Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
"Dr. Valentino," Domani says.
"Dr Valentino?" I repeat, and then realization dawns. "Nico? Nico is here?"
Domani nods.
"Amalia, amore mio, wait for me in the library," Rafe says.
I gape at him.
He's tense, lines of worry etched into his face. He looks older than he did a week ago, as if he's aged a decade in the last eight days. I know I should listen for once and go wait in the library. But everyone else in his life jumps when he says jump. They do exactly what he tells them to do when he tells them to do it. No one fights for him or what he needs or what's best for him. They do what they're told like good little soldiers.
I'm not a soldier. And I've never been very good at taking orders. But I know this man. I know his heart. And I know it's been bleeding for twenty years because of the rift between him and his twin. He misses Nico intensely. It's a phantom pain, one that never diminishes or goes away. They shared everything for eighteen years, a bond closer than brotherhood. If I can help bring them back together, I have to try.
"No," I say, pulling out of his arms.
He reaches for me, but I dart away, already running toward the dining room.
Rafe curses behind me, and then I hear him and Domani coming after me.
"Amalia, tesoro, I'm going to spank your pretty little ass if you step outside," Rafe growls behind me. "It's not safe for you."
"He's an astrophysicist, not the bogeyman, Rafe. If you aren't going to find a way to bring him back into this family, then I will!" I call over my shoulder, racing toward the front door. I don't think he's trying very hard to catch me. He could have by now if he really wanted to do it. I'm not fast.
"Amalia," he growls. "Get back here before I tie you to the bed!"
Oh, he's lost his mind if he thinks he's tying me to the bed.
"You are not tying me to the bed!" I yell, flinging the front door open and then marching down the stairs. I see Nico's car in the driveway, but I ignore it, spinning to face Rafe, who marches out behind me.
Is he smiling?
"No recibo órdenes tuyas. ¡Tú y tus reglas pueden irse al infierno, Rafael Valentino!" I growl, my hands on my hips.
He stares at me for a moment, his expression soft, making it hard to be mad at him. And then his gaze drifts from me to his twin. His smile slips, his expression going carefully blank. But not before I see the flash of pain in his eyes. It's the same ancient grief that marked him when he spoke of Nico what feels like a century ago on the patio after he cooked for me.
"Nico," he says.
I spin around to face his twin. And wow. They look exactly alike and yet nothing alike. Nico is who Rafe might have been had their father not thrust the mantle of responsibility on his shoulders at eighteen years old, crushing him beneath an empire he didn't want. They share the same chocolate eyes, the same dark expression. But darkness doesn't cling to Nico like it does to Rafe. He's handsome…but Rafe is beautiful.
I don't think Nico wants to be here. He's tense. Wary. But he's sad too. I want to dislike him for turning his back on Rafe, but I can't. He's hurting too. They were just kids, just teenagers, torn apart by a man who didn't deserve either of them.
"You're his twin?" I ask, my voice soft.
"Yes."
I take three steps toward Nico and then throw my arms around him in a hug, shocking myself. Nico stands frozen for a moment, not moving, and then carefully hugs me back.
"He misses you," I whisper to him. "More than he'll ever admit to you."
"Enough, tesoro," Rafe growls, his voice strained.
I huff under my breath, not nearly finished saying what needs to be said to repair their relationship, but at least it's a start. At least he knows Rafe misses him, even if Rafe is too stubborn to admit it. I release Nico and hurry back to Rafe's side.
As soon as I reach him, he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into him. He and Nico stare at each other, not speaking. I think Rafe is staking his claim on me again, letting his twin know that I belong to him. Which is ridiculous. I feel nothing for Nico but empathy and compassion. He may be Rafe's twin, but Rafe is the only man in my heart. He'll always be the only man in my heart.
"Tell him the truth," I whisper. "You can't carry it forever. It's time to let it go."
Rafe shakes his head.
"But Rafe," I protest, my heart bleeding for him. Even now, he doesn't believe he deserves forgiveness for what he's done. He truly believes he deserves for Nico to hate him.