Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

NICO

I held my breath until the moment Tiffany signed the contract. With a flourish of the pen, she sealed her fate. There was no going back now. I, along with Franco or Giovanni, gave her a chance to reconsider the contract she had signed.

I firmly grasped her hand and led her away from the familiarity of my father's house towards the waiting helicopter.

Franco and Gio followed closely behind, their expressions a mix of excitement and protective vigilance.

My heart raced with adrenaline as I introduced her to a world beyond her own, where she meant more than a contract. We chose the remote cabin because it was the safest place for her, a sanctuary away from prying eyes and potential threats. The family had enemies who wouldn't think twice about targeting her if they knew our connection. By taking her to that secluded spot, we had the potential to shield her from those lurking dangers while we sorted out the turmoil ahead.

As we approached the helicopter, I found it impossible to hold back a grin that spread across my face like a child on Christmas morning, relishing my greatest gift—Tiffany.

She represented a new beginning; she embodied our determined will to protect and cherish her amid the chaos of our lives.

At that moment, I turned to her, my voice low and steady. "You're safe now. I promise you that."

Her eyes met mine, and I saw a mixture of fear and curiosity. She was entering a reality she struggled to escape, but I was prepared to reveal the depths of our world—the love, the danger, and the loyalty that defined us.

Franco, Gio, and I plan to treat differently than how her father treated her and others around him. She is going to be our treasure.

With each step toward the helicopter, my sense of purpose solidified. I was not merely guiding her to a cabin; I was forging a fresh path that would intertwine our fates forever.

Sharing her with my men, who are like brothers, is acceptable. We were used to sharing our toys. For the next month, Tiffany will be our plaything. We will explore her luscious body and mind in every way we can imagine and use her in any and every manner our hearts can conjure.

The roar of the helicopter blades filled the air, a constant reminder of the altitude we had gained and the precarious position we found ourselves in. I adjusted my gaze, studying Tiffany as she sat between me and Giovanni. Her long hair flowed like a dark river in the wind, catching the sunlight and creating an almost ethereal glow around her. I could not decipher her expression—did it convey excitement or fear? The altitude took us higher, yet an unsettling heaviness pressed upon my chest.

Franco was focused on the controls, his hands confidently guiding this metal beast through the sky. This helicopter, his baby, was an extension of himself—each gauge and lever well-known to him. I admired Franco's unwavering dedication to mastery. But as I watched him, I was drawn back to Tiffany. She seemed so small, almost fragile, against the granite backdrop of the world spinning far below us.

"Hey," I said, breaking the hum of the rotors. I needed to connect to bridge this space between us. "The view's incredible, isn't it?"

She nodded, and I noticed the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes as she glanced out the window, taking in the sprawling landscape below. I could not help but ponder whether she considered everything we had planned—the life we imagined, marked by grace and intentional chaos. Would she adapt to the shadows that loomed outside the glow of our painted dreams?

Giovanni leaned closer to her, his voice low but vibrant, brimming with an energy I didn't share. "Just imagine what we'll do when we touch down. We have plans—big plans." His smile was infectious, but a knot tightened in my stomach.

Reality had a way of creeping on our fantasies, casting doubts like clouds in a clear sky. Would the currents of our world sweep away Tiffany? The thought gnawed at me. Did she genuinely grasp the significance of the life we aspired for her, or were we trapping her in illusions of grandeur?

I looked away from her momentarily, catching sight of Franco, his face set in focused determination, brow taut with concentration. I silently prayed for strength and clarity amid the chaos surrounding us. If she could perceive through our eyes—the beauty concealed in the shadows, the lurking danger in every corner, the thrill of living on the edge—every heartbeat seemed like a drumroll, indicating the impending storm beyond our sight.

Her father's greed was a festering wound poised to burst at any moment. He was convinced he could discreetly divert some funds from the family's well-established empire. This arrogance kept us on high alert. If he persisted, he'd disrupt the fragile balance we had fought to maintain. The timing was ripe to catch him in the act this morning. I knew he would betray his daughter, his only child, to save himself. Hell, he'd sold his wife repeatedly to settle his debts.

