Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

AURORA

I knew he wanted something. I thought it had to do with Valerio's will. Maybe he left Lucia and I something, and Nico required us to renounce our claim to it. I would have done that in a heartbeat. It would have been so easy to sign away anything our father left us. I thought he was here to cut us out completely. After all, with Valerio dead, we're not meant to have any ties to the outfit.

I thought wrong. I realize now that all of that was merely wishful thinking on my part. Of course, this is what he wanted. The outfit values blood above all else. Valerio was Don, their leader. His blood will always be an important force to them.

My hand trembles as I look into the eyes of the worst of them all. And I think for the first time, that I should have just left with Lucia. Ran away. Sometimes Nico reminds me of a spider. He's great at spinning webs, making plans, and entrapping people in order to do his bidding.

He gave me a chance when he came that first time. He wanted me to run. And by not leaving, I've found myself caught, unable to escape him. I know he had people tailing me. But I could have easily slipped away from them. It's almost like he wanted me to. But I didn't. I could have done anything. And now I can't do a thing.

"Nico," I start, stretching to my full height, trying to wipe any trace of fear from my expression. Although I'm sure he's already had a glimpse of what I truly think about his words. "You've said a lot of illogical things in the past. But this might just be the dumbest thing you've ever said to me. Why would I marry you? I despise you."

"Your feelings towards me have no influence on my request."

My eyebrow flicks up, "Request? You can say no to requests, Nico."

"And you think you can't say no to this?"

"Can I?" I retort.

He smirks and shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no."

Bastard.

"Explain it to me. Why is this necessary?" I question, trying to find some semblance of reason behind this.

"With your father dead, the position of Don is now vacant."

"I thought Valerio was grooming you to take over that position," I state.

I realize now that it's one of the reasons I dislike Nico. He got to spend so much time with my father all those years ago. Valerio doted on him, practically adopted him. It hits me suddenly that Nico lost a father figure as well. I hate the stab of sympathy that comes with that realization. He doesn't deserve it.

Plus, he seems fine. Then again, when is Nicolas Ramirez ever not fine? He's practically an unfeeling robot.

"He was," Nico says with a frown. "But there are some complications. Your godfather, for instance, seems to be of the opinion that I'm a vermin who doesn't deserve that seat of power."

Despite myself, I smile. " Zio Sebastian's always been a smart man."

Nico rolls his eyes. "Well, according to your fucking uncle, I can't be the head of the Chicago outfit because I'm not Italian. It's fucking ridiculous."

I cock my head to the side, wondering at that.

"Well, that's dumb," I say, sighing softly. "What does he think this is? Game of Thrones ?"

Nico's lips twitch, but he doesn't smile. I don't think he even remembers how.

"Unfortunately, there are others in the outfit who are of the same opinion. My background aside, they don't think I have a legitimate claim. Which is where you come in. You're a Maranzano. Which means you're considered royalty in the outfit. A marriage to you would solidify my position. No one would dare cross me."

I stare at him for a couple of seconds before speaking.

"Your plans for world domination sound very nice, Nico. There's just one little kink in your plan. I will never marry you," I grit out.

He arches an eyebrow. "Really?"

My hands fall to my sides when he suddenly takes a step forward, then another, until he's standing in front of me. My back hits the wall, and I'm suddenly glad for the four-inch heels on my feet, which allow us to be roughly the same height. But then I have no choice but to look straight into those blue eyes that always unnerve me.

The scent of his cologne surrounds me, rendering me momentarily breathless.

"You know me, Aurora. You know, sooner or later, I'm going to get what I want. Don't fight me on this," he says slowly.

My hands curl into fists. I lift my chin, staring him straight in the eye despite the pounding in my chest.

"Screw you, Nico."

He smirks, lifting his hand. I shiver when he slowly runs it through my hair.

"Did Lucia have a safe trip to Brazil?" he questions, voice soft. "I'll have you know I have a lot of contacts there. It would be so easy to get to her. Even now, I have three men watching your aunt's house."

I swallow, fear pulsing in my chest. "Leave my sister alone."

"I will, if you agree to marry me. Or I could marry Lucia instead. Any Maranzano will do if I'm being honest."

"Shut the fuck up," I hiss, my breaths quickening.

He chuckles softly. "I'm not done yet, Aurora. Your little business…what's it called? Luxe Elite Designs? I could destroy it so fast. You care about it, don't you, sweetheart? You don't want me to go after one of the only things you've managed to build in the past ten years. What else, Aurora? I could ruin so many things to get what I want. But I won't. If you only say yes," he whispers, standing so close that I can feel his breath on my face.

"You're a monster, Nico."

"I know I am, but what are you, mi vida ?" he asks.

His words are like a trigger. My chest starts to burn, and I suddenly remember who's standing in front of me. And what he's done. What he made me do. I grit my teeth before lifting my hand and placing it on his chest. The touch is almost searing. Nico looks down at my hands, blue eyes amused.

