In The End (Butterfly #1) (16 page)

‘Eh, what is going on, why do we need the X-Men following us around?’ My suspicions were growing by the second.

‘I need to keep you safe, baby, they are just there to assist me, let’s go.’ Taking my hand as we headed for the elevator, Nicholi clearly was not going to elaborate further and as the elevator door sealed behind us I wanted answers.

‘Why would I need a bodyguard? Is this because of Larissa?’ I knew the answer before he could vocalise a response, his face greying at just the mere mention of her name.

‘I don’t want you to worry; this is just for my own sanity, nothing else. I told you from the beginning, Sophia, I am big on security whether that be alarms, guards or GPS tracking systems,’ he smiled, pointing at my watch.

‘GPS tracking systems, what are you talking about?’ I looked at my watch that he had given me, back to his eyes, so beautiful yet filled with a fear that resonated within me. I had known after Cross’s attack we were in danger and never batted an eyelid at the additional security Nicholi had set up at the house, but there was more he was not telling me.

‘Your watch has a chip in to track your location, Jacob has one too, as do I.’ The way he said it so casually as though it was an everyday occurrence made me smile. Taking that as acceptance of our new arrangement Nicholi leaned in, pulled me into his arms and took my breath away as only he could. Our bodies moved in unison, leaving me wanting as the elevator stopped at our floor. I was not getting anything further from him, but that did not mean I would not delve more by other means.

We arrived at Harpers twenty minutes later, a huge department store filled with everything you could possibly desire in women’s clothing.

‘I took the liberty of making you an appointment with a personal shopper,’ Nicholi confessed, looking rather guilty and deservedly so.

‘Good morning, Miss Nichols, I am Kate and I will be your personal shopper today.’ A warm, bubbly, brunette-haired woman came to meet us and my stomach dropped, this was not going to be pleasant.

‘Sophia is fine,’ I muttered, taking her outstretched hand in mine as she led me to the fitting room suite.

‘I have selected some items for us to start with, once I confirm your measurements we can begin.’ She looked positively jubilant and my stomach groaned in anticipation.

After trying more dresses, skirts and outfits than I care to remember, including all the apparently essential accessories, I flopped on the changing room floor. Nicholi had nodded his head in approval as I was paraded around the suite, feeling like a show and tell doll, in between taking phone calls and conducting business on his laptop.

‘Now that wasn’t too painful was it?’ Nicholi kissed my hand as we left the store, our train of bags following swiftly behind.

‘On a scale of one to ten it was a hundred on the shame and embarrassment level,’ I muttered, not believing the obscene amount of money he had just spent with the shiny black Lucifer card.

‘Mr Lee will take you back to the house and I will be home as soon as I can okay?’

‘You’re not coming with me?’ Deflated, my anger subsiding at the news he was leaving, I reached for his hand.

‘No, baby, I have to meet with the senior partners, but I would much rather be going home with you, I promise.’ His voice was low and husky as he pulled me closer, sealing kisses around my forehead and ending with one on my nose.

‘Take good care of her, Lee.’ His voice was suddenly authoritative and commanding as he watched me enter the open car door and sit down. His expression was unreadable, his posture tense. I waved as we drove off and watched him from the rear window before settling back in my seat, remembering I had forgotten something.

‘Crap, Mr Lee, I need to pick up something before we go home.’ I was suddenly feeling a little brighter at the order I had placed while being contorted into the third evening gown by Kate, the over exuberant personal shopper.

‘Just Christian is fine, ma’am, but I have my orders from Mr Veneto to take you straight back home,’ he confirmed, seemingly not budging from his given orders.

‘Just Sophia is fine; it will only take a minute, please, Christian.’ Using the voice my sister would pull out whenever she wanted something, I watched him mull and process then sigh.

‘Okay, where to, ma’am?’ Feeling slightly guilty, but at the same time knowing it was harmless, I directed him to the craft store.

What to get the man who has everything? I had pondered as Kate passed me silk underwear, a far cry from the simple white bra that had unadorned me this morning. The look on her face when she saw it had turned me a shade darker than the crimson bra and panties set she had given me to try on.

We pulled up at the craft store and Christian was out the door first, scanning the area, observing everything before he opened my door for me to exit. There was much more to this than Nicholi had told me, and knowing I would get to the bottom of it later, I entered the store to collect his present.

Using my Lucifer card for the first time gave me chills, but I rationalised it with the fact it was a gift, and we drove back to the house in silence. Earl was at the door to greet us, with Mr Gardner dealing with the visitors wanting to deliver various items for the party that evening, looking particularly stern, I shuddered, another Earl. Grabbing my phone out of my bag, I speed-dialled Nicholi.