Everyone in the family knew his disdain for women; to him, they were merely tools to achieve his goals. I would only disclose my true feelings to my father or her father once the timing was perfect.

I could not resist glancing at Tiffany beside me as the helicopter blades sliced through the crisp morning air. Her long, flowing dark brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the sunlight in a way that made it almost shimmer. It framed her face perfectly, drawing my gaze to those captivating dark brown eyes that held a depth I wanted to dive into. Something was fascinating about her, a chemistry that sizzled between us, making the small space of the helicopter buzz with energy.

Her effortlessly gorgeous body moved gracefully, making it impossible to look away. I felt adrenaline rushing through my veins—was it because of the excitement of the flight or the passion that stirred inside me? I couldn't deny my strong desire to explore her physical beauty and dig deeper to understand the essence of who she was. My mind raced with thoughts of the potential moments we might share.

"It's amazing that being enclosed in a metal tube and soaring through the air could deliver such an exciting experience." I guess that means you're stuck with me even in freefall!" Tiffany laughed, and that sound hit me like a jolt, filling the cabin with warmth. I imagined peeling back her layers, revealing the woman beneath her beauty. The anticipation ignited a fire inside me. I longed to grasp everything about her, to undergo every subtlety of her spirit.

But were we providing her with a life or shaping her into a reality she didn't request? The helicopter crested over a ridge, revealing the sprawling expanse of our territory. At that moment, I experienced a mixture of hope and doubt. Perhaps, possibly, she would surprise us all.

The helicopter's rotors sliced through the crisp morning air, creating a symphony against towering pines blanketed in glistening snow. Franco leans forward, focusing intently on the controls as we descend toward the meadow, a slice of white serenity amidst the sprawling forest. This would be our playground for the next few weeks, and the excitement thrumming in my veins matched the rhythmic pulse of the engine.

As we landed, the blades created a swirling dance of snowflakes that sparkled in the bright sunlight, casting a magical veil over everything around us. I caught sight of Tiffany next to me; her smile was a beacon of enthusiasm that grounded me amidst the noise. Giovanni was seated next to her, and Franco, upfront at the controls, was already bouncing in their chairs, impatience palpable as they buzzed about what lay ahead.

With a soft thud, we touched down, the helicopter's engine rumbling to silence. As Franco switched off the ignition, I took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, fresh air—a stark contrast to the confines of the helicopter. The stark beauty of the scene stretched before us: a vast expanse of glittering snow, the cabin nestled close by like a wise guardian watching over our gathering.

Once we disembarked, I turned to the others. Giovanni kicked the snow lightly, sending a flurry into the air, and Franco grinned as he flung his arms wide, embracing the openness around us.

"All right let's grab our gear and make ourselves at home," I said, my voice carrying a hint of excitement.

Giovanni and I reached into the helicopter to grab our bags. The early afternoon chill was still hanging in the air, and I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

"Wait a minute!" Tiffany's voice rang out, sharp and incredulous. "You knew that we were coming up here?" Before I changed the terms of the contract? You're already packed and didn't allow me to get anything from my apartment? How did you expect my agreement?"

"Listen, Tiff," I said, trying to inject some fun into the thick air. "It's not like we did this to surprise you. We just needed a little contingency."

Franco leaned back against the helicopter, arms crossed, his expression unwavering. Would we not plan for this trip? We're not precisely winging it here."

Giovanni smirked, shaking his head. "Yeah, it's not like we're unaware. We're not just a group of fools." Had to cover our bases."

Tiffany folded her arms, annoyance evident. "So, what? Were you all aware of this 'contingency' before I agreed to come? Sounds like a setup."

I experienced a slight sinking sensation in my stomach. "That's not what I meant, Tiffany. We are familiar with the risks and are not attempting to deceive you. This was about protecting you from your father. He's been under surveillance recently. Everyone, and I do mean everyone in our circle, including you, was aware that he would betray you to protect himself.

A knot tightened in my stomach. She was right to be suspicious, and I didn't blame her for it. The thrill of her frustration sent a prickling sensation along my spine. In a way, I thrived on it. But what method was available to me for explanation?

