Chapter-8 Reunion

Gianna

“Okay, what surprise do you have?” I asked eagerly as both my brothers dragged me away.

“You can’t stay calm, can you?” Leonardo rolled his eyes.

“You tell me there’s a surprise for me and then expect me to be calm?” I snorted in response. “No, can do, sir.”

“Grow up then, you’re married now,” Leonardo made a face, shaking his head.

“Look who’s talking,” Xavier quipped. “The man who still gets jealous when his wife gives more attention to his kids.”

I burst out laughing as Xavier gave me a wink while Leonardo held up his middle finger for his elder brother. I watched as they both playfully bickered, and it hit me how much I missed them. And it has been what? One day? At the same time, I remembered Vittoria’s words about how Nico grew up all alone and it made me wonder if he had a sister or brother, maybe he could have been more open. I cannot imagine my life without Leonardo and Xavier in it.

“Okay here we are…” Leonardo halted in front of a door.

“There better be more than just furniture beyond that door,” I said.

"Just go ahead and open the damn door," Leo rolled his eyes.

“Oh look…little Gi cracked a joke,” Leo snorted. I stuck out my tongue at him and then walked over to open the door. I had no idea what I was expecting but when I opened the door all I could see was a…room.

“Wh…?” I almost turned to my brothers but the piercing female voice made me jump out of my skin.

“Surpriseeeeee!” I blinked and turned around and then blinked again.

What. The Fuck.

“Oh, I need to take a picture of that expression...” The red-haired girl grinned at me.

“Surprise,” Leonardo and Xavier whispered from behind.

“Oh…my god,” I mumbled, my eyes wide. “Oh…what!”

“Oh, come, hug it out." She wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me in a tight hug.

Teresa Rosario was my best friend—my oldest friend. We hadn’t seen each other in years; she had been in the States for school and work, while I was in London. When I invited her to the wedding, she had to decline because of some urgent work. So seeing her here tonight? Completely unexpected. What the hell?

“Why…how? When did you even come?” I demanded. “You said you wouldn't be able to make it.”

“Not make it to my best friend’s wedding celebrations?” Teresa snorted. “Never in my life. It was bad enough that I couldn’t be at the ceremony. Plus, Leonardo almost kidnapped me.”

“I almost did,” Leo winked.

“I am so happy…I…thank you so much for coming!” I smiled, squeezing her hand, so glad to finally have someone to talk to about the Nico situation. Even if Teresa would kill me when she finds out what I agreed to.

Or Nico.

“I missed you too much to stay away any longer,” Teresa said. “Oh, don’t you just look gorgeous?”

“So do you,” I said. “You cut your hair.”

“Eh…” she shrugged, shaking her shoulder-length hair.

“How do you like our surprise?” Xavier asked.

“The best!” I grinned at him. “Thank you so much!”

“Okay, now we should really head back to the party then,” Leonardo said. “Too many important people are waiting and Nico might just die of anxiety any moment.”

“Stop bullying him, Leo,” Xavier shook his head. “Come on, ladies,”

“I am eager to meet that delicious husband of yours,” Teresa chuckled. “How was it…I need details, woman!”

“I am still here,” Leonardo grimaced. “Save the dirty talk for later.”

“That reminds me, you aren’t leaving anytime soon, are you?” I asked my best friend.

“Relax, I am not going anywhere,” Teresa grinned. “I am here to stay.” I blinked at her.

“What do you mean?”

“I am permanently moving here. Coming back home.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “What about Christian?” Teresa’s face darkened, but at the same time, her blue-gray eyes turned glassy. Christian was the investment banker she had been dating for the last five years.

“We broke up.”

“What? But you told me you felt like he was going to propose,”

“He cheated on me. I caught him sleeping with well, his secretary.” I scrunched up my nose in distaste.

“Ugh, that’s so cliché,” I grimaced.

“Right? It’s humiliating. At least sleep with someone with a little class. Like all those fancy women entrepreneurs he went to dinner with or Angelina Jolie. That secretary of his is a fucking bimbo…no offense. Even my pussy refused him after he slept with her. I got an infection right after. It was like…dude I have some standards, take that rotten dick away.” I had no idea whether to laugh or sympathize with her.

“I am so sorry,” I murmured, rubbing her arm. “But was he worth leaving your entire life in the States? You were thriving.”

“It’s not about him. I just got bored. I wanted to come home—to the Mediterranean, to real Italian wine and cheese, to everything familiar. I needed a change, something of my own. And some hot Italian guys to fuck. My pussy needs a makeover.”

“Will you stop using the ‘P’ word?” I laughed. “But I am glad you are back. I missed you so much.”

