Page 1 of Nicoletta
CHAPTER 1
NICOLETTA
DAD flashes on the screen. I shake my head, and Bolt taps the screen.
“Answer it.”
I swallow hard, then swipe the call. “Hello?”
“What you did wasn’t smart, Nicoletta,” my father’s smooth baritone filters through the phone.
“Put it on speaker,” Bolt mouths.
“I had no choice.” I hit the speaker button.
“I don’t know what you think, but I was just trying to keep you safe.”
“I’m fine.”
“You can’t believe I would ever hurt you.” His voice is calm and concerned, almost too calm. “Can you?”
“I just need some time to think.”
“Then come back to L.A. I’ve had the charges dropped, and you can come home without any repercussions. Swim, practice up on your tennis, and relax. There’s absolutely nothing for you to be afraid of.”
“While you hold me prisoner?”
“Nicoletta, how can you say that?”
“I saw the guards that night at both doors.”
“For your protection. You have no idea the kind of people are out there who want to hurt our family. Especially after the news of your arrest. They were to keep the reporters and other undesirables out, not keep you in.”
My brain rewinds to the night I left. I would love to believe my father, but those men were very clear about me staying put in the mansion.
“I’m fine where I am.”
“Hiding out with criminals?”
My heart pounds double-time. “I’m not hiding with?—”
“Just remember,” his voice drops an octave, “you would rather have me as an ally than an enemy.”
The call disconnects, and my stomach roils. I suck in a few deep breaths to ward off the sudden nausea of knowing my father just threatened me.
“Still got your doubts?” Bolt asks.
“I don’t know what to think.” I slump against the door. “I’m a prisoner here too.”
“Not exactly a prisoner. Look at it more like we’re your protection, not your jailor.”
“We’reyour protectors, oryou’remy protector?”
“All of the Bastards, including me.”
It’s not lost on me Bolt has said almost the same thing as my father, but for some crazy reason, I believe Bolt over my own father. I’m too exhausted to figure it out.
I’m also too worn out to resist when Bolt cages me in against the door, his large palms on both sides of my head. His body is flush against me, his lips only inches from mine.
