Twisted Bonds (The Camorra Chronicles 4)

“When we took over power, her father asked Remo for his opinion regarding the matter. Remo said it would be good to show a girl how to defend herself because it would also make sure that she could ward off advances before marriage. That convinced Bazzoli. Since then Gemma has been learning how to fight. Diego is always with her though.” Nino covered my hand. “You’re too kind for this world, Kiara.”

“I can’t help it.”

“You aren’t supposed to change. It’s good that you are kind and caring, and inherently good. It balances out what my brothers and I are.”

“You make me sound like I’m some kind of saint. I’m not that good.”

Nino pulled into the driveway of the Falcone mansion, killed the engine and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. “I doubt there’s someone who’s better than you.” He said it so honestly, as if it was the unfailing truth, that tears sprang into my eyes. I tried to blink them away before Nino could see them. His eyes lingered on mine and he leaned forward, cupped my head and pressed a kiss to my temple. “One day I’m going to kill every single person who made you feel less. They should pray that your kindness stops me long enough.”

Deadly words shouldn’t warm my heart, shouldn’t feel like the most romantic declaration of love, but with Nino they did.

CHAPTER 6

KIARA

In the afternoon, I joined Remo on the terrace. He was still brooding after a fight with Serafina during one of their daily walks this morning. His hands were pushed into his pants and he was glaring off into the distance. Standing beside him, I looked at his face, at the scar his mother had caused, at the cruel twist of his mouth.

Serafina had told me she felt like she was losing herself and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was the same for Remo, and what did it even mean for a man like him?

“Say what you got to say,” he growled. There was so much I wanted to tell him, how I thought it was wrong to kidnap an innocent woman, but he knew that. And deep down I wondered if maybe this was the only chance for Remo to ever be close to a woman, for him to overcome the hatred that had carried him through the years, that still carried him.

I wanted to tell him that he needed to stop this game so he could be strong for his brothers, particularly Nino. I wanted to tell him that I wished to see him happy one day, even if he didn’t believe in happiness.

Remo growled, anger flashing on his face. He grasped my upper arms and brought our faces close. “Say something. Don’t just stand there with that fucking sad look. It’s fucking annoying.”

Despite my body’s tension, I didn’t pull away. “Do you think Nino could love a child?”

Remo released me with a jerk, eyes widening as he stepped back. “Are you …?”

“No,” I said quietly. “But I want a baby. I’ve always wanted to be a mother. I want to hold a baby in my arms, cuddle it into sleep. I want to protect and love it. I want to give this baby everything we all never had. If there’s only one thing in my life I can achieve, then it’s that.” Tears filled my eyes. I wasn’t even sure why I was telling Remo this. Maybe because I could feel that he was on the verge of something, something either better or far worse.

Remo looked like I had shaken him to the core. Silence stretched between us.

“I’m sorry,” I said eventually. I turned but Remo stopped me and leaned down, his expression fierce. “Nino loves you. I don’t understand how it’s possible. I thought the part of him capable of that shit was lost but you dug it out. I don’t know what he can or cannot feel, but every child that grows up in this house will be cared for, will be safe and as fucking happy as it can be in our fucked-up world.” He straightened. “And with you as a mother, it’ll drown in love and sweets, that’s for sure.”

Remo turned and left me standing there. I wrapped my arms around myself. Nino found me like that a few minutes later and pulled me against him.

“I’m fine,” I said before he could ask. I smiled up at him and his frown smoothed. Once things had calmed down, once Serafina was back home, I’d ask Nino if we could have a baby.

After following our new routine of swimming a few rounds in the pool together, Nino and I retired to our room to change. I watched Nino get out of his swim shorts, taking in his muscular tattooed thighs, his narrow hips with the delicious V leading down to his hardening cock. He stalked toward me as I admired him, feeling the familiar tugging of desire.