14. Nico

Chapter 14

Nico

My penthouse has the most incredible views across the City of New York - but that’s not where my eyes are right now. I hardly notice anything going on around me because I am so lost inside my mind.

I haven’t even looked out the windows or past the city lights since I got home. I’m pacing. Thinking. Planning. Trying to figure out and process everything.

It’s been a year. Over a year. She has kept that secret from me for so long.

I feel betrayed, confused, angry and happy all at the same time.

I hadn’t even considered becoming a father yet. The thought wasn’t on my mind. I didn’t have plans for a child - not any time soon.

One day - sure - but I have so much I wanted to achieve first. My business is just building up from being something good to being something great. My family name is gaining traction and respect in the underworld and I am growing strength by strength against my enemies - gathering allies and becoming someone worthy of incredible things.

Someone powerful.

How do I suddenly change from being that man - to being a father?

What is going to happen?

Why did she keep this from me?

I press my fingers against my eyes. There is a headache growing along my temple. A throbbing, stress headache.

I have a baby. And I have an enemy right on my doorstep. A dangerous man who has plenty of power and plenty of reason to be coming after me. The enemy whose wife I kidnapped and had a child with.

Does Marcus know about the baby boy?

“Fuck.” I mutter under my breath.

I shouldn’t have stormed out like that. I was overwhelmed but leaving her in that state wasn’t fair.

She must be worried and scared. But the things I wanted to say to her - it would’ve come out wrong - aggressive - angry - hateful - if I had spoken to her in that moment. I was and I still am in shock over this news.

It wasn’t right of me to storm out - but it would have been far worse if I had unleashed my anger on her.

I don’t want to hurt her. She means everything to me.

Even in all the rage that is surging through me - I know I have feelings for Isabella. I have since the day I helped her get away. I’ve never been able to shake the memory of her, the way we connected.

When she handed me the child, and I help him in my arms, looking into those bright, round, innocent eyes of his - I knew right away that he is mine. There was no question about it. I can see myself in him.

And the need to protect my son - well, that was instantaneous. As though it was already etched into my bones before I even met him. I will do anything to keep him safe.

I must start making plans and preparing. Walking up and down my penthouse will solve nothing. Worrying about why she never told me isn’t going solve anything either.

So, instead of pacing, I need to take action.

First things first, I call my head of security.

He has already started looking into why Marcus is here. We have an entire team investigating it and trying to find out anything at all about what is going on. He’s here for a reason.

But Jonty doesn’t have any updates for me yet.

I keep calling him and we stay in contact through the night, going back and forth over every little thing we find out, but nothing seems to lead us to any proper answers. Without knowledge it’s becoming increasingly impossible to plan how to act. So now I have to plan for all outcomes. A daunting task, but the only way to keep Bella and my son safe.

If anything happens to either of them, I will never forgive myself.

Whatever her ex’s reason for being here - I am the one who is responsible for her protection.

It’s really late, or really early, however you choose to look at it - and I can’t brush off the thought that I should have said something to her before leaving. Guilt is weighing on my shoulders about how I left. I don’t want her to think I hate her. She told me I have a son, and I said nothing. Nothing at all.

I know she will stress, and I can’t let the thought go. So, I pull out my phone to message her.

Me : We are going to talk about this tomorrow.

At least this way she knows I’m not running away. I’m not going anywhere. I’m still going to be there for her. I think it’s important she knows that I’m still willing to talk and that I haven’t written her off.

And by sending her that message it makes it clear.

I want to be a part of our son’s life.

And hers. But that is a different conversation we will have face to face.

What I want and what is possible are two different things - if me being in her life puts her in more danger, I might not do that. I have to get rid of Marcus first. He poses an eminent threat no matter what angle I look at this from.

Everything - these choices and decisions - they all depend on Marcus and what his plan is.

After hours of trying to investigate - I still don’t know why Marcus is in New York City. And I’m exhausted. I’m almost ready to give up for tonight and try to get some sleep.

Then another idea hits me.

I just need to get close to him.

And what better way to entice a man into giving up his secrets than a business deal he can’t refuse. It will at least get me a face-to-face meeting with him. A conversation.

It will give me the opportunity to get close to him and find out what his motives are.

I sit back down at my laptop and start putting together a business deal. An offer too good for him to ignore. I have renewed energy with my new idea, and I’m determined to make this work because I have nothing else to go on right now.

I have to take what I can get - and right now - this is it.