In The End (Butterfly #1) (17 page)

‘So, er, how many women have you slept with then?’ It was something I was dying to know, but not wanting to at the same time. The thought of anyone touching Nicholi sent me into a blinding green eyes rage.

‘I have had sex with ten women, never slept with them and it was always just for a release and nothing more.’ It sounded so cold; calculated, I was stunned.

‘They never wanted more?’ Feeling nauseous again, I lay my head back down, my eyes still locked with his, awaiting his answer.

‘Some, but it was only ever for sex and they knew what they were getting into. I never lied or misled them in any way. Let’s get you back to bed,’ he urged, standing and lifting me into his arms.

‘I just want to brush my teeth first,’ I urged and regretted it instantly when the toothbrush meeting my teeth sent further heaving gags throughout my body.

Wrapping me in the duvet, Nicholi lay down beside me, stroking my face as I closed my eyes, exhaustion crippling every element of my body.

‘What did you mean when you said you couldn’t be responsible for your actions if I did anything like that again?’ I asked, yawning, but needing peace.

‘I could have killed Lee, he was meant to be watching you and he let you slip through his fingers. That won’t happen again.’ His chilling tone sent shivers up my spine.

‘Nicholi, it wasn’t his fault, I lied to him, blame me not him,’ I urged, my conscience bubbling over with guilt.

‘Oh I did blame you, but no matter how much I try I cannot stay mad at you for very long. It’s perturbing, in fact.’ His smile made me lose my train of thought and I snuggled into his arms.

‘Can we please give Christian his job back, I like him,’ I murmured, my voice trailing as sleep screamed for me.

‘Oh do you now?’ he retorted, his voice raising an octave higher at the end.

‘Yes I do, he has a family and a wife, I saw their picture on his key ring, it’s not fair Nicholi, and I want you to give him his job back.’

‘We’ll see,’ was all I heard, as the exhaustion consumed me and I drifted into the abyss of Nicholi’s love, never wanting to be anywhere else.

The next morning came around much quicker than I hoped; my body was so weary, just lifting my head off the pillow felt impossible. Nicholi had called work to say he would not be in, much to my dismay and weak assurances that I was fine, and Earl had taken the boys to school.

‘Do you feel like some toast, just a little it may help settle your stomach?’ The mere mention of food sent racking heaves throughout my body and barely keeping water down was not helping. Nicholi pleaded with me to go to the hospital, but I had stomach flu before and knew if I just rested, it would pass. I was right and by the late afternoon, I was feeling much better, managing a few bites of toast without issue.

With everything that had gone on, I had completely forgotten that we were to meet with the lawyer for the will hearing, and Earl announcing that he was in fact waiting downstairs to see us, made me feel nauseous again.

‘If you’re not up to this I will get rid of him,’ Nicholi stated, glaring at Earl for having disturbed us.

‘No, it’s fine, we should get it over with.’ I pulled myself up, the world spinning a little as I stepped out of bed and into my dressing gown with Nicholi’s assistance. The lawyer was waiting in the office and Cross, already seated, smiled as we joined him.

‘You’re looking a little less green,’ he teased, nudging me with his elbow. Cross was like a brother to me now and the memory of Seth made me wince as I faced the lawyer.

What struck me first was how young he was, barely out of law school and this was their grandfather’s attorney? Nicholi clearly thought the same, raising his eyebrow in response as the meeting was called to order.

‘My name is Simon Rose and I will be reading the last will and testament of Lucan Veneto,’ he announced, his voice feigning confidence, clearly the first time he had done this. ‘To my grandson Cross I bequeath my house in the Hamptons and five million dollars to ease the pain of my passing.’ Even in death he could manipulate, I frowned and Nicholi stroked my hand reassuringly, this would be over soon.

‘To my grandson Nicholi, I bequeath three properties in Texas, Wyoming and Cape Cod, along with my yacht the Cambra. May all who sail in it remember me fondly.’ The nausea was building again, and I sighed as Nicholi turned to check I was all right to continue.

‘To my great grandson Jacob.’ I froze. ‘I bequeath the sum of ten million dollars to aid with your college education. May you be a strong Veneto man and make me proud.’ I was going to be sick, there was more.

