Ryder's Claim (Mafia Heirs 2)

"You have to believe me, I didn't know what Livia was doing. I was never involved. But... through some old friends, I heard some very strange rumors."

"Rumors?" My brows shoot up. I can feel my brother's eyes on my back, and I can almost feel the guard closest reaching for his gun. I wave him off, eager for Sophia to tell me more.

"About Livia," she nods nervously. "It's just... well..."

"What?" I'm getting impatient. I need Sophia to tell me the fucking truth.

"Well, are you sure she's dead?"

I'm taken aback by her words. My brows furrow and I have to stop myself so I don't snarl my next words. "She died in my arms, Sophia. What part of that don't you understand?"

"Okay," she nods sheepishly. "Just know, Adrian, there are rumors. Rumors about –"

"Sophia, are you coming?" A man approaches us, a bartender from the bar. He eyes us both. "Any trouble here?"

"We're all good," Sophia replies with a nervous laugh before allowing him to lead her away.

I keep my eyes glued to her, wondering what the fuck her cryptic message could mean.

"That was weird," Julian mutters as I sit back down.

"Fucking bizarre," I mutter. "You heard these rumors about Livia?"

"I figured they were just that – rumors," Julian shrugs.

"You knew and didn't tell me?"

An awkward pause follows, but finally my brother offers an apologetic clap on my back. "Sorry, fratello. I didn't know you still cared about Livia, after all the shit she caused."

"I loved her," I bark at him. "Do you even know what that means?"

He doesn't answer. But I'm too tired to keep fighting. I grab my jacket and head the fuck out of there.

At least it got my mind off Nicoletta...

5

Nicoletta

Once I'm back in my room with Ryder safely on the other side of the door, I lean my back against the wall and finally allow myself to breathe again.

What on earth just happened down there? I let Ryder Bernardi dominate me as if I were a fucking puppet. And I loved it... Merda.

Cursing out loud, I rip off my nightdress and panties and crawl under the sheets naked – a little act of rebellion against Papa's strict rules. I fall asleep wishing I'd dream of Ryder, but this time, it doesn't come true. I wake up well-rested and still happy, and spend the day looking for excuses and opportunities to see him. Papa is in meetings, so I'm lucky to get two walks in the gardens, because the maid feels sorry for me. I'm glad for the small bit of freedom I get to experience and gratefully explore the gardens I used to love so much.

I know that the cat who the help feeds will be ready for her meal now, so I put out some meat I stole at lunch. Papa would never let me bring her in, as much as I've begged and begged. But this time, the cat seems preoccupied. She grabs the food and leaves. I follow her to a small nest she's made in one of the bushes, where three adorable kittens await her, meowing loudly.

I fall in love with them instantly and promise to myself I'll bring the cats up to Papa later. I have to take care of them. I hope he won't object.

At dinner that night, I'm alone, while Papa is away on a business meeting. I assume Ryder is there with him, but it doesn't stop me from sneaking out onto my balcony yet again that evening, curiously watching the level below mine. Ryder will come out any second now. I hope he'll be excited to see me. I haven't gotten a chance to speak to him all day.

But the minutes tick by and Ryder doesn't come. Finally, what feels like ages later, I see a light go on inside his room. I perk up, anxiously waiting for him to come out. But it's just one of our housemaids.

"Signorina Nicoletta, go back to your room," she scolds me. "It's very cold tonight, you don't want to catch a cold!"

"Where is our guest?" I ask anxiously. "Has he got a different room now?"

"Oh, Signore Bernardi?" The housemaid shakes her head. "He left this morning, signorina. Your father didn't tell you?"

I swallow back a cry of disbelief and force myself to merely shake my head. It's as much of a reaction I can muster up right now. What she told me hurts too much.

I retreat to my bedroom, feeling numb as I lie down on the bed. He's gone. Just like that, he's gone, and I never even got the chance to explore the feelings between us. I might never know how Ryder truly feels about me. Maybe I'll find out... but surely by then, it will be too late. I will already be married to his brother.

A child-like stubbornness takes over me. I don't want to accept that Ryder is gone.