CHAPTER 58: – BURN ME THEN –

Nikolas twirled in the leather chair in his office, legs crossed and head tipped back. His call was on a speaker.

[Mr. Bastiani]

"Aceto, why are you calling?"

[Fernando. He seems paranoid about the event. He thinks something’s wrong]

Nikolas flicked one eye open and glanced at York standing at the door. "And why is that? Weren’t you supposed to make sure this didn’t happen?"

[That was my mistake, I don’t deny it. I shouldn’t have gone no-contact for so long. He was bound to get antsy. But nothing to worry about. I handled it. Everything will go as planned]

"Mm." Nikolas spun the chair over and over again. "Aceto, I hope you never make the mistake of playing with me. You won’t like how it ends."

Aceto chuckled on the other side of the phone. [Mr. Bastiani, an old man like me, wouldn’t be so stupid. You’re a dangerous man, I saw it the second we met. I wouldn’t be so idiotic as to make that sort of mistake. I quite enjoy my life, if you must know. Goodbye]

Nikolas’s mouth stretched into a grin. He looked at York. "Clever man, isn’t he?"

York sighed, adjusting his glasses. "I don’t know why you’re smiling, sir."

"You’re no fun at all." Nikolas grunted, propping his ankles on his desk. "That dress, have it delivered to my wife today."

"And what am I supposed to tell her?"

"I don’t know. Figure it out. It’s your job."

"That’s not my job." York’s face fell. "You’re really putting a boot to my neck, sir. She’s eventually going to figure out that these things are coming from you. I mean, do you really think she’ll wear a dress from a stranger when she’s married to you?"

Nikolas blinked. "Oh! That makes sense. Then I’ll give it to her myself."

"And make up another lie, huh?" York gave him a fed-up look. "That dress is expensive. What are you going to tell her?"

Nikolas slowly looked at him and narrowed his eyes on him. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today, York?"

"No, sir. But maybe it’s because you drive me out of my mind."

"I didn’t do anything."

York sighed, adjusting his glasses. "This is why I wanted to work for Sir Lucian instead."

Nikolas settled his feet on the floor and approached the man to sling an arm over his shoulder. "Now, now, York, you know I’m the fun one. With Lucian, you’d be bored and probably end up nannying Lucia. You know Lucian will make you."

York’s face grew horrified. "Never mind. I’m quite content working for you."

"See?" Nikolas patted his shoulder. "You’re dismissed for today."

"I am?"

"Mhm. I miss my wife. I’m going to see her."

As Nikolas headed for the door, York bowed. "I hope you don’t think my loyalty to you would ever waver, sir."

Nikolas paused. He glanced over his shoulder, a small smile pulling at his lips. "You waited on me through a century of sleep and kept going when I woke. You’d be the last man on earth to betray me."

York gave a nod. "Thank you, sir."

Nikolas walked on. York was one of the very few he cared for outside of his family. And the man wasn’t even born a vampire. He was turned, at his own request, after nearly dying from a gunshot by a friend.

"One more thing, sir," York said, catching up to him.

"What?"

"Your mate. Should I stop the search?"

"Why?"

"Because..." York hesitated. "I think you’re in love with your wife."

Nikolas’s face went blank. He stopped in his tracks, turned, and stared at the man. "Meaning?"

"I’ve known you for years, sir. And I have never seen you like this over any woman. You light up just thinking of her, like you did just now. If I find your mate, will you really leave this human? Can you unlove her?"

"And what do you think?" Nikolas’s voice went cold, brow lifted.

York shook his head. "I doubt it. No, I don’t see you giving her up."

"You act like you know me so well."

"I know you can’t do it. I mean–"

"You know nothing, York. And don’t stick your nose into my business." Nikolas turned away to leave, hands in his pocket, fists tight, and eyes hard.

York watched him go. ’I might sound crazy for this,’ he thought to himself. ’But what if she is...

...His mate? The woman he’s looking for.’

—-----

Viviana stepped out of the car.

She adjusted the ash coat she wore and her neatly knotted tie before she grabbed her bag and headed into her father’s company. She took the elevator.

When the doors slid open, the first face she saw was Giancarlo. He flinched and paled in such an unsightly way, it almost appeared as if he would pass out right there. Without a second thought, he bolted out, not even looking back once.

Viviana raised a brow, the expression on her face blank as the doors closed. On the second floor, she stepped out and headed straight for her father’s office. Employees treated her with small bows as she passed.

Bound by contract or not, everyone knew she’d quit, possibly to be sued by her father. She’d been the one who never missed a day, even when she was sick.

Always showing up to impress... her father.

She scoffed under her breath and knocked.

"Come in." The voice belonged to Amadeo Di-grassi.

Viviana entered and closed the door behind her. She stopped. Savannah was inside. From the air between them, it was clear that they’d been arguing before she arrived.

She bowed to her father. "Good morning."

"Viviana," Amadeo said.

She approached the desk, ignoring Savannah like she wasn’t there.

Savannah’s expression darkened. "Are you going to pretend you don’t see me here?"

"I need to have a word with you, Pa," Viviana said.

"Hey! I’m talking to you–"

She turned her head, eyes flat and filled with a kind of cold glint that made Savannah take a step back.

"You little bitch," Savannah spat.

Viviana didn’t respond. She just watched her.

"Leave this office," Amadeo ordered.

Savannah spun to him. "What? Amadeo, you–"

"I said, take your leave," he repeated. "I want to speak with my daughter. Privately."

Savannah looked between the two, disbelieving. "You’ve got to be kidding me." She started for the door but stopped beside Viviana. "You think you got away with what you did to my daughter?"

Viviana’s pupils fixated steadily on her, sharp as glass. "Why? Do you intend to hurt me?"

"You’re playing with fire, girl," Savannah warned.

Viviana’s mouth slowly curled. "Burn me then."