Chapter 4 - The Sister's Scheme
I didn't have to seek Amber out; she found me.
It happened two weeks later. Nico and I had settled into a rhythm that terrified me with its intensity. We were inseparable. He consulted me on business acquisitions, valuing my sharp instincts, while I managed a new philanthropic foundation he had funded in my name. The charade of the gala had burned away, leaving behind a profound, all-consuming romance. I was deeply, irreversibly in love with a man who could destroy cities with a phone call.
I was having lunch with Maya at an upscale bistro in Midtown, celebrating my new foundation’s launch, when Amber slid into the booth next to me uninvited.
She looked a mess. The blonde hair that mirrored mine was unkempt, her designer bag looked scuffed, and the smug arrogance she had worn in my bedroom was entirely gone.
"Luna," Amber said quickly, her eyes darting around the restaurant. "We need to talk. You need to call off your attack dog."
Maya scoffed, picking up her water glass. "Security is going to drag you out of here by your split ends in about ten seconds, Amber. Run."
"Shut up, Maya," Amber snapped, turning back to me. "Luna, I'm blacklisted. My modeling agency dropped me. My landlords suddenly evicted me. I can't even get a table at a decent restaurant. Nico is ruining my life!"
I stared at her, feeling a cold detachment. "Nico doesn't care enough about you to ruin your life, Amber. You ruined your own life. You slept with my boyfriend, blew up my world, and then abandoned Liam the second he went broke. You are toxic, and the world is just finally reacting to it."
"You're my sister!" Amber hissed, tears welling in her eyes—though I knew they were tears of frustration, not regret. "You have to tell him to stop the blacklisting. I'm broke. You won. You got the billionaire upgrade. Just let me have my life back!"
"She will do no such thing."
The voice came from behind Amber. Nico stood there, his presence instantly dropping the temperature of the room. He was flanked by two security men who had quietly materialized.
Amber shrank into the leather booth, looking up at Nico with genuine terror.
Nico didn't shout. He spoke in a low, conversational tone that was infinitely more intimidating. "Amber. You seem to be under the impression that my partner is responsible for your current misfortune. Allow me to clarify. Luna asked me to spare you. She asked me to let you fade into obscurity."
Amber looked at me, shocked. I kept my face blank.
"However," Nico continued, his eyes devoid of mercy, "I do not leave loose ends that could cause my family distress. You betrayed your own blood for a temporary thrill. A woman who would do that to her sister is a woman who cannot be allowed in polite society. Your agency dropped you because I bought the agency and liquidated your division. Your landlord evicted you because my real estate firm acquired the building."
Amber gasped, covering her mouth.
"You wanted to be the exciting one," Nico whispered, leaning down slightly. "Now you get to experience the excitement of starting completely over, in a city where no one will ever associate with you again. If you ever approach Luna, speak her name, or come within a mile of her presence, I will ensure you cannot even secure employment at a fast-food drive-through. Do you understand?"
Amber nodded frantically, tears spilling down her cheeks. She scrambled out of the booth and practically ran out of the restaurant.
May you like
Nico watched her leave, his expression impassive. Then he turned to me, the ice melting from his eyes instantly. He reached out, his tattooed hand gently brushing my cheek. "Are you alright, tesoro?"
"I am now," I said softly. And for the first time in my life, I truly meant it.