‘Hello.’ His voice was distant and cold.

‘Er, hi,’ I murmured, shocked by the response I was receiving.

‘Sophia, when I ask Lee to drive you home, can you please respect that and do as I ask?’ Realisation was slowly dawning on me that Christian had told him about our impromptu stop.

‘Sorry, I just had to run a quick errand, we are home now,’ I reiterated, hoping that would help somehow, I was wrong.

‘Yes, I know. I’m in a meeting, talk later.’ He hung up the phone before I could say anything more.

‘Madam, where would you like me to take your purchases?’ Earl asked curtly, seemingly to be angry with me too, though he always was so that was nothing new.

‘Upstairs is fine, Earl, thanks,’ I replied, virtually whispering. Still bruised from the response I had received from Nicholi, I reached for my phone and began to type.

I am sorry you are upset with me, but I do not know what I did wrong.
The phone illuminated within minutes, a response received.

I am in a meeting Sophia
. I was getting angry now, what the hell was wrong with him?

I heard you the first time; maybe you didn’t when I said I was sorry. I had to pick up your gift and Christian was with me the whole time
.

CHRISTIAN?
If text messages could be in colour this would have been in bright, bold flashing letters.

He said I could call him Christian, why are you so mad with me?
His hostility was gnawing on me and I sat at the kitchen table, tears building in my eyes.

Did he now…talk later
. And with that I threw my phone into my bag and ran upstairs, fighting my way through the mountain of bags to the bathroom, the tears flowing as I watched the water from the shower mist the mirrors, throwing off my clothes that were clearly not good enough for him, and got into the shower.

I just stood there watching the water circle down the drain hole, forming a mini tornado before it was sucked away just as my happiness had been. Not used to all the emotions that were running through my body, I felt like I was drowning. Nicholi was my first physical relationship, that was our first fight, though I did not know why he was so cold towards me, and of course, my insecurities were working overtime. Why would he want a self-deprecating broken nobody when he could have any woman he wanted and there were many who wanted him. The looks, hushed voices and giggles that I heard while he was sitting waiting for me at the clothing store. I cringed, no; he wants me. He would not have asked me to marry him if he didn’t. Was he changing his mind? My heart stopped, and the door clicked open, making me jump out of my skin.

‘Hi,’ his voice was low, eyes distant.

‘Hi,’ my voice broke once again, demonstrating my weakness. Before either one of us could say anything further Nicholi was in the shower, still fully clothed, holding me in his arms.

‘I am sorry, baby, I didn’t mean to upset you, please don’t cry.’ My emotions had betrayed me again, and I clung on, wrapping myself as tightly to him as I could.

‘You look a little wet, Mr Veneto.’ Trying to smile, my heart still aching at the thought he did not want me.

‘What is it?’ He gently stroked my face, kissing my eyes and nose and tilted my chin to look into his eyes.

‘I thought you were having second thoughts about marrying me,’ I whispered, my voice breaking once more.

‘Oh, baby, no.’ Nicholi pulled me into his arms kissing me so hard I could not stop to breathe, not that I wanted to. I reached to unbutton his shirt, and he ripped it off, the buttons pinging to the floor of the shower, whirling around in the mini tornado. I could feel his erection on my stomach as he wrapped my legs around his waist and carried me into the bedroom. My nerve endings were on fire as he stroked and teased my body, his lips setting a burning fire in their wake as we came together. We lay in silence, his head on my chest; our legs wrapped around each other, my heart rate slowing, my skin tingling in memory every time he stroked me.

‘I think that was my most favourite shower.’ Nicholi grinned seductively as he rose from my chest and pulled me to straddle him.

‘Are you still mad with me?’ I questioned, my mind clouded by the proximity of his skin against mine.

‘I am sorry, Sophia, I just need you to do as I ask, can you do that for me?’ He leaned forward, kissing my breasts and I would do anything for him in that moment, my heart pounding again.

‘Yes, I’m sorry too.’ Before I could question further, he pulled me underneath him and kissed me from my head to my toe and we once again were undone in each other.

‘Crap, I need to make the cookies for the party,’ I remembered, leaping out of the bed as Nicholi’s arms tried to pull me back.

‘Baby, we have the caterers to do that,’ he sighed, kissing my neck and shoulders, my body quivering with pleasure.

