Chapter-18

Gianna

“Nicholas! Gianna!”

I jolted awake at the booming voice, my heart hammering against my ribs. Blinking against the harsh sunlight that poured through the gap in the curtains, I groaned. My head was still groggy, my limbs heavy with exhaustion.

“Nico! Gianna!”

A man’s voice. Familiar. Why did it sound so—

Beside me, Nico lay sprawled on his stomach, one arm thrown over his head, his breathing deep and steady. My gaze drifted over the intricate ink that stretched across his back, the bold, dark tattoos covering the sculpted muscles. And then I saw them.

My nail prints.

Oh, fuck.

My face burned as last night came rushing back, the memories slamming into me all at once. My breath hitched. Every fantasy, every imagined scenario—nothing had prepared me for what actually happened. It had been raw, consuming, utterly blissful. Nicholas Baldocchi definitely knew what he was doing.

“Nico! Gianna! Are you there? For fuck’s sake—”

Oh my God.

I blinked, suddenly recognizing the voice. Leonardo.

“What the fuck,” Nico growled, his voice rough and thick with sleep. He rolled onto his side, groggy and half-aware, his hair a tousled mess. His sleepy voice alone was enough to make my stomach flip, but then his gaze landed on me—half-lidded, dark, smoldering in a way that made my breath catch.

This man was going to be the death of me.

“It’s Leonardo, I think,” I whispered, gripping the duvet tighter. “The voice sounds like his.”

Nico grimaced. “What time is it?”

“Nico! For fuck’s sake—”

A second voice joined in, muffled and irritated, but neither of us could make it out.

“We should go downstairs before they barge in,” I suggested.

Nico rubbed his face and exhaled sharply before pushing off the bed. My lips parted slightly as the duvet slipped, revealing his completely naked body.

He didn’t even seem to notice. I quickly averted my gaze, but not before catching the sharp, lean lines of his torso, the flex of muscle as he ran a hand through his hair. My pulse spiked. He had no shame. Grumbling under his breath, he stormed into the walk-in closet, completely unbothered by his lack of clothing. Definitely not a morning person.

Two minutes later, he emerged in low-hanging black pajama pants. Just that. Nothing else. His broad chest and sculpted abs were on full display, his hair a deliciously rumpled mess from sleep.

“I’ll go down first,” he muttered, still not looking at me.

I nodded, gripping the duvet like a lifeline as he walked out.

The moment the door shut behind him, I sprang into action, practically sprinting to the walk-in. My hands trembled slightly as I grabbed fresh undergarments, a camisole, and a pair of shorts, throwing them on as fast as possible.

As I turned to rush downstairs, my gaze landed on something crumpled on the floor near the bed.

My blouse. Or what was left of it.

The fabric was torn clean down the middle, the edges frayed and stretched. Nico had made an absolute mess of it. Heat surged up my neck as flashes of last night flooded back—the desperate hands, the fevered kisses, the way he had gripped the fabric before ripping it apart like it was nothing.

I swallowed hard and forced my legs to move, snatching the ruined blouse and shoving it into the laundry basket before hurrying out the door. I could not afford to look as flustered as I felt when I face my brother.

My hunch was right. It was Leonardo and he didn’t seem pleased, his face dark with fury. Accompanying him was Amara, who looked concerned as she reached out and hugged Nico. And I knew it was absolutely unreasonable to be tad jealous when Nico wrapped his arms around her too. There was something different in that gesture of his—comfort maybe? Affection? I inwardly shook my head. Of course he was comfortable with Amara. They had been friends for so long.

“Are you alright?” Amara asked softly, looking genuinely concerned.

“Yeah, I am alright,” Nico answered, his tone somewhat clipped. Amara nodded and then moved away just as I reached the last stair.

“I do not understand…what the fuck was that?” Leonardo roared, looking mad.

“Good morning,” I mumbled, hoping I didn’t give out the fucked-to-perfection vibes.

Leonardo’s dark eyes turned to me and I noticed him visibly relaxing before rushing to me in two long strides and almost crushing my bones in a death hug. He didn’t say anything but just by the way he hugged me I knew how scared and worried he must have been.

“I am completely alright, fratello,” I assured gently, hugging him back. Leonardo didn’t respond but instead stepped back and placed a long, lingering kiss on my forehead. I gave him a smile in response, squeezing his bicep and man was he strong.

