by Zoë Lane
She snorted. “Just what are you going to do, Nico? Beat him up? I appreciate the macho display of gallantry, I do, but it’s none of your business.”
I came around the island. “When you agreed to stay here because he kicked you out, that made it my business.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “No, it didn’t. And besides, you’re doing enough already.”
“Tit for tat. You’re doing me a favor.”
She put her hands on her slim hips. “And just what do you want for this favor you’re offering, huh?”
I tapped into my superhuman strength reserves to keep my eye line above her chin. Her chest rose and fell quickly, and that faded fitted shirt suddenly looked amazing on her. “It wouldn’t be like that,” I said softly.
“Ha!” She laughed and walked away. “Forgive me, but I don’t believe you.”
“Then why’d you agree to do it if you thought I’d want you to put out?” I challenged.
I could only see the side of her face, but it looked pained. “I’m having a hard time trusting men these days,” she said sarcastically.
“Not every guy is like Diego.”
She faced me. “No? Is that right?”
I put my hand on my chest. “I’ve never hit a woman.”
“He didn’t hit—”
“Bruised one, then. Roughed one up. Does it really matter how?” I marched across the room and stood toe to toe with her, forcing her to meet my eyes. “This isn’t the first time, is it?”
Her gaze faltered.
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. My head hurt, and I could swear my peripheral vision had turned red. If I ever saw this guy again, I’d knock all his teeth out. I should’ve run after her that night at Dr. Kavoska’s. Should’ve demanded she leave him and stay with me then. He was obviously someone capable of violence.
“I meant it when I said I appreciate what you’re doing for me, Nico,” she began softly. “But I have to deal with this myself. He’s my problem.”
“He doesn’t have to be just your problem. Why can’t you accept a little help?”
“And why would you do that for me? Huh? Who am I to you that you would do so much?”
Her gaze bored into mine. The answer eluded me. Who was she? A convenience, given my mother would be at the door in twelve hours? Veronica was helping me out of a jam, and I was offering more than my fair share of assistance. She got a place to stay, and a huge diamond ring, and my mother was fabulous company and could cook you into a food coma. She had the better end of the deal.
She was right. Why would I do more? Why should I?
She nodded slowly, comprehending my silence. “I’m tired. I think I’m going to go to bed early.”
“What about dinner?”
“No, thanks. If I get hungry, then I’ll order something.” She waved and set off for my bedroom. “Oh, do you need anything from your room?”
After I gathered a few clothes and some toiletries, I let her have the room. When dinner arrived, I crashed on the couch for another session of mindless eating and television. How I spent most of my nights. I needed to get a life—after my mother’s visit. Sean was working with youth in his old neighborhood. Maybe there was some civic group I could get involved with.
The image of Veronica’s bruised arm nagged at me. She didn’t think it a big deal that her ex manhandled her in public. If my mother ever found out I did something like that, she’d kill me, dig me up, kill me again, and then stomp me into the grave.
I set my alarm for five o’clock. Mother’s flight would land at four thirty, and instead of letting me pick her up at the airport, she had arranged a taxi. I loved her independence, but I wanted to do more for her.
Don’t know why; she was about to do plenty in a few short days.
I snuck out of the room, but wasn’t sure why. He was probably asleep in one of the guest rooms by now.
Nico had been right: I was hungry. I had fought it as long as possible, but my stomach had won the battle, and now I was going to eat Chinese at eleven o’clock at night. I could only pray my stomach wouldn’t detest me for the rest of the night.
The television in the living room blared. On my way to the door to get the food, I spotted Nico sprawled on the couch, remote in hand. An old episode of Seinfeld played.
Good taste in shows, too.
I grinned. I carefully withdrew the remote from his grip and turned off the television. He shifted a bit, but didn’t wake. I pulled an afghan from another chair and draped it over his form. His face had the edges and angles of a Greek god—even though he was Italian—but asleep, it had softened and he looked even younger than his early twenties. Almost like a boy who needed his mother. I covered my mouth to keep any giggles from escaping.