‘I want to make some for Jacob, it is tradition,’ I clarified, in as stern a voice as I could muster, he let me go, pouting. ‘You know you look so sexy when you pout,’ I teased, slipping back into my jeans and shirt as Nicholi dropped back onto the bed with a sigh. ‘You could help me if you wanted to?’ A grin spread across his face and he rose, retrieving jeans and a shirt from his room, frowning when he returned at the bags all over the floor.

‘Yes, I was going to put them away after my shower, but got a little distracted, cannot think why,’ I smiled, feigning ignorance, blushing at the recollection. He brushed his fingers across my cheeks slowly.

‘I love this; it’s the only way I know what you’re truly thinking.’ He lifted my chin to place a chaste kiss on my lips.

‘Hmm I think you’re trying to distract me again, come, let’s bake, Mr Veneto,’ I commanded, pulling him by the hand out of the door.

‘We need to get a housekeeper.’ Nicholi spoke as though thinking aloud.

‘A housekeeper? Why?’ I was puzzled, as Earl seemed to handle everything along with the cleaners that were employed.

‘To help you with anything you need, laundry, unpacking mountains of bags.’ I froze.

‘One, I can do my own laundry and two that was a one off, we are not buying clothing in that amount again.’ The thought alone made me nauseous.

‘Earl, a word, a moment,’ he gestured, giving me his most alluring smile, as he and Earl entered his office and I headed to the kitchen to start my baking prep. It was always our family traditional to make cookies on the holidays and this was something I wanted to continue with Jacob. My mom would prepare them beforehand and we would decorate together using as many different toppings, multi-coloured icing and decorations as possible. I had ordered some cookie cutters and set to making the dough to mould the ghosts, witch, warlock and pumpkins. I added a few extra spider ones just for Earl and was completely engrossed when Nicholi entered the room, answering his phone.

‘Veneto.’ He gave me his most sexy smile then froze, the colour drained completed from his face as though the life had been sucked out of him.

‘Remember me? Next time I will finish it.’

Silence, his face like stone, the rage stoking him back to life, his phone thrown across the room, crashing into the wooden cabinet.             

‘Nicholi, what happened? What’s wrong?’ I tried to pull him into my arms, urging him to talk, but he could not form the words. His mind was disconnected from his body, racing, a gush of nausea hit me like a ten-ton truck and Nicholi, springing back to life, held my hair as I threw up in the porcelain sink. I was sitting on Nicholi’s lap, him stroking my arm, waiting, soothing, calming, my mind willing his.

‘Please tell me what’s wrong.’ Nicholi turned grey. His expression sent shivers down my spine.

‘What did they say to upset you so much?’ I have never seen Nicholi look so angry and never want to again, he flew up from the chair so fast, ranting and raving at anyone and everyone. Christian and Gardner had cleared the house within minutes; caterers looking shocked and dismayed had been ushered into their vehicles by our two frighteningly large military guards. The party was cancelled.

Nicholi hauled himself up in the office, making endless calls and planning god knows what, making it clear he did not want company. I went back to the kitchen and continued making the cookies. Jacob and Max were having a Halloween party even if it was just the three of us, but planning for more, surely Nicholi would not stop the friends Jacob had invited from coming. The few words I had managed to wheedle out from him was that something had happened with work and he needed to fix it, nothing for me to worry about and then shut down like Fort Knox, impenetrable, lost in his own thoughts.

I really wanted to take the boys trick or treating, it was something as a child I did every year. My sister and I would always inevitably choose the same costume even though we had vehemently denied that we wanted to dress the same. My mom, knowing us so well, would always make spares and at the end of the night, we would dump out our candy and share it with our brothers. Twins, particularly identical ones always got the most attention, ergo the highest yield of candy. I wanted to continue the tradition with Jacob and that thought brought a smile to my face briefly; footsteps behind me quickly changed that.

‘I would love to know what is funny, Sophia?’ Looking positively enraged, Nicholi stood staring at me from the doorway.

‘Nothing, I was just thinking that it’s too late to cancel with the parents of the children Jake has invited, there are only three of them and that won’t be a problem, right?’ I was trying to sound authoritative in my voice, but failing miserably, Nicholi looked menacing and my resolve quickly washed over me, like a cheap facemask, leaving nothing, but red inflamed skin.

‘Christ, Sophia, you really do enjoy trying my patience, don’t you?’ His accusation stung, and I felt my temper building.

‘No, Nicholi, believe it or not I actually don’t relish the thought of you being angry with me, but on this I’m not budging. This is not about us, this is for them and I won’t let you spoil it.’ My voice rose at the end displaying for all to see my weakness. I was not used to defiance, always the people pleaser; I wish I could be more like Lexi.