“Are you alright?” he asked Nico,

“Fine,” Nico nodded.

“We were so worried when we found out what happened,” Amara said, giving me a hug as well. “We quickly rushed here. Sorry, we must have disturbed you.”

“It’s alright,” I smiled. “Why don’ t you all sit down and I will make some coffee?”

“Do you know how to make coffee?” Leonardo demanded, raising a brow.

“Leo,” Amara scolded while I threw him a look in response.

“Fine. I can do with some coffee. This fucked my brain big time,” Leo sighed, rubbing his face. “It’s going to be all over the news.”

“Yeah, it was pretty public—Domani will take care of the press though,” Nico murmured, looking pissed.

“Let me come with you,” Amara offered as Nico and Leo settled down in the living area, deep in conversation. “I am not interested in listening to that.” I laughed and the two of us headed to the kitchen.

“Leonardo freaked out the moment he heard,” Amara said while I shuffled around to grab coffee mugs. This place was still a maze for me. “Are you sure you’re okay? From what I heard, it was pretty bad. Leo broke my favorite vase in rage…but his anger was more about…well, the fact that you had to witness that.”

“It wasn’t pretty,” I said, almost shuddering with dread. It was one of the worst experiences I have ever had. And I would never want to relive it. Ever. “But…Leo and Xavier can’t always shield me from this. The other day Nico came home with his hand covered in blood…he slammed into his car’s window out of rage. This is my life now…and I better get used to it. It’s time to grow up, I guess.”

“I think you’re doing pretty great,” Amara smiled. “I have always told Leonardo you are much more than just his little princess but…he is your brother. And Leo practically raised you since you were a child. He will never treat you like an adult even when you turn sixty.”

“Yeah,” I smiled fondly, realizing how lucky I was. Thankfully, Amara didn’t probe me about my married life. That was the great thing about her, she wasn’t much of a talker and didn’t pry out of boundaries unlike Aria who had no filter or preamble.

“This is getting very serious now,” Leo was muttering when Amara and I walked up with the coffee. Nico and Leonardo looked so grave and I wished Nico would just put on a shirt or something. He glanced at me briefly and I met his gaze before he quickly looked away, focusing on my brother.

“This has never happened,” Nico hissed. “So many of my men were injured and the one motherfucker we managed to grab…he shot himself. Had Caelian not arrived in time, we would be fucked…” I passed the coffee aroud and then flopped down beside my husband, maintaining some distance.

“Why would someone suddenly come after you?” Amara demanded. Nico shook his head.

“I have no idea. Ever since I took the reins, I have maintained cordial relationship with almost everyone. Unlike father, I don’t go out messing with people for no reason so I have no idea why someone is fucking with me.”

“Well, maybe someone has returned from the past?” Amara said, giving Nico a look.

“What do you mean?” Leo frowned. “What past?”

“Alessandro Baldocchi was a filthy man and enough people hated him. What if someone is seeking his revenge?” she offered.

“Now after so many years?” Leo scowled. “He is dead and has been gone a bloody long time.”

“You never know, Leonardo,” Amara shrugged. “Maybe look into that, Nico?” I wished I had insights like Amara had. But I was clueless. I had never been a part of this. I didn’t know shit.

“Yeah, I guess I can try and see if I find anything,” Nico agreed, rubbing his face. He sounded exhausted.

“Will you be going to the office today?” Leonardo asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Nico asked.

“Then Xavier and I will meet you at the office. Let’s figure this out together,” Leonardo said.

“I appreciate the help,” Nico muttered. “But don’t get yourself into this Leo…it's dangerous.”

“You are teaching me dangerous?” my brother countered tartly.

“No but you getting into this can drag attention towards you and…well, you have two kids,”

“And you have my sister,” Leonardo shot back, his face hard. “If anything happens to you, she will be affected. And I cannot see her in tears or in danger.”

“Leo is right, Nico,” Amara agreed. “I’d rather neither of you getting involved but since that’s not possible, let Leo and Xavier help. You are family and family stands by each other no matter what.” Nico contemplated for a bit and then nodded.

“Fine. I will see you at office then,” he said.

