HIS ITALIAN WIFE( HIW BK 2)

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

 NICK’S POV

I saw a conflicted look reach her gaze even though she tried to hide it. That was the thing about Lana, she always thought she could handle stuff on her own and didn’t need anyone. Most of the time, she actually didn’t but there a few times that she had to admit she needed someone’s help even though she would never bring herself to actually ask for help. Her determination and resolve had been one of the things that had attracted me towards her in the first place. I thought a few years away from her would make me accept the truth that she was meant to be Andrew’s woman and for a while it had felt that way until when I gathered the courage to come to the club and saw her. She looked even more mature and being a mother had actually proved to be in her favor, growing her curvier and gorgeous. If it weren’t for the fact that she was dedicated to the club business, she would have made a pretty great face on the runaway.

“Nick...” She trailed off, pursing the side of her dress with her palms.

“Are you really okay with that Lana?” I questioned I was angry to be honest. She would have been dead. Francis would have been dead before he was born and so would I. Did she really forget that so quickly?

“What if this is my karma Nick?” Her voice soft; almost sounding defeated.

“Karma? “Why would you think that?  

“I ruined her life for her when I chose to love the man she had been engaged to. She was heartbroken and in anger she reacted like that. She would never have been in jail in the first place if it weren’t for me Nick,”

“Stop that, okay? “I retorted angrily.

“Stop what Nick? It’s the f*****g truth and maybe Andrew seemingly being with her now all the time without a care of how I feel is my Karma,” she sighed sadly.

“Just stop that Lana. You did not change her. You may have caused her pain but that only brought the real devil she had been hiding underneath that fake personality. Everybody makes mistakes and we never really choose who to fall in love with. Yes, you fell in love with an engaged man and he was so quick to leave his fiancée for you and you actually thought he was your happy ever after and maybe he is. However that does not justify his behavior right now. He has no right to flaunt the woman who almost killed both us on your face. If Andrew cannot see your immeasurable value, then I’ll have to knock some sense into his goddamn head,” I ranted. Why was Andrew playing with an opportunity that some of us only dreamed of? f**k! Was I really that much in love Lana?

“Please, stop Nick. You think I forget that she tried to kill me or my baby or you? I always remember that. And you think that it doesn’t hurt that he bailed her out of prison two years and I had no clue about it? It hurts freaking bad Nick,”

“Hold up. He is the one who bailed her out? Why would he do that?” Didn’t he have any conscious at all? What was happening to Andrew, the love stricken man I used to be friends with? Heck, I even supported his relationship with Lana even though it had been wrong. He had been in love with her but then, he had also been crazy about Rose almost the same way when he first met her.

“Yes Nick and even though it hurts so much, I have to remember that he is Francis’s father. He looks up to him and the last thing I’d want is to stress up the poor boy. Somehow, I’m going o figure out a way to solve these issues and figure out why Andrew is suddenly changing,” she sat on the swivel leather chair, her voice growing soft as she leaned back.

“I respect your decision Lana but at least let me talk to him and if it gets worse, we could end up in a fight. It’s hard to believe this is the same Andrew I had been friends with for such a long time,” I shook my head in pure disappointment.

“No Nick. You, are not going to talk to Andrew about anything. This is between me and him,” She leaned forward placing her palm on top of mine. Instantly, I felt something akin to electric wave surge through me in the speed of lightning,” You don’t have to worry about me. When it comes to my son and me, I can do just about anything to protect us,” she smiled, withdrawing her hand. I took in a harsh load of breath of relief. If that contact had lasted longer than that, I would have lost all my control and probably kissed her.

“Y-yeah, of course. I forgot just how much of a determined woman you can be. Promise me that, if things get out of hand, you will let me help you however I can,” I implored.

She stood up, a smile enveloping her face as she walked to the water dispenser in the office. Filling up a glass, she whirled around, leaning against the counter, her left arm crossed under her right arm.

“You keep forgetting I’m a woman and adding to that, a mother. Nothing can ever tear me down enough to destroy me. Now, how about we go back downstairs and check out the crowds if you still want to stay over?”

She really was an incredible woman and if we could never be lovers, I’d still be lucky enough to be called her friend.

“Well, I guess I already had quite a good nap in the afternoon. Let’s see what you’ve been up to while I’ve been gone,” I agreed with a smile.