‘While I appreciate your intention, Sophia, it would be a cold day in hell before you could change my mind,’ he yelled, storming off to his study and slamming the door so hard the hinges rattled. Damn it, those traitor tears were building faster than I could swallow them away, my anger once simmering now erupting, he was treating me like a child not an equal partner, his fiancée, and I knew what I was going to do.

Telling Christian I had a headache and was going to lie down, I quickly changed into my Halloween costume. I removed my watch that had the spy GPS chip in it, completed my look with a red wig, grabbed Jake and Max’s outfits off the hangers and slipped out through the back stairs. I would be back in time before anyone noticed and with that positive thought running through my head I slipped into Earl’s car, fixing the child car seats in the back and started the engine. He was being completely unreasonable and not talking to me so I could not possibly share my new plans for the evening with him, this was the only option. Hitting the unlock button for the gate, I gunned it out of the drive and onto the main road to pick up Jake and Max.

After collecting them from school and day care, I quickly dressed Max in his Mickey Mouse costume and assisted Jacob into his Sebastian outfit, taking a million pictures. I would not have missed this for the world, and walking hand in hand to the first house, buckets out ready, melted my heart. We quickly covered the first road and deciding not to push my luck for time, headed back to the car. I had left my phone on the passenger seat and it was now glowing with the many missed calls and texts I had received, steam would have been pouring out of it had it been possible.

‘Crap,’ I muttered quietly to myself, daring to peek at one of the text messages.

Where the fucking hell are you!!!
Maybe this was not the best idea after all, I thought, buckling both boys into the car I drove us back, dread building up slowly. The foundations set as I turned into the gate, timber constructed as I drove onto the drive and the house of doom was complete when I saw Nicholi waiting for me at the front door.

‘Hey, boys, did you have fun?’ he asked, unbuckling the straps to aid their exit.

‘It was the best daddy, look at all our candy.’ Jake proudly showed his dad like a pirate revelling in his loot. ‘Grandma is in the house and your mommy, Max, go in and see and we will be there in a minute,’ Nicholi instructed, climbing into the passenger seat next to me.

‘Shall we return the car you stole back to the garage, Sophia?’ His voice was so calm yet calculated; my hands shook as I pulled into the garage.

‘Nicholi, I’m sorry, I just wanted…’ He turned to face me, his beautiful sapphire eyes, so dark; almost black, I was struck dumb.

‘You wanted, yes like a little spoiled child that can’t get her way, throws a tantrum and screw anyone else, Sophia gets what Sophia wants, hmm sounds about right.’ Leaning in, he gently took my hand and placed the watch back onto my wrist. ‘Now, Sophia, we have guests, the ones you refused to cancel despite me asking you to, so shall we?’ He exited the car and opened my door. This was bad, this was very bad, he was so cold I did not recognise him.

‘You scare me when you’re like this,’ was all I managed to squeeze out, my throat so tight, constricting every breath into unadulterated fear.

‘Apparently not enough.’ He lowered down to whisper in my ear as our guests opened the front door to search for their hosts. ‘You ever pull a stunt like that again and I will not be reasonable for my actions, you understand?’ He enunciated every word and my heart stopped. ‘By the way, Lee has been fired,’ he muttered as Jake came bounding towards us.

‘Sophia, can we decorate the cookies now?’ His excitement reverberating all around mixed with the vehemence looks I was receiving from Nicholi, hiding away in the kitchen sounded like the perfect escape plan. To my dismay, Nicholi followed us through the kitchen and sat supervising the whole time. I tried to ignore him and enjoy the moment with the boys, assisting them choosing all manner of toppings for their cookies and taking a ton of pictures to capture the moment. Mia had arrived shortly before us and was shooting gentle knowing looks my way, invisible hugs of condolence, and I smiled in return. Morgan, Max’s mother and her husband Jeff were also in attendance and I warmed to Morgan instantly. She was such a kind-hearted soul I longed for her to be reunited with Max and would do everything in my power to make it happen.

After cookie decoration was over, we headed to the playroom, filling the air with music in a vain attempt to stifle Nicholi’s penetrating glare. I switched the Xbox on and started a dance challenge. We paired up, Jake and myself first to go, dancing to Michael Jackson’s
Thriller
. I was amazed to discover how talented he was, not surprising really considering both Lexi and I had danced from such a young age, but his obviously natural talent, not being nurtured by any professional instruction, was impressive and something I would pursue further, once Nicholi was talking to me again.

