Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Jake

I know that I'll eventually have to come clean about everything, but now is not the moment.

I need Nia to trust me so that I can turn these next events to her advantage. I've never felt more like I'm threading a needle, but if I play this just right, I can put Toni behind bars, get the right Italians at the head of her family, and pacify mine.

It's a big ask but the plan is starting to form.

I just need her to give me some information that will help me to make all this happen. Is it fair that I need her to tell me everything while I'm withholding several key details?

No. It isn't.

And if I'm not careful, I'm going to lose her because of these choices.

Which is mind-blowing because I never thought I'd want to keep a woman ever in my life, but I want to keep her.

I want to keep her so badly, I fucking ache.

I gather her closer, the way her body fits against mine is like nothing I've felt before. She's so soft and warm, her little sighs are as satisfying as her moans.

And the sex…

Holy fuck. I've been with all types of women. But Nia…she sets me on fire.

"What do we need to talk about?" she whispers. I look down, those blue eyes holding mine, large and filled with worry.

Touching her chin, I bend closer to kiss her lips in a light kiss. "I have news."

"What kind?"

Softly I stroke her cheek. "Your father…"

I feel the tension that skates through her and pull her even closer. "What happened?"

"He set off a bomb?—"

"What?!?"

"At the Starlet. He's on camera doing it."

She stares at me, her mouth open. "But that means…"

"He's going to prison, Nia. You'll never see him again if you don't want to."

She shakes her head, rolling away from me and laying on her back on the narrow bed.

She's still naked, one of arms lifting above her head as she stares up at the ceiling. I can't help myself as I lay a light hand on her belly. I just want to keep her close.

Her skin slides like silk under my fingers and my chest aches. "Sweetheart?"

She shakes her head as she squeezes her eyes shut. "You really think your family can prosecute him?"

"Of course," I say, my confidence in the answer pulling my shoulders straight.

"Of course," she repeats and then she looks at me. "Your family has the power my family dreams of."

"And what do you dream of?"

"Getting out," she whispers. "Away from Toni. In a place where I'm safe. "

"I can give you that place," I say before I can hold back the words.

She nods. "I was running away. I bought plane tickets and everything. No one is going to think I was stolen."

My stomach dips. "Please believe me, sweetheart. I was never going to hurt you. I'm protecting you and that protection lasts for as long as you choose. Hell. For the rest of your life if you want."

She looks at me then. "You really mean it? Like really, really mean it?"

I push up from the bed then. I was prepared for this moment. Sliding open one of my drawers, I fish for the box I know is at the back.

What I didn't plan for was for this moment to be real. I bought this ring as a ploy. One more way to get Nia to trust me.

It makes me feel like shit that I'm still using this moment to gain her trust. But it's not to hurt her, it's to help her.

I swear…somewhere over the last week, I became this woman's soldier.

I pull out the box, turning back to the bed.

There she lays, still naked, one arm over her head, the swell of her hips and her plump breasts on full display.

I stare at her, just drinking her in. How do I tell her that I'd do almost anything just to get to look at her? Touch her?

Shaking off my thoughts, I walk over with the box in hand, snapping open the lid. Inside is a three-and-a-half-carat near-flawless diamond set in platinum. She is meant for cool tones and this ring is perfect for her.

Her eyes flip down to the ring and then back up to my eyes. "You came prepared."

It's not a compliment. Her voice drops, becoming more guarded.

I lower myself onto my haunches next to the bed. "It was always my plan to give you whatever measure of protection you required."

I know the first part is a lie. But the second…I mean every word.

Her brows lift as she nips at her lip. She turns on her side, her hand propping up her head, her blonde hair spilling down and pooling on the pillow. I reach out to run my fingers through the thick strands, looking to reconnect with her, make this moment what it should be, not filled with guarded worry.

"You think that's a good plan? Tie ourselves together for life?"

I lift the long strands to my own face, inhaling her scent. "My feelings are something I'm still figuring out, but I can say this with absolutely certainty, you're the only woman I would ever consider offering for."

"Why is that?"

I swallow. "I mean, besides the fact that you're stunningly gorgeous and so sexy that I can barely see straight?"

