~ Niamh ~
God, I wanted to kill Massimo.
In fact, I would have done it already if not for the fact that I'll have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. Or more appropriately, I wouldn't live a second longer than him.
I thought I hated him enough already, but the way he had casually put Ronan's life in danger without any care in the world—treating him like a tool to be used and tossed away—made me certain that I would kill him one day.
I was so relieved the breakfast was finally over. Sitting next to Domino and watching my son fall in love so easily with Massimo was like standing in the middle of a furnace.
I began to wish I had told Matteo several vile stories about his father that would have made him hate the man just as much as I did.
I was even beginning to have this terrible feeling that he was going to love Massimo more than me.
Massimo, the father that abandoned his mother and didn't even know he existed less than a day ago, versus me, the mother that had single-handedly brought him into this world and tried to give him the best. Massimo was manipulative; I was sure he was going to spoil Matteo with things he loved, no matter how right or wrong they were, just to ensure my son loves him.
Monster.
I went to my room immediately after breakfast, intentionally avoiding any form of discussion with anyone and locking myself inside. Matteo was probably still playing, so I was left alone with my thoughts.
I felt overwhelmed almost immediately, and since my phone had been taken before I was transported to the Romanovs, I was in for a constant state of boredom.
I decided to step out of the room to look for my son, suddenly restless and itchy with the need to be near him, even if I knew everyone in this house would probably protect him with their lives.
In fact, I wouldn't have minded staying with the Valentinos if not for the fact that I had to marry Massimo.
When I got to the door to leave, I heard Matteo's laughter drifting through the open window. I went back to the glass and, looking down, I found Matteo kicking a soccer ball with Don Giacomo.
They looked so happy, laughing together—the perfect picture of a grandfather teaching his grandson how to play.
The look on the faces of the soldiers standing nearby told me this was a side of the Don they had never seen.
It reminded me of when my father used to play with Matteo, back before he slumped in his office and slipped into that coma.
God, I missed him so much.
I just wished he would awaken soon. That would put an immediate end to the madness of my uncle and his sons, and the catastrophe that my life had turned into.
In the evening, just when I was getting engrossed in the book Cecilia had generously lent me, a knock sounded at the door.
I regretted opening it the second I saw Massimo's face.
"What?" I couldn't stop the hiss that followed my words.
"It's time to leave," he said coolly.
"Leave?" My hackles rose with my voice. "Where are we going?"
"Home. It's Sunday evening. The weekend is over, so it's back to work," he clipped his reply, his eyes steady on mine.
My face twisted in disgust. "Wait, so I'll be living with you?"
"Yes. And Matteo, and the housekeepers, and the soldiers," he said it like it should be comforting, but it had the opposite effect.
The people he mentioned would only do what he wanted, not me. Except Matteo, maybe.
"I want to stay here," I declared. "I'm not leaving."
"It's not an option. Besides, everyone except my parents are leaving back to their private lives, so who do you want to stay with? My father?"
He wanted the idea of living under the same roof as his father to scare me, and if I was being honest, it worked.
Don Giacomo was scary.
"Cristiano is leaving too?" I asked with an innocent look, but I knew exactly what I was doing, and it had the desired effect.
A dark look took over Massimo's face and his jaw went rigid immediately. But Matteo chose that moment to interfere, as if suddenly recognizing his father's voice.
"Daddy!" He pushed the door completely open and went to cling to Massimo's legs in a hug.
"My boy," Massimo's dark look vanished immediately as he grinned at his son. "It's time to go home."
"Home?" Matteo looked up at him.
"Yes, son. Daddy has a big house filled with your favorite toys. Don't you wanna see them?" He said it, and I wished Matteo wasn't there so I could punch his face.
Matteo's eyes lit up. "Really? Let's go already!"
He pulled Massimo away, then stopped when he saw I didn't move.
"Mommy, aren't you coming?" he asked, his face falling a little.
I quickly put on my best smile. "Of course I'm coming, sweetie. Give mommy a minute."
"Okay!" Matteo rejoiced and continued to pull a smug-faced Massimo away.
"We'll be waiting downstairs," he smirked, carrying Matteo away.
I banged the door and leaned against it, letting out a long breath of restrained anger.
Just when I thought things were bad enough, I had to live with Massimo alone.
I could have managed living here with the whole family, but living alone with him? What could be worse than that?
I had nothing to pack, so I went downstairs still in the black dress I wore for breakfast, which I suspected belonged to Marietta.
Don Giacomo and Juliette were outside watching everyone leave when I arrived. It seemed everyone had already gone except Lorenzo and Marietta, who were also about to pull away.
"Goodbye Grandpa, goodbye Grandma," Matteo was saying to the Don and his wife when I stepped outside.
"Goodbye, Matty boy. Always be a good boy, okay?" Don Giacomo patted his shoulder.
"I will!"
"Massimo, make sure Niamh and Matteo are happy and as comfortable as they can be, or else I'll make life miserable for you," Juliette warned her son, though the affection in her voice overshadowed the threat.
"I will, Ma. Trust me," Massimo chuckled.
They turned to look at me, and Juliette opened her arms wide. "Come here, honey."
I reluctantly went to her and was surprised by how comforting it was to be in her arms. I held her tightly, trying to soak up as much warmth as I could before leaving with the coldness that was Massimo.
"Believe it or not, Niamh, I'm happy to have you as my daughter-in-law. Not just because the house needs more females," she chuckled. "But also because I like you."
I nodded, not knowing what to reply to that. When she pulled back to look at me, I managed a smile.
"Don't let Massimo bother you, honey, okay?" Juliette palmed my face, then narrowed her eyes at Massimo as she added, "In fact, if he does, let me know."
I chuckled and nodded again. "Thank you."
She squeezed my shoulders affectionately, and I turned to look at the Don, who stared at me with a flicker of warmth in his eyes for the first time.
"You'll be safe, Niamh," he promised. "You have my word. Nothing will ever happen to you and your son."
I knew I and Matteo were safe from the Irish and Russian syndicates under the protection of the Valentinos, but were we safe from the monster that was Massimo?
"Thank you," I said to the Don, who watched us head to the waiting black-tinted SUV.
"Niamh!" Marietta called out, rolling down the window of the car she was settled in.
I turned to look at her and she grinned widely. She really had a beautiful smile.
"If Massimo gives you trouble, make sure you kick his balls and then give me a call!" she shouted, and even a few of the soldiers nearby chuckled.
I couldn't help but chuckle too, and I raised my pinky finger in a sign of promise. She did the same, then blew me a kiss before the car drove away.
Immediately after I was in the SUV, every trace of smile and warmth vanished. Matteo sat between me and Massimo, and the tension was palpable.
But unlike my first ride to the mansion where I was too afraid to even look at Domino, I now wanted to reach out to Massimo and strangle him until he was lifeless.
The SUV pulled away, with two others following closely behind as we journeyed to Massimo's house.
I thought of it as a place of doom.
Because it's either he respected himself and didn't get on my nerves, or he disturbed me and got killed.