CHAPTER XXVIII

I gently closed the door behind me and paused for a moment, listening intently to the sound of the shower turning back on.

I looked down at Demon, who patiently waited at my feet. “Stay here with her, okay? Once she’s done, bring her down to the kitchen,” I instructed him, giving him a reassuring pat on the head.

I couldn’t help but smile at recalling the look on Winter’s face when she spotted her favorite body wash and shampoo in the shower. I had even laid out clean clothes for her, a small gesture that I hoped would make her feel at home.

After Luca had done some digging in her background, I wanted to learn all the little things that made her who she was, including her favorite foods, TV shows, movies, music, and even her go-to perfume. I’d had my stylist bring in a whole rack of clothes in her size, plus a selection of shoes. I meant it when I said I wanted her to move into my home; it was more than just a desire—it was a plan to protect her.

What she didn’t know was that one of the spare rooms was meant for her. I envisioned a future where she would eventually be in my bed, but for now, she would have her own space under my roof, with my rules.

I changed in my room, slipping into a pair of black slacks and a dark blue dress shirt. I could still feel her body pressing against me in the shower, the warmth of her skin so intoxicating that I felt like I was on the verge of losing control. I didn’t want to hurt her, so I took a step back, reminding myself to be careful with her. I wasn’t exaggerating when I told her how much I loved kissing her. She was beginning to feel like an addiction I didn’t want to kick.

I made my way out of my room and glanced into hers. She was still in the shower, and I took the opportunity to head downstairs. I snapped my cufflinks in place and walked into the kitchen, where Matteo and Lo were sitting at the table, and Luca was leaning back against the counter.

“Morning,” I said, striding toward the counter, the familiar aroma of coffee drawing me in. I reached for the pot, pouring myself a steaming cup, but no one responded, which wasn’t normal.

I turned around to face them. I took a sip and noticed their expressions.

“What’s going on?” I looked at each of them, waiting for a response.

“Another shipment was hit,” Luca said. “This time in Arizona.”

I froze.

“It’s closer to the border, which means if we get hit again, we will likely lose our shipment before it leaves Mexico.”

Matteo shifted in his chair, his hands clasped tightly on the table. “They hit us at the drop-off. Took the whole damn thing.”

“All?” I echoed. “How the hell did they know where it was?”

Luca tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. “They left another note,” he said. “Whoever this prick is, he’s got eyes everywhere.”

I leaned forward, my brow furrowing. “What did the note say?”

“Just two words: ‘Tick Tock.’”

“What the hell does that even mean?” I snapped. My mind raced, trying to piece together these cryptic messages. “I don’t have time to figure out his fucking riddles.”

“It feels like a warning. Time’s running out or something.”

“This time, he took the shipment. At least the first hit, they only attempted to take it. Now they’re getting ballsier,” Matteo added.

Whoever the hell this Puppet Master was would regret stealing from me when I ripped his fucking spine out and fed it to his family.

Lucas, who had been pacing, spoke up. “I’m getting sick and tired of him pulling the strings, and we’re the puppets in our own damn territory.”

Lo said, “We’ve got to tighten security, Nico. Maybe change up the routes.”

“Fucking shit,” I muttered, taking another deep gulp of coffee as if it could soothe the brewing storm inside me. “We can’t just put out a feeler without raising alarms, Lo.”

Matteo nodded. “If he can attack us like this, he’s either got internal connections or...”

“Or he knows exactly what we’re doing,” I finished, my tone darkening. “Which means we have a mole.” With all my might, I threw the cup against the wall, the ceramic pieces scattering and the coffee dripping down the wall. “I want to tighten up security, check every single person who works under me.”

“Agreed,” Matteo said firmly. “But it’ll take time to filter through the ranks, Nico. Every shipment that goes down is money down the drain.”

“Yeah, but it’s the first time it’s been this blatant,” I replied, gripping the edge of the counter. “I want every single one of our delivery guys checked again. If there’s a mole, I want to find them before they do more damage.”

Lo glanced at me. “Let us handle the details while you?—”

“I won’t sit back while my men are torn to shreds and my shipments are being taken from us!” I shot back, my temper flaring. “Every time we lose a shipment, it’s not just the product we’re losing. It’s money, power, respect .”

“Right,” Luca said, nodding in agreement. “I’ll go through the list of drivers and suppliers again. Check who has been a little too chatty lately.”

“Make the calls, find the rat, and let’s get our shipment back. I want answers. Use all force necessary to get them to talk.”

Before any of them could respond, a sharp “Ahem” echoed through the room. I whipped my head toward the sound, ready to lay into whoever dared to interrupt us.

And then I saw Mya, arms crossed, amusement glimmering in her eyes.

