Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“I’ll let him know.”
“You have a good one,” I say and hang up.
“Did you invite Ny?” Jace says, pulling my attention as we pull into the new restaurant the drive will be in today. I look up out of the window to see her step from the car with Elijah, Gwen, and Lizzy.
Damn, she looks good. She has on sexy heels and a black fur—I note it’s not the one I gave her. When she turns, her open coat reveals a skintight pair of leather leggings and a gray thigh-length sweater beneath.
“No, I didn’t, but this is good. I want to see how fucked up Dario and Dante’s heads are. They should remember Gwen, but let’s see if Ny triggers either of them.”
“I doubt that. She used to wear all that dark makeup and she was so damn skinny,” Jace says.
“She was, wasn’t she?” I smile fondly as I stare out of the window.
“Just so you know, I’m going to spend time with her if she’ll allow it.”
I turn to look at him. I furrow my brows and think for a bit. After a beat of silence, I shake my head.
“I’m older now. I know you can’t fix what I’ve broken. That’s on me.
“I need her… no, I need all of us to understand there aren’t two different relationships going on here. Honesty and trust are what we have to live by. That’s all I ask.”
What Nyla doesn’t know is that Jace and I have been doing the work while she’s been away. Yes, we argue a lot, but we’ve been talking more too. This is why he’s been so angry.
He’s ready to bring her into what we understand more. I’ve changed and Nyla is the only one who doesn’t know this. While she was shutting me out, I’ve been figuring my shit out.
I continue. “I know you’re unhappy, Jace. I know you miss her. I know you’re suffering because of our stubbornness. You don’t even have to mention me, but you should spend time with her. I’m the one she’s hurt by.”
“Fuck. You do get it.” He pulls his hand down his face.
I snort and give him the finger. “Marone. Fuck outa here. You’ve been in my ear for how long? You think I don’t listen? As a matter of fact. When the time comes, I think it should be you to tell her what we already know.”
He frowns a bit. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”
“I know I am. I shouldn’t be the only one who hears how you feel. Ny showed you a long time ago you have a voice with her. She learned to speak your language just to show that. You have to learn to trust us with how you feel too.”
He nods. “You’re right.”
“Andiamo.”
Jace
It feels good to know I’ve been heard. Gio has said repeatedly that he hears me, but it’s starting to show. My strings have become untangled, and I might even snip them. At least where Gio is concerned.
Ny is a different story. Even now, as she looks up at Dante with hope in her eyes, I can see so many emotions playing. Neither of the guys recognized her. It’s tearing her up.
“You have such a pretty little girl,” Ny says to Dante.
“Thank you. Do you have children?”
“No.” Nyla looks down and whispers.
I want to pull her into my arms and hold her. The off-the-shoulder gray sweater and leather pants make her look super sexy and confident, but I know her. I see past it all.
She’s been avoiding Gio, and he’s allowed her space, but it isn’t what either of them wants. I just haven’t gotten a moment to get them together to talk.
“Oh, excuse me. I need to greet a few people. I’ll be back,” Dante says and takes off across the room.
I know he’s not trying to be rude. These are all big donors and pockets need to be hit this morning. Gio and Dario are doing much of the same thing.
I wrap an arm around Ny’s shoulder and tug her into my side. I lean to whisper into her ear. “You look amazing. I’ve missed you.”
“I miss—”
“Hello, I’m Bethany. Dante’s wife,” Bethany interrupts and introduces herself as she looks Ny up and down as if she sees something distasteful.
I ball my fist. This is the wrong woman for her to start that bullshit with. Bethany had better watch that shit today.
“Eww,” Ny says, returning Bethany’s glare.
“You are?”
“None of your damn business. It’s too early for bullshit, honey. Don’t come over here with that drama when I didn’t send for you. I promise I’m a problem you don’t want. Look, there goes another tray of drinks. Go make your throat useful over there,” Ny dismisses her and turns to me with her back to Bethany.
I laugh and reach to tug at a strand of Ny’s hair before I push it behind her ear. “Nice.”