ARIA

Collins, Miller, Leo, and me are still waiting for Nicco.

In front of us, New York traffic is lively and fierce. Looming glass and steel buildings stretch as far as the eye can see. Crowds brush past us. There's a definitive nip in the air as the city slips from autumn to winter. The temperature drops when snow begins to fall. I'm dressed warmly in a wool peacoat and cashmere scarf, but a chilled shiver runs through me, nonetheless.

Inside my pocket, a vibration hits my phone.

Nicco: Be there in 5

My mouth frowns. I think I'm still a little in shock. Just because everything has been going our way doesn't mean we can relax. I can't believe he's actually in New York. I wasn't expecting to see him until next month.

How could the bastard ditch London right as we're about to seal the deal with the acquisition?

Nothing with Danmore is set in stone yet. Despite best-laid plans, shit could still go south, and Nicco needs to stay in the UK to weather the storms should they arise. Part of me remains annoyed at him for keeping me in the dark about this unannounced visit. We've been really good about being open and honest with each other lately, and I'd hate for us to take two steps forward and three steps back.

The other part, though?

My heart skips a beat with each minute that ticks by.

Despite my reservations, a broad smile keeps trying to spread across my face. I suppress it even though I'm giddy as a lovesick schoolgirl about seeing Nicco. I won't lie. All of the candied rubbish that Collins, Miller, and Leo fed me is kind of fucking with my head.

I wonder why, out of the blue, they decided to bring this shit up?

Suspicion sharpens my senses.

Could it have something to do with Nicco's impromptu visit?

My gaze thins. Knowing the green-eyed bastard, he must have something hidden up his sleeve. Something big.

But what?

Exactly five minutes later, two identical black Benzes pull up to the curb. Nils Junior sits behind the wheel of the first car. It's usually his job as the driver to open the door for me, but, as always, Nicco's the one who steps out to help me.

"What a gentleman," Miller remarks in Nicco's direction.

"No need to trouble yourself every time, boss," Leo murmurs with a cheeky smirk, "you're paying us to look after Ms. Senarath, right? I'd be happy to help her with the door from now on."

"Like hell you will," Nicco snaps in menacing tones.

"So rude," Leo mutters.

"So possessive," Collins comments.

"So whipped, you mean," Miller counters.

Nicco shoots them a glare that screams shut up or die. "Enough."

"Just trying to help you with what you came here to d—"

"I said," Nicco growls, "enough."

"Apologies, sir."

"I hope you three idiots have not been running your mouths while I was gone?" Nicco barks.

"Of course not, sir."

"Never, sir."

"Our lips have been sealed this whole time, sir."

My suspicions continue to grow when Nicco threatens, "If I find out that one of you let something slip—"

"Is there some big secret," I demand, "that I should know about?"

His expression softens as he turns back to me, flashing a small, secretive smile. "No, principessa. Not at all."

"Good luck, boss!"

"You've got this in the bag!"

"We'll be rooting for you!"

Nicco orders under his breath, "Go find some duct tape."

"Why, sir?"

"So I can tape your mouths shut."

My gaze flits between Nicco and my bodyguards. Their lips slam shut. Nicco's message is heard. Obediently, Collins, Miller, and Leo pile into the second vehicle without another word. But it doesn't wipe the shit-eating grins from their faces.

They definitely know something that he doesn't want me to know.

Nicco's attention turns back to me. He offers his palm. "After you."

I slide my hand into his larger one. Our gazes connect, and my breath stills. Everything else fades at this moment. In my eyes, there's only Nicco. The wintry air outside remains chilled and crisp, but heat floods my skin. His hand feels warm, solid, and real as he guides me into the backseat.

"Thank you," I mumble.

Nicco then slides in after me. It's been far too long since I've been close enough to touch him. His nearness is intoxicating. I can barely keep my hands to myself.

Hiding my eagerness behind a mask of indifference, I arch an eyebrow. "Should you be here right now?"

"Absolutely."

"You're not afraid that something might go wrong in London? Oliver might throw us a curve ball at the very last minute."

"Things can always go wrong," he replies, "regardless of where I am."

"But what if—"

"You do not have to worry about the what ifs. I would not have left London if I did not have confidence in my team's abilities to oversee the final steps in the Danmore acquisition," he assures me.

"Are you sure they can handle it?"

He nods. "Besides..."

"Yes?"

"After I almost lost you in that river, everything has been put into perspective. There are no guarantees in life. The universe often has a sick sense of humor. Juan Pablo could take you away from me as suddenly as a senseless accident like that drunk girl who knocked you overboard. I cannot take our time together for granted. I have come to realize that every second I am given with you is a blessing, and I do not wish to be apart from you anymore."

Moved, I breathe out, "I feel the same way."

A smile softens the hard edges of his mouth as he caresses my cheek. "Do you trust me, principessa?"

I don't hesitate when I reply, "With my life."

Nicco urges gently. "Then close your eyes."

"What?"

"Just do it," he commands in a low murmur. "I promise you will not regret it."

With only a touch of reluctance, my eyes flutter shut. I can't see anything, but I feel a smooth and silky fabric wrap around my head, covering my sight completely.