I opened my mouth to rebuke her, but my gaze shifted past her, landing on a sight that knocked the wind out of me.

Winter.

* * *

WINTER

I stood beneath the cascade of water, letting it wash over me, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts about what Nico had done. Sure, he was a psychotic sex god, but he also brought my favorite brand of shampoo and body wash. He even knew the type of tampons I used. Plus, he bought me a soft toothbrush and toothpaste for sensitive teeth. How on earth did he know I used these items?

I winced as the water stung the cuts on my legs and elbow from when Nico tossed me around like a rag doll. It felt like I’d been tackled by a linebacker.

After shutting off the water, I stepped out of the shower, droplets trailing down my back, and slipped into the clothes Nico had laid out for me. The dark jeans hugged me a bit snugly but were surprisingly comfortable, and the bohemian floral print V-neck felt like it had been designed just for me. The small tan heel boots added height, making me feel a little more confident, even amidst the chaos

As I opened the bathroom door, I was greeted by Nico’s dog, who was sitting patiently outside. His tail wagged furiously when he spotted me, and he bounded to his feet, tongue lolling out in a goofy grin.

“You’re such a good boy, aren’t you?” I cooed, and he whined in delight when I pet his black coat. I straightened up, and he trotted toward the door, glancing back at me like he was saying, “Come on, let’s go!”

When I hesitated, he came back, gently nibbling at my shirt, urging me to follow.

“Okay, okay! I need to grab my things first,” I said, half-laughing, as if he could understand every word.

I searched for my phone and found it plugged in and charging by the nightstand. A quick glance at the screen revealed a few missed texts from Tabi and Liam.

Tabi

Hey! We need to plan a spa day!

Liam

Just checking in to make sure you didn’t back out for Turkey Day. Dad’s looking forward to your visit.

Tabi

And we can do dinner and a movie afterwards.

I’d respond to them later. I looked up from my phone and noticed how immaculate Nico’s room was. There were no personal touches—no pictures, nothing that gave away who he really was. It felt more like a hotel room than a home. Curiosity piqued, I approached his walk-in closet, ready to snoop.

When I opened the double doors, I gasped. Recessed lighting illuminated the space, showcasing a double-sided center island dresser with a smooth stone slab. There was wall-to-wall hanging space, pull-out drawers, and ample open shelving. The dark wood grain beautifully stood out against the light natural flooring, giving the room an air of elegance.

I glanced back to check if anyone was around before diving deeper into my exploration. His suits were neatly separated from his dress shirts, all color-coordinated.

I couldn’t resist opening a drawer, and found his boxers and socks rolled up neatly, just like you’d see in a high-end store.

Color-coordinated again .

I ran my fingers over his silky ties, inhaling the scent of his clothes. God, he really did smell incredible. It was intoxicating, and I could feel myself getting a little loopy from it. Not that I’d ever been drunk before, but this was what I imagined it would feel like.

Just then, Nico’s dog let out a little bark, as if to remind me I wasn’t alone.

“All right, all right, I’m coming,” I said, following him out of the closet and shutting the door behind me. I was about to leave the room when a soft but firm knock caught my attention. The door cracked open slowly, revealing a petite woman with short black hair. Her sharp grey eyes held a warmth that instantly made me feel at ease.

“Hello,” she said. “I’m Serafina, Nico’s mom.” She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.

“Hi, I’m Winter,” I replied, nervous energy swirling in my chest. I couldn’t shake the thought, Am I about to feel her wrath, and is it like her son’s?

“My son has good taste,” she said, looking me up and down. “You are very beautiful.”

I smiled at the compliment. But then her expression shifted to something more serious. “Winter, I need you to understand something important about Nico.”

She took a step closer. “Nico is… complicated. He’s had his share of darkness. There are parts of him he keeps hidden, even from those he cares about.”

I nodded, my pulse quickening as I waited for her to elaborate.

“He can be dangerous,” Serafina continued, a tightness creeping into her voice. “But he’s loyal to a fault. When he cares for someone, he’ll protect them with everything he has. You’re now one of those people.”

“What do you mean?”

Serafina’s lips pursed. “There are things in his past...people who have hurt him. He’s built walls around himself, and they can be hard to breach. But once you’re in—once you’ve earned his trust—he’ll keep you close. He’ll fight for you.”

“Nico and I are nothing to each other. Just an inconvenience, more than anything,” I muttered.

She chuckled softly. “Well, either way, he has welcomed you into his world. I just ask that you be cautious and remember that the only thing Nico does not tolerate is betrayal. If you ever cross that line, I’m afraid I won’t be able to save you from him.”

