His eyes are locked on mine, that mocking glint ever present, and I force myself not to look away. He traces a finger along my cheek and down my throat until it lands on the leather band around my neck. Ever so slowly, he takes hold of it between his fingers and pulls on it.
I feel the roughness of the pendant move up my skin until it's gradually revealed. Only then does Niccolo allow himself to look down.
The grin on his face grows.
He brings the pendant up to his eye-level and studies it.
"So pretty, isn't it?
"You can't have it," I say, finding my voice.
"Can't I now?" he laughs, effortlessly lifting it over my head.
"No!" I yell, but it only makes him laugh harder.
"Yes, little Ella. This belongs tomenow."
"But why? What could you possibly want with a piece of broken jewelry?"
He taps my nose condescendingly. "It's nothing to concern yourself with. You better focus on your wedding."
He tucks the necklace over his head and beneath his shirt. I loathe that he now has one of Tiero's most prized possessions.
This isn't right.
But there's absolutely nothing I can do about it.
Niccolo pulls out his phone and types out a message. Then he turns and walks out of the wardrobe, seemingly not caring if I follow him or not. I'm hot on his heels, though. If I don't show up with him, Ade will assume the worst. I can feel his worry as it is, and I won't add to it.
"Party is over, boys," Niccolo tells his men.
They get up from the sofa they've been lounging on, still pointing their guns at Ade and Lex.
Ade's eyes fly to mine as soon as I enter the room, sweeping over me, checking for any injuries.
"I'm fine," I mouth at him, and his shoulders drop just a little.
Moments later, the noise of a helicopter descends on us.
"Here comes my ride. Thank you all for your hospitality. I have to say I enjoyed this trip," Niccolo quips. "I doubt we'll meet again. So farewell."
Niccolo salutes Ade and Lex before stepping out onto the deck. The helicopter he arrived on is hovering above the house, the noise deafening.
A rope ladder is lowered from the top and his two men climb up with quick steps.
Niccolo's grin is firmly back in place. And why wouldn't it be? He's got what he came here for.
He pulls out a small pair of wire cutters from his jeans and steps closer to me. He bends down to kiss my cheeks. "Thanks for this," he says, pointing to his chest, where the pendant is well hidden from view. "And congratulations. May married life bring you everything you hope for."
If it wasn't for his sarcastic tone, I'd be touched by the sentiment.
He cuts the cable ties binding my hands and places them on a nearby table. "I'll leave it in your capable hands to release the others."
With a cocky wink, he takes the few steps to the ladder and climbs on. The helicopter takes off with him still hanging on.
I don't waste my time watching him. Instead, I grab the wire cutters and make quick work freeing the others. The guys rush out onto the deck, Rhia and I following them. We watchas the small figure that's Niccolo Romero disappears into the helicopter as it flies over the sea. Then it's gone.
"I feel like I've been thrown into some bad action movie," Rhia says dryly.
