Denial (Careless Whispers #1)(79)

“Niccolo is involved, so yes. I think it’s possible.”

“I feel like an idiot for being targeted. I can’t imagine myself being that stupid.” And suddenly my dread is far less than my need to know the truth. I open the book and start looking at the shots, each photo taking up a page. Nothing is familiar, and I’m frustrated until the last shot, which sends chills straight to my bones.

“Who is this?” I ask, pointing at the regal-looking man with thick, raven hair streaked with auburn.

“Is he familiar?”

Kayden’s tone is cautious and I look at him. “Who is he?”

“That’s Niccolo, Ella.”

“This looks nothing like the photo you showed me before.”

“Yes. It does. Are you telling me he’s familiar now, and he wasn’t then?”

“Let me see the other shot.”

He grabs his phone and hits a few buttons before bringing up the image he showed me when we were at Matteo’s house. I set the phone down next to the picture in the notebook. “They don’t look like the same man.” I tap the image on his phone. “This man has shorter, darker hair than the one in the photo.”

“They’re both Niccolo, so let’s be clear. You know Niccolo.”

“Yes,” I whisper, my chest tightening. “I know him. I might have tried to kill him.” I stand and Kayden stands with me. “I have to go. I have to leave the castle. You can’t have me here. I’ll get you all killed.”

His hands come down on my shoulders. “Deep breath, sweetheart. We already knew he was looking for you. Our plan is still good, but I need to know if it’s Niccolo who you keep having flashbacks about.”

“I don’t know, Kayden. The man in my flashbacks is still without an identity.”

“Everything is still as it should be.”

“A mobster is after me, so no. Nothing is as it should be. How do I even get out of this?”

“You don’t.” His hands frame my face. “I’ll get you out of this. I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

“I do, but—”

He kisses me, hard and fast. “I’ve got this, and you. Now, let’s put him behind us. I don’t remember the last time I shut everything out and just relaxed. Do that with me now.”

“You can’t shut everything out with Enzo missing.”

“I have people looking for him and they know how to reach me. Let’s take a time-out, Ella.” He links the fingers of both our hands together. “Let’s go into the bedroom, get naked, have lots of sex, and I’ll talk you into a Marvel movie binge. Iron Man. The Avengers. Thor.” He starts walking backward, leading me around the table.

“Superheroes?” I ask, a bit of my tension easing.

“What’s wrong with superheroes?”

“Nothing,” I say, deciding to embrace being “lucky” with Kayden while I still can. “Nothing at all.”

“Good. Then The Avengers it is.” He scoops me up and starts walking to the bedroom, once again carrying me, and I know it’s his way of carrying me beyond this place and time.

But he’s not a superhero. He can die, and I won’t let that happen. Not because of me.





twenty



I blink awake Thursday morning to find Kayden lying next to me, staring at the ceiling. The room is warm and cozy with the fireplace lit and his leg is aligned with mine. I roll to him, curling to his side, settling my hand over his heart. “Penny for your thoughts.”

He strokes a lock of hair from my eyes. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too. These past two days . . .”

His lips quirk. “I made you love Iron Man, right?”

More like he made me start falling in love with him, but I don’t dare say that. “You made me love Thor.”

“You just like him because he has a big hammer.”

I poke his chest. “That was a horrible joke.”

“We guys love our horrible jokes.” He kisses my forehead. “I’m going to take a quick shower and check for any update on Enzo.” He grabs his watch from the nightstand and glances at it. “Holy hell, it’s already ten o’clock. We need to leave here by eleven-thirty to make our appointment, and I have to make a few calls in advance.”

It’s our appointment at the consulate, where Niccolo will likely be looking for me. Our relaxed days of naked talks, laughter, orgasms, and TV have officially ended. “I’m nervous.”

He kisses my temple. “Don’t be. I have a plan.”

I smile, but it’s not as heartfelt as the many smiles we’ve shared these past two days. “You always have a plan.”

“You’re learning.”

“Good teacher.”

“Your lessons haven’t even begun,” he assures me, no doubt referencing his vow to put “dirty” in a box and keep it there while I fully heal. “How’s your head this morning?”

“Good. Really good, actually. And I’m almost done with my medicine.”

“Then let’s do some shopping today. You need a real wardrobe, not the few things you found to fit in the collection everyone else picked out.” He slides his hand over my naked waist and hip and gives me a wickedly hot look. “Though I prefer you without clothes. And on that note, I had better go before I forget why we need to leave.”