After I got my food, I tiptoed back to the kitchen. On the counter sat a small, gray box. My heart skipped a beat. I quickly scooped up the box and slowly opened the lid.
The ring.
The two-hundred-thousand-dollar ring.
I carefully removed it from the box. This magnificent piece of jewelry was worth more than two years of my salary. I slipped it onto my finger. Just my size. How had he known? I’d forgotten to tell him. Was he that observant? I covered my mouth and stared at the jewelry. The back of my eyes burned.
Then I groaned. Why was I getting all emotional?
This wasn’t a real engagement. He hadn’t proposed. I blinked away the tears and took the food with me to the bedroom.
6
NICOLAS
I knocked softly on the bedroom door. When I heard nothing, I cracked open the door. From across the room, I could see the closed bathroom door. I walked into my bedroom and plopped down on the bed Veronica had already made.
At least she was neat. I couldn’t stand a messy roommate. Usually guys were, which is why I would never have another one after the slob I was forced to live with in college.
Virtually no sign of her could be detected in my room, except a lingering light floral scent. Not bad. She hadn’t come with much stuff, after all. Her ex throwing things outside made me grunt in frustration. He couldn’t get away with keeping her property. Veronica wanted to handle it, but if he could throw her out, what could she do to get him to release her things? I should get my lawyer involved.
In two minutes, Veronica exited the bathroom. I grinned. Her hair flopped about in a top bun as she staggered back into the room. She must’ve just woken up. She wore a loose-fitting shirt and pajama pants that hung very low on her hips, exposing her belly button.
She halted and stiffened. “What are you doing in here?” she hissed, and wrapped her arms around her middle as though too exposed.
“My mother will be here in…” I glanced at my watch. “Five minutes. She’s probably in the lobby right now. I wanted to make sure you were up.”
“Five minutes! Why didn’t you tell me?”
She rushed back into the bathroom and slammed the door. I laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart! My mom will have breakfast ready when you get out.”
She groaned loudly. “I can’t believe you, Nico!” The shower water ran.
“What? It’s no big deal that you’re in your pjs.”
“No big deal? The first time I’m meeting your mother as your fiancée?”
I entered the bathroom, taking care not to look in the direction of the clear glass shower. “You’re probably right. Want to make a good first impression.”
“Get out of here!” she screeched.
“Relax and take your shower. I couldn’t hear you, so I came in.” Total lie. “Don’t let her rattle you. This is a tactic she uses. Coming in early. It’s supposed to be intimidating. Don’t worry about it. I’ll just tell her I wanted you to sleep late because you’re a nurse and you have extra shifts at the hospital or something. She’ll totally understand.”
“No, she won’t!”
“Yes, she will, she’s a nurse. Trust me, Veronica. I know it’s hard to do right now, but we’ve got this.�
�
Silence for a few seconds and then, “Vero.”
“Huh?”
“My friends call me Vero. It’d be really weird if she heard everyone else calling me Vero and you stuck with Veronica.”
“We’re not friends,” I said with a teasing smile she couldn’t see. Shame, because I’d been told my smile was one of my best features. “We’re engaged.”
“Then don’t you think a nickname would be more intimate?”
“Ah, intimacy. I was hoping we’d get to that subject.”
“Don’t even—”
“I’ll be moving in here tonight. Like we discussed.”
“Right.”
I waited for more resistance. When I didn’t get any I said, “And I like to sleep naked. Feel free to do the same. No judgment.”
“Get out!”
I laughed and left the room. The doorbell rang. Right on time, as always.
Mamma loudly proclaimed her excitement at seeing me, and I ushered her in. A quick survey of her surroundings, and then she moved into the kitchen—her true home. “You’ve kept the place up to my standards. I’m proud of you.” She gave me another exaggerated kiss on the cheek.
“You can thank my fiancée for that. She runs a tight ship.”
“Any woman worth her salt would.” She pursed bright red lips and lifted her nose with an air of authority. She curiously looked around. “And where is your fiancée? You can’t hide her from me. Why isn’t she here to greet me?”
