jealous, worried. I have a feeling she going to try to start trouble." His lips landed on the sensitive bit of skin right behind her ear, and his tongue came out, giving the spot a lick.
"Try, being the operative word. She won't succeed," he whispered into her ear.
His hand dipped into the waistband of her panties, his fingers sliding between her folds, discovering how wet she was. A growl filled her ear, and she shivered.
"How... how do you know she won't succeed?" She was quickly losing track of the conversation. Her husband had that effect on her.
"Because I won't allow it."
His fingers slipped inside her heat, his thumb found her clit, and she gave up. Not caring about Elena. Not caring they were going to be late because she still needed to get dressed and do her makeup. Not caring about anything but Nico's fingers and the delirious pleasure they created between her legs.
The gathering for Thanksgiving was significantly smaller than Olivia's last visit to Nico's parents' home, but the enthusiasm and curiosity surrounding her, no less so. Olivia directed her mom to a large wingback chair, introducing her to Aunt Teresa who was sitting in its counterpart. Seeming to get along quite well, she left them to their own devices when they started chatting about the best cake recipe.
Olivia shook her head, whispering to Nico, "I didn't even know my mom could bake."
Before Nico could answer, is mom called out, "You're late."
Hugged tightly to Nico's side, Olivia pinched his ass as Dona descended on them. Of course, he just chuckled, not caring he'd made her look bad when it was his fault they were late.
"I've been holding dinner waiting for you to arrive."
Nico leaned in, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Sorry, Mamma." He looked back over at Olivia, smirking. "I got sidetracked."
Olivia felt her face heat, and Dona snorted. "Which is why there's already a bambino in her belly."
If Olivia could disappear into the floor, she would. Instead, she did the next best thing, pinching Nico's ass again, only this time adding a little twist, making sure he fully comprehended her level of mortification.
Getting the hint, he changed the subject. "Shall we go in and eat? Don't want to hold up dinner any longer."
Turning back to Olivia, he exchanged his cocky smirk for a smile, leaning down to kiss her forehead, and she figured it was his way of silently apologizing. She rubbed then gave the spot she'd pinched a little pat, letting him know he was forgiven.
"Let me just go check that everything's ready." Dona gave them both a hard stare. "Don't you two dare run off."
Olivia's cheeks were flaming again, and she promptly decided Nico was getting a tongue lashing when they got home.
Everyone mingled and Olivia was passed in a whirlwind from one family member to the next until she ended up face to face with Elena and her condescending sneer. "Well, if it isn't the little gutter wife."
Olivia gave her a tight smile. "That's cute. Did you think of that all by yourself?"
"Don't think just because you got yourself knocked up that Nico's going to keep you around. Once you become fat and unappealing, who do you think he's going to turn to for sex?"
Olivia snorted. "You think it's going to be you? You'd settle for being a mere mistress?"
Elena gave a nonchalant shrug. "Accidents have a way of happening, and mistresses have been known to fill certain shoes."
"Is that a threat?"
"Oh, honey, I don't need to make threats. I've got all sorts of nasty resources in my back pocket."
Olivia, hearing Dona call out dinner was ready, turned her head and saw Nico bearing down on them, a deep scowl on his face.
Elena snarled behind her. "I'd watch my back if I were you."
Steeling her spine, she looked back over at Elena and muttered, "I don't need to, I've got Nico for that."
A hand landed on her nape, and she looked up at Nico and smiled.
"Everything okay here, tesoro?" he asked, his dark and coolly deadly eyes not on her but on Elena.
"Everything's fine." She touched his chin to gain his attention. "Let's go eat. I'm starved."
His eyes cleared, lightening as he turned to her. "Anything for you, my love."
She knew he'd called her that for Elena's benefit but the words warmed her just the same. And silly as it may seem, she tucked the memory of those words, spoken from his lips, close to her heart, least she never hear them spoken aloud again.
"Can someone please pass the gravy," Gabby called out from a few seats down and across the table from Olivia.
Luckily for Olivia, Elena was seated at the other end of the table, and far enough away, she didn't need to be social. It didn't look suspicious at all that she totally ignored her.
Nico leaned into her personal space, speaking low. "Are you going to tell me what she said?"
Olivia took a sip of her water then played her fork through her mashed potatoes—sans gravy as it had yet to materialize down at their end of the table. "She was just being mean and petty. Nothing she said is worth repeating."
"I disagree."
Olivia flashed him a small smirk. "No, you're just nosy."
Nico leaned in closer, his warm breath tickling her ear. "I have ways of making you talk."
Olivia reached under the table sliding her hand up her husband's thigh before saying under her breath, "And I have ways to distract you."
She loved the sound of his rumbling chuckle. She nudged his ribs with her elbow. "Enjoy your family, Nico. There'll be plenty of time to talk later." And she'll employ her distraction techniques later, as well.
* * * * *
Nico rode the elevator up the glitzy high-rise apartment building, getting off on the sixteenth floor. As much as Elena would like to brag otherwise, Nico had never visited her home. In fact, had only entertained her company once outside a family get-together when she had skillfully maneuvered him into a lunch date about three years ago. He had put her in her place then, just as he planned to do again tonight.
Double checking he had the right apartment number, he knocked on the door. He didn't have to wait long before it swung open.
"Nico! Well, this is a surprise."
Nico raised an eyebrow. "Is it?"
She fiddled with the collar of her blouse. "Well, a girl can always hope, but yes. I figured I had at least a few more months until you came around."
He stepped across the threshold, pulling the door from her hand and closing it. "And why a few months?" He walked farther into the apartment, and she followed like a good puppy.
"That will be about the time the little Mrs. gets disfigured. I can understand how a man of your... refined tastes would be repulsed by that and maybe seek out someone more... titillating." She purred the last word while fluttering her lashes, and it took all of Nico's determination to stick with the plan.