‘To Sophia Nichols, I can never undo the wrongdoing I caused you and this is the only way I know how to make things right. I leave the sum of twenty million dollars, along with my seven remaining properties, private jet, hotel and casino in the hope that someday you can begin to forgive me for the pain I have caused.’ That was it, I ran to the bathroom, Nicholi at my feet holding my hair as I emptied my body of all the poisons penetrating it by the words of Lucan Veneto. He had left me everything and Larissa nothing.

There was nothing left inside, but the relentless retching continued without abating.

‘That’s it we are going to the hospital.’ Nicholi lifted me into his arms and carried me to the car; I was too exhausted to fight. My whole body was drained of life, so thirsty; maybe he was right. Gardner drove as I lay on the back seat with Nicholi, the tension palpable, listening to his voice strain when he called his mother to collect the boys from school. My eyes were closing and I could hear a faint, distant voice; straining my eyes to see more clearly, Larissa was holding a knife above my head.

‘You took it all, now you will have nothing.’

My eyes darted open, I could not place my surroundings, scanning the room, a picture ahead, farmyard, animals feeding from the pasture,
beep
, hushed voices,
beep
. My head was swimming; I tried once more to open my eyes and focus.

‘Hi, we are at the hospital, they have given you some IV fluids to help with the dehydration, how do you feel?’ Nicholi was ashen; he looked as exhausted as I felt trying to answer him, my mouth full of cotton.

‘Better, I think. You should get some rest you look terrible.’ I tried to lift my arm to touch him and a resounding beep echoed in my ear.

‘That is the IV, baby, try keep still, I am not going anywhere.’ My eyes once again closed, defeated at every turn.

Waking the next morning, my head still fuzzy, I opened my eyes to find Nicholi flat out asleep, his head resting by my side, still holding my hand. I stroked the side of his face; his visible stubble tickling my fingers as he slowly awoke.

‘Good morning,’ I whispered, my voice hoarse, but feeling so much better.

‘Hey you, how are you feeling?’ he asked, leaning in to plant a chaste kiss on my lips, I wanted more.

‘I feel great, that was some bug for sure.’ I did not want to ever succumb again.

‘Hi, I am Doctor Leigh, how are you this morning, Miss Nichols?’ she questioned, observing my chart before taking my pulse and awaiting my reply.

‘Much better, thanks, was it the stomach flu?’ I replied, focusing on the middle-aged doctor, her brunette hair pulled back into a ponytail, eyes bright green and penetrating.

‘I believe so Miss Nichols, but I would like to run a few more tests then you will be able to go home, sound good?’

‘Definitely.’ Hospitals were my least favourite place to be, and I longed to be back home with the boys.

‘I just need to do a quick examination. Mr Veneto, would you mind waiting outside?’ Though it was hardly a question, her tone assured and unchallenged; now why couldn’t I sound like that?

‘I would rather stay, if that’s possible thanks,’ Nicholi explained, but to no avail.

‘I must insist, Mr Veneto, I shall call you when I have finished.’ He kissed me quickly on the forehead and reluctantly let go of my hand.

‘I’ll just be outside,’ he stated, not sure if it was for my benefit or not, but he looked positively bereft having to leave me.

‘Now, Miss Nichols.’

‘Sophia is fine,’ I corrected, she was so authoritative I blushed at my meekness.

‘Of course, Sophia, as I said earlier I would like to run a couple of tests and then get you on your way. I have a couple of questions to begin with. Any history of diabetes in the family?’

‘No,’ I whispered, ‘Is there something wrong?’ I was shocked at this question.

‘No, just routine questions, dear, when was your last period?’ I suddenly felt nauseous, when was my last period, holy crap. ‘Is everything alright, Miss Nichols?’ I had frozen mid-sentence, trying to do the math.

‘I’m a little late, I think.’ My head was still trying to force calculations through the disgruntled vessels.

‘No problem, I have a test if you would kindly produce a urine sample.’

‘Can I take the test alone?’ I asked, wanting to be the first to know if there was anything to know. We had used protection each time, but so had Lexi. My heart was pounding in my chest, what would Nicholi say? Oh god, we were not even married yet.
No, do not panic, I must remain calm, deep breath
.

