Explosive ( Bloody Heirs #1 )

Back Where We Left Off

AIDA

three months later, New York City

My eyes narrow at nothing in particular as the plane begins its landing, my hands tightening around the chain wrapped tightly in my hand.

"You're gonna crush your bones," Ivan murmurs from his place across from me. "Going through a flight to enemy territory with a broken hand isn't very Aida-like of you."

"I hate my enemies and I hate flying." I grit out, grinding my teeth. My little brother smiles at me, no fear in his gaze as he speaks. "It's a good thing you have all your favorite people to make you feel better about everything right? Maybe you can even celebrate your birthday again?"

A sigh leaves me, my heart warming up to thought of Ivan getting to see how Karina makes a huge festivity of a day she also despises, simply because it means she can play dress up and wear her colorful clothes. I wonder if that's changed.

"I bet flying to New York at 5AM on the day of her birthday wasn't very Aida-like of her either," Natalya grins as she speaks, her pearly white teeth sparkling.

My lips seal themselves as I swallow a groan. All Ivan and Natalya have done since we left New York four months ago is scold me like their life depended on it.

Even Karina - my new found thought dead but apparently very much alive twin sister - has found time in her busy schedule to call and tell me about how miserable Romero has been since I'd left.

Bloody manipulative witch, that's what Karina was. The way she spoke the words so softly as ig they had no ill intent easily made me want to crumble and walk back to New York if needed.

"It'll be fine," my little sister assures me, interrupting my thoughts as her hand reaching over to squeeze my thigh in reassurances.

Unease pools low in my stomach before I have the chance to think better of it. What if Romero found himself another girl to obsess over? What if my presence isn't welcome anymore?

Rationally, I know I have no right to think that since I'm the one who ran away and also the one who chased Romero away when he saw me in one of the most vulnerable state anyone ever has, but it doesn't stop those horrid thoughts from swirling around my mind.

"Aida!" Ivan's standing over me, shaking my shoulder. "Get up, we landed!"

Taking a moment to adjust the strap of my duffel bag over my shoulder and do my breathing exercises, I trail my suitcase behind me, walking noticeably slower than I usually would.

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Natalya yells from outside and for a split second, I don't say anything yet, knowing it could just be something about her shoes, her coat or her suitcases.

My ease at it being a materialistic thing dies away when I hear Karina's soft laugh and trying to shush Natalya up. My steps speed then, my pace unsteady as I stop at the top of the stairs, staring down at the entire Russo clan - my darling, sweet, endearing siblings among them.

"Surprise, principesa." Romero smirks, standing at the bottom of the stairs and staring up at me like he can't quite believe I'm here. I can't quite believe it either.

Gathering up whatever scraps of confidence I have in me at this early time of day, I begin to walk down the stairs, keeping my eyes laser focused on my boots as I do.

A dark chuckle reaches my ears before I'm swept up in embrace of fresh cologne and blood. My heart stills as I realize Romero picked me up and I wrap my arms around him, squeezing him as tight as I can.

He inhales slowly, before he exhales and presses a gentle kiss to the side of my head. My eyes blur with tears and before I impulsively reach into the sleeve of my coat and drag my favorite knife out.

I swallow sharply as I bring the blade around to his neck, disentangling myself from him as I lean back and stare into his eyes.

"Do you remember what I told you?" I rasp, my voice caught in my throat.

Romero nods, his neck lightly grazing the sharp blade. I pull it back before it cuts his skin, jealous it'd get a taste before I do. "You told me that when you cut me, I'd mean something to you."

I nod and raise up on my tip toes to press a kiss to his lips. "You mean something to me." I murmur against his mouth. The look he gives me is nothing short of incredulous. "I'll show you," I promise. "Not in front of all these noisy bastards though."

My head snaps to the side and just as my glare connects with them, everyone suddenly seems busy. Aside from Stefan, Domenico and Karina. Those three are staring at us with shit eating grins on their faces.

"Thought you didn't feel much," I call out to Stefan, my own lips tugging up in a huge smile.

"I don't," he said, though his grin was still present. "This is just the most entertain thing I've seen in a long time."

Romero shook his head, a chuckle leaving him as he turns his attention back to me. "You came back." He says, his voice serious. I nod, unsure of how this will go.

"You hurt me, four months ago - fuck, almost five." He reaches a hand up and caresses the side of my face, the gentle touch coaxing me into a false sense of security before his hand drops to my throat, squeezing tightly.

His dark eyes never leave mine as he speaks. "I kill people who hurt me, Aida. I should kill you right now but fuck, principesa, my heart can't seem to beat properly when you're not around, my lungs only seem to inhale dust and my brain - my brain isn't capable of thinking of anything but you."

I swallow, my throat dry as my cheeks heat. "That sounds an awful lot like a love confession." I smart off, smirking when his hand tightens around my neck a fraction before he lets go.

"That was my love confession, Aida." He says, his voice strong and sure, his words slamming into me. "I know I'm no expert at feelings but I know that everything I've felt for you for the past five years has been more than a mere obsession. Hell, even what I felt in the few weeks you stayed in my house could count as me being head over heels for you."

"However," he continues, his tone still serious. "Just because I'm tripping over my feet to be near you doesn't mean that I forgive you just yet. No, my beautiful fiancee, you'll have to earn my forgiven just as much as I'll have to earn the right to hear you say you love me back."

I open my mouth to speak, my eyes brimming with hot tears. To my surprise, Romero holds a hand up to silence me. "I know you're not ready to say it back, but when you will be, I'll be right here."

As if hearing that I'm about to make another royal fuck-up happen, my dogs come barreling down from the jet, swarming around Romero and I as they lick around his legs.

"I missed you guys too," he says gently, petting their heads as much as he can. I feel an awkard feeling in my chest and look away, hoping that if what's causing it isn't in my direct line of vision it'll go away. It doesn't.

My eyes meet Natalya's, her pretty blue ones passing me a wave of calm, as her reassuring smile and hidden thumbs up bring a smile to my lips.

"Romero," I say and turn my head back to him. He glances up from where he was petting Silver - my clingy as fuck husky.

"Take me home, fiance."

A smirk lifts his lips. "As the princess wishes."

And we're back where we left off.

★

hey sweet stars! i'm so excited to be back with Romero, back in New York and in the heart of it all. I hope you don't think this is too rushed, but just trust me - you'll absolutely adore how this goes on.

i hope you all enjoyed this as much as i did writing it! don't forget to comment and vote and i will see you in the next chapter 🩶

- bex ⭐