Page 42 of Ties That Bind Us

“Ava, you don’t need to do this. You should be repulsed by me.” He was projecting his own feelings of himself onto me.

“You’re a good man, Nick. What happened today doesn’t define you, and it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I know it’s part of your job,” I continued. “You’re frustrated, why don’t you take some of that out on me?”

Our body language would help when words failed me. I couldn’t make this okay or any better for him, but I could show him I wasn’t going anywhere and that I understood. Oh, how I understood. I had never had to kill anyone but I had been forced to do so many things in this life that I didn’t want to do because that was the nature of the Mafia.

A genuine smile spread across Nick’s lips, and he leaned forward until our foreheads were touching. “You’re way too good for this world, you know that?”

Chapter 15

Ava

Wind ripped through campus as I hurried from my class to meet Nick across the street for lunch. My morning had been nearly unbearable as I sat in ethics, almost falling asleep to the sound of my professor’s voice, so when Nick asked if I wanted to meet for lunch, I welcomed the distraction.

“You know I’m starting to think you’re avoiding me.” The voice behind me turned my blood to ice.

Jimmy.

“Hi, Jimmy.” I tried to put on my bravest face and turned around. “I’ve just been busy.” That was a lie. I had been avoiding him like the plague since Bella and I had seen him at that club, but seeing him on this street corner was about the last thing I expected.

I knew Jimmy enough to know he was bad news, and I knew myself well enough to know he could find a way to break me down eventually. The burning in my veins was a painful reminder. I didn’t want anything to do with Jimmy anymore, but he knew my weaknesses, and exactly how to play them against me to keep me drawn in just where he wanted me. That had been his intention the other night; he knew one taste would pull me back in and have me craving the high for days. I was stronger now than I had been before, and I wasn’t going to fall back into my old habits. The other night had been a slipup, but I wouldn’t let it happen again.

Hearing Nick talk about how concerned he had been for me was eye opening. Whenever my father found out I was out using or drinking, he was angry and infuriated that I had done something that could reflect badly on him. Nick was genuinely concerned, and that made me feel even more ashamed that I had let things get so out of hand. Jimmy was like an angry wasp, though. The more you slapped it away, the more intent it became on attacking you. That’s why I had been doing everything in my power to avoid him.

“I’ve heard getting married will do that to you.” Jimmy smirked. “Caponelli was pretty pissed when he found you in the club the other night. Not exactly his style?

“I never expected you to let him make all of your decisions for you.” Jimmy scowled, reaching into his pocket and flashing a little bag of white powder.

My throat dried at the sight of it. “Jimmy, I can’t. I told you the other night, I don’t want it. Take your cocaine and stay away from me. I’m clean.” I clenched my jaw, hoping my resolve could stay as strong as I needed it to.

“Clean? You and I both know you won’t be able to stay away long. It makes you feel too good. Makes the stress disappear.” Jimmy teased me menacingly. “Wonder what your new fiancé will think about that habit of yours.”

I cringed at the idea of Nick finding out just how bad everything had been. It seemed like a lifetime ago, like I wasn’t that person anymore. I had worked too hard to get myself to a good place to let Jimmy to jeopardize that.

“Relax, princess. That’s not why I’m here.” I knew better than to ever relax around Jimmy. At even the slightest sight of my guard coming down, he would pounce. “I’m actually here because I have a business proposition for you.”

“What sort of business proposition?” The only thing I ever really knew Jimmy to do for work was deal drugs, and I wanted nothing to do with that.

“My father is looking for an intern at his law firm. He heard you were looking for an internship for next semester, and they’ve got space at his firm. It’s the only paid internship you’ll find.”

I cautiously took the card he was holding out. I did need an internship, and a part of me felt proud at the offer, but Jimmy never did anything without some kind of all ulterior motive. I had a hard time believing he didn’t have something to do with this.

“I know you’re in a rush, just call him and find out about the details. It could be good for you.” Jimmy sounded somewhat sincere. He reached into his pocket again and pulled out the little baggie, pressing it into my palm. “Just in case,” he whispered harshly, and disappeared before I could protest.

“Jimmy, wait! I don’t want this!”

He ignored me, picking up his pace and disappearing around the corner. I thought about dropping the bag, but I was in public and could get into all kinds of trouble for even having it. Slipping it into my pocket, I vowed to flush it down the toilet the second I could.

Now I was running late, so I jogged across the street. My interaction with Jimmy had left me completely flustered, and I could only hope Nick wouldn’t pick up on that.

When I walked into the little café, Nick was already sitting at a table with Zane and Leo. I felt a little disappointed that they were joining us. I loved the both of them, but between my school schedule and Nick working so much, we rarely had any time just the two of us.

Nick’s face lit up when he saw me, immediately washing away the irritation building inside of me. Just being in his presence was calming. I made my way to the table and slid into the open seat. Nick leaned across it and kissed me.

“Hey, baby.” He grinned.

“Sorry I’m running so late, I got stuck with a professor.” The lie was off my lips before I could stop it.

“No problem, we haven’t been here long.” Nick’s hand found a resting spot on my thigh.

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