The doctor assisted me to the rest room and confirmed she would return shortly for the results. I sat on the toilet staring at the pregnancy test in front of me. It had been six years since I had seen a pregnancy test, Lexi freaking out as I read the instructions out for her. Filling the sample cup I started to open the packaging and took a deep breath, it would be negative, I know it would and a part of me felt forlorn.
No, get a grip, marriage first, then babies. Wait, babies
? Plural, I was freaking out, and I knew what I wanted to do, reaching for my phone, I dialled.

‘Hey, everything okay? Can I come back in now?’ Nicholi sounded perturbed, and I wanted to be in his arms right now.

‘Yes, I’m in the bathroom.’ I heard the door open and close outside and Nicholi was by my side, my anxiety ebbing and flowing without sequence.

‘I have to do a test.’ My voice was quivering slightly.

‘A test, Sophia, what’s wrong you are shaking?’ He pulled me into his arms and I laid my head against his chest. What if he didn’t want this?

‘Here.’ I handed him the box and watched for his expression, unreadable, damn it Nicholi, why couldn’t he be more like me and an open book?

‘Pregnancy test.’ He just stared at the box for what felt like an eternity, but in reality was only seconds before a huge smile beamed back at me.

‘You’re pregnant?’ He looked overjoyed and my heart melted.

‘No, I don’t know, I need to do the test.’ I was shocked by his reaction, what if it was negative? I should have done the test myself first.

‘Well what are we waiting for, here?’ Nicholi ripped the box open in a flash and handed me the test wand. I took a deep breath and dipped it in the urine, noting the time, replaced the cap and set it down on the vanity unit.

‘How long until it says?’ He had pulled me into his arms and we were both staring at the test in unison, lost in our own thoughts.

‘Couple of minutes.’ The egg timer was emptying and filling, imaginary sand grains groaning at the disruption until the flash of words broke the cycle. The words PREGNANT, filled the display screen, and I froze.

‘Oh baby.’ His voice was so raw with emotion I could not look for the tears were already well and truly circling the drain. He turned me around to see my face, my eyes staring down; cheeks flushed crimson. ‘You just made me the happiest man alive, not that I wasn’t already. I love you so much.’ Lifting my chin to look into his eyes, tears now streaming down my face mingled with his as he kissed me, our desire for each other so strong I felt bereft when he pulled away.

‘Do you think this was the reason you were so sick?’ he asked, stroking my cheek gently with his fingers.

‘No, it was the stomach flu I’m sure of it, too early for pregnancy-related sickness.’ I was remembering Lexi’s pregnancy with Jacob and praying I did not suffer with morning sickness, well, all day sickness as she did.

‘Do you want to tell people?’ This was happening so fast, we had not even announced our engagement though I had seen Mia glancing at me, giving her mother-knowing look and now we were having a baby.

‘I don’t know, maybe we should wait for the ultrasound to check everything is okay.’ The thought there could be a problem with the pregnancy sent panic running through my veins, I wanted this, how much I wanted this and I did not even realise.

‘Okay, we will wait, I still can’t believe it,’ Nicholi gushed, leaning down to kiss my belly, my heart ached; this was how it should have been for Lexi.

‘Miss Nichols, everything okay in there?’ The doctor was back and after showing her the positive pregnancy test she confirmed my blood results had come back stating the same. This was real; we were going to have a baby.

‘I think you can be on your way now, I will refer you to the OBGYN we discussed and her office will confirm a time for your ultrasound. Any questions, just let me know, otherwise you are free to go, Miss Nichols.’ Smiling, she clearly enjoyed giving good news.

‘Are you sure she is okay to leave, should she not stay for another night to rest?’ Nicholi was already playing the doting father and I was only four weeks pregnant, what would he be like when I was huge? That thought made me suddenly nervous, ballooning belly, fat ankles, mood swings, would he still love me then? I filed it for now, under, best left unknown, and after further reassurances from the doctor, I was ready to go.

‘Are you okay to walk?’ He was fussing over me like a mother hen and it was extremely sweet,

‘Seriously, Nicholi, stop worrying, I’m fine, I promise.’ As we walked back to the elevator, Gardner in the car waiting to drive us back, he was laden down with pamphlets,
what to expect when you are expecting
and the like, I could not help but smile and this was exactly how it should be.

