CHAPTER XXVII

I chuckled like a maniac as I slid into the driver’s seat, knowing I’d won this round. I glanced over at Winter; her head was resting against the window and her eyes were closed.Watching her chest slowly rise with each breath she took put me in a calming trance.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Her delicate olive skin was smooth like satin.

There was a magnetic pull, an overwhelming urge to twirl one of her wavy strands of hair through my fingers.And damn, the moment I locked eyes with her that night at the club, it felt like she reached out and dug her claws into my very soul. I wanted to own her then, just like I did now. But a nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me she wouldn’t fit in my world. Still, the selfish bastard that I was, I couldn’t care less; I wanted her close, consequences be damned.

Being seen with me would put a target on her back. Usually, I wouldn’t give a shit, but something about my angel makes me want to worry.

Worry about her .

What the fuck.

None of this shit made sense to me.

I shook my head in frustration, turning the ignition off and stealing another glance at the spitfire beside me. She had been peacefully asleep the whole drive here, blissfully unaware of the storm she created within me.

So innocent. So sweet. So beautiful.

I rubbed my hands up and down my face, groaning under my breath. I slipped out of the car and pulled a cigarette from my pocket, lighting it with a flick of my lighter. As I took a drag, I glanced back at my angel, still nestled in my car, when I heard footsteps approaching from behind.

“Where the hell have you been?” Matteo threw his hands in the air, an exasperated look on his face with Lo and Luca following behind.

“Who’s that?” Lo leaned down, peering inside the car. His head popped up, eyes wide. “Oh, shit. Is that Winter?” He laughed.

“What the hell, Nico? You’re kidnapping her now?” Matteo whispered, his voice a frantic hiss, as if he feared the commotion might wake my feisty little angel.

“Relax,” I shot back, taking another drag of my cigarette and watching the smoke swirl and linger in the air. “She wouldn’t get in the car when I asked her to.”

“So, you decided to what? Take her?” Matteo scoffed.

“Yep.”

“Wait a minute.” Luca chuckled, shaking his head. “Are you telling me she got in the car willingly ?”

“No. I threw her in the trunk.” The admission slipped out with a casualness that felt oddly fitting.

“Jesus,” Matteo muttered, running a hand through his beard. “You are one fucked up SOB, Nico.”

“She’s mine, and she’s staying here tonight.” I flicked the cigarette butt into the shadows, feeling a surge of protectiveness for her. “With all the shit going on with the threat, I need to make sure she is safe, and the only way to do that is if she stays with me.”

“Nico,” Lo sighed. “You do realize if they’ve already seen you with her, they’ll know she means something to you.”

“This is about keeping her alive,” I shot back.

“I don’t think this is a good idea, bro,” Lo said quietly.

“I don’t give a shit what you think. She’s mine, and that’s it. I’m done talking about this.” I turned sharply and opened the door, my heart racing as I stared at Winter. I brushed her hair away from her eyes, tucking my arms underneath her legs and lifting her from the car, mindful not to let her head bump against the hood.

Matteo shut the door behind me, a silent acknowledgment of the weight of my actions. I walked toward the front door with Winter cradled in my arms like she was made of fragile glass.

The door swung open, and Mom appeared with a look of confusion on her face. Her gaze traveled to a passed-out Winter in my arms.

“What are you doing here?” I asked her quietly, trying not to disturb Winter’s peaceful slumber.

“I heard what happened and was worried. Who is this?” She glanced again at Winter, her brows furrowed.

“His employee he kidnapped,” Luca chimed in with a smile.

“Actually, Mya hired her, so…” Lo added.

“What?” Her eyes widened. “Nico, you did what?” she whisper-yelled, her voice laced with disbelief.

I rolled my eyes, exasperated, and started up the stairs when Demon trotted over, sniffing at Winter.

“Hey, boy,” I said softly, meeting his gaze. “She’s ours,” I reassured him. Satisfied, he followed closely as I ascended the marble staircase.

