The Mirage

Ch. 16 "Marrige"

"Marry me."

Nico made a demand that shocked Gemma. She paused trying to think of any word in any language but her vocabulary failed her as her mind went blank.

"I'll tell Renzo and set it up."

"No wait Nico. What no. We can't just get married I barely know anything about you. I mean thanks for everything but I'm not going to marry you. I have Luca and I have people trying to take me to New York for fuck sakes."

"That's why we will get married. No one but the men will know. I'll have it set up and tell you." With that Nico walked out of his room and too his office. Still shocked and confused Gemma curled up in bed and fell asleep.

While Gemma was asleep upstairs Nico was working to makes his plan foolproof. First he had to marry Gemma so the men could protect her. Second she would contact Costa or his men and act like she was coming to them. They would get Gemma to them with backup. They would take over Costa and everything he owned. Gemma would be free from them and he would still have his wife protected. Everything was working out so well.

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Nico had informed Renzo on his plan and he was on board. He got everything set up for the wedding. It was not going to be an actual wedding it would be the officiant, Renzo, Nico, Luca and Gemma. The would get married in the hotel office and start on the next step of his plan.

Gemma and Sam had their feet in the bathtub that was full of warm water. They had a bowl of chips in between them as they caught up on the things they missed the last few weeks. Sam started to paint her nails a dark nude as Gemma did a deep red. Finished with their nails they went to watch some tv as they were drying. Later they plucked and tweezed every unwanted hair off their face. They started to eat a tub of chocolate ice cream on the couch together as Nico walked in.

"So everything is planned. Tomorrow we need to be at the hotel by twelve and we just have to sign the papers and get that thing read to us."

Gemma sat there with a mouthful of ice cream not sure if the man in front of her was joking or not. When she figured he was not it just stressed her out and started to ruin the great day she had just had. Sam drew her a bath and put salts and essential oils in it to sooth her. After the explanation she gave Sam she was about ready to pull her hair out. Sam left once Gemma got in the bath she relaxed until she was pruned and decided to shave while she was in the bath.

Gemma got out feeling better about everything going on. She pulled out what she would wear tomorrow which consisted of jeans and a nice top. She had her favorite shoes to match which was brown heeled ankle booties. She made sure Luca was ready for bed and put him to sleep. After she hopped into bed relaxing her body to fall into a peaceful sleep for the next nine hours.

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Gemma was dressed and finished eating breakfast with Luca as Nico came down in a black button down and black slacks. Gemma continued to look at the handsome man as he walked up to the table.

"You ready?"

She nodded her head not trusting her words. They walked out of the door and Gemma helped Luca into the car and got in herself. They pulled out of the driveway and drove to the hotel in silence.

They got out of the car and walked into the elevator. As soon as it stops Nico was out and down the hall while Gemma took hesitant steps not sure if this was the right decision. She got to the room with Nico and asked to have a word while Luca sat on the couch playing with his fingers.

"Tell me why we're doing this?"

"You marrying me is the only way we can keep you safe. After we get married I have a plan to take down costa but I needed my men to help me."

Gemma sighed nodding her head trusting Nico and his plan. They walked back into the room and Luca wanted picked up. With Luca on the hip of Gemma and Nico right beside her the officiant read the verses and pulled out the papers to be signed. Luca curiously watched and stayed quiet. His little mind didn't understand what they were doing and he wanted his questions answered.

"Mommy?" He whispered in Gemma's ear. She looked at him to continue. "What was that? What was it for?"

"Baby I just got married. Nico is my husband." Nodding his head Luca took in the information trying to absorb it all. Then it all clicked and he asked "Nico is my daddy?"

"Yes I am buddy." Nico replies before Gemma ever could. She shot him a glare knowing he will eventually figure out parts of his life are lies and ask questions. "Yes baby he's daddy. Is that okay?" Luca excitedly shook his head yes and reached out to hug Nico.

Once Nico got a hold of Luca. Gemma was tapped my Renzo and lead into another office.

"Are you okay with this?"

Gemma shrugged not really knowing the answer. Yes she really liked Nico and so did Luca and he was doing this to protect her. But the other side of her said you screwed your life. You just got married to a stranger and your little brother will think he's his father and grow attached and never want to leave. Nico could have some misters for all she knows!

"He loves you both want wants to keep you guys safe. Don't doubt him yet. After his plan you will see that he loves you. Give him a little time he will open up."

It was like Renzo was reading Gemma's mind. He gave her a warm reassuring smile and pulled her in for a quick hug. That was all that was needed. It was as if he had just approved of her in his own way. That he said everything will be fine and I'll be here but you won't need me because he really loves you. With that she smiled at the thought of her getting married and her little boy having a strong male role in his life. Gemma was thankful she no longer had to play mom and dad but just mom.

Gemma left the room to see Luca and Nico talking. A little while later the three left the hotel back to their home. Nico had explained the plan and when it would happen. That night Nico went back out after dinner with a kiss on the lips from Gemma and a fist bump from Luca. The eventful day was now over with Luca and Gemma half asleep on the couch watching a movie.

Gemma awoke to the sound of a door. Looking back she saw Nico walking in with the top buttons on his shirt undone and messy hair. She looked at the clock and it read 2:45am. With that she turned of the TV and went to pick Luca up till Nico put his hand on her back and whispered.

"I got him. Go upstairs and get to bed." With that he kisses her head and picked up the small boy walking him to his room.

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Gemma frowned at the light coming threw her bedroom window as she woke up. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun and went go the Kitchen.

Going down the stairs she saw Luca sitting down with crayons at the coffee table in the living room. "Good morning baby boy." She smiled. "Morning mommy. Can I have pancakes?"

"Of course!"

With that Gemma went to the kitchen starting on the pancakes Luca wanted. When she was almost done making the pancakes A shirtless Nico came down with the same messy hair he had last night. Gemma shamelessly trailed her eyes over the toned man in front of her that was now legally her husband. He walked up watching her eyes trail over him with a smirk playing on his lips he mumbled a 'morning' and sat down at the island bar stool. Gemma flipped the pancakes and got down a cup for coffee. Once filled she set it on the table with three plates and forks.

"Come on Luca."

She called taking the pancakes off the griddle. He ran in with a smile and the front door opened. In walked an older man with gray hair and fairly tan skin and a woman around the same age and same color hair cut in a curly bob at his side. Behind them walked in Renzo and a beautiful light brown haired green eyed woman with a big belly carrying her baby. They walked into the the dining room where the two boys were and Gemma.