Inside the man led Nicolas to the posh office they ended up in yesterday, when the doors opened he had to double take when he saw Bella in that dress, words left him just as his breath did.
"My dear sir, its clear you know Bella well if you had to join that other man and take on a mob to get her back, that is the only reason I allowed you in" Tony said but Nicolas blinked struggling to look away from her, she bit her lip blushing and looked to the ground but she said nothing yet.
"Hey!?" Tony blurted.
"Uh– yes, I'm sorry about yesterday sir, we didn't mean any harm"
"How do you know Bella?"
"We, helped each other out, we traveled together a little, I was there that day she saved the baby"
"You helped her elude the cops?"
"Yeah" he said but swallowed answering his brain to look at her again, she was breathtaking, her smile still subtly on she teased him by saying nothing at all, Nicolas was flabbergasted that this is the same woman he saw on the Harley that day.
"Is it true Bella? You know this man?" Tony asked.
She nodded slowly "He's my fellow drifter, and everything he said is true, I owe him a lot"
Tony nodded "Then you may use that room over there to talk privately, Nicolas..."
"Yes?" He said blinking away from Bella.
"Don't try anything, you hear?"
"N... No"
Bella walked over to the door Tony pointed at and entered, Nicolas followed giving the gunmen a glance then closed the door, when he turned into the room she embraced him to his surprise.
"Oh Nic, I thought you abandoned me"
"I didn't! Since yesterday I was still trying to get you free!" He said and they let go.
"I'm sorry I got caught"
"No its my fault"
"It can't be your fault I was in the pickup when you went into the shop"
"But I could have asked you to come with"
Belladonna giggled "Okay, so we're not good at this..." She said and smiled "I... I'm so glad I know someone who was willing to come for me, I thought I'd never see you again"
"I saw the guy load you in the van so I set off after them, they didn't hurt you did they?"
"No... In fact they treat me well Nic, the boss woman called me her daughter"
"Wow, that's some hefty respect..." He scanned her body "And I can see they treat you as such"
"Will you be angry at me if I say I want to stay?"
He sighed "No"
Her eyebrows rose "You, accepted that rather quickly?"
"I don't want to, I want to be with you, but..."
"But?"
"I can still vanish into the crowd Bella, here at least you're not hiding... I mean look at you..." He said coming closer and she shyly clasped her hands "You're brimming with radiance, I've never seen you so at ease"
"I... I feel at home here"
"And I think that's what I want for you more than anything"
She smiled "I like you"
He threw his hand over his hair smiling, then shyly turned away "I was wondering if it was only me?"
"You, like me too?"
"The last two days with you was such an adventure Bella, I won't lie if I say I started feeling something for you"
She took a step closed "Even if you know I'm a werewolf?"
Nicolas dropped his hand "I don't give a damn..." He said lifting his hands to her shoulders but twitched pulling them back "I don't want to see you as anyone but Bella... I don't want to scare you off"
She came in and they embraced "Why don't you stay with me?"
"Not here, the life of crime cost me way too much, but I will always be nothing but a phone call away"
She looked up to him and he felt a surge in his chest looking at her eyes this close, her spell of beauty had no rival, not even Deno, vampire or not can beat this pure stunning magic.
He cupped her face and kissed her, a real kiss this time, not just to pass the time, not because he wanted a quick fling, Deno was right, this woman stole his heart.
He forced himself to part her lips and she still stood with her mouth slightly open, her eyes closed, Bella felt him look at her and enjoyed every second of it, Nicolas couldn't hold himself and kissed her again, drew her tight against himself which finally caused her arms to come around and hold him back.
"This feels so real" she said breaking the kiss "I've never had this feeling for anyone"
"I..." He looked at her closely but the worry set in over what lies in the future, he had to tell her vampires wants her dead, but how could he? The world wants her dead... Sorrow flooded him and she saw it in his face.
"Nic what's wrong?"
"N... Nothing" he said letting her go "I suggest you stay here, I'll come visit every day"
"Nicolas? Tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I had a selfish thought that's all"
"What thought?"
"I want to take you with me, but I can't, why should I take you away from a place where you can be at peace, forgive me"
She smiled "Then, you will come visit right?"
"Every day" he said giving her a warm smile.
They came out of the private room and Tony sat upright "And?"
"Please take good care of her sir" Nicolas said.
Tony frowned "What, no begs for me to let her go?"
"Would you agree with me that she's found a slight freedom here? Why send her back into the world where she will only be hunted again?"
Tony smiled "My my you're a caring fellah aren't you?"
"Allow me to visit daily?"
"Of course, you're always welcome"
Nicolas looked at Bella one last time, then embraced her for a greet "See you later, okay?"
She nodded smiling warmly and he took his leave.
Outside Deno was waiting patiently but when he came out without Bella he grunted "I see, so she decided to stay?"
"No I told her to..." Nicolas said glancing at the doormen then walked off to make distance.
"Why? You know the predicament we're in?"
"I'm sorry Deno, she's just so happy, and I didn't want to spoil that by telling her she's at risk from vampires as well"
"You jeopardized her you know that Nicolai, despite the many rifles now guarding her from pitiful humans, she's still very much in danger from vampires"
"Then... Deno maybe you should change me into a vampire, so I can protect her"
Deno looked at him and smirked "A hero hey? Oh the hero wants to risk it all to save the girl! My poor undead heart feels fluttering with joy, how rare to see a man so stupidly in love with a woman"
"Are you making a joke again?"
"No! Not at all, I admire your bravery, you have truly inspired me Nicolai, but let me lay out the risks you take when becoming a vampire..." He said as they hopped into the pickup.
"One, the sun will burn you, its not like me who can walk in daylight, its a true curse to be changed into a vampire and then the second... I think its the most important risk you take, and that's your love for her"
"What do you mean?"
"You saw how she reacted to me? You want her that afraid of you?"
Nicolas looked at the steering wheel and gave it some some thought "I don't care, I want her to be happy"
"I'm sorry but if you think she'll be happy that you protected her using such drastic measures you're making a fool of yourself! She won't be happy!"
"Yes she will!"
"I heard your heart as you stepped out here Nicolai! I smell her on you, I bet you if you two had a room it would have been clothes off and sexy time for sure!"
Nicolas looked at him stunned "You, figured that out through her smell on me?"
"Yes, so when I say you'll not make her happy by becoming a vampire, take it seriously, you might end up breaking her heart for good, it might sound odd at first, but werewolves are picky lovers"