Chapter- 40 '89 Collapse (Part 2)

Gianna

I have never seen a room full of people looking so grim. Nico glanced down at the insignia again, fingers brushing over the aged paper.

“And if that happens, they will be coming for us first because it was Sicily who started the retaliation. Camorra has been too much of a coward,” Nico said. “They will give in the second they attack.”

“But I don’t understand…” Domani frowned. “Why would the Barbaros come for us? We don’t even trade with them. And that old fart…Drago Barbaro, he’s probably on his way to hell at this age. He is way beyond eighty, I think.”

“Don’t underestimate Drago,” Nico said, his jaw clenching. “He is known as the most dreaded mafia leader in the history of the Barbaro family…even a notch higher than Salvatore himself.”

“But isn’t he too old to plan a full-on war and all these attacks that have been happening, planting false leads…?” Caelian pointed out. “If I’m not wrong, he doesn’t have an heir, does he?”

“No,” Leo shook his head. “Drago is…well, people say he’s gay and that he had a whole harem of gay men to serve him, whatever he wanted. But it was never official because, of course, Salvatore wouldn’t have approved. He would have killed him.”

“Some say he fell in love with a common, orphan girl and wanted to marry her. His father had other plans. When he refused, he killed the girl, and Drago took revenge by never getting married and raising an heir. They also say he was the one to kill Salvatore, not the war.”

“Aren’t gay men supposed to be all fun and cute?” I mumbled under my breath and was greeted with judgmental stares from the rest of them.

“But if he has no heir…then he’s planning all this crap on his own?” Caelian demanded. “He’s got balls, I would say.”

“Why now?” Leo frowned. “Why after this long? And why come after you?”

“That’s what we need to figure out. And fast,” Nico hissed, rubbing his face. “But if this is indeed the handiwork of Barbaro then we are fucked. So damn fucked.”

“So what do we do now?” Xavier asked. “We can’t go and randomly accuse Drago because there is no proof. Anyone could be misleading us.”

“Well, we have activated the Moles,” Caelian said. “Maybe they can give us something? I got in touch with them. We are just waiting for the right time before they can emerge.”

“That’s a brilliant idea!” Xavier said. “The Moles…this is the time when we need them.”

“And what is a Mole?” I quipped. I just can’t help it. This was all so crazy.

“Moles are members of a gang who are planted in other families and work as informants. They settle down there as if that’s where they belong but keep their eyes and ears open and keep feeding us info as and when needed. We don’t summon them until absolutely necessary because if anyone finds out they’re a Mole, they’d be tortured to death in the most unimaginable, brutal manner.”

“Let’s arrange for a meeting ASAP,” Nico said. “There are more documents and stuff in here. I’ll try and see if there is anything here. But we need to tighten security. That’s a non-negotiable.” He glanced at me.

“Tell that to your wife,” Leo made a face at me. “She’s brilliant at dodging security.”

“Don’t worry…I have you two and your excellent stalking skills,” I scowled at my brother. “We need to have a chat about some cute little message you left to someone.” I narrowed my eyes at him, and Leo quickly looked away. Nico raised a brow, glancing between the two of us.

Nico was locked up in his study, buried in whatever he found in that box even when it was way beyond two in the morning. I had fallen asleep only to wake up and find the bed beside me empty.

“Hey,” I yawned, leaning by the doorway of his study. “You’re still up.”

Nico looked up and he clearly looked exhausted. There were countless cigarette stubs scattered all around, coffee mugs and even cans of beer. He made a mess out of his study.

“Wasn’t sleepy,” he shrugged. I noticed the way his eyes raked over me. I had run out of my decent sleepwear so I just gave up and went with a knee length chemise and a matching satin robe to go with it.

“Why are you awake?” he asked. “Thought you went to bed.”

“I was thirsty,” I said and then couldn’t help but walk over to him. He looked really distressed and I wished I could help him in some way.

“Are you alright?” I said softly. He slammed the file he was reading and leaned back.

“I don’t know,” he muttered with a sigh of defeat. “If what we are suspecting is right…” There was pure dread in his eyes. He looked so forlorn and exhausted. Before I could stop myself, I flopped down on his lap and wrapped my arms around him in a hug.

“It’s going to be alright,” I mumbled. “Everything will be fine. You will figure it out. I know you will,” He didn’t respond right away but after a beat, he let out a deep sigh and wrapped his arms around me too. And somehow too tight then was necessary.

“What if I can’t,” he said. “This…I can’t see a way out.” I pulled away from him and ran my fingers gently through his hair as I met his dark gaze.

“You will. When the time is right, everything will fall into place. I trust you,” I assured. “You’re one of the strongest people I know. You have always been my hero, Nico. Just as my brothers have been.”

“What if I fail?” he said. “What if I fail to protect this family, this legacy…what if I fail to protect you?”

“You won’t,” I said. “Yes, you might falter, maybe lose your way but you won’t fail. That’s not Nicholas Baldocchi. And I trust you implicitly. You should too.” he stared at me in silence but his shoulders visibly relaxed. Like he needed to hear those words.

“Come to bed,” I urged, tugging at his hand. “It’s late.”

“What if I don’t want to sleep?” he breathed, sitting up straight and pulling me closer against his warm body.

“Then what do you want?” I whispered, our lips barely a breath away.

“This…” he slipped his hand between my legs, cupping me possessively as his lips trailed kisses down my neck. I could feel his erection growing beneath me. “I want to be buried in you, in your fucking intoxicating scent…inside you. All night. I want to forget all this bullshit and just remember how good you feel, cara mia.” I couldn’t breath, wetness pooling between my legs already.

“Then what’s stopping you?” I mumbled. Nico gazed up into my eyes and they were the sexiest shade I have ever seen. Again it felt like he wanted to say something but was holding it off.

“What is it?” I asked, feeling his hesitance. “Are you still worried about the contraceptives? Don’t worry…I took a shot. We are safe.” Nico shook his head.

“If anything happens…if I don’t walk out of this—don’t let them bury me next to him.” I froze, my breath catching. The ghosts of his past swam in his eyes as we gazed back at each other. I never expected him to say that.

And the thought of him not returning…no. That was unacceptable.

“Nico…” I whispered, my voice cracking. He shook his head, caressing my cheek with his thumb.

“I don’t want to rot beside a man who taught me how to kill but never how to feel,” he said, deep sadness in his voice. “Because if he did…I would be the luckiest man on this planet.” My breath hitched as his words registered.

For a moment, the weight of everything—of us, of what we were and what we could never be, hung between us like a loaded gun. Then he leaned in, his lips brushing the corner of my mouth, not quite a kiss.

“Now come to bed, before I say something I can’t take back.”

And just like that, the moment passed.