In which an exchange student falls into the hands of a dangerous man.
• • •
Brazen and bold Freya Cannon finds herself signing up for a study-abroad opportunity presented to her by her college counselor. When her and her close friend Mia learn that...
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NICO HASN'T LEFT MY side for five days now.
I appreciate the company and, honestly, it's refreshing to see that there's a side of him that's capable of caring. But I'm alive, unwounded for the most part, and otherwise okay.
"You hungry?" His voice is raspy and so low, I take a double look to make sure it's actually him. Nico, in all of his sinful glory, looks freshly showered, shaved and absolutely magnificent.
I let out a sigh. "No, you've asked me this three times in the span of twenty minutes." I almost flinch at the bite in my tone. "But I appreciate your concern."
Nico stares at me from his spot across the room. My room.
I eye the way his figure selfishly takes up the space of the doorframe; length wise and width wise. He looks massive.
I just truly didn't realize that men of such stature and muscle actually existed.
He reaches his hands up to grip at the top of the doorframe. The action is so effortless, only doing more to eventuate his leisurely composure. The guy makes existing look fucking easy.
When he doesn't say anything, I ask the question that's been plaguing my thoughts since the day it happened.
"Who was that guy and what did he want with me?"
Nico tenses up. His biceps bulge further from his arm as he squeezes the frame. It takes every atom inside of me to keep my eyes from admiring them. "One of Massimo's men."
My eyebrows pull together. Massimo. I remember the man saying that name, I also remember Nico mentioning that name to his brothers a little while ago. This Massimo guy is clearly a man of importance if he keeps getting brought up.
"Massimo. I've heard his name pop up several times."
Nico's jaw pulses rapidly. "Mhm." He hums.
I suck in a breath. "So, what is he, like, your enemy?"
His lips tilt at one corner, but he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth before his smile can poke through. "Smart girl."
"But why?"
Nico tenses in his spot, his dark eyes swarming with something dangerous. When his gaze meets my face again, his features relax and he melts at the seams.
I gnaw at my bottom lip. He always seems to take the longest to speak again when his next words are something that could make or break him. Or, better yet, make or break us.
I'm not saying there is an us, but I'm not saying there isn't either. We've been stuck in this sort of flirtatious limbo for days now but neither of us are willing to give in first and ask what's going on. And that's probably a good idea that we don't. Nico and I statistically wouldn't work out. How could we? We live thousands of miles and an ocean away from each other. Our lifestyles are different, our morals don't align. It's like forcing night and day together. But I decided to enjoy whatever this is for now and to not let my feelings get in the way.