“Me too. Now, where is that hot husband of yours?” I looked around the crowd, my eyes scanning for my husband.

I hoped he hadn’t left already, knowing how uneasy he was in large crowds. Scanning the room, my eyes finally landed on him by the bar, engaged in what looked like a tense conversation with Amara. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but their body language spoke volumes—Amara was trying to get him to understand something, while Nico looked anything but pleased.

“Uh there he is,” I pointed out. “Come,” I dragged my best friend towards the bar, throwing random smiles here and there.

“Nico…please,” Amara said, her voice soft and filled with concern. What were they talking about?

"Please what?" I cut in, interrupting them. Amara looked momentarily startled, while Nico simply turned away, his expression unreadable.

"Please, just smile a little," Amara said, her tone teasing and earnest. "But, Gianna, you look gorgeous, sweetie," she added warmly before pulling me into a hug.

I smiled, hugging her back. I adored Amara. She was the absolute sweetest. "Thank you, and so do you," I replied. "Where are my nephews?"

"With your mom," she said with a smirk. "Picking her brain for once. But tell me—who is this lovely lady?"

"Teresa Rosario, Gianna’s best friend," Teresa introduced herself, shaking Amara’s hand.

Amara’s eyes lit up with amusement. "Ah, you’re the woman Leo planned on kidnapping," she laughed. "Welcome. He and Xavier were way too excited about your arrival."

"So was I," Teresa quipped before subtly nudging me and motioning toward Nico—who, much to my irritation, still hadn’t spared us a glance.

"Right. Nico… this is my best friend, Teresa," I said, gesturing between them. "Tess, Nicholas Baldocchi." Finally, Nico turned, giving Teresa a slow, cool once-over—completely uninterested.

"Pleasure," he murmured, shaking her hand with all the warmth of a glacier.

"Oh, he’s a ball of sunshine," Teresa leaned in close and whispered. “What’s with the grouchiness?”

"Shh…" I warned, shooting her a look.

“Gianna, I need you to come with me,” Nico said, his voice deadpan and cold. “There are some people I would like you to meet.”

“Oh, okay,” I nodded before turning to my best friend. “Will you be okay? I’ll be right back,”

“Go crazy. I am gonna enjoy the free drinks and the hors d'oeuvres,” she waved at me.

“Don’t worry, I will be here with her,” Amara assured me. “Go, make introductions.”

Nico shot Amara a glare before turning to me, hand outstretched. I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to be alone with him, given his mood. But as newlyweds, we had introductions to make—whether I liked it or not.

“Are you alright?” I asked when we were at a safe distance away.

“Fine.”

“Then what’s with that look on your face?”

“I hate parties and crowds. Just want to get this done with and go home.” I pursed my lips, not sure what to say to that.

And was that all because he seemed fine before I left? Did something happen with Amara?

Over the next hour, Nico and I were introduced to what felt like an endless stream of people—business partners, politicians, and members of other families. The evening dragged on, a relentless cycle of small talk, forced smiles, and polite thank-yous. I was managing, but Nico had hit his limit, barely holding it together behind his tenth glass of scotch.

“Do you want to go home?” I asked him once we managed to find some alone time.

“No, I don’t want you to miss out on your time with your family,” he murmured, grabbing another glass of scotch.

“I have barely gotten the chance to talk to them anyway and if you drink another glass of that my anxiety is really gonna shoot up,” I pointed to the expensive crystal glass in his hand. Nico’s brows scrunched together for a second and then he almost—almost smirked.

“It’s just scotch,”

“It’s your eleventh glass. If you pass out, I don’t have the strength to carry you to the bedroom. You would have to sleep on the floor, Nico.”

“I’d rather not,” he said, sounding amused. And it made me smile when he handed back the filled glass to the bartender and gave me a look.

“I am ready to go when you are,” I said.

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I really don’t want you to miss out on anything.” It was sweet but I could see if he had to spend another minute reciting the same stupid story about how we fell in love, he would burst. I can always visit my family later.

“Yes, I am sure. Let’s go,” I nodded. “I will just quickly say goodbye…”

“Goodbye? What goodbye?” Both Nico and I turned around to find Aria giving us a look. She was my eldest sister-in-law, Xavier’s wife, and was just…crazy. In a good way, of course.

“Oh, we are going to go,” I said. “I feel tired…”

“Didn’t sleep last night?” Aria smirked. Did I mention she didn’t have a filter either? Heat flooded my cheeks and I wished I had Nico’s magical ability to maintain a poker face at all times.

