ACE

Chapter 85: Keeping Them Safe

Playlist for this Chapter: In the Middle Of The Night by Elley Duhe

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"Marry me." He uttered those two words from his lips, making me freeze in place. Various scenarios ran in my head while I searched his eyes for any kind of hesitation, anything at all.

Maybe he's sleepy. Yeah, that must be it.

Maybe he thinks he's dreaming... Definitely.

But there was none. 

All I saw was love, and complete determination and desperation I knew only he could have.

His hand stroked my cheek softly as he gazed into my eyes and I knew I had to say something soon by the way his eyebrows were starting to crease together.

Oh shit, I have to answer? Like, now?

"I—" I was cut off by the blaring ringtone of both our phones simultaneously coming from somewhere upstairs because the house was so quiet as a frown made it's way to my face, and his as well.

"Don!" Heavy footsteps and voices were heard before the guards came into view and immediately stopped when they saw us both together.

I became conscious of my clothing, which was only Nico's white dress shirt and my underwear underneath. Nico noticed this immediately and stood in front of me protectively, glaring daggers at the men.

"What is it?" He asked, not pleased, making the men wince slightly.

"Ace!" Jake's panicked voice came from behind them as he stumbled into the kitchen in sweatpants and without any shirt as my cheeks burned when our eyes met.

I subconsciously moved behind Nico even more and Jake cleared his throat, gesturing for the guards to leave and get ready as my heart started to beat faster.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" I asked in a worry, looking at the two men.

"There was an attack, at the hotel." Jake told Nico, whose grip on me tightened as my blood ran cold.

What?

"Which hotel?" My voice wavered but Jake shook his head, looking at Nico meaningfully.

"Jake, answer me, please." I pleaded as Nico nodded once at him, his jaw clenching.

"Get the men ready." Nico ordered as Jake quickly ran off to god knows where, leaving us two alone once again.

"Nico, what is he talking about?" I asked as I stood in front of him, watching him release a frustrated breath as he held me gently.

"Listen to me, love, everything is fine, everyone is okay, you don't need to worry about anything." He assured me, making the fear inside me increase tenfold.

"Nico, you're scaring me." I whispered as he kissed my forehead.

"Listen to me, amore mio, the hotel where your family  is staying was attacked, but everyone is safe since I had the area heavily guarded for their safety." He said, making my soul nearly drop right out of me.

"H-How can that happen?" I panicked as tears formed in my eyes.

"I don't know, my love, but I will figure it out. Now, I want you to go to our room and stay there, si? I will go check on everything at the hotel." He told me but I shook my head, grabbing his hands.

"N-no. I'll go with you. There's no way I'm staying back." I said firmly, hoping he'd agree but he shook his head.

"It's too dangerous, which is why I need you stay here, where you'll be safe."