As I locked eyes with her, burning with anger and betrayal, I sensed the weight of the moment descend heavily upon me. I could not ignore this; The truth lay like a stone in my throat, and I struggled to find the right words.

"Tiffany," I finally said, steady yet gentle, "I understand this seems like a betrayal. But believe me when I say that we had no choice. Yes, we were aware. Yes, this was planned. Your father… he fell right into our trap."

Her expression transformed into confusion, wrestled with hurt. "Every move we made, every detail was carefully planned to protect you. The real danger isn't simply out there; it's looming above us like this storm. If we didn't step in, you could have been sold or traded, and we might not have known until it was too late.

I held her gaze, hoping she could detect the sincerity in my words. "I need you to trust me. You may feel like a pawn, but you're not. You're crucial to everything we are trying to achieve. Tiffany's gaze moved from mine to Franco's and finally to Gio's, who agreed with everything I said. I had the sole aspiration that my honesty would assist in calming the fire of her anger and steering her through the storm we were confronting together.

"Are you sure this is the best way to keep me safe, Nico?" Tiffany's voice cut through the tense air; her words laced with skepticism. I could see the frustration brewing beneath her carefully composed facade.

"I get it, Tiffany. You're frustrated," Gio chimed in, glancing between us. "But Nico's right. We needed to act before something worse happened."

"Carissima, you're going to have to trust us," Franco added, his tone steady but firm. "We wouldn't put you in danger without an excellent reason. Siamo famiglia and that means protecting one another."

The silence stretched as Tiffany weighed our words, the tension radiating from her, making it hard to breathe. I could perceive thoughts racing behind her stormy eyes; her lips pressed tightly together as if struggling with her internal conflict.

"Darling! I'm not your carissima! And as to family? If this is what family does, I'm not sure I want to be part of it," she retorted, the sharpness in her voice cutting deeper than she likely intended. Her response stung, but I had to remain composed for her sake.

"Tiffany, it's about survival now. We can explain more once we're safe. Please, trust us this time."

As we started carrying our bags towards the cabin, I attempted to project an air of calm despite experiencing the inner turmoil of a tightrope walker in a storm. The sun peeked through the branches above, casting playful shadows on the ground, illuminating our path and highlighting our game's dark undercurrents. I stole a glance back at Tiffany, who was still silently seething, the corners of her mouth pressed together like she was trying to keep secrets too explosive to share.

Franco spoke calmly, "Tiff, you are a part of this family. I regret that I wasn't involved in what happened to your father this morning, but the truth is, the three of us intended to bring you into our plans. You fit perfectly into what we had in mind.

"Fit into your plans?!" she shot back, eyes flashing. "When you arrived at my apartment this morning, did you know the result? Is being clueless preferable to knowing?"

Giovanni stepped forward, trying to ease the situation. "We thought it was safer this way. For your sake." he trailed off, a distant look in his eyes. "We wanted you to enjoy this trip without the weight of everything else."

Yes, we were brimming with that well-meant but misguided idea that shielding her would keep her safe. "Tiffany," I said gently, "it's not merely about the trip. It's about everything beneath this facade—the secrets and betrayals of your father and, hopefully, our future."

She looked between us, the conflict etched in her brow. "It's not a matter of safety. It's trust. If you all believe I cannot handle the truth, what does that imply about our perception of one another?"

Franco solemnly nodded, his voice softer now. "Carissima, you deserved to be aware of the information, but we could not reveal it to your father." We had to make him think he had the upper hand until you took it and played into our hands. Yes, we want you. Please give us a chance to make it right."

The weight of this "secret" hung heavy in the air, but with it came a flicker of understanding—one I hoped would bridge the gap we'd created. Would she ever understand? Or would she only perceive me, Franco, and Gio as other players in this cutthroat game who were well-informed and had little concern?

"Well, shit. I do not like being predictable." And you—all of you will be making this up to me," Tiffany said, her voice sharp as she pivoted away, storming toward the cabin.

We lifted our bags and followed her toward the cabin. The sun peeked through the storm clouds, casting playful shadows on the ground. It was difficult for me to control my anticipation. Alone in the woods, our secluded paradise awaited, the possibilities endless and exhilarating.