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Time bomb
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Got Too Close   Take me high
The last two days, he had been going in circles, staring at the telephone and cells, waiting for a ring from Noah telling him how everything was in Rome. The calls came in alright, but none from Noah.Those two days, he had gone sleepless and half drunk; because of his restlessness, he had ignored their bedroom so he didn't disturb her with his pacing.And where did that send him? Into the pool, dipping for hours, then staying in the showers for more hours, face raised, holding his breath as the water beat down on him.Nico had always thought himself a calm one, having control of every situation, but no one had to tell that this one had gone out of his hands.Noah wasn't calling anymore, and that silence he knew said so many things. Did the recording reach the Quirinal Palace? Damn, he was running out of his mind overthinking.Even now, to get his head levelled, he was in the pool, right in the middle of the night, swimming from wall to wall, only in a swim short.The light of their r
Got Too Close   Tiny bit uh attraction
When I woke up the following morning and noticed he wasn't anywhere in sight, I wasn't surprised.I had heard when the door slowly shut closed in the middle of the night, my eyes wide open staring at the wall, somehow knowing he wouldn't return.Although Clara and Simone had been speaking in terms that sounded like parables last night, I knew the situation was quite difficult and that it had to do with the Quirinal Palace; I felt the pressure.So I never held it against him that he had left. Besides, the memories of the pool saga with him last night was enough to keep me going.Replaying his jokes in my head had me smiling out of the blue, or each time I remembered his touch on my body, I felt goosebumps running down my spine.So I climbed down the bed, going straight to the children's room, but my early birds were already with the nanny, only giving me a quick wave as they used their colouring books.I shrugged, shutting the door before moving downstairs towards the kitchen. With a
Got Too Close   Enemy
"All of the recordings were turned in, Boss," Noah explained, watching Nico stand beside the window, his arms folded across his chest. "Fabio's replies seemed almost nonexistent."Sitting right on the table, Noah tried to read his body language but all to no avail. He appeared calm, almost unaffected, except when he looked up to the ceiling and exhaled or even dug his hands into his pocket."The recording was sent to the Quirinal Palace, and there's a high chance our man might still be around the vicinity watching what will happen next." If anyone ever told Noah things could escalate to this point, he would have down rightly called that person a liar, but with every news that came in, it was evident they were going down the drain."So what exactly do they have on me?" His voice still held that control, a brow raised on a closer look; he seemed bored with the situation.Strange "Your name was called during the meeting with Fabio; I mean half of it before he was knocked out or someth
Got Too Close   Threat or truth?
His brother was behind the mask, head tilted back, eyes stuck on him.He knew he was being watched, and yeah, he also had his eyes on the figure he hadn't seen for years.Zayne Xavier's body posture suggested he was having the time of his life. He never imagined Their first meeting after so many years being like this, at his vulnerable moment.He had always managed to keep a blank face, but now it was getting harder to get rid of the heat in his eyes, and his teeth gritted."When I got into this business," Zaynes filtered voice filled the room, "I never thought one day I'll get the opportunity to speak one on one with the President," his voice sounded like he was grinning behind the mask, "Heard good things about you, but I still don't spot any difference with the others."Nico was finding it hard to look down, afraid to see his knuckles turning white, "For someone you just met, and you think all this? Is it a criminal thing to make assumptions?"Zayne pointed Lazily, "The spots make
Got Too Close   Crossed paths
Elena's POV.He finally shut the laptop while I walked into the room with a glass of water to see his face lowered to the table.Finally, I had met all of my husband's brothers, and just like I had been given the shock of my life when I found out Nico was a Don, the surprise was equivalent to me walking down the stairs in the middle of the night and seeing Zayne Xavier.At first, I had thought he was one of the goons, but then what fine-looking goon was this that I hadn't seen before?"Hi," he had grinned at me as I was about to walk into the kitchen, stretching forth his hand, "Zayne Xavier here."I stood there frozen and stuck to the ground to the extent Clara had laughed, for he, this man, didn't have the aura of anyone who could handle a gun.Until he pulled off his jacket, and I saw the tattoos and the burns, but even at that, it wasn't as much as Milo's. That I had concluded that only Milo was fit for the role. But with the way the goons respected him, I knew it wasn't about t
Got Too Close   Out of my mind
"That's a thank you for saving your stupid ass from being a wanted man." Zayne sized my husband, his body going rigid within minutes of seeing Nico.My eyes darted from Zayne to Nico, their calm countenance hiding the heat brewing underneath.Nico walked towards the table, sitting opposite Zayne, and just like his brother, he leaned against the chair, the tip of his fingers on the table."The agreement was you staying away, not meddling in my business," he shrugged, "But like always, you've got this kink poking your head into my affairs.""Give me a damn break," Zayne's cynical chuckle echoed. "You know what's messed up about you, Nico? Your damn pride and that foolish ego of yours. You're so hell-bent on doing everything alone that you couldn't care less about the collateral damage you cause."Did they always quarrel like that, smiling at each other like they were having a civilised conversation?"You are a fucking asshole Nicholas, a godforsaken son of a...." Zayne stopped immediate