“Great. We should get going now then. Ares and Lucio will be going crazy by now,” Leo muttered, standing up. Amara followed suit and so did we.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to wake you up like that,” Amara added, shooting a pointed look at Leo. “Get some rest, both of you.”

“Gianna…you stay put until we get this sorted,” Leonardo ordered. “And do not try to escape your guards like you always do.”

“I thought you were leaving?” I scowled.

“Yeah, we are,” Amara grimaced, grabbing Leo’s hand. “Stay safe, you two. Take care. And visit us sometime. Ares and Lucio misses their aunt.”

“I do too,” I smiled fondly.

“See you later, Nico,” Leonardo murmured and before he could add any embarrassing stuff to that, Amara dragged him away. The moment they left, I turned to Nico as he violently rubbed his face, still looking tired and sleep deprived.

“Do you want more coffee?” I offered. He looked like he could do with a whole jug of coffee.

“No, thank you,” he muttered, running his fingers through his already mess of a hair. “I am going to take a shower.” I nodded, watching as he turned on his heels and headed upstairs while I decided to take the time to get this mugs cleaned up….something to bide more time until we talk about last night.

Unfortunately, that plan didn’t work for too long because Mirella came in just then and would not let me take a step into the kitchen. So I had no choice but to drag my ass upstairs.

Okay so we had sex so what? I am his wife and he is my husband, we are married and that’s…normal. And maybe this was it? Maybe this could be a new start for us now that Nico’s imaginary lines have been crossed?

Nico was still in the shower and I could hear the sound of running water as I padded into the walk-in. I stood outside the bathroom door and contemplated what to do next. I could either try to talk to him about this, but from what I have gathered of Nicholas Baldocchi so far, talking isn’t his biggest strength. Or I can just show him. Like I did last night. I needed him to trust me and maybe learn from an example?

I took a deep breath and nodded. And then opening the bathroom door, I padded inside. The glass shower enclosure was filled with steam, but I could still make out his silhouette. I bit my lip and, mustering courage, I stripped out of my clothes and then, taking a deep breath, opened the sliding door and walked inside. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the steam, and before I spotted him.

Nico stood beneath the downpour, head tilted back, eyes closed, water streaming over the sharp planes of his face. His dark hair was slicked back, droplets tracing their way down his chiseled jaw, his strong neck, his sculpted chest. Ink curled around muscle, dark lines of tattoos snaking down his arms, over his ribs, disappearing lower.

God help me.

Heat flared deep in my belly. My fingers curled at my sides as I watched the way his body moved with each slow, deliberate breath—the way his back muscles clenched slightly as the water cascaded over the ridges of his abdomen. He was stunning in a way that was almost unfair.

I needed to stop staring like an idiot.

Swallowing hard, I stepped into the warm torrents behind him. The heat wrapped around me instantly, mist clinging to my skin as I inched closer. My heart pounded wildly as I lifted my hands and slowly, cautiously, wrapped my arms around him from behind.

The moment my body pressed against his, Nico stilled. He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. I could feel the tension coiling through him, like a tightly wound spring ready to snap.

I hesitated, then pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder and whispered, “Hi.”

For a long moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. I could feel the tension thrumming beneath his skin, a silent battle waging inside him.

Then, slowly, he turned around.

Droplets clung to his lashes as his dark eyes locked onto mine, unreadable. Surprise flickered across his face, but it was quickly replaced by something else—something guarded, something restless. I smiled softly and let my fingers glide down his chest, tracing the water-slicked ridges of muscle. He just watched me in silence, his jaw tight, his body coiled like a wire about to snap.

Rising onto my toes, I pressed a gentle kiss against one of the scars on his chest. Then another. And then, finally, my lips found his. I kissed him softly.

"Are you alright?" I murmured, barely pulling back. "You got hurt last night..."

His entire body tensed.

"Let’s not talk about last night," he said, voice hard.

Before I could respond, he stepped past me and out of the torrents, grabbing a towel. My stomach dropped. No. No, this was exactly what I had feared. I reached out, grabbing his hand before he could walk away.

"What exactly about last night do you not want to talk about?" I demanded.

"Everything," Nico said, voice clipped. "All of it." He hesitated, just for a second, before exhaling sharply. "Including what happened between us."

The words hit me like a punch to the chest.