Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 86325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
My mind is already filled with ideas on all the things I want to do with Nicoletta.
I want to travel with her, shop with her, experience new things, have children and grandchildren. I want to give her everything I thought I was ready to give Livia and so much more.
Truth be told, the news that she's still alive hasn't disturbed me in the slightest. I have no desire to meet with her. As for that audience she requested with Father... now might be as good a time as any to check on that.
"I know what you're thinking," Father speaks up in his rumbling voice. "About that wretched woman, Livia."
"How did you know?"
"Well, you're getting married soon and she did just reappear," Father says. "I know you'll be eager to get rid of her again."
I grin, surprised by how well my father seems to understand me.
"I'm assuming you want to ask whether I've spoken to her," Father goes on. "And whether I agreed to see her after that shit she tried to pull at your wedding."
"Yes," I nod gravely. "Are you going to give her the time of day?"
"Why would I? The woman is a vengeful little thing," Father shakes his head. "There's only one reason she could possibly want to see me."
"What's that?"
He shrugs. "She found out you're getting married to Nicoletta Carlucci, and she's jealous as all fuck. It's always like that with women, isn't it?"
"They do all seem to be jealous," I chuckle. "But what makes you think Livia still wants me?"
"She wants what she can't have," Father corrects me. "And I'm assuming she'll do everything to get you back. Let's not forget how low she stooped last time in an effort to enact some vendetta on me. Dio only knows what she prepared for this round."
"My main concern is protecting Nicoletta," I admit. Father is right, Liv has always been hell-bent on revenge and would take even the smallest grudge to the grave. "We need to ensure my bride is safe at all times and at any cost."
"Of course," Father nods.
"But about Livia... how the hell did she even survive? I thought she bled out. I thought she was gone," I mutter, realizing her reappearance is strange to accept because I'm over Livia both emotionally and physically. "I don't understand what happened. How could she have survived?"
"Someone helped her," Father shrugs. "Someone who thought she might be useful, eventually."
"Someone amongst us?" He nods. "But she tried to kill you!"
"Don't tell me you're naive enough to believe she was the first one who tried that particular trick," Father smirks. "Plenty of people have come for me, but none of them ever succeeded. Like I always say, I'm going to die by my own hand, or the hand of God. But no one else will kill me, because I'll outsmart them all."
I nod at his words thoughtfully. "I respect that."
I really do, and I believe him, too. But that doesn't erase my fears of Nicoletta getting hurt.
Over the next few hours, Father and I lay out a plan to ensure there are no unnecessary weapons at my wedding. Guards will surround both Nicoletta and her papa, making sure neither of them gets hurt in the slim chance that Livia somehow manages to make it to the wedding.
But truth be told, I'm more worried about Livia than Nicoletta, if the two were ever to meet.
In the past few weeks, my timid princess has grown claws, and I have no doubt she wouldn't hesitate to use them on my ex. Nicoletta can sometimes be jealous and she's practically obsessed with me – there's no way she'll even let Liv close.
After we've made our plans, I feel relieved. I reassure myself, trying to convince my stubborn mind we've done everything we could have to ensure my bride's safety.
And yet the nagging doubt that I'm forgetting something remains.
* * *
That night, I'm plagued by something between a dream or memory. My thoughts are invaded once more by the woman I've worked the hardest to keep out of them – Livia.
Past and present intertwine in my dreams. Livia is my wife, my lover, my killer and my enemy all at once. The strings of my dreams intertwine to create a complicated story even I don't understand. I'm finally woken up by Nicoletta, her voice whispering my name and begging me to wake up. When my eyes finally do fly open, I'm confused and disoriented until Nicoletta's hot lips find mine. She's burning up and the fire spreads to me, making me deepen our kiss and pull her into my lap as I groan her name.
"Were you dreaming about her again?" Nicoletta whispers. "I don't like it when she's on your mind. It should be me. Only me."
"Little jealous, are we?" I tickle her under her chin. These are the moments I live for now, filled with passion, hope and a bright future ahead of us. "Don't worry, principessa. Everything is like I already promised to you. I feel nothing for Livia, and what I did feel way back when is nothing compared to what you make me experience."