“Jesus, Nico. She’s not a piece of property,” Matteo argued, his tone sharp.

I ignored him as I reached the landing and spotted Mya coming down the stairs.

What the fuck was everyone here tonight?

“Oh my God. Is that Winter?” The shock in her voice was evident.

“Yes,” I replied nonchalantly, as if abducting a girl was as normal as breathing.

I entered my bedroom and laid Winter down on the king-size bed, removing her shoes and placing them neatly on the floor. I sat beside her, mesmerized by her serene beauty. How gently her chest rose and fell, and the way her lips parted slightly in sleep.

Demon jumped onto the bed, settling near her feet.

“Don’t get too comfortable, buddy.” I patted his head lightly. “She’s mine ,” I reminded him. My tone held a possessive edge, but he merely snorted and rested his head beside her leg.

“Nico?” My mom’s voice broke through my reverie, her maternal expression softening as she looks at Winter.

I placed a gentle kiss on Winter’s forehead. “Sweet dreams, my angel,” I whispered, pulling a throw over her.

I rose to my feet to leave the room and pushed the door open, leaving it ajar. “What is it, Mom?” I asked.

“Nico, she looks really young,” my mom began, her tone laced with concern as I walked down one stair after another.

I didn’t respond because it was none of her business. I loved her, but I was a grown ass man.

Her sigh echoed my own frustration. At the bottom of the stairs, I spotted Enzo lingering by the front door, his posture alert.

“E, stay outside my room. Make sure Winter doesn’t leave and no one enters except me,” I instructed him.

He met my gaze, nodding with a serious expression before heading up the stairs.

* * *

WINTER

My eyes fluttered open. The morning light poured through the dark gray curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. As I wrestled with consciousness, I felt a warm weight pressing against my side. Turning slightly, I found myself face-to-face with a large, sleepy Rottweiler sprawled beside me, his chest rising and falling in a soothing rhythm that almost lulled me back to sleep.

“What the—” I whispered, unsure if I should feel comforted or alarmed.

Where the hell was I?

The last thing I remembered was?—

Oh, my God!

Nico.

The trunk.

Chokehold.

The dog stirred, lifting his head and letting out a low, rumbling growl that changed into a soft whimper, as if sensing my rising panic.

“Hey, boy,” I murmured, hesitating to touch him. “Are you friendly, or should I be preparing for a dramatic scene straight out of Cujo?”

The dog didn’t answer, of course, but he shifted closer, resting his head on my lap as if inviting me to pet him. I couldn’t resist. I ran my fingers through his dark, silky fur. “You’re very friendly.” I chuckled softly, the tension in my chest easing as I continued to stroke him, feeling an unexpected connection.

“Good, you’re awake,” Nico’s deep voice rumbled from the shadows.

I screamed, the sound echoing in the quiet room, which startled the dog into jumping up and barking. In my panic, I tumbled off the bed, wrapped in a cascade of sheets that followed me down, and landed in an undignified heap on the floor.

“Shit,” Nico hissed, his footsteps hurried as he approached me.

“Ow,” I groaned, feeling a sharp sting on my hip. I started to roll onto my back to right myself when strong arms lifted me effortlessly off the floor, enveloping me in a familiar spice-scented embrace.

I looked up, fury igniting within me as I met Nico’s gaze, his face uncomfortably close to mine. He set me back on the bed, sitting on the edge, his hand resting on my legs, effectively caging me in.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I spat, my voice trembling with anger. “You can’t just kidnap someone and throw them in a trunk! You?—”

He chuckled. “And here I thought you’d be happy to see me.” His eyes sparkled with a dangerous glint that made my heart race for all the wrong reasons. “Though, I must admit, I’m a little jealous of this guy.” He nodded toward the dog, who had settled beside me, his head resting on my knee. “This is Demon,” he said, rubbing behind the dog’s ears.

I shook my head, trying to shake away the absurdity of this situation. “Where am I?” I demanded, my voice steadier now, though my heart pounded like a war drum.

