𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐲 ✓

Romano's are loyal to their own

"If this is about my sister, don't pay her much attention - she always had the tendency to speak without thinking first, don't let her words get to you."

"Do you think she'll tell anybody about us?"

"By anybody - do you mean Jerome?"

"Yes, he might have been a jerk but I don't want him to get hurt."

"She's family and if anything the Romano's are loyal to their own." At least that's what Kaiden had hoped, at this point he was just trying to ease Nova's worries whilst ignoring his own.

"Now how about I run us a nice hot bath to wash away today's troubles?"

"We need to talk first."

"I much rather listen to you moaning."

"Kaiden." Nova rolled her eyes at his flirty comment.

"Fine, let me guess - you want to know about what Jerome said earlier on in my office."

"Well yes, but only if you're comfortable talking about it. I know at this point we're just fuck buddies and you don't owe me an explanation...."

"Let me cut you off right there, you're more than just some girl I'm fucking. Now come sit on daddies lap and listen." Kaiden pulled Nova onto him and brushed a stray hair away from her face.

"Maybe this was a bad idea." He groaned whilst adjusted his seating position.

"Why?" Nova asked rhetorically, knowing the effect she had on him.

"Because junior is getting excited."

"Junior? Really?"

"Clearly the blood has drained from one head to another."

The two share a moment of laughter before seriousness shifts the atmosphere.

"I'm the youngest of three, you've already had the displeasure of meeting Gen - the middle child which means there's one person left, my big brother Alessio. Now my father created a legacy, in hopes of passing it down to his children but they seemed to have other plans, Alessio wanted to become a pilot and well Gen was a free spirit, she never really held down a job."

"But I, I was born for this which is why my father gave me control of our European division while he ran things back home in America. Last year we wanted to expand into China - now bear in mind this deal was worth millions and of course stress and pressure came along with it, but I was used to that."

"I began to feel like someone was watching me, following my every move. Things would go missing from my apartment like my perfume or get moved around so naturally I went to the police but with no proof they couldn't do anything."

"Did you suspect anyone?" Nova questioned.

"It was probably one of my amorous flings, I never felt like I was in actual danger but still, who would want their privacy invaded like that. I even hired a private investigator but whoever was obsessed with me even outsmarted him."

"Flowers started showing up at my door, notes were placed on my car windscreen - you would think this was enough proof but they were just seen as romantic gestures."

"I spoke to Jerome and a few other work associates about this and well they brushed it off, thinking the work load had gotten to me and insisted I take a break, they basically thought I was going crazy or this was all a cry for help. Long story short I was forced to take a sabbatical from work and to see a psychiatrist. As soon as I started therapy my stalker seemed to disappear. I won't lie to you - for a moment even I thought I might be losing it. "

"Thank you for opening up to me."

"Oh darling, I didn't do it for free - my sob story is going to cost you." Kaiden was back to his charming self, his vulnerable demeanour dissipated.

As if she weighed nothing, Kaiden swooped Nova up into his arms and carried her towards his bedroom. The model was laid down, flat onto his bed as he trapped her between his propped elbows.

"My beautiful star, you're in for a treat tonight." Kaiden deviously smiled as he reached towards the bedside drawer.

"Is that...."

"Yes, it is...."