What he was about to do was for the greater good. Olivia's greater good, seeing as in her condition he couldn't throw her over his knee to get her to talk. So that left this as his only option to seek the answers he wanted. He loosened his tie, popping the top buttons on his dress shirt then went to work on his cuffs, depositing the links in his pocket before rolling up his sleeves. He shrugged. "No need to wait. I've got my namesake in her womb. She's served her purpose for the time being."
Elena giggled, but it sounded a little off, as if she still wasn't sure whether he was serious. He would need to try harder to convince her.
"Can I get you something to drink?" she asked, making her way to the kitchen.
"I'll take some bourbon if you've got it."
She opened a cabinet pulling out a bottle. "You know, I'm surprised you're not angry with me."
"Why would I be angry?" He leaned a hip against the island counter that separated the kitchen from the living room.
"Because of what I said to Olivia."
Bingo.
Nico shrugged. "I've said worse."
Her eyes grew wide. "What's worse than threatening someone's life?"
Nico felt his jaw tense, and he clenched his hands into fists to prevent himself from wrapping them around the bitch's neck. He forced his body to calm and relax then gave her a nonchalant shrug. "In my line of work, there are worse things than death."
She giggled nervously but seemed a little more at ease. "I guess you're right." She handed him a glass half filled with amber liquid.
He took a gulp before setting it on the counter. She made to step back but lightning quick, he grabbed her wrist, keeping his hold light, so he didn't scare her away. He even added a comforting, gentle swipe of his thumb along the inside skin of her wrist. "Tell me why I should choose you to warm my bed for the next six months."
Acting bolder, she reached out, running her fingers down his exposed throat through the open collar of his shirt. It took everything in him not to jerk away. "I would give you anything you ever wanted in a bedmate. And I mean anything."
"Adventurous, are we?"
She leaned in closer, her lips just an inch away from his, before she murmured, "Very."
Nico stood from his slouch, backing away a step, getting her out of his personal space. "Let's test that theory, shall we?" he asked, untucking the tails of his shirt from his slacks.
"What, now?"
"Unless you have something better to do." He raised an eyebrow in silent question.
"No." And then more forcefully, "Of course, not."
"Good. Then lead the way to the bedroom. I want to make sure we'll suit before I make any commitments. Call it a test drive if you'd like."
A happy smile transformed her face and excitement put an extra bounce in her step as she quickly skirted the island, leading the way down a hall and into a bedroom covered in mauve, taupe, and lace. Not the least surprised by the girly decor, he eyed the bed. Brass. Perfect.
He pulled a set of handcuffs from his back pocket and dangled them in the air between them. Her eyes widened. He smirked. "You did say you were adventurous."
She nodded quickly. "Yes, of course."
"Get on the bed, arms stretched over your head."
"Should I get undressed first?"
"No. That will be my pleasure."
Her eyes dilated a fraction, and she licked her lips.
He tipped his head toward the bed. "Go on."
She didn't waste time after that. Climbing on the bed, she positioned herself flat on her back, arms over her head.
"Grip the bars with your hands."
She did as requested, her fingers curling around the brass slats. Nico leaned over her, securely fastening the cuffs through the bars and locking them around her wrists. Giving the cuffs a hard tug and satisfied there was no escape, he stood to his full height beside the bed.
He started buttoning his shirt back up. Elena licked her lips, confusion overshadowing her previous giddiness. "What are you doing?"
He looked down his nose at her, not even trying to hide his disgust. "You fucked up."
"What... What do you mean?"
"The first time, I let it slide," he started tucking his shirt back in, "not thinking you would actually be foolish enough to follow through on your threats." He eyed her coldly. "Especially when they were all a big pile of bullshit." He readjusted his tie then slipped his hand into his front pocket.
"Nico what are you talking about?" She tested her restraints, and when she saw she was well and truly held, the concern on her face morphed to panic.
Nico gave her an evil grin. "Got too comfortable thinking you were untouchable because of who your father is. Did you forget who I am? What I am? No one fucks with what's mine." He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. It dripped with a deadly intent all the shouting in the world couldn't compete with.
"No." Her eyes were pleading with him now. She finally comprehended the extent of her error. "I wasn't really going to do anything." She struggled against her bonds, again. "It was a joke." She tried to smile, but it came out wobbly.
"I'm not laughing." He pulled his blade from his pocket and flicked the switch.
"Wh... Wh... What are you going to do?"
He leaned over her, laying the blade along her cheek, the tip resting under her eye. "Do you like your pretty face, Elena?"
Eyes wide, holding herself perfectly still, and her lips barely moving, she whispered, "Yes."
"Then I suggest you listen well and heed my warning. If I even smell you anywhere near my wife, the next time I won't be so generous. That means you're banned from all future family functions and all the family businesses. Understand?"
"Yes." Still in a whisper.
"Don't make me sorry I'm giving you this chance."
She blinked. "I won't."
He stood, closing his blade. Then turning, he headed for the door.
"What will I tell the family?" Her voice was stronger now that he'd stepped away from her.
He wondered if he were making a mistake, letting her get off scot-free. Deep down, he truly believed she'd just been spouting off. He didn't think she was malicious enough to be a real threat to Olivia. But he wouldn't take any chances. Another person he needed to keep tabs on. The list seemed to be growing quite long.
He stopped in the doorway, his hand holding open the door. "I don't give a fuck what you tell them. Just make sure I don't see your fucking face."
He stepped through the doorway.
"Wait!"
He stopped a-fucking-gain, looking over his shoulder. "What?"
"Nico, I'm still in cuffs. Aren't you going to release me before you leave?"
"No." He slammed the bedroom door and had to listen to her fucking mouth until he was out the apartment door.