Chapter Thirty-seven #2
“Four million euros,” he corrected, and my blood pressure skyrocketed. “I got it for you from an auction. It’s insured as well.”
Four million euros.
The figure kept ringing in my head over and fucking over again.
“Ronan…”
“I don’t understand. I thought you’d love it,” he whispered, a sadness creeping into his voice.
“No, no, no, I do love it,” I corrected him quickly. “It’s… a lot.”
“Four million euros is nothing to spend on you. I’ll make it back in the next twenty minutes or so, but you are far more valuable and far more remarkable than that. What is four million dollars compared to you?”
I knew his statement was rhetorical, but I couldn’t help but answer, “It’s so much.”
“Sbagliato,74” he answered, his tone laced with fury. “It’s nothing compared to you. Neither blue diamonds nor pearls are worth as much as you are to me, Nina. No gem, no matter how rare, could ever hold a candle to the light you bring into my life.”
My breath caught in my throat once again, and I was in a puddle.
Not just any puddle.
A Ronan Romano-induced puddle.
“Ronan,” I sighed, and he placed his palms on my face, lifting my chin.
“Ti amo, Nina. Incondizionatamente.75”
I felt like my soul was being ripped out by him.
I felt like my barriers were being broken down.
I wasn’t sure if I hated this or not.
Do not fucking disappoint me, Ronan.
I glanced at the clock, realizing I was extremely late and Inaya was definitely waiting. Grabbing my phone, I noticed it was on Do Not Disturb with three missed calls.
“Fuck,” I muttered, and he looked down.
“What’s wrong?”
“I have work stuff with Inaya,” I said. “I’ve got to go.”
“I understand,” he said, getting up. “Be safe, Nina.”
I was half hoping he’d kiss me.
Hoping he’d brutally claim my lips.
“Addio,76” I muttered.
“I’m containing myself,” he added before I walked out. “I want to kiss you. I want to do unspeakable things to you, but I’m containing myself for you. I want to mark you in a way that makes you unavailable to every other fucking man. But I’m containing myself for you.”
I wanted to answer him.
I wanted to tell him to claim me.
I wanted to tell him I was his.
I wanted to say so fucking much.
But I didn’t.
I couldn’t.
I wasn’t sure if it was wise, but I knew I couldn’t use the past to justify anything. He’d proven himself, and now I had to see if he could keep his promises. Once I fell for him, I’d fall hard and never look back.
I grabbed my purse, turned around, and walked toward him, tipping on my toe and placing a kiss on his cheek, “You are something else, Ronan Romano.”
I moved my lips from his cheek and started walking out.
“I haven’t slept with anyone,” he mentioned.
“What?”
“You made a remark earlier about women I’m fucking, but since the night I left, since that time, I haven’t slept, been intimate or romantically involved with a woman.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I walked away with that lingering thought in my brain.
I exited the building, trying to steady myself after the tense meeting, and headed to meet Inaya at a café. She looked up when she saw me.
“Where’ve you been?” she asked, curiosity in her eyes.
“I had to take care of something,” I replied, avoiding her gaze.
Inaya raised an eyebrow. “You look flustered. What happened?”
I fanned myself. “It’s the humidity. It’s killing me.”
She smirked but didn’t press further. We spent the next few hours touring boutique locations, but none fit our vision. Hungry, we grabbed lunch, and while the other dishes were underwhelming, the pizza stood out as the only thing worth mentioning.
“This pizza is the only good thing here,” Inaya said.
“I agree,” I replied, savoring a bite.
“Think we should try another part of town tomorrow?” she asked.
“I’m done for today, but maybe,” I answered with a chuckle.
“Agreed,” she said. “By the way, Ale’s coming to NYC tomorrow.”
I almost dropped my pizza. My mind immediately jumped to Ronan. If he saw a picture and decided to fly in to ‘talk to me about it, what would he do next?
“Why is he coming here?”
“Something with his dad,” Inaya replied. “He wants to hang out.”
I nodded, distracted by my thoughts, and went back to eating. After a while, Inaya stretched. “I’m heading back to the suite to read the draft again.”
“Sounds good. I’m visiting Mara,” I said.
After a quick hug, Inaya left, and I headed to Mara’s place. When I knocked, the door swung open to reveal her warm smile before she pulled me into a hug. “Nina! It’s so good to see you!”
“It’s good to see you too, Mara.”
Inside, the house was just as welcoming.
Soft, earthy tones filled the space, with comfortable furniture and family photos decorating the walls.
The scent of freshly baked cookies lingered in the air.
I spotted her son, Isaiah, and Azzaria playing on the living room floor with a colorful array of toys.
“Hi!” Azzaria exclaimed as she looked up from the mat.
Dillon and Alex were sitting nearby, talking and laughing. When they noticed me, they both stood up to greet me.
“Nina, great to see you,” Dillon said, giving me a quick hug.
“Hey, Nina!” Alex said, offering a warm smile. “Welcome!”
“Hi, everyone,” I replied, feeling the warmth of their welcome.
After a few minutes of catching up, Mara gently nudged Alex. “Where are you going?”
“Taking the baby for a stroll,” he casually said, lifting Isaiah from the mat.
“Make sure his head and feet are covered.”
“Sure thing,” Alex said, picking up Isaiah. Dillon grabbed the stroller and the three of them headed out, leaving Mara, Azzaria, and me alone.
We settled into the comfy couches in the living room. Mara handed me a cup of tea, and we both took a moment to relax into the cushions.
“So,” Mara started, looking at me with a knowing smile. “How have you been?”
I took a sip of my tea, feeling its warmth spread through me. “I’ve been… busy. There’s so much going on with the boutique search.”
“You tried asking Dillon or Ronan for help?” Azzaria suggested.
“Nah,” I said, brushing it off, “I could, but it’s something I want to do myself. If I don’t have luck by next week, then I’ll ask Dillon.”
“Good,” she said, “I can’t wait for you to make my wedding dress.”
Mara’s and my eyes shot up at her. “Wedding?” we asked in unison.
“I’m manifesting,” she said. “Anyway, I don’t think we even properly got introduced.”
And she was right. We spent the next few hours getting to know each other, and it felt natural—like I had known her for a long time. At some point, she casually mentioned she was super close with Ronan—close enough to know exactly what he had planned for our date the other day.
“Precious,” Dillon called out, his voice calmer than usual. “Let’s go. It’s getting late.”
I pressed the face of my watch and realized he was right.
“Coming,” she responded, standing up and wrapping Mara in a hug. “I can’t wait for us to hang out again. I’ll text you as soon as I get home, Nina.”
I smiled at her as she and Dillon made their way out.
“I saw your face when she mentioned Ronan. Are you okay?” Mara asked.
I nodded. “I actually am.”
“Wait,” she said, removing the milk pump from her breast. “Are you and him…?”
“Maybe,” I said, the biggest, stupidest grin spreading across my face.
“New York is definitely the city of love. First Dillon, then Mikkel, now Ronan?”
I laughed, taking up my purse as my Uber had arrived.
“Could be a coincidence,” I said.
She walked to the door. “Not coincidental. Perfect timing, mia cugina.”
I never thought of that till now. Definitely perfect timing.