Chapter 27
Missteps
I’m close to the inn when the mirror in my pocket warms. I pull it out and activate it, expecting to see Elanil or Kenji’s face. I blink as Nico stares at me. “Bello.” His voice is rough, and his sad expression breaks my heart.
“Nico. What’s wrong?”
He grins, but he’s not happy. “We are approaching the end of Winterfest, but I have not heard from you. Not once.” He swallows several times and glances away from the mirror.
“I will admit that I am worried you have decided to move on rather than tie yourself to me.” The pain in my chest is abrupt and sharp, like I’ve been stabbed through the heart.
“If you are not coming back, please tell me now.”
Fuck. I’ve been so single-minded, so focused on my targets and finishing before the deadline, that I haven’t considered how Nico might interpret that. “Oh, love. I haven’t moved on and don’t want to. I’ll come to you now. Please, let me, so I can explain.”
“Yes. Come now.” His image fades, and I turn on my heels, practically flying to the Medina estate, absolutely consumed by the need to see him. Founder, I’ve fucked up so badly.
Moving from rooftop to rooftop where possible, I make it to Stefano’s house in half the usual time.
I stare at the mansion, unsure if I should go in through the front door or climb the trellis to Nico’s room.
Running into Stefano and having to explain anything to him would be overwhelming, so I opt to pick the gate lock and discreetly move along the path around the house, keeping to the shadows.
I scale the lattice easily and step onto the balcony only a few minutes after leaving the street.
Nico is slouched low in his chair, staring at the wine swirling around in his glass.
It’s eerily similar to the night, so many months ago, when I’d climbed to the balcony and watched him sit at that same table, waiting for me.
Only now he appears worried and tired, and my heart aches to see him this way.
I lean against the balustrade, almost afraid to speak. “Nico?”
The wine glass trembles slightly as his whole body tenses before he calms himself and carefully places the glass on the table.
I hold my breath and grip the railing nervously as he stands and faces me.
We stare at each other for what seems like hours.
Maybe this was a bad idea. I’m calculating how quickly I can vault over the balustrade onto the patio below when he moves toward me, relief written on his face. “Bello.”
I release the breath I’ve been holding and hurry to him, hands held out in supplication.
“I’m so sorry.” Anything else I might have said next is cut off as Nico crushes me against his chest, his mouth pressed to mine in a greedy kiss that I eagerly return.
It’s rough, all teeth and tongues and grasping hands until we break apart, gasping for air.
Our lips are barely a hair’s breadth apart, and I grab the soft silk of his shirt, afraid to let him move too far.
“I’m sorry you worried, and I’m sorry we fought before you left.
” I search his eyes, aching to know that he believes me and worried that he doesn’t.
“I love you, Nicolas. Please don’t ever think that I don’t care for you or don’t want to marry you.
Because I do. With all my heart I want that. I want you.”
Nico peppers light kisses across my face and the relief almost brings me to my knees. “I am sorry we fought too. I am so happy you are here. I feared I had finally pushed too hard and scared you off.”
I vehemently shake my head. “Not possible. And I have every intention of marrying you as soon as this mission is over.” Nico’s gentle kisses stop, and his arms go slack as he takes a step away, frowning.
Panicking, I tighten my grip on him. “It’s almost done.
There are only two more to go. I just need one more week, I swear. ”
There’s still doubt in his eyes, and the way his brow furrows and his fingers flex, as if he’s afraid to touch me, tells me how hesitant he is to believe what I’m saying.
It hurts, but I deserve it after abandoning him for weeks with no contact.
Nico’s voice is painfully neutral when he finally speaks.
“There has been no news about Rostova, Keller, or Santorini. Is this a recent development?”
“As recent as this very morning. Rostova had a heart attack in the market.” My grin is tentative but hopeful.
“I’m sure they’re trying to keep it quiet until they can figure out what to do.
” I relax my grip on Nico’s shirt, futilely trying to smooth out the wrinkles, and sigh.
“But now comes the challenging part. Eliminating Leonardo Santorini will be hard enough after Rostova’s death, but Keller will be incredibly challenging.
There will be heightened security as a result of the other deaths.
My plan is to take advantage of the chaotic Winterfest celebrations again.