Got Too Close   Odd one out
Zayne left the Manor that night, refusing medical care from Clara with a forced smile. With how he reacted to the bruises, I knew it wasn't where he was hurting.My heart ached too.Damon and I walked him to the car despite his rejections."Thanks, man," Damon shook his hand, "Thanks for coming despite knowing that could happen."His eyes darted from me back to Damon, "I'm fine with it. Now I know my place.""You didn't mean what you said back there, did you?" Damon seemed restless. "You can't cut Nico off.""I meant it," Zayne replied calmly, his words carrying a harsh truth. The bond between the two brothers had shattered right before my eyes."Come on, man!" Damon tried again.Zayne placed a hand on Damon's shoulder. "You were impressive. Dad would be proud of you."Damon's eyes lightened with pride, yet he continued to press, "Zayne, think about this shit again. Give him another chance; come on."And Zayne looked up, "Amara wants you now. Go in, Capo Bastone " he smiled.And Damon
Got Too Close   Serenade
I spent that night weighing out comparisons between Alexa and me, but every time she came out on top.Was having horrible taste in men something I was born with, maybe a talent, always going for the ones who would never treat me entirely right?Father would be very disappointed in me if he learned about this, but then wouldn't that be an opportunity for him to drag me back home by my hair?Now I was back to the stage of waiting for Alexa to flood her way into his life, wrecking relationships; as much as it hurt, it was a relief facing the truth and finally coming to terms with it.That I hadn't had time to change into my nightie had me uncomfortable and annoyed, it was two already, and Amara would be asleep to ask her for one.And running into Nico at this time of the night wasn't what he wanted.Sitting on the bed in the dark, I listened to the rain pouring outside, its rhythmic sound on the roof, and the swaying of palm trees in the wind. The weather matched the turmoil within me.T
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Got Too Close   Oops
"Is that it?" Gianni frowned when I finished. "You've got to be kidding me." Midway, I had almost burst into tears, explaining in as much detail as I could that the men's beachwear collection, which would have been next week, had to be postponed because of the lack of models."You don't get it." I sniffled, dabbing my cheek. "It's bad for business. Bad publicity goes a long way, and the investors...""Hey," Maya says, wrapping her arms around my shoulder, shooting Gianna, still sitting, a glare. "There has to be something we can do about it." "You've got to be kidding me!" Gianna retorts again, "That's why you're crying?" "I'm so sorry," I sobbed. "I don't know why I'm so emotional; what's wrong with me?!" "Oh, I know." Clara mumbles."Gianna!" Maya's tone is laced with a warning tinge. "Be nice." But she was right. This was nothing to cry about; I was a grown woman. It was shameful that once they thought I was the epitome of strength, but now they knew I was just a crybaby."Do
Got Too Close   Reunion (3)
The next few days we spent indoors; still, it was hard to see Nico. The air in Calabria was hearty, the laughter infectious. It wasn't hard to notice that Nico and Zayne still stayed away from each other. They had tried to hide it, but they didn't try hard enough to take off our suspicions.Milo, sometimes in the middle of a conversation with the whole family, set up opportunities for them to exchange a word two, but like two peas of the same pod, we found them, mouth full and chewing slowly until the attention was taken off their back."You want me to do it for you?" I asked Nico when we were alone in the room, watching his face as I applied my lipstick, "I could talk to Zayne, Nico. It doesn't have to..." I wasn't done when his arms curled around me, flattening his opened palm against my stomach, sending my heart racing, and then he kissed me, shutting me up briefly.When he broke it off, sending me breathless and wanting, he searched my eyes and murmured, "It's all right. It's my
Got Too Close   Reunion 2
Authors POVElena didn't look back as she walked away with the others, Milo staring at the top of her head with amusement as he pushed Gianna out of the sitting room.Nico didn't like that look in his eyes. It was the same look he held for Gianna, and now, whenever Milo was around, Zayne had to work for a bit of time with his wife.He pulled his eyes off the door they just walked out of, and when he turned to Zayne, who continued to give Matteo audience, his countenance a mixture of pride and sadness, Nico felt his stomach churn.He wasn't prepared for this, wasn't ready to be knocked down from the truth he believed in. He thought that Zayne would let the children die, all for petty malice, but all this while, it had been him who did nothing to help.Then why did he hide it? Why did he go through all that only to give all of the praise to Milo? Was that why Milo distanced himself for so long? Suddenly, he felt like he wasn't part of a family he had always known."How are your injuries
Got Too Close   Reunion
Author's POV.Matteo continued to chatter, "...He said you were coming for us, Dad, and you came." his innocent smile didn't match the struck expression on his father's face, which also mirrored mine."Can I say hello?" He askedSeeing Nico couldn't say a word, I took charge, "Of course, Matteo, go tell your uncle Hi.""My uncle?" His eyes widened, "Cool Ma," before he was running off towards his sister and Zayne, who, on seeing him, seemed unsure at first, but then slowly, he went on his knees and wrapped his arms around my son.That first hug held a lot of warmth for someone who had ensured he avoided Matteo initially."What's going on?" Maya asked Nico, "Why is everyone so quiet?"Nico, appearing utterly helpless, felt his tense muscles relax as he gazed ahead, overwhelmed by guilt and discomfort. Without even making eye contact with his mother, he softly responded, "Yeah, just surprised," his voice almost trailing off, "Mia doesn't talk to strangers."Although Maya wasn't entirel
Got Too Close   Who again?
