The Mirage

Ch. 15 "Brother"

"I'm glad to know my sister can take care of herself."

"What?"

"I'm Dino. It's nice to finally meet family."

"Well um nice to meet you too. Sorry about pulling the gun on you. I just didn't know who you were."

"It's fine I know what you've been through. Um congratulations on the boy. I never knew I was an uncle."

"Oh haha your not. He's our brother."

"But Mr. Faraci called you mom."

"Well our mom and dad died right after he was born. I've been 'mom' ever since." Gemma shrugged ready to go back out to the office to find Luca spinning in the desk chair. Giggling Gemma stopped the now dizzy child pulling him into her chest.

"So can you take me home or something?" Gemma asked Nico as Dino threw a confused look her way.

"Yeah we'll get your bags and go so you can get ready." Gemma nodded and walked out as Renzo explained everything to Dino. Gemma and Nico got home with a sleepy Luca. She put him down for a nap am realized that they had no one to watch him tonight.

"Hey should I ask Sam to come over and babysit Luca?"

"Yeah that's fine."

Gemma called and asked her redheaded friend to babysit. She happily agreed and got the address to be over by 4. Gemma took a shower and slowly got ready for the night already dreading it. Gemma really just wanted to eat junk food and cuddle into her bed. She sucked it up and put on a new dress. It was simple and navy blue. She wore a small booty heal underneath the dress. Gemma looked down at her toe nails and scrunched up her face at the neglected feet. She desperately needed a beauty day. The last day she had just to herself was years ago. She walked to the bathroom running the flat iron threw her hair. Applying a thin line of black eyeliner and a peach lip gloss.

She walked down the stairs and to the knock at the door. Opening the door to an excited looking Sam she hugged Gemma and went looking for Luca. Nico walked down the stairs in an all black suit with a black button down under the jacket. He looked handsome to say the least.

He grabbed the keys getting ready to head out. Luca walked up to Gemma giving her a hug. She told him goodnight with a kiss on his cheek. Nico and Gemma walked out the door to the car.

"You look beautiful." Gemma smiled muttering a thank you ready to be done with the night. As they pulled up to the hotel she noticed many fancy cars and groaned knowing it would be long than she wanted. Through the hotel and to the elevator they walked in with a few other couples of many ages. Into a giant dinning hall Gemma looked around at the desert that they had seeing chocolate she smirked. Nico's grip on her hand tightened as a younger looking man and a beautiful lady walked up.

"Mr. Faraci nice to see you here. This is my fiancé Tiffany." Nico shook hands with the man and nodded at the woman. The unnamed man continued to look at Gemma as he finished introductions. "So who is this with you?"

"This is my girlfriend, Gemma."

"Well Gemma it's lovely to meet you." He took her hand in his and Gemma pulled back unsure of what he was doing. Nico muttered a goodbye and walked over to a table. Pulling out Gemma's chair Nico sat right next to her wrapping his arm around the back of the chair. He stiffened as another man walked up. Sitting in the chair next to Gemma pulling it to close for anyone's comfort. She lean farther into Nico as the man leans forward too.

"What do you want?" Nicos rough voice came from gritted teeth. Gemma put her hand on his thigh to relax him a little.

"I wanted to know what you were doing here with such a beautiful young lady." The man leaned on putting his hand on Gemma's knee. She quickly moved to cross her legs still trying to distance herself from him.

"This is MY date!"

"If you ever want something different my name is David, love." He stroked her arm before walking away. Gemma shook her head as Nico pounded his fist into the table. 'This is gonna be one hell of a night' Gemma though. Soon dinner came and the men watched as another presented something on the wall.

Most of the women seemed to make friends with each other as soon as the men started to talk. Gemma checked her phone after the meal and saw an unknown number. She slid the screen to see the message.

'You look simply beautiful in blue. I'm sure Costa would like that color on you.'

Gemma set the phone down on the table pushing it into Nico's view. His eyes skimmed the message on the screen. He nodded and bent to whisper in Gemma's ear. "We will leave once this is over. Ray is here as well but he can't do anything if somebody comes at you. Do not leave my side." With a nod from Gemma Nico looked back to the presentation. Slowly looking around he nodded to Ray signaling Costa's men were here. Nico no longer focused on what the guy in the front of the room was saying. His thoughts were consumed with the girl sitting next to him. Nico was so mad that other men wanted to touch or look at her. He was seriously considering marrying this girl not only for her safety but because he could actually stand living with her and Luca. He liked having them in the house with him. The man finished speaking and walked to his seat. Nico immediately pulled Gemma up and was walking out of the hotel.

Now in the house Gemma thanked Sam for staying with Luca and asked her what she was doing Friday. The two girls planned to hang out and have a girls day. Nico was halfway up the staircase as Gemma locked the door and followed him up. Nico's bedroom door was slammed shut as she peaked in to check on Luca. Changing out of the dress and shoes Gemma walked to the bathroom braiding her hair. She washed her face and brushed her teeth getting ready for bed. Shuffling from Nico's room was heard and without thinking Gemma was twisting the doorknob pushing it open. Nico turned with fury in his eye. He stepped towards the clean faced girl and pinned her between the wall and himself. He forcefully kissed Gemma as one hand wrapped around her hip and the other behind her neck pulling her close as possible. His kiss became sloppy and he pulled away for air.

"What's wrong?" Gemma questioned putting her hand on his flushed cheek and swiping her thumb against the soft skin. Nico grunted in response and went in for another kiss. This one was softer, more loving, more sensual than the first. All of a sudden Nico's mind clicked and he knew how to take down Costa.

"Marry me."