Vengeful Matrimony | ✔️

Chapter 37

NICHOLAS

"I got it. Turns out Gregorio isn't creative when it comes to hiding things that could implicate him," Evander said the moment I picked up his call.

"Good. Wait by the car. Giselle and I will spend just an hour here. It could be lesser depending on her mood. I don't think she enjoys being here."

"Will do."

I hung up before returning my phone to my pocket. The door to the ballroom was slightly ajar, and I pushed it all the way open before walking in.

I scanned the crowd for Giselle and Nicolo. I found Giselle, but Nicolo was nowhere around her. No, it was the slimy bastard I wanted nothing more than to obliterate. He had his hands on her body, and for some reason, she was unmoving.

Rage like no other overwhelmed me. All I could think of was ending the fucker's life as I stormed over to where they stood. Just short of getting to them, I pulled out my gun, pressing it into the back of Eduardo's head.

"Take a fucking step back right the fuck now if you do not want a bullet in your head."

Eduardo took a step back before holding up his hands. He turned on his heels to face me, chuckling. "There you are. Your wife and I were just having a little ch..."

I slammed my fist down on his jaw before he could complete his sentence, knocking him to the ground. Murmurs filled the room as everyone's attention turned to us.

I walked over to Giselle, squeezing her hip to get her attention. "Did he touch..." I trailed off when a lone tear slid down her cheek.

He made her cry. Whatever he said and did to her was bad enough to make her cry.

I whipped around, firing two successive shots into each of Eduardo's shoulders. He howled in pain as blood seeped out of his wounds. Chaos broke out in the crowd. Some tried running out, while others moved forward to get a better view.

"He's lost his mind!" I heard a woman shriek. "Why would he shoot him?"

"He's insane!" Another said.

Fabiano and Gregorio pushed out of the crowd, taking in the scene with surprise in their eyes.

"What is the meaning of this, Nicholas? How dare you shoot my guest at my party?" Gregorio thundered.

"You're lucky that's all I did. The next time he puts his hands on her, I'll make sure to chop them off. Fuck you and your party."

I had what I came here for. If only I hadn't taken so long talking to Fabiano, he wouldn't have been able to get to her.

I tucked my gun back into my pants, sweeping an immobile Giselle off her feet. The people hustling out of the door moved out of the way, allowing me to carry Giselle out of the house. I didn't miss the fact that Fabiano was hot on my heels.

When I got to my car, Evander already had the door to the backseat open, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"That was you?" He asked.

"I'll explain later." I placed Giselle in the backseat before slamming the door shut.

"What was that about?" Fabiano asked. "You ruined Gregorio's party."

"Do I look like I give two fucks about that?"

"What happened? We went from talking about Eduardo to you, shooting him a few minutes later."

"He groped her without her permission."

Fabiano's eyes lit up with a weird flash. "I see."

"Talk to the Irish. See where they stand with me after you talk to them." That would determine the next phase of my plan.

He nodded. "I will."

"Let's go, Evander." I opened the door, but before I climbed in, I looked at Fabiano over my shoulder. "Tell Nicolo he's dead the next time I lay my eyes on him."

***

GISELLE

Nicholas and Evander were conversing in the background, but I barely paid attention to anything they were saying. A few minutes later, their conversation ceased, and Nicholas leaned back in his seat.

I felt his eyes on the side of my face long before he spoke. "You okay?" He asked.

I could still feel Eduardo's hand on my body as it glided down my dress, inching slowly to the front of my dress until Nicholas came to stop him. Heavens knew what would have happened had Nicholas not come at the time he did. The worst part of it all was the fact that I'd been unable to do anything to stop him.

"I couldn't do anything to stop him," I said so quietly that I half-doubted he could hear me.

"People react to assault differently. It's not your fault you froze," he replied just as quietly, squeezing my hand in his.

I looked up at him, surprised that he was holding my hand of his own free will. The last time I held his hand, he'd been less than pleased.

"You can let it all out. The partition is up."

I shook my head at him. "I'm not crying."

That didn't appease him, because his eyes were still filled with unfulfilled rage. Without a word, he pulled me against his side, the warmth of his body seeping into mine.

This close to him, I felt oddly calm and protected. It was comical how he was supposed to be my tormentor, but he was the one keeping my tormentors away.

Minutes later, we were back at the house.

"I'll be down in a few minutes," Nicholas said to Evander as he led me up the stairs.

"Take your time," was Evander's reply.

"Do you want to take a bath or a shower?" He asked once we were inside his bedroom.

"A shower, please." That would be quicker, and I didn't want to stall Evander.

I sat down on the bed, reaching for the straps of my heels, but Nicholas was quick to lower himself to his knees and reach for my foot.

"I don't know how I feel about you pampering me because of what happened."

He snorted, sliding one heel off my feet. "You call this pampering?"

"Would you do this on a normal day?"

"Probably not. You don't wear heels on a normal day. How do you even walk in these things?"

"It's a natural-born gift..." I broke off on a sigh when his thumb massaged over the arch of my left foot. "I think I need to book an appointment at the spa." His fingers felt too good.

"You okay now?" He asked after he'd massaged both feet.

I rose to my feet. "Yes."

I was more than eager to get this dress off my body. It was one of my favorites - a slinky, white dress that stopped mid-thigh - and it was a shame I'd have to burn it. Its simplicity was what made me buy it, but now, I couldn't look at it the same way again.

"He had a gun pressed against my spine. I couldn't move if I wanted to. He threatened to shoot if I did, so I couldn't do anything as his hands roamed down my body. If you hadn't stepped in when you did, he would have touched my..."

I trailed off; the words getting stuck in my throat, but Nicholas understood what I wanted to say.

"Is it okay if I hold you?" Nicholas asked softly.

I nodded, and he held my waist, drawing me closer to his body. Immediately, his body heat seeped into my body, enveloping me in a cocoon of warmth. His spicy cologne wafted off of his body, providing another sense of comfort. I wasn't in Eduardo's arms. I had to remember that.

"He's a dead man," Nicholas swore.

"Can I ask something of you?"

"Anything you want," he promised, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I'll do it."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, and then I asked.