I ask in surprise, "Why... are you blindfolding me?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Nicco reminds me. "I have a surprise for you."

***

NICCO

As the Benz weaves in and out of traffic, my tie remains wrapped around her gray eyes. I glance over. There is a furrow of concentration between her eyebrows. I can tell that Aria is trying to gauge the distance between every turn and pinpoint our location like some kind of human GPS.

At the next right, she makes an alarmingly accurate guess, "Are we headed toward Murray Hill?"

We are going to Murray Hill, but I do not wish to give away our position so readily, "Maybe."

In wheedling tones, Aria begs sweetly, "Why won't you tell me?"

"Because the wait will be worth it."

She leans over to nuzzle my neck affectionately. "Can't I have a little hint, baby?"

My resolve melts a little, but I manage to stand firm. "And ruin your surprise? I think not."

Aria grumbles like an impatient child, "You are no fun."

"Speak for yourself. You may not be having fun," I counter while kissing her cheek, thoroughly amused and invested in her suffering, "but I am having a blast. Nothing is better than watching you squirm with curiosity."

"Bully."

"Brat."

"A gentleman wouldn't take so much pleasure in my unhappiness."

A twitch pulls at the corner of my mouth. "You will thank me later."

"How much longer until we get there?"

"Ten minutes."

"You're smirking, aren't you?"

How did she know?

I inspect her blindfold carefully. "You're not supposed to be able to see a thing."

"I don't have to see it," she assures me, "to feel it."

"You can feel me... smirking?"

"Yes," Aria confirms breezily, "your dicky energy is quite overwhelming. I'm practically choking on it."

Just to keep pushing her buttons and distract from the real reason why we are here, I toss back, "I cannot help it if my dick overwhelms you. I admit, the size can be intimidating for those with a gag reflex."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"Ah, well, for the record, my dick is big, and I am smirking at you."

Then, I lean over to kiss her senseless.

"God," Aria huffs as she pulls away to catch her breath, "I don't know how it's possible for someone to be so annoying and, yet, fuckable at the same time."

"It has always been part of my charm."

"You're lucky that I adore you," she grumbles.

Chuckling wickedly, I kiss her again, and she kisses me back.

During the rest of the drive, we continue to banter back and forth. I can feel the waves of disgruntlement flowing from Aria as we approach our destination. In time, we reach the corner of Madison Avenue and 36th Street. Little does she know, the gray diamond ring has been with me all day, and I only have one question on my mind.

This time, however, the threat of Aria's betrayal is not fucking with my head. Unlike the first time I proposed to her, I feel far calmer today. There is no trace of paranoia or conflict within. Only a sense of unwavering urgency. The weight of Aria's ring in my pocket feels, instead, purposeful and right. I cannot bear to wait another second because every second that goes by puts her life in danger.

Indeed, Aria has been risking life and limb to lay the world's most beautiful trap around Juan Pablo while I gathered the necessary resources to deal the final blow. Aria's trail of evidence will lead the SEC straight to Juan Pablo's guilty ass. Behind the scenes, I have been rallying my team of lawyers to build an airtight case that will take down Juan Pablo in court while giving Aria complete immunity. Once the Danmore acquisition is a done deal, I will leverage my newfound resources to chip away at Juan Pablo's empire even more until I suffocate him, cutting off every airway and lifeline he needs to survive and thrive.

Step by painstaking step, we have been working toward this very moment. I am ready to throw down the gauntlet and let Juan Pablo know that Aria is under my protection and no longer within his reach.

After today, I refuse to let her stay on the front lines. She has done more than her fair share and proven herself time and time again as a worthy ally. She is, in fact, far more than an ally. Aria has become everything to me. Brilliant and diabolical and complex and maddening all at once. She is my better half in this ongoing battle against Juan Pablo. I cannot let anyone touch her. Especially not that sadistic psychopath. She is my diavola. My angelo. Ever since I almost lost Aria at Newman's yacht party, I have been obsessed with the idea of letting the world know that she is mine.

For good.

For real.

Forever.

We have been apart for too long, and I do not want any more distance between us. Physical or otherwise. To an extent, I think she still believes that I may never forgive her for the past. That I do not want her in the way I once did. Aria must know how deeply embedded she remains in my heart.

This time, there will be nothing fake about our engagement. I will trust her again. I hope for her to trust me as well. Tonight must be perfect. I have poured much thought and consideration into making my proposal absolutely perfect for Aria. She once told me that books were her escape during the nightmarish years at Hawkins.

What do you want, Aria?

The preparations have been made.

The kind of man who only exists in fiction.

Every detail and each specification exist only to coax a smile from her lips. I want to become her escape. Her calm in the storm. Her dream come true.

I want a man who can fuck my brains out and bring me to my knees all the while making me feel as though my heart is the most precious goddamn thing he has ever—

Back then, Aria never finished her sentence. But I do not need to hear the rest to know that—God willing, if she says yes—her heart will be the most precious goddamn thing I have ever owned.

Nothing will ever come between us again.

Nothing.