I chuckled, a real sense of fear inching up my spin. “She’s in the shower. Should be out soon.”
My mother’s mouth set into a disapproving frown. “She doesn’t get up with the sun, I see.”
I rolled my eyes, but not when she was looking at me. “Mamma, this isn’t the fifties.”
“I’m not that old!”
“Mamma, she’s a nurse. Works a lot of hours, so I let her sleep in sometimes, especially when we don’t have to be at the headquarters until later.”
My mother’s eyes brightened. She slapped her hands together. “A nurse! Oh, my boy… good…good.” Her brows bushed. “I don’t remember you telling me she was a nurse. I thought you said she was a bartender or something like that.”
I raised my brows and shook my head. “Nope. Nope, I’m pretty sure I said nurse.” Did I tell her my fiancée was a bartender? I couldn’t remember. I’d fed my Mamma so many details, it was hard to keep track.
Her expression relaxed and she smiled. “I’m sure you did. Yes, let her sleep. She needs her rest.”
Let her. I inwardly laughed. I got the feeling I couldn’t control Veronica any more than my father could Mamma—when they were married. The only master of Loretta Langetti was…Loretta Langetti.
She set about the kitchen, loudly clanging pans and talking nonstop about the news in the neighborhood, throwing in hints about how one guy or the other had started to make something of himself and my sister should take notice. None of the girls, however, were up to her standards, but I was engaged anyway, so I didn’t have to worry about falling into their traps.
“Mamma, what are you doing?”
She gave me an annoyed look. “What does it look like?”
“I hope you’re not preparing breakfast. You’re probably tired. Why don’t you lie down for a little while? I don’t have to be at the headquarters for a couple of hours. We can get breakfast there. They serve it all day.”
“Why kind of a mother would I be if I didn’t cook you breakfast? Your refrigerator better have…ah, yes. Good boy. I taught you well.”
Yup. Had that thing stocked yesterday. I wasn’t an idiot.
Vero meekly entered the kitchen while my Mamma’s back was turned. I waved my arms in a sweeping motion to rouse her. Mamma didn’t respect meek, timid women. How would they be able to handle Italian men?
“Mrs. Langetti?” Vero said in an awkwardly high pitch. She cleared her throat.
My Mamma’s gaze swiftly assessed my fake fiancée. She wore light blue scrubs, her hair in her usual bun. “Ah, yes. Oh, Nico.” She clasped her hands in front of her again. “She looks every bit the young, professional, well-kept woman you should be with.” She tweaked my cheek.
“I’m always telling my Nico to marry a nice, professional girl. It is so lovely to finally meet you, Michaela.” She dragged Vero into a fierce mama bear hug.
I slapped a hand over my mouth, and Vero’s wide eyes landed on mine.
Oops. Totally forgot that I had given Mamma a fake name too.
“Um…I actually go by Veronica,” Vero said in a steady voice.
I held my breath.
“What?” Mamma looked at me, confused.
“Sorry Mamma…I…”
“Michaela is a name I gave myself as a little girl. It’s silly, really,” Vero began with a laugh. “I didn’t like my name. Thought it was too…harsh? I thought Michaela was sweeter. Sometimes Nico calls me that to get on my nerves, don’t you, love?”
She sent me a pointed look. I’d probably pay for that later.
Mamma smirked. “You can’t let him get away with that.”
“Oh, I don’t. And I won’t.” She sent me a sweet smile, but I could see my own murder in her dark chocolate eyes. I’d never met a woman who could conjure instant fear like my Mamma.
Something was wrong with me, because I was suddenly even more attracted to Vero. I’d have to call Landyn and get the number of his psychologist.
“Well, I’m happy to meet you, Veronica. My son tells me you are a nurse. I, too, am a nurse.”
“Really?” Veronica smiled genuinely. “How long?”
“A very many years. More than twenty now. I started not long after Nico was born. I wanted to be independent. Make my own money. His father hated it, but medicine is a passion of mine, and I’m more of a progressive Italian girl.” Her red lips spread in a wide grin and she lifted her nose.
