“I… Yeah… Leo didn’t come here. I’m in my room in one piece. Why are you up so early?”
“Feeding Nicco…and I have trouble sleeping without Tino in bed. Why areyouup so early? You never wake up that early unless you have school or work.”
“I…” Maybe I should tell her later. She was on edge, and I didn’t need to add to her worries. But I was just delaying the inevitable. I should tell her before Domenico spilled the beans. “I didn’t sleep at all.”
She paused. “For a good reason?”
My fingers dug in my hair with frustration. “No, Lina. I screwed up.”
Another pause. “Please tell me he’s alive.”
A laugh ripped out from my throat. “I’m not sure. I wouldn’t dare come out of my room to check after what happened.”
“How bad is it? Do you need me to come over?”
“Tino won’t let you out of the house. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe I should come back to the mansion. I don’t want to be alone with Domenico. I’ll feel much safer with you.”
“What? Oh my God, did he—”
“No. Not at all. He was…the perfect gentleman. It was all my fault. I tried to follow your plan, but he was on to me. Now, Il Coyote is wounded and…plotting his revenge.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry, Nicky. I should have known better than to make that suggestion. I thought I was helping, but I ruined everything.”
“It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have tried to use the guy. It wasn’t fair. Anyway, do you think Tino will be okay with me coming back, I mean, without getting suspicious or getting the wrong idea?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. You just get ready and wait for my call.”
CHAPTER 14
Nicky
I washed up and put on the first pair of jeans and sweater I found in the unpacked suitcase along with my only viable pair of black boots. I didn’t bother going through the other bag for makeup. It was a good thing I didn’t unpack so I’d just go whenever I got the call and not waste any more time.
Tying my hair back, I pulled out my parka and zipped the suitcase closed. Then I stopped by the door and took a deep breath, my hand on the lock. “Okay. Here goes nothing.”
The second I unlocked it, the door opened, and the angry beast was standing ever so tall and…holding coffee?
The smell of pineapple croissants and freshly ground coffee filled my nose. I looked at his hand, and he was indeed holding coffee and bakery. Taking a second glance at his face, I noticed the angry beast didn’t look angry at all.
He stared down at me. “Buongiorno. Breakfast?”
I blinked, confused. Why was he being nice? Had I been worried for nothing? No. He must have been up to something and was hiding it behind that cool demeanor. I wasn’t going to fall for this. “Did you go out?”
“No. I’d never leave my…target unattended. I ordered in.”
Target. Interesting word. “But I didn’t hear the bell.”
“I told them not to ring so you wouldn’t wake up.”
“How kind,” I taunted.
His smirk made a comeback. “I figured you’d need your rest and strength for today.”
“Why? What’s so special about today?”
He just turned and started for the kitchen. “I got pineapple croissants. I know it’s your favorite.”
Elusive and creepy? Great.