Page 119 of War Within
“He left with a girl before we got a chance to close in on him.”
“We'll get him.” Luca chimed in.
“Once Nick is back in town,” Emir crossed his arms, “he plans to lure him in.”
“Nick?” Lily lifted a hand to her chin. “Back in town?”
“Don't worry about it.” Emilio countered.
Nick had been acting strange ever since the last day in the penthouse. Though I did not know why at the time, I had a suspicion I was about to find out. He was standing near a small replica of the Trevi Fountain that my father and uncle had built when I was a little boy. As I neared, he remained motionless, staring at the water.
“What’s going on?” Next to him, I nestled my hands in my pockets, waiting for an explanation to the awkwardness. “You've been acting weird.”
Taking a deep breath, he turn to me, crossing his arms over his chest. “It's about Jane. I should not keep it from you.”
“What about her?” My gaze narrowed. After everything we had just been through, I was on edge about her.
“Full disclosure,” he paused, bobbing his head, nibbling the inside of his lip for a moment, “I've known her since she was eight years old.”
My gaze widened, I arched a brow. “You know Jane?”
“Apparently her friend, Lily, is seeing Carmine?”
“Yeah?”
“Lily Alexander is my younger sister.”
I arched a brow, cocking my head. Thinking about it now, I could see it. Lily and Nick looked alike. Alexander was a common enough last name, that I never connected them. Once I made the connection, it made sense. They shared the same shade of blonde hair and unique shades of blue in their eyes.
“Anyway,” he shrugged, “I just thought you should know. My loyalty is with you. I have not seen Jane in many years.”
“I appreciate you telling me.”
“There’s more.” He sighed then glanced down, grabbing his pocket. Holding up a finger, he placed his phone to his ear.
Yes?
What's wrong?
He’s right here.
We’ll fly back as soon as possible.
Taking a deep breath, I shook my head.
I’ll let him know. He hung up, swallowing hard.
“What?”
“That was Emilio. We need to go home. It’s happening.”
Scarsdale, New York
Ever since we returned from Italy, Jane and I started to grow apart. At one point, I had begun to fall in love with her, but I no longer knew who I was when I was with her. I no longer wanted to feel. I was becoming numb and I started to lose myself. I felt paralyzed. This was not the real me. Those close to me noticed. I was starting to shut down emotionally since she was becoming increasingly distant.
I knew it was because I murdered her father. Things had grown strange before then, but that was the peak of the turning point in our relationship. To say I regretted killing her father would be a lie. I enjoyed every moment of that night.
The moment he spotted me charging him, he pleaded for his life. Typically, I was not one to torture people. I let my brothers have fun with that, but not that time. I did not have time for the dramatics and bullshit, but I wanted him to suffer.
