The Mirage

Ch. 19 "Keeping distance"

Gemma woke up a few days later to her bedroom door opening. She rolled over and looked up to see Luca walking in.

"What's wrong baby?"

"I had a bad dream." He sniffles crawling into bed with Gemma. She pulled him close and rubbed his head till she heard deep breathing and soft snores. She relaxed with the little boy in her arms and fell back to sleep.

* * * *

"Are you ready to go?" Gemma nodded her head picking up Luca ready to go to the hotel.

The ride was silent on the way there. After the intimate moment between Gemma and Nico things have been really quiet. Nico will reply to Gemma's simple questions with one word answers, they were the same questions she used to ask it's not like she was pulling for information. She knew he was still acting the same with Luca so she didn't understand why not her. She never asked to marry him she was more forced too and it made her upset because he was the one to initiate the kiss but now nothing!

Nico kept Gemma at a distance after he was able to touch and pleasure her. It wasn't because he regretted it or was upset but it was because he wanted more than to pleasure her sexually. He wanted to take care of her and treat her like a princess she is but all these feelings were new. Yes Nico had been with many girls but only to fulfill his sexual desires. Gemma was more than that.

As they walked into the hotel Nico had his hand on Gemma's back leading her into the office room. Ray one of the men she's seen around multiple times stepped up to greet them and to take Luca down to the pool. Gemma handed the bag with a change of clothes and a beach towel to Ray. The two walked out of the room leaving Nico, Renzo, and Gemma to talk over the plan to get Costa off Gemma's back.

"I will be contacting Costa and telling him we are handing you over because you would do more damage than good to us. We will talk over a location and have Luis and Anglo take you there as if we are handing you over. I will make sure Costa is taken care of at this time so you will no longer be involved with him." Renzo dove right in as Gemma took every word in mulling it over to fully comprehend what will happen.

"And if it doesn't go according to the plan?" Gemma asked expecting it not to go over that easy. She also though would she just be collateral damage and if Costa got her Renzo wouldn't risk his men for a girl who has little ties to this mob. Yes she had her brother and newly wed husband but in normal cases the whole family would have to be involved and that person has to be an asset to attempt to save them.

"It will!" Nicos voice boomed making Gemma flinch and the unexpected volume. She nodded her head not wanting to aggravate Nico anymore.

"What will happen to Luca. He's part of the payment as well. They want Marino blood with them. It was Costa's great great grandfather and mine who started it..." Renzo looked own to his hands folded on his desk with the new knowledge. Everything was silent so Gemma continued. "I want not one finger laid on him or one word spoken about him in this deal. God forbid this doesn't work out and they get me and something happens to my little boy. Everyone involved will be slaughtered even if that means I die too!"

Gemma as now fuming thinking of anything that could happen to her beloved little brother. Her brother was not something to joke about. She spent the last 4 years of her life keeping him safe and she wasn't planning on stopping now.

"If Costa asks there is no knowledge of this boy. I will have him with Emily and my men while all of this goes on." Gemma trusted Renzo and his pregnant wife to take care of Luca during this so she nodded still trying to calm down.

"I will make the call."