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The hulking man nods, brown eyes steely. It’s clear he’ll follow his boss’ orders without question. The men all turn rigid, the fear in their eyes increasing. The guard I recognized seems to recover from his shock. His fingers twitch, and I see him make a decision. He takes a step backward.
“Drop your guns,” Sebastian’s guard says. “Allow them to pass.”
Smart man.
They all walk backward until they fade into the shadows. Nico offers me his arm once they’re gone. I only hesitate a little before taking it. Standing side by side, we both look up at the looming mansion. I swallow softly, the nerves I’ve been trying to stave off finally blooming with full force.
Nico leans down to whisper in my ear, the feeling of his warm breath momentarily distracting me.
“Welcome home, mi vida.”
CHAPTER 10
NICO
We paint a magnificent picture as we walk up the steps leading into the mansion. The staff stops to stare as I return home, arm-in-arm with the lost princess. I don’t glance at them, neither do I give them the time of the day as I lead Aurora forward with only one location in mind.
Sebastian is a traitorous fucker. I always knew he was a son of a bitch. I just didn’t think he’d go against the clear rules of our organization. One of which involves making decisions with the consent of every single made man that sits at the table. But tonight, Sebastian not only called for a meeting of the table, he also threw a small dinner party inviting all the people of consequence in the outfit, excluding me.
Aurora and I walk toward the large dining room in the mansion. The double doors leading inside swing open as soon as we appear in front of them. Every gaze inside the hall lands on us as soon as we step inside. The music is abruptly cut off, and all twenty people who had been in the middle of having dinner at the long table fall still.
I feel Aurora stiffen right before her hand tightens around my forearm. She’s nervous. I hate that she is scared. Considering this is her birthright. This is where she was meant to be. But, after ten years away from it all, it’s normal for her to feel slightly intimidated.
When I decide to speak, my voice is like a knife cutting through the thick tension.
“A party, and I wasn’t invited?” I drawl.
Sebastian makes a move first. The bastard is seated at the head of the table. But at the sight of us, he gets to his feet, a muscle bulging in his jaw.
“What the hell are you doing here, Ramirez?” he spits.
He hasn’t noticed Aurora yet. Hasn’t taken a good look at her.
“I brought you a present, Seb. Say hi to your godfather, mi vida?”
On cue, she speaks up from beside me, voice soft, “Hi, zio Sebastian.”
The shock that passes across his face fills me with immense satisfaction. I hear a few scattered gasps from the people in the room. He steps toward us with quickening steps, stopping in front of the woman on my arm.
“Aurora?” he asks incredulously.
“How have you been, zio?” she asks pleasantly.
“What are you doing here, cara? Your father’s funeral was days ago. I’m sorry you didn’t get to come. I thought of searching for you, but Valerio made me swear not to bring you back here. So I let you and your sister remain as you were. And now? You’ve found your way back. And on Ramirez’s arm, no less,” he says with a slight frown, gaze moving between us.
“About that, Seb,” I say with a smirk, enjoying his obvious confusion. “We have another present for you. Tell him, sweetheart.”
Aurora finally lets go of my arm to show off the gemstone on her finger.
“I’m engaged, zio,” she states enthusiastically, brown eyes bright. “Nico asked me to marry him.”
Chaos ensues. The quiet room explodes into mutters and whispers. Sebastian slowly looks at me, and I see understanding settle over his face.
You just got played, old man.
If he was smarter, he’d have been able to guess my intentions. Maybe he would have succeeded in stopping me. But Sebastian’s always been more muscle than sense. His jaw grinds as he finally realizes the gravity of the situation. Rage flickers in his brown eyes.
His lips part, but before he can speak, someone rises to their feet. With a fork, Adrian taps against his champagne glass, the clinking sound echoing through the room, commanding attention effortlessly. The noise fades as all eyes turn toward him.
