CHAPTER TWELVE
Destroy Him
Nico
“I want him ruined. He has been ruining her life since she has been married to him. I want him to suffer the same,” I growl as I pace the den in Uri’s home.
“Is this really what you want,” Uri says and tilts his head at me. “You are my brother; I know you better than anyone. This is not for you. This request you are making will not sit well in your heart.”
“I know what I am asking for Uri,” I growl.
“No you don’t,” Michael speaks up from the corner of the room where he has been leaning against a bookshelf. He pushes off the shelf and moves closer to me. When he is and standing about a foot away from where I am pacing, he speaks. “I could help you ruin his life and Uri could Hush him,” Michael shrugs, “No problem, but every time you look into her hurt face or see her cry over her dead husband, it will eat at you not to know if she is crying because of the things he has done or because she is still in love with him.”
Michael gives me a pointed look and I want to slap him, but I know he is right. I would constantly wonder if I did the right thing to truly make my Cara happy. I feel like a caged bull. I have to do something. I can’t just let this go unanswered.
“It will not go unanswered,” Uri says reading my thoughts as only my brother can. “I will have Paige over at your apartment in the morning. Let Reese file for the divorce. We will give him one month to do this properly. In one month, if Reese is not divorced. Michael and I will step in. By then, you will know if this is just what Reese wants right now, or if she really wants a divorce and to move on.”
“I have waited this long. You want me to wait another whole month,” I grunt.
“Yes,” Michael and Uri reply in unison.
“Merda,” I curse and run a hand down my face.
Leaving Reese in my bed, in one of my t-shirts was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I could have held her all night and just watched her sleep. I want to know that is my right. I want her husband gone, but they are right.
I am nothing like my brothers. I have too much of a conscience to be like Uri and Michael. I sometimes wonder if my father would even be proud of me. If he were alive, things would be so much different. I don’t even know if football would have been in the cards for me.
“You are who you are supposed to be, Nico. If any other man requested this, I would tell him no. This is not what earns my attention, but for you I will do whatever I must when the time comes,” Uri tries to reassure me. “This is not the time. It does not make you less than the men Michael and I are. This makes you the man that will take the pain of another to see them safe and happy. That is what Papa would have been proud of.”
I lock eyes with my brother. Uri may not have been around when I was younger, but he has been there for me whenever I have needed him since. I know he won’t steer me wrong and that he wants what is best for me.
“One month. If she is not divorced in one month, we pay him a visit. She no longer belongs to him. I want to claim my woman,” I say and turn to leave. I have plans to make, things to do. Reese will wake knowing I have her back. If I have to take her away to Italy, I will do that too.
I walk out of the den and run into my mother. I try not to groan. My mother was excited to meet Reese until I let my mask slip one day. I revealed my true feelings for Reese in front of her. It was a big mistake. My mother, being my mother started digging and found out that Reese is already married. She has been up my ass since.
“What brings you here in the middle of the night,” my mother asks with the appraising eyes roaming over my face.
“Hello Mama,” I huff and lean to kiss her cheek. We have come a long way. Uri had to force me into a room with her to hear her truth. Then everything with her asshole husband happened and things changed a whole lot.
“Nico, I have raised you from a little boy. Don’t you try to hide from me. Sweet kisses will not change the fact that I know something is wrong,” she chides and places a hand on her hip.
“I just needed to talk to my brothers, Mama,” I throw her a charming smile.
“You try to bullshit a bullshitter, Nico? This is about that married woman isn’t it,” my mother presses her lips at me.
“Don’t Mama,” I grumble.
“Don’t what? Tell you that you are playing with fire,” she reaches for my face and make me look her in the eyes. “I am sure she is a lovely girl, my Nico. Tina has said as much, but that does not change the fact that she is married.”
“That will soon no longer be a fact,” I snap, then sigh. “Sorry Mama, I have had a long day and I have a longer one ahead of me. I know what I am doing.”
“No baby, I don’t think that you do. Loving that woman will be the hardest thing you’ll ever do. I just want you to be ready for that.”
I don’t get to reply as she pats my cheek then turns and walks away. She just leaves her words to wrap around me and sink into my head. Loving Reese may not be the easiest thing, but I am willing for the fight.