In The End (Butterfly #1) by Isabella Redwood

renovations to the security at the house will be completed in two days, Earl is overseeing everything so I can relax and enjoy our time together here.’ Nicholi, eyeing the bed, without warning picked me up and threw me onto it, rousing the boys to come join in the new tickle game that ended up with a four-sided pillow fight. I conceded defeat and commenced the delayed bath time.
    The boys had their stories and were tucked up in bed. I returned downstairs, finding Cross sprawled out on the sofa and Nicholi nowhere to be seen.
    ‘Where’s Nic?’ I asked, Cross, looking particularly comfortable with an array of pillows under his head, seemed reluctant to reply.
    ‘He has driven our puker back to town, you pining already?’ he crooned, back to his obnoxious self, after the momentary glimpse of someone else earlier.
    ‘You know for a second there, I thought I was wrong and maybe you did actually have some redeeming qualities, but then you have to open your mouth and blah blah we are back to square one again,’ I raged. ‘Why didn’t you take her anyway?’ I complained, annoyed at the fact that he was ruining my night once again.
    ‘A little too much red wine, I’m afraid, tends to wreak havoc with one’s driving abilities,’ he retorted, sitting back up. ‘So you and big brother,’ he scoffed. ‘Not that I’m surprised, Nicholi always had a way with the ladies, he has got that dark mysterious Italian facade down. I’m just surprised you fell for it so easily, I expected more from you, Sophia, must admit I’m a little disappointed.’ I was so shocked by the spiel that was coming out of his mouth that I hesitated, and he saw it. ‘Ah, not so sure about big brother then? Maybe there is hope for you yet.’ He pulled himself up off the sofa and strolled out of the living room, as though he had just pulled the pin and would leave to let the chips fall where they may.
    I just sat there in silence processing the speech that Cross had given. The, he always had a way with the ladies comment was making me feel very uneasy. I was so distracted I did not hear the footsteps approaching me from behind and jumped out of my skin at his touch on my arm.
    ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you; I did call your name several times,’ Nicholi explained, sitting down in front of me. ‘Did you get my text messages?’ he asked, reaching for my hand that I immediately withdrew. ‘Baby, what’s wrong?’ Nicholi questioned, clearly puzzled by the response he was receiving.
    ‘So you have a way with the ladies then?’ I voiced, bordering on incoherency.
    ‘I have a way with what?’ His expression changing from puzzled, rage simmering in his eyes. ‘What the hell did he say to you?’ He raised his voice, something I had not experienced before.
    ‘He pretty much implied that I had fallen for some kind of Italian seduction scene and that it was something you were accustomed to using.’ Tears started to form in my eyes and I attempted to swallow them away before looking up to meet his.
    ‘Sophia, you know me, he is just playing you and you’re falling for it. I thought you knew better than that,’ he began, I interjected.
    ‘That’s the thing though, isn’t it, do I really know you? You haven’t told me anything about your past; I’m usually so careful and guarded, not letting anyone in, but with you,’ I choked, the tears starting to build to the extent I couldn’t hold them much longer, ‘I have fallen in love with you.’ The tears had breached their holding position and were now flowing freely down my face, traitorously without regard.
    ‘Oh, baby, come here.’ Nicholi reached to pull me into his arms and I willing accepted, desperate to feel something else, anything other than what I was feeling right now, confused and insecure. Nicholi just held me while I composed myself before vocalising a response, and pulled away, just about to start when the patter of little feet entered the room.
    ‘We can’t