I swallowed, the weight of her warning pressing against my chest. “Well,” I said and cleared my throat, “you won’t have to worry about that. I don’t foresee staying in Nico’s life.”

Serafina’s gaze softened further, and she gently pulled my hair over my shoulder, trailing her fingers down the strands. “I hate to break it to you, but once Nico has his sights on you, there’s no running from him. Once he’s caught you, you cannot escape my son.”

I looked into her eyes, a mix of fear and excitement surging within me. “I’m not a prisoner, right?” I asked cautiously.

She laughed, the sound lightening the mood. “No, sweetheart. You are free to leave whenever you want.”

I smiled back, feeling a little more at ease. I was about to respond to Serafina when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Serafina called out.

The door opened, and Mya peeked through the crack, her grin wide. “Hey, you!” she said excitedly when she saw me. “What are you doing here?” She stepped inside, standing before us with an infectious energy.

I hesitated, trying to find the words. “I, um… well, Nico…”

“Oh my God,” Mya gasped. “Please tell me he did not kidnap you? Either that, or you slept with him last night.”

My eyes widened in horror. “No! I didn’t sleep with him.”

“I swear to God, I will cut off his dick—” Mya started.

“No, it’s fine,” I said, shaking my head. “He didn’t hurt me,” I lied.

“Yeah, I don’t buy that,” Mya scoffed, crossing her arms.

Serafina’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at the screen, then looked back at us with a knowing smile. “I have to take this. Winter, it was so nice to meet you, and I hope to see you again, hopefully on your own terms.” She winked before slipping out of the room.

Mya turned to me, determination flaring in her blue eyes. “Okay, spill. What the hell happened between you two?”

I let out a heavy sigh and sank onto the edge of the bed as I began to recount the chaos of the night before.

“WHAT? That stupid motherf—” She stopped herself, her expression morphing from anger to concern. “Seriously, though, did he hurt you?”

“Define hurt,” I said with a hollow laugh. “I don’t even know what his deal is.” I scrubbed my hands over my jeans, the fabric a reminder that his presence would follow me like a bad rash.

“I’ve seen him act crazy before, but this obsession he has with you? That’s a new level of messed up,” Mya said, shaking her head. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“So, it’s just me then. Fantastic,” I muttered, frustration bubbling over. “Mya, can you please take me home?”

Being in this room, suffocated by his scent and the memories of the last few hours, was making my head spin, and all I wanted was to be back in my own space and play my violin.

“Yeah, of course. Let’s go.”

Demon followed us as we stepped out. The door across from us creaked open. A little head of messy black hair peeked around the doorframe. When he spotted us, he shuffled into the hallway, rubbing his sleepy eyes. He was absolutely adorable in his Batman pajamas, the fabric slightly rumpled, like he’d been rolling around in them all night.

“Hey, bambino,” Mya cooed as she bent down to meet him at his level. He scampered over, his little feet padding against the floor, and leapt into her arms, burying his face in her neck.

“Aurelio, I want you to meet someone,” she said, and he slowly lifted his head from her shoulder.

“Hi,” he mumbled in a sweet, almost shy voice. He looked just like Mya, with those big, expressive blue eyes that seemed to hold a world of wonder.

“Hi, Aurelio. It’s nice to meet you,” I said, leaning down to tap the end of his cute little nose with a playful grin.

He responded with a big smile before diving back into Mya’s embrace.

“He’s a little shy today,” Mya said.

“He’s so adorable.”

“Thank you. He’s my little guy,” she replied tenderly, her eyes sparkling. I couldn’t help but smile back at her.

“Hey, how about we grab some breakfast?” Mya suggested, gently rubbing his back.

He nodded against her chest in response.

With a soft smile, Mya pushed herself up to her feet while still holding him, shifting her son so he could nestle his head against her shoulder. “Alright, buddy, let’s get you some food,” she said as we descended the stairs, Demon beside me the whole way.

When we reached the bottom of the steps, male voices humming softly from the kitchen reached our ears. Through the doorway, I caught sight of Matteo, Luca, and Lo clustered around the island, their expressions glued to Nico as if he was telling all his secrets. But then, just like that, the atmosphere shifted. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach when Nico’s voice hardened, cutting through the air like a knife.

“Make the calls, find the rat, and let’s get our shipment back. I want answers. Use all force necessary to get them to talk.”

Rat? Shipment? Use force? My mind spun with questions. What kind of trouble was he wrapped up in? Was this some sort of illegal business?

This wasn’t just a casual chat over pizza and beer; it felt like I’d stumbled into the middle of a storm, and I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the chaos swirling around me.

Before I could process what I just heard, Mya cleared her throat sharply. Nico’s head snapped toward us, his gaze landing on Mya and Aurelio first, and then shifting to me. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.