La Regina: Nicola |18+|

5. Puppet Master

Nicola

A soft mattress against my cheek as my eyelids fluttered open. I was lying on my side, one hand stretched out under the side of my head.

I moved to sit and took in my surroundings. An extra-king sized bed I laid on, white sheets and all. A grand chandelier hanging in the middle of the room, complimenting the dark paneled walls. On the far front of the bed was a full floor-to-ceiling glass wall, following the length of the room. Two dark drapes were drawn on each corner, unconcealed the night view.

The room just defined masculine and dominant.

"Your boyfriend has been calling you nonstop." A voice made his presence known. I spun my head around to my far left. Where the owner of the room standing behind his desk, stacking the house of cards.

I checked on my phone on the nightstand. Ten missed calls from Vitto. But I dialed Cesco instead. He answered on the second ring.

"You okay?" His voice wasn't laced with concern. He sounded confused.

"You're out to kill Giorgio Silveri?" I ignored his question, needing a confirmation about this first.

Giorgio was watching me with a raised eyebrow.

"Vitto feels threatened by him for some reasons." He told me.

"Why?" I urged.

"Are you with him now?" My eyes flicker to said man who was still busy with the freaking cards. The very same one that almost smothered me to death.

"I'm at his place." I replied truthfully. Giorgio remained unbothered though I knew he was listening the entire conversation.

Cesco sighed. He always hated complication. "Willingly?"

"What do you think?" He was silent for a moment, rethinking his answer.

"Just talk to Vitto. I don't want to meddle—"

I disconnected the call and got off the bed, striding towards the devil. Now that I had a clear view of him, I admitted he never looked so casual and cozy, wearing a black t-shirt that clung into his body like a second skin and a black sweatpants. The sight almost felt personal.

His biceps bulging beneath the fabric, showing years of workouts. His torso probably looked even better if not covered.

The man looked up at me from his half-bending position as I stood three steps away from him. And with a little push of my finger, the house of cards crumbled all over the desk. Giorgio remained emotionless as I gave him a fake sympathetic gaze.

"You smother me like that again and you are done for." I warned. Not gonna lie, I felt humiliated to be knocked out that easy. But this man was apparently capable of many things.

"Bummer. I plan to do that a lot." He said casually, collecting his cards one by one. I noticed a dark amusement in his voice as if he couldn't help himself.

I held my fists at my sides. Had pushing my buttons become his life purpose?

"I'm going home." I decided, turning on my heel and taking further steps toward the door.

"Don't you wanna meet Ella Davis?" His question stopped me in my tracks. I froze at the mention of that name. He knew that I knew. And my reaction just confirmed it.

"Why can't you mind your own damn business?" I seethed, glaring at him over my shoulder. He was now leaning on the desk, bracing himself on his muscular arms.

"They don't deserve you, Nicola." He stated matter-of-factly. Eyes daring me to argue.

His words fueled my anger. It resurfaced the hatred, the uncontrollable rage. They lied to me for years. Right to my face.