Unknown Territory [Mafioso Book#3] (SAMPLE)

Chapter IV: Middle Ground

Throughout the weekend, Nicole had been avoiding her mother, afraid of what she would have to say regarding her fiancé. She never left her room, even went so far as to locking herself in with food being brought to her and sleep had become a vice. She couldn't manage to get a wink of sleep, anxiety and a racing heart having her stay up, and when she finally managed to close her eyes she was awoken by knocking, her white Husky standing up on her bed and barking at the door.

"Percy, shut up!" She slurred at the dog, placing a hand on its snout as she snuggled into her comforter. "The door is open!" Nicole resumed calling over her shoulder.

She waited for her best friend's exasperation as she couldn't bring herself to care much for his irritation, groaning into her pillow and she cocooned herself into her blanket.

"It appears you didn't receive my message,"

Nicole's heart jumped in her throat as her eyes snapped open in an instant.

"Oh God, please let me be dreaming," She muttered under her breath, slowly turning around, surprised to find him, standing at the edge of her bed, stroking her white Husky dressed in a dark grey button-up and khaki pants. "Salvatore,"

"We can do this some other time if you're feeling unwell," He told her playing with her dog as it wagged its tail in excitement.

"No, no..." She shook her head, jumping out in an overly large sleeping shirt. "Just give me 10 minutes, I'll meet you downstairs."

Giving her a nod, he scratched the husky behind the ear as it barked at him when he was walking away.

"Down," He instructed firmly, the dog resting it's head on her paws, her ears flat against her head and whimpering; the action causing Nicole to look at them in surprise. "Good girl."

With that he walked out of her room, closing the door behind him. Getting freshened up; Nicole tossed her hair into a messy bun before pulling on an off-shoulder white crop top with a high-waisted maxi blue and white polka dotted skirt, paired it with her favorite gladiator sandals. Quickly pulling on a long chain necklace and her engagement ring, she grabbed her bag and rushed down the stairs.

The sound of chatter led her into their dining room, the sight of her parents having breakfast with Salvatore standing by their window greeting her.

"Good morning, pumpkin," Her father loving voice called out to her as she smiled at him, walking towards him and placing a kiss on his cheek. "Salvatore was just telling us how you two will be going out for breakfast and having a wedding planning discussion,"

Looking towards Salvatore for confirmation, her eyebrows rose in surprise when he beckoned her towards him. Her initial hesitation disappeared at the sight of her mother's scrutinizing gaze. Swallowing, she made her way over to him, holding back a gasp when she felt him wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her into his side as he intertwined their fingers together, and brought her left hand up to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of her skin.

"Your mother is watching," He murmured into her hair, his actions suddenly making crystal clear sense. "She thinks we've been dating for 2 years, act like it."

"That's the plan," Nicole smiled back at her father, "We'll have breakfast and then we'll start on wedding planning," She placed a kiss on her fiance's cheek.

"You two seem to be quite eager to get married," Her mother spoke over her coffee mug, Nicole tensing in Salvatore's hold as he whispered for her to relax.

"Well you know, we've been looking forward to getting married for almost 5 months now." Salvatore released her hand to make her stand before him so that he was hugging her from behind, Nicole's breath catching in her throat as she put on a confirmation smile.