"I'll say it again, just in case you didn't hear me the first time," his eyes lift, his gaze meeting mine once again. "I will never marry you, Nico."

I shove him backward. But he must have been expecting it, because instead of stumbling, he simply takes a step back. I'm about to scream at him to leave, but the soft ding of the elevator arriving cuts me off. The doors slide open, revealing Sabrina. Her eyes immediately lock onto mine as she senses the tension in the air. I watch as her gaze flicks over to Nico who's standing in front of me, observing her quietly.

Sabrina walks toward us, slowly, determination in her expression. Without missing a beat, she positions herself between me and Nico.

I watch as Nico's eyebrow goes up, his expression growing amused. I'll admit it's a little comical. Sabrina's barely five foot three, but she stands tall and defensive in front of me. Like a hellcat facing off against a dragon.

"I see you've gotten yourself a guard dog, mi vida ," he murmurs, staring down at her. "Hi. I'm Nicolas Ramirez."

"Nice to meet you, Nicolas Ramirez," Sabrina replies sharply. "Can I ask what you want with my best friend?"

"I'll let Aurora fill you in on that, Sabrina," he tells her.

Sabrina stiffens. "How do you know my name?"

I glare at him until he looks up at me. "I think it's time for you to leave, Nico. Now."

He's still looking at Sabrina, expression contemplative. When his eyes finally meet mine, there's a darkness there that causes a chill to run through me.

"Something else you care about, Aurora," he states. "Think about my offer, sweetheart. I'll be back tomorrow. Goodbye, Sabrina," he says to my best friend, inclining his head in a subtle nod.

And then he's leaving, his strides purposeful as he heads for the elevator. We both watch him leave. And it isn't until he enters the elevator and the doors shut that I let out a soft breath. Every interaction with that man takes years off my life, I swear.

Sabrina turns to face me. "Who the hell was that?"

I sigh softly, cursing Nico under my breath.

"We'll talk inside. Come on," I say, entering the passcode into my door before stepping into my house.

Sabrina follows me. We both take off our coats before sitting down on the sofa. I don't speak for several seconds. My best friend waits patiently as I try to figure out how to explain this without her figuring out my secret identity.

Sabrina's blue eyes narrow. "I can practically see the wheels turning in your head. Don't even think about lying to me, Aurora Kent. Who was he? What did he want?"

"He's a family friend," I tell her, which technically isn't a lie. "I've known him since we were kids. But we lost contact a while ago."

"When you left your family?" Sabrina asks softly.

"Yeah."

"What did he want?"

I clasp my hands together, trying to think of a way out of this. Fuck. In the end I give her the only thing that'll make her back off.

"Actually, Sab. My uhm...my father passed away a few days ago."

Sabrina's eyes widen. "Oh my God. I am so sorry, Rory. I had no idea."

She immediately throws her arms around me, giving me a comforting hug.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm okay," I murmur. "Honestly. I cut ties with him a long time ago."

"I know, honey. But he was still your father."

My eyes fall shut as she says that. Because she's right. Valerio was still my father. And now he's dead. I had a chance to see him one last time, to talk to him, and I didn't take it. And no matter how many times I try to convince myself that I did the right thing, the truth is, I hate myself a little bit for that. For being weak. For being a coward.

Sabrina pulls away, offering me a steady look.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

I nod. "I'm fine, Sab. I promise."

She blows out a breath. "So is that why he was here? To inform you about his death?"

"Among other things," I nod.

She tilts her head to the side. "What did he mean by you considering his offer?"

My jaw tightens at the thought of his asinine request. It's insane. And yet. I might not have much of a choice in the matter.

"There's a bit of a problem involving my father's inheritance," I tell her, wondering when I became such a good liar.

I guess it comes with the territory. I took on a fake identity, became someone I'm not. And now I have to do anything to protect that. Even lying to the people I care about. It hurts though, lying to Sabrina. But I've been doing it the entire time I've known her.

"Nico wants me to help him sort it out," I explain.

"Oh. All right then. I sensed some tension when I arrived. You seemed angry."

"Yeah, because he pisses me off," I mutter. "He and I have a rocky relationship."

Sabrina's expression turns mischievous. "Let me guess, exes?"

I make a face. "No."

"Why not?" she laughs. "He's extremely good-looking."

"Sure. But he's an asshole."

"Asshole or not, a handsome man is a handsome man," she says, waggling her eyebrows.

I'm glad she's joking again. It means we're past her suspicious. I finally relax, settling into the sofa.

"Enough about Nico. Can we talk about something else?" I ask.

"Okay."

She starts telling me about her day and I listen attentively, glad I at least have her in my life for balance. Sabrina's like my bright light in a sea of uncertainty. She's the only thing I've got that isn't tainted by my past. Two hours later, after we've ordered some Thai food for dinner and she's about to leave, she suddenly looks at me.

"That man…Nicolas Ramirez?" she says carefully. "I don't know why, but something about him makes me uneasy. Be careful, okay? He seems dangerous."

I smile and offer her a small nod.

You have no idea, Sabrina .