The rest of the night flew by without issue, Nicholi ignoring me most of the time unless he was showing displeasure for me not eating. As if I could, my stomach was killing me, my throat taut and raw, longing to be in his arms, but not wanting to admit I needed him, I stoically carried on.

The addition of another guest generated great delight as Cross arrived unexpectedly, having being cleared to leave the hospital.

‘It’s so great to see you,’ I whispered as Cross gave me a bear hug, one that I truly needed.

‘It’s good to be home, so what did I miss?’ he asked, noticing instantly that all wasn’t well with me and Nicholi, but I was too tired to elaborate and left him to greet the rest of the welcome party.

After getting the boys bathed and ready for bed with Mia and Morgan at my side, I bid them both goodnight and headed for my bedroom to hide and release the heaving sobs of anguish I had been carrying around with me all night. I was stood looking in the closet at Nicholi’s costume, still hanging where I had left it this morning, the tears forming as quickly as the rain that had lightly dusted the windowpane. Gently stroking the fabric of his Prince Eric costume, this was not the evening I had planned.

‘Why are you crying?’ A husky voice came up from behind me.

‘Why do you care?’ I asked, bitterly hurt and too emotionally strung to conceal how much.

‘Hey, come on.’ He moved closer to me and I stepped away at the same time.

‘You ignore me all evening, only glaring at me and now you care how I feel?’ The tears were streaming now, and I was losing control, the racking sobs so eager to break free.

‘You have no idea how I felt to find your room empty and your watch left on the bed. I thought someone had gotten into the house and taken you. I was beside myself, Sophia, I would die if anything happened to you, don’t you understand?’ His eyes were burning, but not with anger this time, it was with love and I fell into his arms, all the emotions I had pent up flowing freely without restraint.

He just held me while I cried, soothing, lulling all the pain away until I broke away and met his eyes, my body longing for his, our mouths meeting, the passion cascading throughout every fibre of my being. His mouth kissed a line across my breasts that were held in with the sea shell bra for my costume before he freed them, teasing, caressing, kissing a trial down my stomach, his fingers reaching, longing inside my underwear when that too was cast aside. Lifting me into his arms, onto the bed as I reached to pull off his sweater and run my fingers across his chest, the velvet dusting of hair tickling my nose as I kissed every part of him.

Our skin touching for the first time sent sparks of passion, igniting the explosion as he entered and thrust away all the horrendous evening emotions and filled them with burning desire, pulsing until we came together, as one once more.

‘Wow, I always wanted to make love to a mermaid.’ He laughed as my head lay on his chest, my leg wrapped around his waist, not wanting to have even the smallest distance from him.

I laughed and felt him smile underneath my head. ‘I love to hear you laugh… Sophia, marry me, now, let’s elope, we could be married by the weekend.’ He had sat upright, jostling me slightly in the process and the nausea hit like a brick wall.

‘Nic, our families would be so disappointed; my grandmother has been planning for this day since I was born. Your mother, I couldn’t do it to them.’ He sighed; knowing deep down I was right, but not letting it go.

‘Let’s name the date then and start planning; I cannot wait for you to be mine.’ He lovingly stroked my cheek sending bursts of passion throughout my body.’

‘I’m already yours,’ and the nausea hit again, this time its tenacity won over. ‘I’m going to be sick,’ I near shouted, running to the bathroom as the meagre amount of food I had eaten that evening came back to greet me.

‘I’m taking you to the hospital, you can’t keep anything down and I’m worried you are getting dehydrated.’ His hand was on my forehead, that I knew was burning and not just because of the physical activity we had partaken in.

‘It’s just a bug, I have been feeling ill all day,’ I confessed, and that was the understatement of the century, I had felt like death warmed up all day, but wanted so much to enjoy the party I pushed through the pain.

‘Why didn’t you say anything?’ he questioned, stroking my face as I lay in his lap, dry heaves retching throughout my body.

‘Well between fighting with you and ignoring me, there didn’t seem like a good time.’ The harshness of my words made him flinch, and I felt terrible. ‘It’s my fault too, I’m sorry, you wouldn’t tell me what was wrong, and I just got so angry with you I couldn’t think.’ As this was my first physical relationship, the feelings and emotions it generated were so extreme, it had a profound effect whenever Nicholi was angry with me.

‘I’m so sorry, baby, I just want to protect you and this is the only way I know how, please bear with me, this is all new to me too.’ This revelation made me lift my head in amazement.

‘This is your first relationship?’ I was stunned, how had he not had a girlfriend before?

‘Yes.’ He was calculating my next question and mulling his response carefully.