Vero nodded enthusiastically. “Me too…except for the Italian part. I’m…Puerto Rican.” I saw her inhale and hold her breath.
My mother’s disapproval never came. She wide grin remained. “I like that. A strong woman. My Nico has chosen well. Oh!” She snatched Vero’s left hand and held it close to her face. “Nico…” she breathed, a hand going to her chest.
“I know, it’s just beautiful. I don’t deserve it.”
I heard a ring of truth in Vero’s words. She was the first woman I’d known who I thought deserved a ring like that, without question. She was being incredibly selfless in playing this role. And she had standards. Never once had she offered her body as payment. It both relaxed and irritated me. Every other woman I’d met had thrown her inhibitions out the window. Vero had standards. I respected that.
My mother cupped her cheek. “I’m sure you do, dear, or he never would’ve bought such a huge, beautiful ring. I’m so proud of you, Nico!” She kissed Vero on the cheek and then nearly broke my back with her strong arms.
“Mamma…” I said, embarrassed.
“Okay, you two relax and let me tell you about family. I will cook!” She fussed around the kitchen while Vero and I hung out on the island stools.
In less than an hour, we had her famous sweet rolls, fruit, l’antipasto, caffe lattes, and a variety of cheeses and crackers. Vero and I gorged on sweet rolls. At one point she looked at me with chipmunk cheeks, and I winked. Her eyes went back into her head and I snickered. I knew how good my mamma’s rolls were.
“I want to go to the zoo while I’m here, since I didn’t get to see it the last time.”
“Mamma, you have the New York City Zoo. Richmond’s can’t compare.”
“So what? I like to see the animals. And this is my vacation.”
Vero hopped off the stool and took her plate to the sink. “I have to go to work. Thank you for the breakfast, Mrs. Langetti.” She gave Mamma a hug.
“Aren’t you going to kiss your fiancé goodbye?” Mamma asked, her gaze bouncing between Vero and myself.
“We’ll see each ot
her at work, Mamma.”
“It’s not good to part without showing love,” she said in a disapproving tone. She practically shoved Vero into my arms. “Kiss him! Make him remember who he’s engaged to.”
“Mamma, trust me, she’s not going to forget. I make sure of it.”
“And she should do her part as well.”
Vero flushed deeply. She quickly kissed my cheek.
“What kind of kiss is that? Nicolas! Show this woman how much you love her.”
Vero’s eyes widened with fear. We hadn’t discussed this part of the deal. Actually, I had told her I wouldn’t touch her. She would just have to forgive me.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her in close. My lips covered hers, and I counted to five, figuring my mother would approve. Then Vero’s lips parted. Her hands slowly wrapped around my neck. Her body felt good pressed against mine, her hands weaving through my hair. I lost myself in the kiss until I heard my Mamma’s loud whoop of approval.
“That is a kiss!” She grinned widely. “That’s my boy. You kiss her like that every morning and she won’t want to leave. You understand?”
Veronica tipped backward and I put a hand on her back to steady her. She didn’t look up at me, but I knew exactly how she felt.
“Veronica, don’t let your man go out of the house without showing you the affection you deserve. Keeps him from cheating.”
I saw Vero wince before she ducked her head, both her face and her neck completely crimson. “Yes, ma’am.” She hurried out of the kitchen.
“You two aren’t even married yet and you’ve become so complacent.”
I shoved a roll into my mouth to keep from speaking.
“Well, at least the two of you are still eating. She’s a bit thin. I’ll fatten her up while I’m here.”
“Mamma…”
“Don’t mamma me. If you want to have children, it’s easier if you’re healthy.”
I rolled my eyes. “She’s a nurse. I think she’s probably healthy.”
“Do you know nurses that smoke? I do. Drink heavily? I do. Morbidly obese? I do.”
I put my dishes in the sink and wrapped my arms around her middle. “I know a chunky one.” I kissed her cheek.
