Aria: Devil's Spawn Book 2

ARIA

Tension tightens between us. I stand my ground. Over the last few months, I've been as transparent as glass when it comes to our plans for Juan Pablo. But I've held back my feelings for Nicco out of respect for his boundaries. I wasn't sure if he was ready to lower his guard and let me in again.

To this day, we've never had an honest conversation regarding our expectations for one another. I know how lucky I am to be given a second chance with Nicco. Yet, luck is only part of this equation. To be united as husband and wife, we need to do everything right this second time around. Once upon a time, there were too many walls between us. In the coming weeks, I hope to shatter them one by one.

One day soon, I'll tell him how much I love him. This is why I'm putting everything on the table. Even if it's hard. Even if Nicco doesn't want to hear it. Even if it makes me feel vulnerable as hell. I meant what I said.

No more secrets.

No more lies.

No more misunderstandings.

The ball now sits in his court, and, regardless of what he chooses to do, I'll love him until the day I die.

Nicco glares as though I've wronged him. "I feel like you are holding yourself hostage from me."

"I'm simply leveraging my assets in our negotiation."

"In case you failed to notice, principessa, we are not in a board room, and this is not a negotiation. Minutes ago, I was on my knees. Begging for your hand in marriage. I thought you wanted to marry me, too?"

"Can't you see? " I insist, "If I didn't want to be your wife, I wouldn't be compelled to go to such lengths."

"My wife, hmm?" he echoes quietly.

I affirm, "Your wife."

"I like the sound of that," Nicco sighs. "I admit, I like it a lot."

"Then agree to my terms."

"You are a maddening woman."

"And you are an easily triggered man."

"Why must you be so goddamn stubborn?"

"Because anything worth having is worth fighting for," I remind him. "I'd go to hell and back for you, Nicco."

"I hate the idea of letting you run headfirst into hellfire," he growls sullenly, "but..."

"But?"

"If this is the only way I can keep that goddamn ring on your hand, then, very well, we will do things your way."

I grin. "Is that a white flag I see?"

"Maybe."

"You surrender? For real?"

"When it comes to you?" he sighs with a small smile. "As if I ever stood a chance."

Happiness swells in my chest. Before I can celebrate, however, a chime echoes through the library. It doesn't sound like my phone.

Nicco plants a kiss on my forehead and reaches for his phone. "One moment, principessa."

Notifications have begun blowing up his phone, and my phone continues to buzz with relentless abandon.

He curses under his breath, "Cazzo."

Concerned, I glance over at his screen. "What's going on?"

Nicco turns up the volume on his phone. "Listen to this."