“My house,” he replied, his tone casual, as if that was perfectly normal.

“Why am I here?” I pressed.

He narrowed his eyes, the playfulness draining from his expression. “You wouldn’t cooperate when I asked you to get in the car. You were a pain in the ass.”

“Me? A pain in the ass? You threw me in the trunk and put me in a chokehold to subdue me!” My voice rose with each word.

He didn’t respond immediately, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that left me feeling exposed. I needed to get out of there before I either kissed him or smacked him, though I was beginning to think the latter was more likely. Without considering the consequences, I launched myself off the bed, the absence of my shoes suddenly irrelevant. I needed to get the hell out of here.

I was almost at freedom, my fingers grasping the doorknob of the bedroom door, when his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his chest.

“Let me go,” I growled, struggling against his iron grip.

“Stop it,” he growled back, his breath hot against my ear. “You’re making this difficult.”

“No!” I snapped as I fought against him while he carried me. I thrashed my head side to side and kicked my legs in desperation. My fingernails clawed at his arms, but my resistance seemed to fuel his resolve.

Then, without warning, a shot of cold water drenched me, and I screamed. He covered my mouth.

When the hell did we make it to the bathroom?

“God damnit!” he hissed. “If you keep behaving like a child, I’m going to throw you in the cold shower every damn time.”

I instinctively bit him. He swore, but his grip around my neck only tightened as he pushed me against the shower wall. I caught a glimpse of his fully dressed form, the water cascading over him, and despite everything, a part of me couldn’t help but notice how utterly captivating he looked, even in this chaos. He was still the devil in a suit.

“Why do you have to be so fucking difficult?” he demanded. “Huh? Why can’t you just do as you’re told and believe I’m not going to hurt you?”

Before I could muster a response, he leaned in closer, his body radiating warmth, chasing away the chill that had enveloped me. Then his mouth was on mine, demanding yet tender, his lips coaxing me for access. I wanted to give in, to melt against him, but I held my ground.

“Kiss me, Winter,” he growled, desire thick in his voice.

I shook my head.

He bit my lower lip, the unexpected pressure causing my breath to hitch, and before I knew it, his tongue was plunging into my mouth, devouring me with an urgency that left me breathless. He kissed me like I was the sweetest temptation, the last candy bar on the shelf. His hand remained firm around my neck, grounding me, and when he finally pulled away, he kissed me once more, gently this time, eliciting a soft sigh from my lips.

“I love kissing you,” he confessed, his voice low and almost pained, as if admitting it was a burden he couldn’t bear. “I can’t get enough, and it’s pissing me off.” He slammed his hand against the shower wall.

“Then stop kissing me,” I managed to say, my heart racing in my chest, threatening to burst like a pinata.

He held my gaze, his eyes searching mine, as silence stretched between us like a taut string ready to snap. “I can’t. And I won’t,” he declared, a fierce determination underlying his words.

“Then I don’t know what to tell you,” I said.

Time seemed to freeze as we locked eyes, the room fading into a blur. Finally, he broke the spell, stepping back and shutting off the water. He began to turn away but paused, glancing over his shoulder. “You can take a shower. I’ll have fresh clothes out for you. Then come down for breakfast.” His tone was firm, but I also sensed a tenderness that tugged at my heart.

I hesitated, suddenly aware of my lack of essentials. “I don’t have body wash, shampoo, or a toothbrush,” I admitted.

He pointed to the bottles arranged neatly behind me. I caught sight of a woman’s body wash and shampoo in my favorite floral scent, a brand I’d always loved. “How did you?—”

“There’s a brand-new toothbrush on the counter,” he interrupted. “Come down after, and don’t piss me off, Winter. You can’t escape me.”

With that, he strode out, leaving me in a whirl of confusion and longing.

What the hell just happened?

I leaned against the cool tiles, my mind grappling with the intensity of what we’d just shared. I could still feel the ghost of his lips on mine, the promise of something deeper and dangerous lingering in the air.