Vengeance.
It's something I've been taught as the son of a cruel mafia don; something I've comforted myself with for years.
When the one thing that kept me grounded is yanked away so ruthlessly, it's only in my nature to strike out in the only way...
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Nicholas was angry with me. I could tell from his gait and the glare he shot my way as I walked out of the hospital with my arm around Aunt Adrienne.
He leaned against his car like he'd been waiting for us to come out. How did he even know we were here?
"I'll go talk to him," Adrienne said when she noticed Nicholas's glare at us.
"No. Go home. Can you drive?"
"Yes. I told you I'm fine."
"But you didn't take your insulin injection."
I just found out Aunt Adrienne was diabetic, and the reason she passed out was that she hadn't taken her insulin injection. According to her, she forgot.
"I'm fine, Elle. Hand me the keys."
I handed her the keys to the car that I'd parked across the parking lot when I drove it to the hospital. We exchanged kisses on both of our cheeks before she walked away. I didn't miss the nasty look she shot Nicholas's way as she made her way to her car.
"Don't be scared of him, " I whispered to myself before making my way over to Nicholas.
He opened the door to the passenger side without saying a word, but I wasn't fooled. He was furious, and I knew the control he had over his temper was slipping, albeit slowly.
I climbed into the car, jerking in fear from the force with which he slammed the door closed. Asshole. I leaned against my door, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible when he climbed into the car and revved the engine up.
To my utmost surprise, he didn't say a word throughout the car ride. Not even when his car pulled up in front of his gated community, or when he finally pulled into his driveway.
I took advantage of the time he used to turn the engine off, and I dashed into the house, running to my room. I didn't breathe until I was safely inside my room with my back leaning against the door.
It was childish on my part, but I was scared of him. No matter how much I tried to talk myself into believing I couldn't fear him, it never worked. Everyone feared Nicholas Rossi, and I just happened to be his wife.
***
I woke up in the middle of the night shivering. The air in the room was almost artic, and I could only wonder if this was Nicholas's doing. It had been warm when I went to bed.
Another cool breeze swept into my room, and that was when I realized I'd left my windows open. That was why it was cold.
I sat up against the headboard, running my hand down my face before I climbed out of bed to use the bathroom first. When I was done with that, I walked over to the window.
It was a full moon tonight, and the illumination streamed into my room. From the corner of my eyes, I saw the glint of a blade underneath the moonlight, but it was gone just as quickly as I'd seen it.
