Nicco: Devil's Spawn Book 1

Ch. 41: Prenup

ARIA

Trying not to let the nerves get to me, I give Vivi my stats.

Age—twenty-four.

Birthplace—San Francisco.

I tell her about my time at UCLA.

She prompts, "You started working with Nicco—what? Two months ago?"

"Something like that."

"When did you two start dating?"

"Not long after we started working together."

"What drew you to him?" Vivi inquires.

"Stop pestering my fiancée with annoying questions," Nicco mutters at her. "I invited you here to spend time with Aria. Not cross-examine her."

"No, no, it's fine, Nicco," I insist to keep the peace. "Your sister just wants to get to know me."

Vivi flashes Nicco a victorious look. Nicco snorts irritably. I watch in amusement as they start bickering in Italian. Although, if I'm being honest, I confess, I feel taken aback by the attention Vivi is now giving me. I'd been under the impression that Nicco was the only one she wanted in the hot seat.

Vivi demands, "I am curious. Was it love at first sight?"

I cough. "I wouldn't consider it 'love at first sight.' I actually yelled at your brother the first time we met."

"Brava, I knew I liked you for a reason," Vivi comments wryly. "Most days, my brother is too full of himself. He needs someone to put him in his place at times."

Still holding my hand, Nicco scowls. "I am right here. If you are going to insult me, Vivi, at least have the courtesy to do so behind my back."

Leaning closer to me with a curious expression, Vivi ignores him completely. "Why did you yell at him? Tell me. I must know."

"He almost got me fired for missing an important meeting."

"That bastard."

"I know, right?"

"I do not approve of what is happening here," Nicco grumbles, his eyes darting back and forth between his sister and me. "Stop it, you two. Right now."

Again, Vivi pretends not to hear him. "What did you say to him after he pissed you off?"

I shrug. "I don't remember word for word, but it was probably something to the effect of how—the only reason I couldn't do my job was because he didn't know how to do his."

Vivi bursts into laughter.

I admit sheepishly, "And your brother almost fired me for being so mouthy."

"What made him change his mind?"

"He realized that I was right."

Nicco scoffs but gives my thigh an affectionate squeeze under the table.

Vivi chuckles. "I am glad he came to his senses."

Nicco's hand lingers on my thigh. He seems to have no intention of moving it. I blush and try not to give anything away in front of his sister. "Me, too."

"I can tell that the two of you work well together."

Nicco pipes up to agree with his sister for once, "I think so, too."

"You know," remarks Vivi, "your story is very inspiring when I think about it. A true whirlwind romance."

Nicco responds, "Love works in mysterious ways. It does not have a timeline when you meet the right person."