Happily Ever After: The New Dawn Wedding

Chapter Fourteen

Ella

Niccolo studies the two quad bikes Ade and I arrived on, his gaze shifting between his men and us. His face is alight with mirth. Exaggeratedly, he rubs his chin back and forth with his index finger. Then he puckers his lips into an overstated pout.

This guy has a flair for the dramatic; he should go into theater.

I”m tempted to suggest a career change if being a criminal overlord doesn”t work out, but I keep my mouth shut.

Think before you act,I remind myself. The guy is waving a gun.

As I watch him pretending to mull over the problem of numbers in his head, I”m again struck by Niccolo Romero”s arrogant self-conviction.

Every step is self-assured, every gesture speaks of the ease of knowing exactly who he is. It”s enviable, really. If only he used it to do good in the world.

The thought startles me. Wasn”t that exactly what I once thought of Tiero?

Niccolo”s voice pulls me out of that memory.

”This is going to be a cozy ride for you, Miss O”Neil,” he says with a grin on his unfortunately handsome face.

His gaze meets mine, and we enter an uncomfortable stare-off. Well, uncomfortable for me; Niccolo”s cocky expression doesn”t waver.

My stomach still seems full of lead, but I”ll be damned if I”ll let this guy see how much he intimidates me. I”ve stared death in the face multiple times since I entered Tiero”s world; I have a backbone.

On instinct, Ade steps in front of me, severing the connection, and I lean my forehead against his broad back. Letting out a long breath, I drink in his strength.

”Watch it, Romero. Touch her and you”ll die.” Ade threatens, his voice icy cold. He means every word, and I”ve never been happier he”s with me and always on my side.

Niccolo”s laugh is diabolical. ”Uh oh, I”m so scared,” he mocks.

What”s more concerning, though, is the unmistakable click I hear.

It”s the click of the safety on a gun being pulled.

No!

I fist Ade”s shirt between my fingertips, willing him not to do something stupid. He”s usually calm and level-headed… except when it comes to me.

”Don”t worry, Burg. I”m here for only one thing. And as cute as your fiancée is, it”s not her. She doesn”t do it for me.”

Thank the heavens for that!

”Now, let”s get on with the show. I haven”t got all day. And as we all know, nor do you. You want to get married later, don”t you?”

I grit my teeth. Bloody asshole! He”s ruining my day.

”Silas, the ties,” he calls to one of his men.

Ties? He”s going to tie us up?

Why does that surprise me? He knows who Ade is and what kind of training he had. Of course, he”d want to immobilize him.

”Ella, cutie, come on out,” he coaxes, as if speaking to a toddler, and my hackles rise.

Asshole.

”You know, hiding won”t save you,” he continues his mocking.

Yeah, I know… I wonder if anything will.

Gritting my teeth, I leave the relative safety of Ade”s back.

When I step next to him, I notice two guns pointed at Aiden, and my heart stutters in my chest again.

”Your hands, Miss O”Neil. Hold them out to me,” Niccolo commands, but I don”t move.

I shake my head frantically, my mind and body remembering the night his grandfather tried to kidnap me.

My heart rate quadruples. Dizziness hits me, and I feel sweat break out on my forehead.

Molinaro”s men killed my guards, restrained my hands and legs, and plastered tape over my mouth.

I was utterly helpless.

The fear… the horror… it all floods back.

Until now, I”ve successfully suppressed the memories, but that one comment opened the floodgates.

”Sunshine, it”s going to be okay,” Ade”s voice soothes, reading me like a book.

It”s enough to remind me of where I am.

This is not Rome.

This is not that nightclub.

There is no fighting… no gunfire.

And most importantly, Ade is here with me.

My eyes find his. They”re steady, and warm, and loving… loving me so much.

We don”t break our connection when Niccolo yanks at my arms, making quick work of securing my wrists. Nor when he jerks me against his hard body.

”You”re up next, Burg. Hands behind your back. And don”t try anything or…” He points his gun at my temple, ”or your bride won”t make it to the altar.”

Ade and I keep staring at each other. The love and strength that flows between us is palpable. It pushes away the fear, the trepidation.

We”re going to be alright.

No matter what, we”re going to get through this… together.

I stand taller despite Niccolo”s relentless hold on me.

”I”m sure you”re already considering how to break your bonds with brute strength, Burg, but let me save you the trouble. These cable ties are steel-reinforced. They come in handy for… well, you know, occasions like this. Nothing but wire cutters will break them.”

Steel-reinforced cable ties? A criminal”s toolbox truly is different, isn”t it?

Ade doesn”t respond, but keeps his connection with me, until the two men grab his arms and march him to the quad bikes.

Those few precious seconds of staring into Ade”s eyes were enough to bring a sense of calm. My heart rate has returned to a more rhythmic pace, and my head has cleared of the panic that wanted to consume me.

Niccolo pushes on my back to get me moving. As my feet carry me forward, I let my gaze wander, ever the optimist to spot an escape.

The helicopter blades have stopped spinning. The pilot currently shuffles a trembling and bound Reverend into the back seat. My heart goes out to him, and I wish there was something I could do to ease his fear.

Father Josef has been the De Marco minister for decades. The old man should be used to dealing with criminals, but something tells me he”s usually treated with a lot more respect.

Niccolo and I follow his men. He lifts me onto the seat of one bike and climbs on in front of me.

”Move up, Miss O”Neil, Silas has to fit too.”

Great. I”m going to be sandwiched between two mobsters.

”And remember, Burg. No funny business. Silas” gun is aimed at your head. And he never misses.”