He returned to tell the kids they could move before he was gone again.After a bit of fun with them, to which half my attention was not in, I left them an hour later, only to discover Nico was gone.Out of the Manor, no information, just like that, disappeared into thin air, making me wish I had stayed long enough at work, for in my head, I was running wild, helpless, and perspiring.The deja vu kept coming repeatedly; it hit me out of the blue. Standing there, watching her get into his car, his chin up, refusing to spare me a glance as she planted her thumb on his chin.My stomach churned as I let out a bitter laugh. Adding to the already complicated situation, I was pregnant. It felt like the only missing piece to complete that agonizing scene from years ago was walking into his office and discovering the papers on his desk.But I wasn't going to do that; I folded my fist against the window pane, and neither was I going to cry; that girl was gone, and in her place was a grown woman
Got Too Close   Unbreak my heart (2)
"You're so choosey." Joey huffed, biting into a doughnut, the chocolate toppings sticking to the tip of his nose as he narrowed his eyes at Charlotte."Well, I'm sorry for wanting to make everything perfect instead of just picking out anything my lazy ass tells me to," Charlotte retorted, shuffling through the pictures on my desk, "And believe me when I say, I still haven't found that perfect model."Joey sipped noisily from his coffee cup, and when Charlotte narrowed her gaze at him, he rolled his eyes at her.Seeing this made me wonder how La Belle had endured two people who would fight about everything, including what toppings they wanted for their doughnuts.If I had come to La Belle with the hopes of finding everything for the launching of the men's beachwear project finished, then no surprise, it wasn't even half done.With all of the models unappealing to Char's taste, everything was left on standby.Remembering I left all of the work to them for weeks, the least I could do was
Got Too Close   Unbreak my heart
"Can't believe you're giving her thirty million, Elena," Noah huffed, "There are a million reasons she doesn't need it but wants to see your pride smolder."Complaining was never Noah's thing until I came to him that morning, cheque in hand, and explained everything that had happened while he was away.His reaction made me understand why Alexa demanded he didn't come alone.I did feel as if my pride was smoldered, but the feeling was nothing compared to how it would have been if she had eventually waltzed back into Nico's life.Nico had written the cheque immediately after he walked into the room, even before he strolled into the bathroom. When I entered the room, while the showers still gushed, it was sitting pretty at the edge of the bed.The first action I took when I picked it up was to inhale it, proving my desperation. The unbelief was gone. In its place was a dripping heart that he was bent on proving me wrong on all of my beliefs.He hadn't asked. Yet I had been digging up a l
Got Too Close   All good.
Nico and Noah were unavailable for two days straight until, watching the news, I discovered the campaign for this year's election was about to commence.There he was, the smile on his face giving the aura that he had no problems, shaking hands with his shoulders straightened and chin held high.The control he exhibited standing right on that platform, the mic close to his face, talking to crowds was unnatural, and although I was just behind the TV, it was as if he was staring straight at me.I spent most of the time in the sitting room, losing my attention at the slightest distraction. 'That's a small sum for the two people that mean so much to me.'When I told Clara, she didn't look as affected as I was; instead, she frowned, "I'm surprised you don't have that amount on you right now."It dawned on her immediately, "Really, Elena?"At first, the decision to be financially independent had come from a place of keeping up my esteem; I mean, being paid to be a wife was low enough. Or t
Got Too Close   Falling apart
"What did you just... What?!"The sterile white walls and the scent of antiseptic were starting to affect me, along with the news that Clara had just uttered in the most awkward imaginable.She knew this wasn't good news; she knew how much this would ruin my life. I didn't need something like this now! Not when I wasn't sure I could even hold myself up..."You're six weeks pregnant, Elena," she repeated, the papers in her hold; she seemed to be scared of my reaction had to explain why she was a safe distance away.I clutched at the buttons of my shirt, fighting to breathe, every damn passionate night returning to me.That was what the morning sickness was all about, the emotional roller coaster that had me weeping my eyes out with every bit of provocation.I thought it was stress, the children's abduction, and now the fear that Nico would leave me.And here I was, within the four corners of a hospital that I and Clara had driven to, with Noah waiting in the car.Nico had been called t
