Page 21 of The Runaway Bride

Giggling along with her, becauseknowing we are at Nico’s, she isn’t wrong. One wrong move toward the Don’swoman and they’d be in the basement. This place has a basement I can’t help butthink. I don’t want to end up down there, so we need to get the heck out ofhere and make a run for it.

A knock on the door grabs bothmine and Tia’s attention and we stand side-by-side ready for whatever is goingto happen, or whoever is going to enter. The woman I knocked over earlierslowly and timidly steps into the doorway, holding up a tray so we can see shehas brought us something to eat and drink.

Now, before I can tell her wedon’t want it, Tia dashes forward, grabs the tray and thanks the woman. Who, Ihave to say in turn, quickly exits the room and closes the door.

With the bed being broken and allthe furniture smashed, we sit with our backs to the wall and eat the food fromthe tray and drink the bottled water, too. Sighing, I turn to look at Tia. “I’mnot sure how we are going to get away from here. Guards are outside the door,and outside the windows, as they have a patrol going around the place.”

“Yeah, I noticed that too. But ifwe can overpower those two outside the door, we may be able to sneak out.”

“Or we play nice, wait for themto relax, then make a run for it?” I suggest. When I see the wheels turning inTia’s mind and the grin form on her face, I know she’s going to go for it.

Rubbing my hands together, I giveTia a huge smile as I hold my fist up for a bump, which she gives me returningmy smile with one of her own. Deal done, I’m thinking to myself. Now we justhave to implement it.

Chapter 14

Nico

I’m rubbing my hands together inanticipation of what is going to happen today. The guards on Elli’s door reportit has been quiet throughout the night, and Yasmine reported the tray sheretrieved was empty so we know they have eaten. Or, they had thrown it down thetoilet and are going hungry, whichever, they had the opportunity to eat.

This morning, they will both bebrought down for breakfast, and while they are in the dining room new bedroomswill be allocated for them. The two they have destroyed will be stripped andeverything replaced.

Walking into the dining room Ihold back the smirk that wants to cross my face as I study Elli and Tia sittingdemurely at the dining table awaiting breakfast.

“Good morning, Elli, Tia. I hopeyou both had a good night’s sleep?” I ask and know full well they won’t havebecause they broke the bed.

Elli side-eyes Tia beforeresponding, “Yes, thank you we both slept very well.”

Taking my seat at the head of thedining table, with Elli on my right and Tia next to her. Bruno will be here ina moment, and he’ll take the seat on my left. Anyone else that arrives forbreakfast will sit wherever they like.

Yasmine walks into the diningroom with two staff behind her, all carrying an array of breakfast items,placing them on the long table at the side of the room where everyone will helpthemselves. Apart from me of course, I am always served, although I’d ratherget it myself. Yasmine from the start insisted she serve me herself.

“What would you like forbreakfast?” I ask, and give them both a smile. “Yasmine will be happy to get itfor you, or you can go get it yourself.”

While I’m speaking Yasmine placesmy breakfast in front of me, which is a bowl of oatmeal with honey drizzledover. I have always loved oatmeal and Yasmine makes sure I have it at leastonce a week.

Without a word the two stand fromthe table and walk over to get themselves something to eat. I eat my breakfastleaving my phone on one side, as I never answer or check my phone at the diningtable. I feel it’s the height of rudeness to the people who prepare the mealand the ones eating alongside you.

We all eat quietly, and I remaincalm and quiet as I finish my breakfast before speaking to Elli and Tia. “Afteryou have eaten breakfast, Yasmine will bring you to my office. We need to speakabout what is going to happen from this point.”

Elli nods and Tia gives me a tinysmile before also nodding. Bruno walks into the dining room, and states loudly,“Sorry, Boss, I was held up with some information that Aeron brought to myattention. I’ll be in the office in a few minutes…” Bruno stops in his strideand stares at Tia, who I have to say is staring right back at him. “Well, hellolittle lady,” he smoothly says.

I chuckle when she stands andwalks up to him, walking around him, giving him a full look over, staring athis private area before stating for everyone to hear. “Well, you are a big man,but are you a big man in all the right places?”

Before anyone can respond,because we are all in shock, Tia marches out of the dining room, with Ellijogging to catch up with her. But we all smirk when we hear the tinklinglaughter that flows behind them both. Yasmine is running after them as she knowsthey are supposed to go to my office. I make my way to my office ready for theconversation that is going to be had.

Taking the seat behind my desk, Ismile as I remember the shocked look on Bruno’s face. Tia won’t get away withbeing sassy next time as he’ll be ready. But she stopped his flow this time. Itseems they are attracted to each other, and that gives me an idea. One theyboth probably won’t like to start with at least.

A soft knock on the door rightbefore it opens has me looking up whilst clasping my hands on the desktop. I’mrelaxed about this meeting even though they both may kick up a fuss.

Entering, Yasmine is followedinside by Elli and Tia. “Have a seat, please,” I offer and point to the twoseats to the side of my desk. I swivel my seat and settle back into it. Yasmineleaves and closes the door quietly behind her.

“Your rooms are being remodeledthanks to your renovation techniques.” I grin at them, which is letting themknow that their antics have not annoyed me at all.

Before I can say more the dooropens and Bruno, Aeron, and Tiny walk into the office and take seats, settlinginto them for however long this meeting is going to take.

Elli and Tia are keeping quietfor the time being. It’s easy to see they have a strategy going on, and agreedupon. I would love to laugh but it would be like slapping them, so I’ll keep myamusement to myself. This is turning out to be such fun, and after all the darkwe deal with in the firm it is a pleasant relief.

“So, let’s get down to it. Elli,you are my betrothed, promised and agreed upon by your late father and mother.”Seeing she is going to say something, probably argue, I hold my hand up in ahold-it motion. “You cannot get out of this, Elli; your brother is happy alsofor this union to go ahead. The engagement has been posted, and now that it isannounced you have nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide that I won’t find you.”

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