Page 49 of The Rise of an Heiress

I ignore the phone comment. She knows we don’t trust her yet.

“Isn’t it ironic that you guys keep this in your library?” She laughs and holds up a book.Rico - How Politicians,Prosecutors,and the Mob Destroyed One of the FBI’s Finest Special Agents.

I fight back a smile, but I still let out a small chuckle. “Why are you reading it?”

“I found some helpful stuff in it. The plan was to be a criminal lawyer. That’s if I even get to finish school. I only have a couple of weeks left. Not that it matters, I could be dead any day—”

“You’re not going to die.”

“Not even the all-powerful Deluccis can make a call like that,” she sasses. “Besides, we agreed that you’d help us find my uncle, and that’s it. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough. At least until Bash hits me up one day to call in a favor. Probably to ask for my first-born child,” she jokes.

I didn’t like the unexpected feeling her comment gave me. I didn’t want to think about her having someone’s children. I shake my head to stop my thoughts immediately. Something I found myself doing more and more. She’s right. We find the son of a bitch, Li, and I get back to the way my life was before this raven-haired, dimple-having pain in my ass came storming into my life.

“Bash wouldnevertake your child from you.” I pause. “He’d send me to do it,” I joke. That got a laugh out of her. A real laugh.

“Guess that means we’ll get to see each other again someday,” she says once she’s calmed down.

Get to.Not have to.

I give her a small smile. “I suppose so. Good luck with that.” I nod toward the open book.

I don’t give her a chance to respond. I book it out of the library to get to the gym. I have even more tension to release than before. I never should have gone in there. The more time I spend with her, the more I need to know. Just as I’m whipping around the corner, my body collides with another. My arms instinctively go to grab it, and I notice it’s Cosima.

Once she gets her footing, she adjusts her clothing and mutters, “Sorry, Nico,” through gritted teeth.What now?

Cosima was always jealous. Sure, we flirted growing up, but she was never anything more than a social climber. She thought being a housekeeper like her mother was something to be ashamed of. I respect Valentina more than any other woman, aside from my own mother. She’s respectful, works her ass off, and we make sure her paychecks reflect it.

“Do we have a problem, Cosima?” I ask her, trying not to lose my patience.

“Why did you have to bringherhere?” She snickers and crosses her arms.

“Anya? Because she’s valuable and needs our help. I don’t owe you an explanation, but I am telling you this so you don’t do anything to fuck this up.”

“Valuable,” she repeats the word like its poison, rolling her eyes.

I walk toward her slowly, and she backs into the wall. “Listen to me very carefully, Cosima.” I whisper it, but I’m practically still yelling. “The only and I meanonlyreason my family hasn’t kicked you out on your ass yet is because of your mother. But make no mistake, we have our limits. You don’t get to question us, and you sure as fuck don’t get an opinion on who we allow into our home and do business with. Do you understand me?”

I left her there with tears in her eyes and her jaw to the floor.

Ask me if I give two shits.

Anya

The next couple of days were uneventful. Nico and Dante pretty much spent all their time in the security room, hacking whatever they can to locate my uncle. Enzo is in charge of the soldiers staying nearby and running perimeter checks. Men are constantly coming and going. Not sure how a safe house works, but they didn’t seem to be doing anything safe. Nico assured me they’re being smart about it, so I suppose I just have to take his word for it. Bash pretty much stays in his office all day. After all, he still has legal businesses to run.

I miss Maya and Donna, so I’ve been distracting myself by spending my days in the library, reading. Bash caught me in there one time, and I woke up with a Kindle from him one day. He assured me no one could trace us from it. Bash has been very thoughtful. Come to think of it, they all had. I’m getting more and more comfortable with the men. We share almost every meal together.

Nico surprised me the most. He knows how I like my coffee. I overheard him telling Valentina to make sure we never run out of oat milk or honey. I’d never told any of them that out loud. I smile at the memory. He always makes sure my favorite snacks are in the library ever since he’s found me there. I have a whole new wardrobe as well, one I definitely approve of, along with some skincare products I’ve requested. Men and their 9-in-1 products. Cosima has also steered clear of me. I have a feeling Nico had some words with her.

Thoughtful.

My body always comes to life whenever he was near. I can’t explain it. I’ve never reacted this way to a person before. It’s only been a week since I woke up here, and I never thought I’d say this in a million years, but I can see myself falling for him if I’m not careful. Which is why I’m hell-bent on sticking to my no-touching rule. A rule I regretted the same day I made it. Hence, the pillow wall to keep me in line.

I still don’t know where we are, but I know we’re up north. It’s May, and the temperature stays pretty mild. I’d say the highs are in the 80s. So much green surrounds us, I don’t ever want to leave. I explore the mansion and all its glory. It’s massive and modern. It’s either a new building or it’s been highly renovated. Everything was cream and brown with hints of red. There were a number of paintings hanging around that I’m sure cost a fortune. Now I know for a fact Nico was lying. There are definitely more bedrooms, but it’s not like I put up a huge fight.

This afternoon, I had grown tired of reading but have been feeling so much better physically. My body wasn’t sore anymore. I still had some bruising but nothing too bad. I worked out and trained again. This is the longest I’ve gone without at least getting a workout in. Feeling restless and full of energy, I set my book down and head to the room to change my clothes.

The mansion had a huge state-of-the-art gym in the basement next to the security room. It had rows of machines, punching bags, and a ring to spar in. Music seeps from Dante’s room.Oh, what the hell, I think, knocking on the door.

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