A small smile touches her lips. "Besides that."

"We were both forged in the fire. We've both seen real darkness. We understand each other, don't we?"

She nods. "I think we do."

I take the ring out of the box and reach for her hand. Then, I slip the piece on her finger.

She chews on her lip like she's still not sure.

"You can take some time to think. I'll understand if you change your mind. But my family's protection gives you all the options, Nia."

She stares at me, cocking her head.

"And I can make certain Toni Carcetti never steps out of prison."

Her fingers thread into mine. "Is that a promise?"

"Promise," I say bringing her knuckles to my lips.

The ring on her finger catches a bit of moonlight, sparkling in the dim light. It looks so right on her finger, and I climb back into the bed, settling her against my body again.

Her head settles on my chest, her body fitting to mine again. "Jake?"

"Yeah, sweetheart?"

"I've lived a lie for the past ten years. I can't do that with you, you know?"

It's not a lie. Not anymore. My feelings are real and whatever amount of commitment she needs from me, I'm here for it. But it's only as I mull the words, I realize she's not talking about me. "A lie?" My heart picks up speed, thumping in my chest. "That Toni is your father?"

"That he isn't a monster," she whispers back.

My hands spread out on her body. I need to know what she knows but also, even more than that, I need to protect her. "Tell me."

She takes a deep breath. "I saw him…"

My stomach bottoms out, weighed down like it's been filled with lead. But I don't say a word. This is the moment I've been waiting for. Building toward.

But I care less about knowing the secret for my gain and more about taking this burden from her. I can't imagine how she's carried it alone. "What did you see him do?" I hold her closer, resting my chin on her head.

"I had a nightmare. I couldn't sleep. So I went to her room…"

I squeeze my eyes shut. Fuck. Even hearing it is hard. I hate that she went through all of this. "What did you see, sweetheart?"

"I saw him holding her under the water," her voice breaks on a sob. "I never told anyone. When he saw me, he said he was trying to save her. That's what I told the police."

"You lied for him."

She nods into my chest. "I was so afraid."

"Of course you were, baby." I know what she needs to hear and I'm happy to give it to her. She's alive because she lied. "You did the right thing."

She lifts her head, tears shimmering in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. "I hate myself for what I didn't do for her. You shouldn't marry me. I can't be trusted. I?—"

I pull her on top of me, her body pressed all down the length of mine. "You should never have had to face him alone. Do you understand me? You were a little girl, and he was as big and bad as they come." I hold her face in my hands. "You let me fight him from here on out, do you hear me, Nia? You let me be your weapon."

More tears leak from her lids as she gives the tiniest nod.

"I could never rely on him. He was always the enemy…" she whispers. "Swear to me you're not going to be my enemy too. "

Fuck. My heart twists as I look into the bottomless depth of those blue irises. But I'm ready. For the first time in my life, I'm ready to say the words and really mean them. "I promise you that I am here for you. That I will always protect you and not hurt you."

She lays her head on my chest. "Don't trust the Vendettis. Any of them. And the Carcettis aren't much better. But my aunt's kids, the Andrianis. They're who you want to put in charge."

I wrap her deep in my embrace. "Go to sleep, sweetheart. I'll be right here when you wake up."

She falls asleep almost instantly, her body still on top of mine. Reaching down to the floor, I grab my pants without moving her and then pull out my phone.

There must be twenty, thirty messages. I scan them, then send a quick message. Everything is fine. False alarm.

Roman instantly answers. How do I know this is even you?

One side of my mouth turns down as I stare at the phone. They're worried we were infiltrated. You've got a scar on your left ass cheek. I put it there.

Okay, that's you. Roman sends the text but then three more bubbles appear. I still think it's time for a face-to-face meeting. Things are getting really hot.

Normally, I'd be happy to see Roman. He's always a voice of reason. But what's happening between me and Nia is far mor personal than I ever intended and I'm not sure I can explain.

I don't answer as I set the phone down and close my eyes.

It's time for me to get some sleep. With a few hours under my belt, I'll be able to fully form this plan. The one that helps my family and keeps Nia safe.

Because, choosing between them is not an option.