“No but…”

“Oh, you are not leaving without a dance!" Aria declared, grabbing my hand—and Nico’s—before I could react. "Come on, Leo and Amara are already on the dance floor. Let’s go!"

I froze in horror as she dragged us toward the growing crowd of couples. Leonardo and Amara were already lost in their own world, kissing without a care about who was watching. I couldn’t help but smile at them—so unapologetically in love.

And then—

"Everyone, please give it up for the newlyweds!" Aria’s voice rang out as she shoved Nico and me forward. A wave of applause and cheers followed. Dread settled in my stomach as I glanced up at Nico. People had been testing his patience all night, and now this? The lights dimmed, and the pianist started playing a beautiful melody.

“I am sorry…” I mumbled.

“You don’t have to,” Nico said even if I could sense the strain in his jaw and the darkness in his eyes.

Still, he gently placed his arms around me and pulled me closer, his dark orbs meeting mine. I reflexively leaned into him, inhaling his rich, masculine scent. And as always, my traitor heart couldn’t just stay calm. He started to move, and I just followed. Slow, steady, and in complete sync, exactly how I wanted the rest of my life to be with him.

“You look beautiful, in case I didn’t say it earlier,” he murmured in my ear, his deep, sexy voice sending ripples of desire down my soul.

“Not in that many words…no,” I breathed.

“I am not a man of many words, Gianna,” Nico said, caressing my cheek with his thumb and I did notice a tinge of sadness in his voice. “Words are not my thing.”

“Then what is?” I asked, gazing up at him. For this very brief moment, it felt like the two of us were in our bubble. There was no one around—just us. Nico’s eyes darkened and glided to my lips.

“Showing…” he said.

Everything south of my belly clenched deliciously as desire spiraled through me. My dress suddenly felt too tight, the air too stifling. Damned be love, for this brief moment I just really, really wanted him. I wanted him to strip me to my soul and then show me how it feels to be pressed under his warm, beautiful, and oh-so-strong body.

How it would feel to feel every inch of my skin being worshipped by his lips and touch and how it would feel as he pushes inside me, filling me with himself and then just taking me until I pass out. I couldn’t breathe with the intensity of my need for him not to forget that it’s been two years since I had been touched. Probably more than that.

“I would like to be shown then…” I said, my voice so breathless that I could barely recognize it. Nico’s jaw clenched, his pupils dilating as he traced my bottom lip with his thumb.

“It’s a dangerous territory, Gianna,” There was a warning there but all I could hear was the invitation to something beyond anything I have ever experienced. Something dark, intense, and soul-shattering.

“I will take my chances,” Nico’s sharp intake of breath was impossible to miss. He wanted this too, no matter how much he denied it.

“Very well then. Tonight I…” Before he could complete it, his phone started to vibrate, earning a dark glare from him.

“What?” Nico snapped, looking irritated. I was too. We rarely ever get to enjoy moments like that. Whoever was calling couldn’t find another time? I watched as Nico’s eyes widened and his entire stance changed. His jaw clenched so tight, it felt like he might break his jawbone, eyes turning darker like a storm about to destroy everything. Not gonna lie, he looked scary.

What the hell happened?

“I'm on my way…” he hissed before cutting the call and cursing under his breath.

“Wh…what happened?” I asked.

“I need to leave…get home safe. I’m taking the car, and I will send another one,” Before I could process or even respond, he was already heading for the exit at top speed.

Wait…what?

“Nico…” I called, rushing after him, pushing through the crowd. “Nico…wait…” He moved bloody fast and my tiny legs with those killer heels really struggled to catch up.

“Excuse me…excuse me…” I pushed and shoved past the people, but I could already see his silhouette disappearing. “Nico…excuse me….excu…”

Fuck.

My feet slipped on something right when I was at the door and before I could find a way, I was already toppling onto the floor—in front of a crowd of over a hundred people.

God save me…

I closed my eyes tightly shut, bracing for the brutal pain to hit any moment now. But instead, I felt a sharp grip on my waist, supporting me. Seconds passed by but the pain didn’t hit. And no one was laughing or gasping yet. Wait…

“Are you alright?” I blinked and then forced my eyes open, staring straight up into a pair of amber ones.

And at one of the most stunningly gorgeous men I have ever encountered in my twenty-six years of existence.

“Who…who are you?” I squeaked, still in his arms, by the way.

His grip was firm. Unyielding. And I just wanted to make sure if I had died and gone to heaven and he was one of the gods or something. I would behave a bit more appropriately then.

A slow, amused smile made its way to his full lips. “Maximus,” he murmured, peering into my soul.

“My name is Maximus Vanucci.”