Page 50 of Isabella

I roll to my side and slide my hand under the side of my head and snuggle into my pillow, giving him a knowing grin even though what I’m about to say is a lie. “It was great. Massimo drove me home and even gave me a good-night kiss. And I must say, it was one of the best kisses I’ve ever had.”

The biggest grin plays out on my face but is immediately flattened when I take in Nicco’s cocky smirk. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he adds in a low chuckle that nearly drives me to hang up on him.

“You and I both know that’s not true,” he says, piercing me with that searing gaze of his that has my heart skipping a beat. He cocks a brow, and that’s when it hits me.

“Let me guess,” I say, annoyance lacing my tone. “You waited at the restaurant to see what would happen?”

“Correct.”

“Where were you? I didn’t see you anywhere.” The words escape my lips before I’m able to stop them, and now he knows I was looking for him.

His smile grows, showcasing his pearly whites. “So you were looking for me. Couldn’t get me off your mind after my mouth was all over your pussy?”

His cocky response has me rolling my eyes even though a blush stains my cheeks. “Oh please, Nicco.”

We both laugh softly, an air of lightness shimmering between the two of us.

“I missed this,” he says, reminding me of the conversation we desperately need to have and souring my mood. How could I go from hating this man with every fiber of my being to falling back into our fun old ways so easily?

Nicco must see the change in my expression as he mirrors my own, casting a frown on his face. It shifts the air in the room despite us being in separate houses.

Letting out a long breath, Nicco says, “There’s a lot we need to talk about.” He waits for me to speak, but when I remain silent, he continues. “I wanted to have this conversation in person—I owe that to you—but I know with the complications between our families, this would be the safest bet.”

“Well, if your dad didn’t feel the need to threaten my entire family, Teo wouldn’t have to take these ridiculous precautions.”

“I know. You’re right. But if it helps at all, my dad doesn’t have any plans to kill you guys. Not right now at least. He’s more concerned about getting access to your ports, and I’ve convinced him that keeping your family alive would be in his best interest to do that.”

My brows furrow. “Why?”

Nicco lets out another audible breath as he bores into me with his dark-brown eyes. “Do you honestly think I wouldwantto bring harm to you and your family?”

“Well, you and your dad kind of have a history of that,” I say, and Nicco winces but continues to hold eye contact with me.

“I didn’t know he was going to… go after your parents.” His voice is soft, and his eyes glaze over with a saddened look.

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. You wanted to talk about the breakup, so talk,” I say, hoping we can get straight to the point so I can get closure and figure out what the hell is going on with my emotions.

He waits a few moments before speaking again. “That night you FaceTimed me and saw me in bed with that girl…” He pauses. “I knew you wouldn’t let me go without a damn good reason, and that reason was to make you think I was already with another woman. To make you think I really didn’t love you.”

Those words affect me the same way they did three years ago, sending a sharp pain to my chest. It’s as if I’ve been thrown back in time and he’s breaking my heart all over again.

31

NICCOLÒ

The pain slashes across Isabella’s face, making me want to reach through this damn phone and pull her into my arms to comfort her. It’s killing me that I can’t be there for her. I have to end this war between our families once and for all.

“Make methinkyou were already with another woman? As in…” she says.

“As in, it never happened, Isabella. I never slept with that girl that night.”

“That night?” she repeats with a raised brow, and I wince at my choice of words.

“Ever.”

She rolls onto her back and shakes her head. Her chestnut locks fan out across her pillow. “I need you to take a step back, Nicco, because everything you just said blows my entire world and everything I thought I knew up. Start from the beginning.”

I let out a long breath, preparing to speak the words I have dreamed about speaking to her since that night: the truth. “I lied. When we broke up, I lied about everything because I had to. I had to lose you in order for us to be together.”

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