Page 55 of Brandishing Betrayals
Slade let a slow breath, like she was biting her tongue and looking for strength to not snap at me. It was something she had to do a lot around me these days. We’ve fought over this very damn topic too many times. “So what did you end up telling Nico last night?”
“Just that I couldn’t say anything. He read between the lines. Kept asking me who was threatening me. He specifically asked about Tish and Dax. I didn’t say anything more than that.”
“Jesus, Maya! That was your fucking out! You should have come clean right then and there! He straight up ASKED YOU if it was Hillcrest!”
I hung my head in shame. “I know. I knooooww.”
“Maya, I love you, but this scares me. You need to come clean. Soon. Or I might just have to get involved.”
I looked over to see the serious set to Slade’s face—the hard gazed leveled on me. Swallowing, I nodded slowly. “I hear you.”
“Good. Because you know I’m usually Switzerland in these things. But you’re putting both you and your son at risk. I can’t sit back and watch it.”
Maya
After our very serious start to the morning, we moved onto easier topics as we both lounged around the pool area and through our treatments. Some treatments we had next to each other, like manicures and pedicures, and others we had apart like our facials and massages. For lunch, we ate in the attached restaurant, while sitting in fluffy bathrobes.
In the end, it had been one of the most relaxing days of my life in years. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so amazing. When it was time to go, I asked Slade for a ride home, but Slade laughed. “Nah boo, your man has that covered too.” Slade pulled out a bag from one of the lockers and handed it to Maya. “I wastold to give you this, threaten you into the dress, and then leave you here. Nico will pick you up for dinner in a bit.”
My mouth dropped open in shock as I slowly reached for the bag. “He really went all out.”
“Sure did. Maybe it’s time you actuallytalkedto him,” Slade hedged again. Thankfully she had let the topic rest since the morning, but now that I was inevitably going to see Nico again, Slade had picked up her pestering again.
“Yeah,” I said almost mindlessly as I opened the bag. I huffed out a laugh as I checked out the contents. Inside there were a pair of black leggings and an oversized t-shirt that I was pretty sure was Nico’s from back in the day, along with clean under garments and a pair of flipflops.
“Alright girl, today was fun. I hope you have a good time tonight.” Slade stood up, now fully dressed and walked toward me.
I hugged her tightly. “Thank you for today. I’m sorry I’m so distracted.”
“I’m sorry I’m pushing. I just want you safe. I love you,” Slade said softly, hugging me tighter.
“I love you too girl.”
By the time I was dressed in the leggings and t-shirt, I was exhausted and starving. Walking out into the lobby I looked around, wondering if Nico was waiting for me or not, because apparently, I couldn’t call him as I left my phone behind at his place that morning.
Nico was waiting in the lobby for me though, a pair of blue jeans on with a white t-shirt under his leather Devil’s Psychos cut. There was no missing him. His blond hair fell around shoulders and cocky as fuck smirk was plastered on his face as walked my way. “Hey, Little Dreamer. How was your day?”
I couldn’t help myself; I smiled up at him. “It was pretty fantastic. Thank you.”
“Anything for you, babe.” He kissed my forehead and wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me gently. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” With his arm wrapped around my waist, he led me out of the spa.
I smiled as we left the air-conditioned building and headed out into the hot and humid late July evening. My leggings were already making me sweat and I wondered where he planned on taking me dressed in basically pajamas. “Nico, where are we going?”
Nico stopped walking in the middle of the parking lot. He turned and stood in front of me. Both of his hands came up to cradle the sides of my face, “Little Dreamer, I’m gonna need you to trust me tonight. Can you do that?” He was so serious. His blue eyes were so intense as he stared down at me.
My heart shuddered in my chest and my breath hitched in my throat. He was a stunning specimen of human male. God damn, he was gorgeous. But the intensity of his stare, and the question he asked after a day of pampering and relaxation, caught me off guard; I was incredibly vulnerable. “I—”
“Maya, please baby. Let me take care of you tonight.”
“Nic.” I bit my lip as my hands came up to hold both side of his leather cut. I needed something to ground me. I was losing myself in his gaze.
His thumb brushed over my lower lip, pulling it gently from my teeth. “You’re so strong all the time. You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Let me take care of you tonight. Let me carry your burden.”
My lips parted slightly as shock rolled over me. My heart hammered in my chest and butterflies exploded in my belly. This man would be the death of me. I licked my lips, trying to think of what to say, how to answer. I wasn’t mentally ready for whatever he was planning. I needed space, needed time to build my walls back up.
I nodded my head anyways. Against my better judgement, I nodded my fucking head and agreed to go to with him.Let’s face it. There’s nowhere on this earth where I wouldn’t follow this man.
Nico gave me a soft smile, his cocky smirk nowhere to be found. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead that had me eyes closing as I almost fucking swooned. He was stealing my heart all over again and if I wasn’t careful, I would let him.
