Ryder's Claim (Mafia Heirs 2)

"She's a beautiful girl," I mutter, doing my best to hide my true emotions.

"Stunning," he nods. "Which is why I wanted to ask you for a favor."

"Oh?"

"Your brother is going home today, but I wanted to ask you to stay behind. I've already discussed the idea with your father and he agreed with my plan."

I narrow my eyes at him, not liking the sound of this. "What plan?"

"I'd like you to stay here after Adrian leaves and watch over Nicoletta, as her guardian," he explains. "I'll reward you handsomely, of course. And maybe you can even find someone suitable for your wife while you're here."

I scoff but cover it up with a cough. I don't need to make a fucking enemy out of Carlucci. The guy's blood thirst is fucking legendary. "Why do you want me to look after your daughter? Can't you do that yourself?"

"I have another commitment. I'll be leaving the villa tomorrow after Adrian leaves. What do you say, Ryder?" He claps me on the back and I grit my teeth. "Can I count on you?"

I want to say no. I should say no. I can't even muster a reply and yet I find myself nodding along to the man's suggestions. Fuck. Have I just signed my death sentence?

"Sure." I swallow thickly after the word leaves my mouth. Fuck. This is a giant mistake. And yet I can't help myself – I want this, I want to stay, I want to understand the principessa better.

Gustavo beams brightly, pleased that I've taken the decision to stay with them. I've given into his demands now. Soon, he'll start expecting more and more from me.

Adrian leaves that night. Nicoletta doesn't seem too emotional about him leaving – she keeps glancing at me instead, which I studiously ignore. That night, I don't go out to my balcony. I can't bear looking at her and talking to her, all the while knowing she's someone else's woman. I shouldn't get attached to her so fast, but there's an invisible thread pulling me to her, demanding my full attention.

I'm already in bed when the knock comes. I shoot up, reaching for my gun on the nightstand. Who the fuck is this now?

I press my back to the wall and walk to the terrace doors, aiming the gun at the figure outside.

"Ryder!" she cries out. "It's me. Don't shoot."

I lower my gun. On the other side of the doors, there's a vision in white – Nicoletta in her billowing nightdress, with her pale blonde hair loose and falling over her shoulders. She's beautiful – heart stoppingly so, and yet I can't bring myself to admire her as any man would. As intoxicating as she is, I can never forget she's my brother's bride-to-be.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I bark at her, putting the gun in the waistband of my boxers. "You should be in bed. Did you climb down here?"

She nods, shivering in the cold and making me groan out loud in frustration.

"You'd better come in then." Reluctantly, I open the doors and she slips inside with a grateful look in my direction. "So, what is it?"

"I didn't see you outside tonight." Nicoletta glances around my room. Her nightdress is nearly translucent in the moonlight and it's distracting as fuck.

I toss her one of my sweatshirts and mutter, "Put that on, it's cold."

She slips on my shirt and I catch her trying to smell it, after which she blushes and nervously toys with her fingers on her lap.

"What are you doing here, Nicoletta, really?" I demand, and she avoids my gaze.

"Adrian left today."

"I know."

"But you didn't." Her sharp blue eyes meet mine. "Why's that?"

"Your father asked me to stay," I grunt. "To be your guardian, watch over you."

"What does that mean?"

"That I have to do everything he should be doing I guess." I shrug. "What does it matter?"

"I'm glad you stayed behind."

"I'm not." I can tell my words have hurt her from the wounded look on her face. I shouldn't give a shit about the way she feels and yet I can't stop worrying about her. Merda. Nicoletta Carlucci's got me all twisted up.

"Why not? Don't you want to get to know me better?"

"Why would I?" I smirk at her. The bastard in me is loving riling her up. "You're not my betrothed."

"Maybe not," she counters. "But I will be a part of your family soon. Doesn't that count for something?"

I shrug. "I’ve got five brothers. Who each one of them marries is none of my concern."

"I thought you were close with Adrian," she pouts.

"I guess." I narrow my eyes at her. "We should get you back to your room. It's a fucking wonder you didn't break a leg climbing down here."

"Maybe I’ve had some practice." Her eyes glow with mischief.

"Lying is not a good look on you." I pick myself up, grab a dressing gown and point to the door. "Come on, I'm walking you back upstairs. You better hope and pray nobody notices us, otherwise we'll both get in trouble."