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With that, Niko turns on his heel and storms out, the door slamming shut behind him. Aria lets out a shaky breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
I want to hold her, but I’m not sure if she’ll accept my comfort. I choose my words carefully. “I don’t want to make your decisions for you, but Niko is right in that our worlds are full of danger. It’s our job to keep you safe.”
“There’s a difference between keeping me safe and locking me away.”
I take a chance, pulling her into my arms. “I understand.”
She looks up at me. "Luca, you can't go.”
“I must. It’s only respectful. I’m in his territory. If I hope to garner his blessing, I need to comply.”
Her fingers grip the lapel of my robe. “What if he kills you?”
I’ve always felt I knew and understood Niko. Maybe not his aversion to me, but the man he is otherwise. I don't feel he'll kill me, but I can’t be sure. He is Il Soldato della Morte, after all.
I pull away and head to the shower.
“I’m serious, Luca. I’m worried he’ll try to kill you.”
“Not if I kill him first.” The words are out before I can think better of them.
“Do you hear yourself? This whole thing is ridiculous. You’re both going to try and kill each other because you love me. I could have two men who love me, but you’re both so stupid that you’ll kill each other instead.”
She’s right, of course. This is stupid. But it’s Niko’s making. I turn on the shower and drop the robe.
“Why does anyone need to kill at all? Why can’t what I want matter?”
My heart aches at her words. "Aria, what you want matters more to me than anything.” I go to her, abandoning the shower for the moment. “Do you want me? Do you want to return to Italy with me?”
She lets out an exasperated breath. “Yes. Of course. I just can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt, or worse." Her voice cracks with emotion.
I cup her face in my hands. "I must do this, Aria. This is the only way to make things right with your brother, if that’s even possible.”
“What if he doesn’t? What if he has some nefarious plot?”
"I'm not a coward, and I won't back down from this. But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to resolve this peacefully."
She bites her lip, her eyes searching mine. "Do you really want me, Luca? Or is this all just about power and control?"
I pull her closer, pressing my forehead to hers. "Aria, you are the only thing I want.” I kiss her then, pouring all of my love and devotion into it, hoping she can feel what I can’t seem to convey.
When we part, I can see the conflict in her eyes.
“I promise you, everything will be alright. I'll make sure of it." I press another kiss to her lips, then pull back. “When I’m done, we’ll do something fun. Your choice.”
She gives me a wan smile. I’d rather her feel reassured, but I have to deal with Niko. I step into the shower. Later when I’m dressed, I kiss her, even though she’s clearly upset with me, and leave to meet Niko.
In hindsight, perhaps I should have had Bruno stay. Then again, what are two men against Niko’s army?
I arrive at the pizzeria, and after checking in with one of his men, head down to his basement office. I’m not afraid to die, but I’m not ready for death. I know that I'm treading on dangerous ground. But for Aria, I'm willing to take that risk. I just hope that I can resolve this peacefully, for her sake.
I take a deep, steadying breath as I stand in front of Niko's office door. I knock firmly, squaring my shoulders.
“Come in.”
I open the door, expecting a wall of Niko’s men. Instead, I see Niko sitting behind his desk. I don’t miss the gun resting on the desktop.
Niko leans back in his chair, his expression casual, but his eyes are like steel. "Luca. Thank you for coming.”
