La Regina: Nicola |18+|

10. Family Affair

Nicola

I was out for blood.

I wanted to hunt her down and hurt her as many ways as possible.

I wanted to inflict pain. Physically and mentally.

My scars tingled. Years of torture shaped me the way I was. She did all of it merely because I was breathing in the same air. Only me. I was the one receiving a special treatment. She never laid hands on Cesco.

I always asked why but that shit didn't mean a thing to me now.

I wasn't a weak lil girl I once was. Elena wouldn't stand a chance against me.

I drowned in my fury, tipping back a bottle of whiskey I found behind the bar at Giorgio's sitting room.

I didn't know how he did that. I didn't know how we could go home in one piece. Of course, I didn't go down without a fight. But aside from his ripped suit jacket and my disarray ponytail, we were completely fine. No bruises. No stabbing wounds.

It was an improvement I wasn't proud of.

"Leave me alone." My voice was full of disdain. His calm presence annoyed me to no end.

I was rarely thinking straight, let alone when I was angry. But I didn't need him to intervene. Especially not when I barely got my hands on her.

It had not yet gotten bloody.

He watched me from where he was sitting on the leather couch. Legs parted, crystal glass in hand. So fucking hot and distracting. Did he know how badly I wanted him?

Those hazels observing intently, his genius mind plotting.

He was about to modify his masterplan because it seemed like I just fucked it up.

The queen apparently had a mind of her own. She had a hidden agenda. If he was unaware before, he realized it now.

"There's something you didn't tell me." He stated, ignoring my previous demand. This man was quick to catch up.

"I don't owe you shit." I spat. I didn't know if it was just anger or sexual frustration. Perhaps a mix of both.

His jaw tightened. Evidently pissed. He downed his drink before slamming the glass hard on the oak coffee table it cracked.

My spine straightened immediately as I found him approaching me to where I was standing behind the bar. I refused to back down though my mind screamed to run.

"I have enough of your hissy fit." He warned, rounding the bar until he was right in front of me. He snatched the whiskey bottle from my hand and put it away for good before I could swing it to his head.

"Why? You're upset I just tainted your public image?" I taunted mockingly. His public appearance was the least of my concern. Not when that witch roamed free with a mask of innocence. "Do you want to go back lurking beneath the shadows?"

It was a daring move, but I really could use a good distraction. And unlucky for him, he was all I had now.

The usual calm demeanour faltered. The fury in his eyes matched mine. Good. Just what I needed.

His large hand instantly came up around my throat. The grip was firm, such a complete contrast to my delicate neck. I knew he could snap it effortlessly. As sick as it sounded, the thought gave me thrills.

"Careful." He murmured lowly. A warning I shouldn't take lightly. But I wasn't thinking now.

I didn't want to.