Page 43 of His Obsession
“I’m not leaving my home.” Val’s eyes go wide. “That’s what he wants.”
“What if he comes back?” I press. “What if he attacks you when you’re alone? Either you stay with me, or I’m moving in here for the foreseeable future.”
The fight comes back into her face at once.
“You don’t get to decide that,” she shoots back.
“As the father of your unborn child, yes, I do get a say in your physical safety. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Nico steps to the other side of the door, leaning over to look at Val.
“She can stay with me,” he says, glaring at me. “I agree it’s not safe for you to stay here alone, Val. As much as I hate agreeing with Sebastian right now, I’m not going to risk that asshole hurting you.”
“So no one cares what I think?” she snaps, pushing to her feet and rounding the side of the car.
“Val.” Nico sighs wearily. “Of course I care what you think. But I can’t stomach the idea of Adrian in your home. Or anywhere in the same state as you. You need to be somewhere you feel safe.”
“I’m not going to feel safe anywhere,” she mutters darkly.
“My home has top of the line security,” I remind them both. “A staffed security gate, cameras all over the property. No one would bother you there. They wouldn’t even get the chance to get close.”
I don’t mention the armed men who patrol the mansion at all hours, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice. She’s been through enough tonight.
“I don’t like it.” Nico shakes his head. “You two barely know each other.”
I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from reminding him that we know each other far better than he thinks. I’m already in enough hot water with him. Best not to push it.
“Maybe you’re right,” I concede. “But that’s my baby growing inside her. I have every right to ensure its safety and the safety of its mother.”
Nico sighs and stares me down. I stare right back, daring him to argue. We both know I’m right. That baby is my heir and deserves the highest level of protection I can provide. I shouldn’t have let Val walk out of my office in the first place.
Nico breaks the standoff first, turning to Val.
“He’s right,” he reluctantly admits. “Pack a bag.”
“No,” she repeats. “This isn’t happening. I’m not moving in with you.”
“It’s just temporary, Val. I’ll make sure someone is monitoring your house at all times in case your ex comes back. Once we’resatisfied the threat has been neutralized, you’re welcome to move back in and go on about your life. If that’s what you want.”
“Of course it’s what I’m going to want,” she nearly spits at me.
“Great,” I say, a flat smile fixed on my face. “Then we’re in agreement. Now go pack so we can get out of here. I’ve had to move around all my meetings this afternoon.”
“Poor you,” she grumbles, slamming her door shut and making her way toward the house. Nico and I follow in silence.
He doesn’t say another word about her staying with me. No matter how pissed he is right now, he knows I won’t let anything happen to her. He knows my home is a fortress and it really is the safest place for her. Somewhere deep down, he even knows I would never intentionally hurt either of them.
He and I sit on her couch while we wait, as far apart as physically possible. She stomps around upstairs, dragging the process out longer than necessary. I can’t help but chuckle. Both Moretti siblings are stubborn as mules.
“This is decent of you,” he finally mutters. “Probably the very least you can do, all things considered.”
“I appreciate that.” I nod without looking at him. “Sounds like her ex was a real piece of work.”
He sighs. “You don’t know the half of it. When you find him, let me throw the first punch.”
“I can’t make any promises. I’d like to have a few words with him myself.”
He cracks a wry smile, and I know that whatever bad blood sat between us is forgiven. We stay there until Val’s ready to go, then I have her follow me back to my mansion.
