"Thalia," a voice muffled, as my conscious regained. Fluttering my eyes open I recognized Niccolo's face. His lip was split, and a bloody bandage was wrapped tightly around his shoulder. 

"What happened to you?" I began to panic, resting my hands on his cheeks, unable to leave the bed. "You should see the other guy." he chuckled, placing his hand in mine. "I should be asking you if you're okay, you nearly died, Thalia."

I looked down to find only a revealing pink bra and underwear were covering my body. There was also a bloody bandage wrapped around my entire torso. I glanced up at Niccolo with my eyebrows pressing firmly together in a confused manner. 

"Surgery." he remarked, showing no sign of emotion. "It was the only way to save you."

Su-surgery?" I asked, my mind racing to the worst possible outcome. He hesitated then nodded. "I'm sorry, we had to."

"There was one small complica-" my eyes widened as he told me the unfortunate news.

"So the bloodline ends with me, then?" I sighed, looking Niccolo in the eyes. "It's fine, doesn't your brother have kids?" Niccolo held my hand, as tears filled my eyes. "Not yet." I sniffled, making my way into his arms. "We'll figure it out." he reassured me. 

"Who were those people?" I asked, trying to change the subject. "Old friends, to say the least." he sighed. I asked him about his work as well, I couldn't stop thinking of what the masked man told me. He hesitated. "Let's get you something to eat, mhm?" he got up and helped me off the bed.

"You didn't answer my question, Niccolo." "Let's not put so much stress on you right now, okay?" I grabbed his arm as we made it to the stairs. I kept asking him about his work but all I got in return were excuses. He seemed on the edge, too. Maybe it was because of the home invasion and everything but I felt as if he was nervous of me.

He ordered the chef to make some soup and sat me down on one of the chairs in the dining room. Niccolo was avoiding eye contact with me as we sat across from each other, not in a nervous way but a guilty manner. I slammed my hand on the table. His gaze met mine.

"Why won't you tell me your line of work? You'll be a king pretty soon and it's not like you're a hitman or something! I have just been through hell, nearly dying and then finding out I'm no longer able to have children and you won't tell me what your job is!"

"It's for your own good." he said calmly as the chef placed the bowls of tomato soup in front of us. "Besides, why do you want to know?" he asked, stirring the soup around. "Because the men who tried to murder me, asked me about it." I growled. He froze.

"I'm a mafia boss, Thalia." he looked at me with dead eyes. My mouth gaped open slightly, words tried their best to escape my lips, but nothing came out. I got up from the table and headed to the stairs, Niccolo followed.

"Thalia, stop." he called, grabbing my arm gently. "I-" "Do you kill people?" I interrupted, my eyes wide with shock and fear. "Only to those who deserve it." he said, his voice at a low tone. I turned to the stairs again, but his grip tightened. He put his other hand on my lower back, being mindful of my wound.

"I didn't want to scare you, so I tried my best to keep it a secret. Now that my enemies are targeting you, it is my responsibility to keep you safe at all costs." I knew he was being truthful by the way his eyes sparkled as the moon began to rise.

"I'm not scared, it's just a lot to take in." I said breathlessly. "And other secrets you'd like to share?" I said, raising my eyebrows. His eyes met mine, guiltily. "It's getting late, Thalia. You need to rest." he said guiding me up the stairs.

I didn't feel like arguing with him right now. My body was already exhausted from everything I'd been through today. I nodded as he placed his hand on my back, directing me up the stairs. I fell asleep almost immediately when I laid on my bed.