“No, but I won’t tell you who did it. I was there. I could have stopped it, and I didn’t,” Nick stated. He was the only one going down for that shit. He wasn’t going to ruin anyone else’s life.
Ria glared at him again. She seemed at a loss, staring at him speechlessly.
“I’m a lying, deceitful bastard. I’m glad your brothers are dead, but I’m sorry how it affected your life. That’s why I tried to help you. I guess I was trying to redeem myself.”
“That’s impossible! I will never fucking forgive you, not for taking my brother’s life or for lying to me.”
There was nothing Nick could say. He watched her walk out the door without shutting it behind her without attempting to follow her. He listened to her heels running down the hallway. He just sat down on the bench, staring at the empty doorway.
He heard someone approaching, hoping it was her coming back; instead, Emiliano came inside the room.
“I take it you finally told her the truth.”
“You knew?”
“Of course. I’ve always known. Do you not remember me?”
Nicholas stood up, facing him, staring at his vaguely familiar face. It took him several minutes to remember.
“Jesus.”
“Yes, thankfully for me, He intervened that day, sparing me, but taking your mother instead.”
“Why would Matthew try to kill you?”
“He was a hot-head. He did not care about anyone but himself. I made him angry, and he reacted by trying to kill me. Your mother saved my life.”
Nicholas’s hand covered his face, not knowing what to think.
“Has this all been payback for me killing Matthew?”
“No. This has been about you thinking that you would take a woman that I consider a sister and making her your puta. I own that restaurant you took her to. I saw in your face what you had planned for her. The same treatment you gave Sandy. She missed a week’s work when you stopped seeing her.”
Nicholas had never wanted to punch someone so badly in his life. Emiliano’s lips twisted as he read his mind.
“I wouldn’t advise it. I’m more than capable of defending myself.”
Nicholas didn’t doubt it.
“Why did you let me see her if you were so worried of how I would treat her?”
“Because I remembered her as a child. She’s very captivating and beautiful, but she could hold her own with you. I just wanted to level the playing field.”
He had given her more than a fair chance; he had made Nicholas see her the way he had never seen another woman. He had lowered his guard and fallen in love with the sassy woman. Emiliano was right; she was captivating. She had captured his heart.
“She hates me now.”
“She’ll get over it.”
“Are you crazy? She’s never going to forgive me.”
“She was terrified that Angelo would hurt you. She’ll forgive you. Give her time.”
“You want me to be with her?” Nicholas was astounded.
“I’m not opposed to it as long as that’s what she wants. She’s able to make that decision for herself now.”
“The money?”
“That will be given to Ariel’s mother.”
Nicholas nodded. He wanted them taken care of.
Emiliano turned, walking toward the door. “You and Zane have nothing to fear. The cartel has taken care of Matthew and Alejandro’s deaths. The blame will never be cast on you.” He left, closing the door behind him.
Chapter 23
Ria went to see Emiliano first thing the next morning, interrupting his breakfast.
“I want my mother back.”
Emiliano laid down his cloth napkin on his plate. “You can have her back on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“She will stay at the apartment I provided you. I own the building and will keep watch over her.” In other words, no one would be able to sell her the drugs she had become addicted to. It was a safe and luxurious apartment. Ria would never be able to afford to keep her in such a good a place.
“I agree. Thank you, Emiliano.”
“You may come and go as you please.” He lifted his hand when she would have spoken. “You have proven to me that you’re more than able to take better care of yourself. I believe you’ve already found another job?”
Was there anything he didn’t know?
“Yes. I start next week.”
“Good. That will give you some time to spend with your mother before you find a new place.”
Ria nodded out of the corner of her eye she noticed a servant cleaning the pool.
“Is that John Maxwell?” She asked disbelieving her own eyes.
“Yes. Don’t tell me you thought I had him killed? Dead men can’t repay their debts, he will remain in service to me, until he has repaid what he has stolen.”