There was the hard, cold vehemence Dominic had heard before in Rome years ago. “Take it easy. He won’t hear it from me. But if I needed added reason to keep my niece away from him I have it now. Keep your boy away from her,” Dominic said, his voice as deadly as Gora’s. “Now and forever.” He set the phone in the cradle softly, as if he needed to compensate for the rage boiling inside him. Then he sat utterly still, telling himself it couldn’t be possible. In all the world, this was who Nicole had picked? He sucked in a breath, said, “No,” under his breath, then “No way,” in a louder tone, then “No way in hell,” with such fury, he could barely breathe.
Chapter 26
Rafe, wearing only boxers, was standing in front of an open wardrobe door flicking through hangers. Three discarded shirts and two pairs of trousers were in a pile on the floor. He was softly swearing.
“Wear your gray linen slacks and one of your short-sleeve shirts.”
Rafe swung around to see Natalie standing in the doorway. A flash of impatience lit his eyes. “Do you mind?”
Her shrug set her dangly jet earrings quivering. “You’re not naked. And it’s not as though I haven’t seen you naked.”
“Great. That’s what I want to hear.”
“I’m an old lady. You’re not the first man I’ve seen without clothes.”
“Hey. This isn’t a conversation I want to have.” He lifted his chin. “Do you want something?”
She held up Nicole’s backpack. “Here’s the change of clothes you wanted. And a word of advice. Relax. You’re nervous as a bridegroom.”
“Jesus, Natalie, if you want me to relax, don’t say words like bridegroom.”
“Everything’s going to be fine.”
Suddenly his gaze was nailed on her. “You saw?”
She shrugged. “It wasn’t all sunny skies, but you can do it.”
“You try to keep things casual, then it changes. Gets real.” He did a quick shoulder roll, winced, every muscle tense. “It throws me.”
“She’s a lovely woman. Special in ways that touch you, that make you stop and think you might be missing something.” A bare nod in his direction. “Why wouldn’t she matter?”
Rafe examined her, did some quick calculating behind his eyes, finally flashed a wry smile. “You’re right, take a bow. Damned if the world just seems better when Nicole’s around, colors brighter, sun more dazzling. Nicer.”
“Explain that to her uncle.”
Rafe groaned.
“I have a feeling he might understand. He wasn’t always happily married.”
Rafe’s eyebrows flickered. “Christ, how do you know that?”
She look amused. “As you recall, I have a gift.” And a thousand street contacts in the gypsy community. “Now get dressed. I woke Simon. He’s showering. Come downstairs and I’ll make you a good breakfast before you go into the lion’s den.”
“Jesus, he’s just a fucking man.”
“I didn’t say he wasn’t. Although, if you’re sensible, you’ll mind your manners.”
Rafe laughed. “That’s the plan, Natalie.”
At the same time Rafe was talking to his housekeeper, Nicole was on her way into the kitchen. She’d have coffee, then find something to wear. She wanted to be ready when Rafe came for her.
Dominic heard Nicole in the hallway. Quietly sliding out of bed, he threw on sweats and a T-shirt and left the bedroom without waking Kate. He preferred privacy for what was sure to be a difficult conversation.
When he walked into the kitchen, Nicole was standing in front of the espresso machine in a pair of Kate’s pajamas, looking uncertain.
“Let me,” he said. “Every machine is different. What’s your pleasure?”
As she spun around, her brows dipped into a scowl. “Double espresso, and I’m still pissed at you so you can stop smiling.”
“I understand. Sit.” He pointed at the scrubbed pine table surrounded by colorful painted chairs in the center of the large, sunny kitchen.
She bristled. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
“Sorry, please sit,” he said gently. “The coffee will take a few minutes.”
The only sound for the next small interval was the hiss of the espresso machine and the ticking of a tall case clock in the corner.
Pissed as hell that Dominic had interfered in her life last night, Nicole came out guns blazing. “I met someone you know in Monte Carlo,” she said, her gaze trained on her uncle. “Her name was Bianca—a tall, dark-haired bitch.”
Dominic froze. A heartbeat later, he turned and looked at Nicole’s smug face. “I’m sorry you had to meet her. Forget it.”