4. Nico

Chapter 4

Nico

Late in the afternoon I am standing in the living room, waiting for Bella to come downstairs. I’m not happy. I shouldn’t feel anything at all - so, I don’t understand why this is happening.

My chest is tight, my heart aches like it’s a bit of a wreck.

This has been such a weird experience for me - spending time with Bella.

I thought I was helping a girl I didn’t really know because my sister asked me to - but that isn’t how this turned out. Something about Bella makes me feel like I’ve known her all my life. Intimately. Like our souls recognize each other.

Last night, when she kissed me, a thousand things lit up inside me. Things I didn’t know where there. Things I’ve never felt before.

There is such an intense connection between us. I wouldn’t believe her if she told me she didn’t feel it too.

And now I have to say good bye to her. I have to send her off into the world - on a very dangerous path that she has to walk alone - and all I really want to do is tell her to stay with me. To be with me. To make a life with me.

But, fuck, we all know that isn’t possible. It would be a death wish for both of us.

I swallow hard and run my fingers through my hair.

Bella walks down the stairs, her face is turned down.

Blonde hair falls forward over her shoulders. The warm, light tone suits her skin. She looks up at me and her smile is vibrant.

“I can’t believe how different I look.” She grins.

She steps off the last stair and tilts her face towards me. I run my hands over her long waves of soft hair. “The blonde looks amazing on you.” I lift her chin higher, looking into her now blue eyes. “The green though - your natural eyes - I feel as though you are hiding your true beauty behind these contacts.” I smile, knowing I shouldn’t be saying anything close to shit like this. Say goodbye and let her leave.

“You like my green eyes?” She asks, sounding shocked. Her cheeks glow a gorgeous shade of pink. I don’t think she’s used to getting compliments.

“Your green eyes are the window to your soul - and your soul is magical, Bella.” I take a deep breath. Don’t ask her to stay. It’s not fair. You can’t do that to her. “You must take care of yourself out there. I’ve done everything I can to keep you safe. But you still need to be careful, ok.”

She nods, smiling tightly.

“Thank you, Nico. What you did for me - I’ll never forget it.”

“Stay out of trouble, princess.” I chuckle. “That’s how you can thank me.”

I hand her a new identity and she stares at it.

“Bella Rose.” She says, touching the image of her face. “You kept my first name.”

“I thought it would be easier to adjust to, but far enough from your own name that no one will link it back to you. You have a new social security number that you’ll need to learn. Everything is new. It’s a fresh start.”

She grins and her face shines brightly with hope. In that moment, stupidly, I can’t stop myself. I grab her jaw in my hand and I kiss her.

Our lips press together and my heart beats to the rhythm of her beauty, her energy, everything about her pulling me into her.

It takes all the self-control I have to step away from her.

Her lips are a little swollen from the kiss. Glossed and red. I brush my thumb across them.

“Goodbye, princess.” I say.

She bites her lip.

“Goodbye, Nico.”

She steps out of the door and walks towards the waiting car.

And her new life.

My heart is tight and constricted in my chest. I huff, wondering what the hell has gotten into me. This isn’t me. I don’t get emotional about anything. I turn away from the car retreating into the distance and back into the house. Suddenly, it’s cold and empty.

Gathering up my things I get ready to leave. There is no point in hanging around here, anyway.

I have to get back to town and deal with whatever the hell chaos I’ve caused there. I don’t know if Marcus has pinned it on me or not. I had my guys erase the video footage, but there is no telling if he saw me when he arrived at the hotel.

It was worth the risk though.

I will never forget the night I spent with her.

She is going to be etched into my skin forever, having forged her way into my heart without me knowing how.

Back in the city my phone won’t stop ringing. Lina has called me about twenty times. I need to get back to her, I need a little time to refocus and push aside whatever the hell was going on with me this morning.

I am in my mansion, about to call my sister back when she bursts in through the doors.

I jump, not expecting her at all.

“Fuck. I forgot I gave you your own keys.”

“What the hell, Nico? Why didn’t you call me back?” She says in an angry rush of words.

“I just got back, ok, everything worked out fine. It wasn’t a small thing you asked me to do, Lina.”

“I am aware of that - but is she ok?” She drops into the sofa, staring at me with expectant, fearful eyes. “Did she seem ok?”

“I don’t know.” I huff. “She seemed fine. She’s on her way to a new life.” I snap back at my sister, knowing it’s not fair to speak to her like this, but unable to deal with what I’m feeling.

“Jeez. I only asked.” She whimpers, pulling her head back in shock.

I sigh, rubbing my fingers against my eyes. “Sorry, Lina. It’s been a long night. I’m tired. Bella will arrive at her new home by tomorrow morning. Once she’s settled, I will tell you how you can contact her.”

“Can I visit her?”

“No, you can never know where she is. The less you know the less risk there is for you.”

“I can never see her again?” Lina stands up, her eyes wide with shock.

“Unfortunately not. None of us can ever see her again. Isabella Rossi doesn’t exist anymore.” I shrug, trying to sound less affected than I am.

“I - I didn’t think.” Lina looks like she is about to cry. I tense up. I’ve never been good at dealing with emotions and right now my own emotions are all over the place so I especially can’t be comforting my sister in this moment.

“Lina, you asked for this.”

“No, I know. It’s ok. It’s much better than her ending up married to that monster.”

I chuckle. “True. He is a monster.”

“Do you think he will try to find her?”

“She is safe, Lina. I am more worried about the aftereffects for us. For our family. I don’t want him to find out it was me who orchestrated the whole thing otherwise it will be all out war between us.”

“But - you’re stronger than him - right?”

She looks nervous.

I nod. “I’m stronger. But he’s not an unworthy enemy. It won’t be easy to go up against him.”

Lina chews at her lip nervously.

“Hey, kiddo, it’s going to be ok. I promise.”

She laughs. “You haven’t called me kiddo in years.”

“Yeah well, no matter how much older you get you’ll always be my little sister.” I chuckle, sitting down next to her on the sofa.

“But seriously, Lina. I promise you - it’s all going to be ok.”

She leans into me and I wrap my arm around her shoulder. I am not good with stuff like this. But I can see she’s upset, so I do the best I can to be there for her.

My mind is on Bella and the night we shared.

I can’t get her out of my head.

I want more. Not only the physical connection - there was something else there and I wish I had time to explore it. But it’s not meant to be.

I need to shut down all thoughts of her and focus on my life - the things I need to do for my family. My business. My sister.

I can’t be day dreaming about things that are impossible.