CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Playing with Fire
Nico
I didn’t wait for Valentina to come and pick Eva up in the morning. I cleaned my niece up and made my way to my brother’s house. I spent the entire night up thinking about it. I am sure Uri has helped Reese. I just don’t understand why.
I plan to find out. I have a plan as I walk into Uri’s home with Eva in my arms. Uri is the first one I see with his head bent over his phone, a cup of coffee in his other hand, his hair tossed about, with nothing but sleep pants on. There is a smirk on his lips as he looks at whatever is on his phone.
His eyes lift from the phone as I clear my throat. He looks up at me and lifts a brow, his smile fades and in its place is the signature Uri mask. It is bullshit that my brother thinks I don’t know him. Well, we will see how well he knows me.
“I thought Tina was going to pick Eva up from your place. Was she that much of a hand full,” Uri asks as he walks up and kisses Eva’s cheek.
She looks at her father lovingly with her big blue eyes. My chest squeezes. I will never know what it is like to have my little girl look at me this way, because my brother helped the woman I love walk out of my life.
Valentina appears from the kitchen dressed in yoga pants and a sports bra. I see her stop in her tracks and her mouth opens. She then rushes over to take Eva from me. Val won’t look at me. She keeps her eyes on Eva.
“Were you good for your Uncle Nico, my little Jelly Bean,” Val coos at Eva.
“We had a bit of a rough night,” I gruff.
Uri laughs, “So much so he rushed her home,” he chuckles.
“Actually, I have a date. I needed to drop Eva off so that I could get ready for it,” I shrug.
Valentina’s head finally whips in my direction and her eyes nearly come out of her head. Uri’s laugh dies in the air. His eyes narrow in on me. No one says a word for a few beats as I watch both of their reactions. Something tells me that Valentina has accomplished her mission. She knows something.
“I better be going. I’ll talk to you later,” I say and get ready to leave.
“Nicoli,” Uri barks as I turn my back. Just as I thought. I turn to face my brother. “Don’t.”
I tilt my head and look Uri up and down. “Don’t what, Uri,” I ask coolly.
“Do not play with fire,” Uri says firmly.
“I have no idea what you mean, Uri. My fiancée left me. She told me not to come for her. In my book, that means it is time for me to move on. I’m not getting any younger,” I say through tight lips.
Uri closes his eyes and runs his hand through his hair. “Fuck, we are so close,” Uri says under his breath. “Shit, Nico go home. Just be patient. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Be patient for what,” I growl and get chest to chest with Uri. “You have been helping her. You know where she is. How the fuck could you? What would possess you to do something like this? I don’t understand.”
“Holy shit,” Val gasps and her face pales.
Both Uri and I snap our head in her direction. I draw my brows in confusion as she looks like she has seen a ghost. Val stumbles back as she looks at Uri with tears in her eyes.
“Really Uri, you have to be fucking kidding me,” Val screeches.
“Tina, not another word,” Uri barks.
Val’s brown face turns red with rage. “Oh, I won’t say another fucking thing. I’m going to pack our bags and you are going to take me and Nico to her. That is the last thing I will be saying to you, Mr. Donati, for a very long time,” Val bites out and turns to leave, but Uri’s ringing phone stops her in her tracks.
Uri growls and answers his phone. “Yes Michael, what is it,” Uri grumbles.
This time I watch Uri’s face pale. His eyes snap to me and I see the fear and worry. My heart stops in my chest. It is clear that I still am not understanding something here. I was sure Val knew that Uri helped Reese, but it is apparent that she has just read more into it.
“No, we are on our way,” Uri rushes into the phone. He makes a hand gesture for Val to go and get her things.
“What is going on,” I ask Uri as he hangs the phone up.
“Reese needs you. I will have Tony meet us at the airport with your passport,” Uri moves to palm the back of my neck in his hand as he looks me in the eyes. “I did this for you. You will forgive me. She is an incredible woman, Nico. Pray. She will need your strength and you will need ours.”
With that my brother kisses my forehead and turns to follow Val, leaving me confused, hurt, and angry. I feel the moment I shut down and go on autopilot. She needs me now? I needed her all along. I will go for answers and then I will go for good.