“She's mine?” he asked after a long, pregnant pause. I let out a sigh and nodded. Nico snarled. I could tell he had more questions to ask, but this felt like an interrogation, one where he'd be silent until I spilled all my secrets. It was an exercise in control not to cower away from him.
“I found out I was pregnant seven weeks after our night together,” I boldly explained. If I was going to ask for his help, I had to be honest. “I was a mess. I was scared and I knew I needed to tell you. I must have been crazy out of my mind because I marched here at 3:00 a.m., prepared to tell you. It's not like I had your number. You made it clear we were nothing more than a one-night stand when you disappeared the next morning.”
I was surprised at the bitterness in my tone. What the fuck did it even matter now?
I shook my head, marching on with my story and forcing the resentment out of my tone. “I witnessed something,” I said, my voice cracking at the admission. “I didn't mean to see it. But I saw you shoot a man in the back alley. I got scared and I ran.”
Nico's face turned red, anger burning through his expression. “You claim to have seen me murder someone?” he said, carefully using his words. It was as if he expected me to be wearing a wire.
“One of your guys saw me hanging around and I ran. I was worried you'd kill me for what I saw. I realized I couldn't stay here. I didn't want to raise the baby alone, and I was worried you'd come after me.”
“Which of my men saw you?” Nico asked, his voice cold.
“I don't know. He was bald. One of the two men standing out there with you,” I explained, not sure why this mattered.
Nico causally picked up his phone, typed something, then set it down. I got a sinking feeling in my gut that whoever let me go was in big trouble.
“Are you here to blackmail me, Miss Love?” Nico asked, shocking me. “Are you here to ask for child support of some kind? Threaten to tell the feds what you saw in exchange for money? There is no guarantee that child is mine, and quite frankly, I don't appreciate being blackmailed.”
My heart sank. I couldn't even blame Nico for assuming this. How could I possibly convince him that I didn't want or need any of that? Before my stalker resurfaced, we were doing fine. I had a life in LA. I had...Dax.
Tears started to form in my eyes and I furiously swiped at them. Viviana, noticing my distress, dropped her toy and grabbed my cheeks, saying “Mama,” over and over again.
“I'm not here to blackmail you. I don't want or need your money,” I whispered. “I need your protection.”
If Nico was surprised by my words, he didn't show it.
“My stalker is back. He killed...he killed my cousin. He's been leaving stuff on my doorstep and I'm worried he'll kill my daughter. Our daughter. I'm so fucking scared, Nico. I haven't slept in weeks. I'm sick with worry, with grief.” I stood up, still holding Viviana. “I know you don't trust me. I know I hid her from you. I am so sorry. I don't care what you do to me. You want to get rid of a witness? Fine. I just need to make sure Viviana is safe from that monster.”
Nico watched with apprehension as I marched over to him and put Viviana in his lap. His spine was rigid with tension and he looked like he was worried she'd drool on his suit. “Look at her, Nico. She's yours. Look at her eyes. Her hair. Look at the shape of her nose and chin. I wouldn't lie to you.”
Obeying my command, Nico stared at our daughter with softer eyes, taking in every inch of her expression. I stood and watched, forcing the warm feeling in my chest to go away. I wasn't disillusioned. Nico wouldn't be the father I wanted for our child, but he could be her hero, just like he was mine once upon a time.
“Where are you staying?” he finally asked, neither confirming nor denying my claim.
“We just drove here from LA. I was going to get a hotel—”
“You'll stay at my home.”
I nearly collapsed from relief. “Thank you, Nico.”
“When was the last time either of you ate? What does she even eat? How old is she?”
“Eighteen months,” I choked out. “I have baby food, but she ate earlier. Honestly, she just needs a quiet place to sleep.”
At my words, Viviana yawned and leaned on Nico's shoulder. She looked completely at ease, relaxed at Nico's embrace. The terrifying man softened more, holding her against his muscular chest like she was the most precious thing he'd ever seen. “And you? When was the last time you ate? Or slept? Or sat down, even?”
More tears filled my eyes. I hadn't relaxed since Dax died. Hell, I hadn't relaxed since I ran away from here. My life had been spent living in constant fear since seeing Nico kill that man.
Nico's nostrils flared, like my sadness greatly upset him. “Let's go home, Lydia.”
Chapter Ten
I woke up in the softest bed I'd ever lain in. The light was creeping through the thick, drawn shades, and I felt more well-rested than I had in months. When Nico brought me to his penthouse last night, I was too tired to take in the extravagance of it all, but I remembered the open floor plan. The extensive security guarding his building. And after I got Viviana ready for bed, I passed out in one of his guest rooms, finally feeling safe, despite being at Nico's house.
Viviana. Shit.
I shot out of bed and padded out of the guest room. She wasn't in the pack-n-play Nico had delivered to his house at midnight last night. Oh my God, where was my daughter?
I traveled down the long hallway, listening for the sounds of voices or baby noises, and paused at the kitchen. There, my daughter was sitting in a highchair and Nico was feeding her breakfast. I grabbed my chest in relief at the sight of her but seeing her father smile so tenderly as he tried to get her to eat made my heart warm.
I waited to make my presence known, enjoying the view far too much. Around me was box after box of baby gear. Car seats. A jogger. An unassembled crib. Diapers—so many diapers. Nico had been busy all night.
“Mama!” Viviana yelled, splattering rice cereal everywhere. Nico chuckled and spun to look at me.
“You're up earlier than I expected. I was trying to let you sleep in,” he noted casually before wiping at Viviana’s face. I almost felt bad that I slept through him coming to get our daughter. Ever since Dax died, I hadn’t had a support system when it came to taking care of my daughter. And truth be told, we were still virtual strangers. It was weird letting him into Vivian’s life. I wasn't sure what had changed overnight, but Nico seemed to be taking his new role as her father very seriously. I would have to adapt and learn how to let go of the reins and trust him, even though I was still scared. I couldn't wipe the image of what I'd seen from my mind. I struggled to believe that we were safe here, but the alternative wasn't any better.
“Thanks for feeding her breakfast,” I said with a genuine smile.
“Did you have help?” he asked.
“Help?”
“This whole time. Who helped you with her? Was anyone there in the delivery room? Did anyone help you with late night feedings? Hospital appointments? Milestones?” His tone was gruff, and I couldn’t figure out if he was angry with me.