When the fasting begins next week, Panah City will return to its normal routines, and I’ll have to wait, again.
That’ll take far too long for either of our liking.
” I carefully scan Nico’s face, nervously hoping that it will be enough progress for him to forgive me.
Thankfully, his tension drains away, and his smile is unexpected but a very welcome ray of sunshine.
Weak with relief, I lean into him and tilt my face up, lips slightly parted in silent invitation.
He dips his head and nips at my ear. “Then we take them out this week.” His mouth is soft and sweet and almost enough of a distraction. But not quite.
I want nothing more than to lose myself in his kisses, but we need clarification first. “I don’t want you in danger, love. If anything happens to you—I’m not sure I could survive that again.”
Nico’s mouth hovers over mine, his lips tantalizingly close. “I have the perfect solution to your dilemma, Bello. Should I tell you what it is?” He’s taunting me, making it difficult to think about anything but kissing him again. “I can hand you your target.”
My body mercilessly reminds me just how long it’s been since I’ve had Nico naked—or even semi-naked—and I’m aching to touch and be touched.
“Which target, and how do you propose to do that?” My voice is thick with desire.
Nico’s broad chest feels good under the thin layer of silk, and I shiver as his chiseled muscles ripple beneath my hands.
He grins and pulls me closer, nibbling softly along my neck. “There is a price for this information.”
His warm breath tickles, his beard rough against my skin, and I moan wantonly, pressing closer.
This is good. So good. It would be even better if we were naked, our bodies grinding together, mine filled and stretched.
“If you want to exchange sexual favors for information, I’m more than willing to trade. Name your price.”
Nico chuckles. “The price is taking me with you. When you execute your plan, I want to be part of it. I want to be there to watch your back.”
Turning in his arms, I press against him, grinding my ass against his cock. “Are you sure it’s not another part of my anatomy that you want to watch?”
I make an undignified noise as he grabs a handful of my ass. “It is gorgeous, and I will happily ogle any part of you.” I turn to face him, and he leans down, capturing my lips in an all-consuming kiss, mouthing along my jaw, burning his way down the length of my neck.
By the time he reaches my shoulder, I’m practically a puddle, struggling to put words together. “Love, if you’re there, I’ll be concentrating on protecting you rather than eliminating the target.” Just as I’m currently finding it difficult to concentrate on this conversation.
I gasp as Nico gently bites my neck. “I am telling you that I have a guaranteed way to get you in the same room as Guild Master Keller. With Leonardo almost guaranteed to be there as well. Are you truly willing to pass that up over a silly thing like unnecessarily worrying for my safety?” His voice is soft, deep, and as hypnotic as ever.
“You have spent the past five months training me ridiculously hard for this, Bello.”
Damn him. He’s right, though I hate to admit it. He’s been training, and very successfully. He’d be an asset. But I want him safe.
His hand teasingly dip into the waistband of my pants. “Do you want to hear my solution?”
When did Nico become the seducer and I the seduced?
I’m practically swooning as I unbutton his silk shirt, placing soft kisses against every inch of newly exposed skin.
“Fine. Tell me your plan. But I make no promises.” I glance at him through my lashes, silently willing him to touch more of my body.
He groans. “Alright, I will tell you, but it is very distracting when you look at me like that.”
“As it is when you try to kiss me into submission.”
Grinning, he holds me tighter, and I don’t mind at all.
“Fair point. I have an invitation to a Winterfest celebration that takes place in four days at the Keller compound.” Intrigued, I pause my kissing across his chest. “Father and I receive one every year because of our relationship to Lorenzo, but we never go. I could accept this year, sneak you in, and help you to eliminate Keller and Santorini.” The plan has merit and is better than anything I’ve thought of so far.
Although security will be intense. I moan as Nico finally wraps his hand around my cock. “So, what do you think?”
As if I can think at all right now. I lean against him and struggle to stay focused.
“How do you propose to smuggle me past the guards? I can’t waltz up to the door on your arm.
” In a passing moment of clarity, I realize that isn’t completely true.
Sister Solène could. “I may have a plan.” I thrust into his fist, and all my focus evaporates.
“I’ll tell you when I’m less distracted.
Right now I’m done discussing anything. I need you. ”