The elevator opened, and we stepped inside, the air pulsing as the doors closed with unspoken desire, I was feeling so much better and my body longed for him, retracing every touch, demanding more. Sensing the draw, he turned and our mouths met, softly at first. Was he scared of hurting me? I leaned in needing more and his body responded, planting sensual kisses on my face and neck, reluctantly ceasing as the doors opened to the parking garage. I sighed with disappointment and Nicholi smiled.

‘Later, Miss Nichols, I promise.’ And we walked back hand in hand to the awaiting car.

Nicholi read all the way home, pointing out bits of information he found insightful or important. I could not look; reading in cars would bring horrendous carsickness and not something I ever wanted, particularly after spending the past twenty-four hours looking down a toilet bowl. We arrived back at the house just under an hour later, the traffic building due to an event in the city; pulling into the drive, I could see Mia in the distance waiting to greet us at the door.

‘Is everything okay, sweetheart?’ she asked, her brow furrowing, taking my hand in hers and leading me into the house.

‘I am much better, Mia, thanks, how have the boys been?’ I had missed them both terribly and with the impending court date for Max’s custody looming that would become an everyday occurrence though it was by far for the best.

‘They are both fine, darling, Jacob has made you a card, come, you should rest,’ she urged, ushering me to the living room.

‘It’s okay, Mom, I’m taking her up to bed now.’ My face flushed, and I tried to look coy unsuccessfully.

‘Of course, well if you need anything, anything at all you can call me any time day or night.’ We hugged, and it felt so special, she was going to be a wonderful mother-in-law and grandmother. I felt guilty for hiding it any longer and catching Nicholi’s eyes, I nodded.

‘Mom, we have something to tell you.’ Taking my hand in his and pulling me to his side, he smiled, ‘I asked Sophia to marry me and she graciously accepted.’ There was a gush of joy from Mia as she once again hugged us both and my heart leapt for joy.

‘This is simply wonderful news, Sophia, my daughter, ah how could I have gotten so lucky?’ Tears trickled down my face, I could not have said it better myself. I caught Nicholi’s eye again, nodding once more in agreement. Our non-verbal communication was flawless.

‘There is more, Mom; we found out this morning that Sophia and I are expecting, you’re going to have another grandchild.’ She now wept for joy and I joined in, hugging her as tightly as I could, this was a dream come true. I thought I had lost everyone I ever loved and although nothing could bring them back, I was healing every day that Nicholi loved me and now our baby too; I was beside myself with happiness.

‘Have you made any plans for the wedding yet?’ Mia glowed and I felt the same.

‘I would very much like your help with the planning, Mia; I know my grandmother would love us to all get together. I will call you once I have spoken with her.’ Telling my grandmother I was getting married was one thing, telling her I was unmarried and pregnant was an entirely different story and one I was not quite ready to face yet.

After saying our goodbyes with lots of tears to accompany them, Nicholi lay down with me on the bed, his eyes brimming, filled to the maximum with love and I could not believe this was happening.

‘Sleepy?’ His voice was husky and seductive as he trailed kisses around my neck.

‘No.’ I pulled away, and he froze momentarily. He read my eyes and placed a lingering kiss on my lips before pulling me into his arms and satisfying my every desire.

I had fallen asleep in Nicholi’s arms, so secure, so content, so happy, nothing could happen, not again. Drifting in and out of sleepiness I could hear whispers, not wanting to awaken just yet, but curious at the same time my consciousness pondering until I heard my name.

‘What are you going to do? You have to tell her.’ Cross, very animated in his response.
Tell whom what?

‘Keep your voice down, for god’s sake, she has been through enough, more than enough and I don’t want her getting upset, I will handle this. She’s mine, my decision,’ enunciating the, she’s mine. Fear was growing inside me. I knew from the moment the will had been read I was in serious trouble. Was this what they were talking about? No, there was more, and finding out I was pregnant had changed everything. I had resigned myself that as long as Jacob and Nicholi were safe, I did not matter, but now, carrying a life, I had to protect it. Stroking my belly, shielding the baby from harm, I climbed off the bed. Steadying myself, still feeling a little weak, I opened the bedroom door.