Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Maxwell laughs as he grabs the bottle and pours us another drink. “If you’re going to try to tackle that mountain, you’re going to need this. Listen to me on this one. It’s a lesson I learned a long time ago, Niko. A good woman loves to tangle you up in knots, but they make it more than worth it.”
I take the drink, downing it in one swallow, relishing the burn as it goes down.
“God, I hope so,” I sigh out. I’m not a religious man, but in this moment, I’m praying Maxwell is right, because for the first time in my life I am completely twisted up over a woman.
Over Emilia.
Just the thought of her makes her face come to my mind and I can catch her scent in the air. Fuck, I need that woman.
CHAPTER 30
Emilia
In the hotel, I stare out the window, not really focusing on anything as my aunt drones on. I’ve paced the room, picked up all my toiletries, and now I’m stuck just sitting here as she refuses to let me get a word in edgewise.
Clearly it was a mistake to call home.
I called to make sure they made it there safely, but mostly to check on Martha. I lied to them all, saying I was helping Niko with something important and couldn’t be there. I was hoping that would make the conversation easier and shorter. I was wrong. That was another mistake on my part. The mention of Niko’s name is what caused her current tirade that has lasted over twenty minutes. Currently, she’s listing every reason why I shouldn’t marry Niko.
This is not what I need to hear right now. Or hell, ever really. I am in deep with Niko. Hearing Katherine on the phone last night almost killed me and right now, I just feel raw.
I let her drone on, staying silent by biting my lip.
“You know that Niko is only using you for your father’s connections. If you go through with this, you’ll tear this family apart. You can’t trust him, Emilia. He’ll betray your father. The best thing for you to do is to use him back, at least while he’s useful. Keep him around long enough to give him a taste of his own medicine. He thinks he can buy his way up the ladder. It’s time someone took his money and used him like he has used your poor, over-trusting father.”
“Aunt—”
“He’s power hungry. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he took over for Dante’s father, when that should have fallen to Dante. It wouldn’t surprise me if he isn’t behind the poor man’s demise in the first place.”
“Aunt—”
“I’m telling you, Emilia. We can use him to our advantage, although it’s disgusting someone with no breeding could rise within the family like he’s been allowed to. He will be the downfall of everything my poor sainted brother has helped build.”
Where is she even getting her information?
I know my father would never discuss anything with my aunt. That means Dante is the one talking. Why would he do that? Antonio would kill him for that. Beyond all that, it’s disgusting that she would think I would use anyone.
Even if they have stomped my heart into the ground.
“Aunt Racine—”
“Your loyalty should only lie with your father and your family. We’re all depending on you, my girl. Did you know poor Dante is being abused? Thrown aside because of Niko? I swear that man has snowed Maxwell so much that Dante has been denied his rightful spot in the family. Gio would’ve wanted his son to have his position. It’s Dante’s birthright.”
Every time she takes a breath, I can hear someone in the background, throwing in their support. It’s ridiculous.
My phone beeps as I sigh in relief. “My father is calling. I need to answer it.”
“Good!” she sniffs. “Tell your father the staff is being rude to me. I’m planning on throwing a party to honor Dante and Angelina’s engagement, but they are refusing to cooperate. He needs to get them in order.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll tell him.” I click the phone over before she can say anything else.
“Thank God you called.”
“Well, that’s not the reaction I thought I’d get, but I’ll take it,” Niko purrs.
“I thought you were my father,” I mutter.
“That explains why you answered instead of continuing to ignore my calls.” His deep voice pours over me like butter and I hate that I’m so weak. I do my best to push away his effects on me.
“I haven’t been dodging your calls,” I deny.
“You didn’t call me last night and didn’t pick up when I called you back. I also left voicemails for you.”
“I figured you’d be too busy to talk. I didn’t want to interrupt anything,” I tell him, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in my voice.