Trust is something that either makes a relationship work or it kills it. Without trust, people are always waiting for the other person to screw up so they can be angry or disappointed or vindictive. That's how our culture is set up.

With every second of silence radiating negativity and scepticism, I felt my blood pressure rise and I began to dread his next words. What if he questioned my integrity? What if he doubted my motives? What if he couldn't help but think I was a liar?

All these thoughts were making me dizzy and feeling sick to my stomach. I could feel my pulse pound in my temples and hear my heart beating in my ears.

My head spun as I tried to stop it.

The bastard behind him smirked at me and walked over to where Nick was standing silently looking at Evans who had passed out."I can't believe my own cousin did something like this." He dramatically frowned as he kept a hand on Nick's shoulder."I hope you're okay, Nicky?"

Luke looked at me and tsked slightly, I felt my stomach churn and a feeling of nausea washed over me. I closed my eyes and tried to calm my breathing but I couldn't.

I gently pushed Evans back on the couch and rushed past them to the bathroom. I slammed the door closed behind me and leaned against it until I stopped shaking. After a few minutes, I slowly started feeling a little better. As I opened the door, I came face to face with Nick, he looked at me and frowned."Are you okay, Ms Summers?"

He didn't call me Amore.

I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes as I nodded silently. I looked away and before I knew it, he'd dashed off the room and the next moment I heard loud grunts of pain. I bolted to the living room and the scene in front of me made me want to scream.

Luke lay limp on the ground, blood oozing from his mouth and nose with Mr Arnold kneeling over him with a hand wrapped around his throat. "You f*cker!" He shouted as he punched him again."I promised my Amore. I'd never let tears come in her eyes but just because of you, she got the f*cking idea that I don't trust her." I felt my heart skip at his words. I wanted to run to him but I remained rooted to the spot.

"You thought I'm some five-year-old kid who'd get manipulated by you, Luke F*ckster." He spat at Luke.

He called the security and chucked him out of his house."Throw him in a dustbin or anywhere I don't care, just get this piece of sh*t out of my house."

He wiped a drop of blood off his mouth with the back of his hands and as his eyes snapped to mine, a tear rolled down my cheek looking at the disappointment in his eyes. He walked over to Evans and snaking his arm around his shoulder, he supported him and walked to the guest room, not before looking at me with his anguished eyes again.

God! I'm such a fool. How could I think something like this about him? He must be feeling awful right now and I don't want him to have to go through that. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt him.

I looked longingly at his bedroom door as I gathered the courage to talk to him. And as much as I felt really ashamed, I was worried about his bruised hand and had to see how he was doing.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked on his door only to find it was open. I wasn't sure if I should go in but my heart was beating wildly so I pushed the door open and walked in only to find him sitting on the floor against his bed, his legs spread tiredly on the floor. His hands now wrapped in a white bandage lazily rested on his knees.

"Come here, Amore." The dominance in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. I walked over to him slowly, I was so ashamed of myself but I couldn't help it. As I came closer to him, his head rose and his grey eyes stared at me. The intensity in his eyes was something I'd never seen.

He reached for me and pulled me towards him. I shivered and his strong arms wrapped around my stomach. I felt my breath coming quicker. My whole body tingled when his hand clasped around my wrist. "Why did you think I'd trust that f*cker above you?" He hissed. I felt my tongue-tied. I didn't know what to say."I'm sorry, Nick." There I went apologizing again. "I'm sorry."

He looked down and ran his fingers through my hair. "What are you apologizing for?" He pulled me closer to him. My head was resting on his chest. I felt his lips brush the top of my head.

"For being so stupid. I can't believe I'm such a fool."

His lips pressed against my hair. "You're not a fool. You just overthink a lot." I couldn't help but agree with his words. I was a bit silly sometimes.

A bit is an understatement Arielle Summers.

I felt his lips on my tattoo."Promise me, you'll never question my trust in you."

I nodded, too occupied to speak. Slowly, with an agonizing pace, he kissed my neck. With every kiss, every touch, his arms around me tightened. "I want your words, Amore." I felt the shiver up my spine as I looked up to find his eyes staring intensely into mine.

"I promise.", I breathed, "I won't question your trust, not ever." The words came out in just a whisper. His lips against my skin weren't making me feel any better."Not convincing." He said with a chuckle.

"What should I do to convince you?"

"Hmm.", he hummed as he turned me so that now my back was against his chest. His hands grasped my hips, his fingers splayed against my skin. He slowly brought his hands down to my sides. His touch was so light and as he moved his arms lower, my whole body quivered again."Maybe you should reconsider my request.", He paused and kept his chin on my shoulder." Turn my dream into reality." I felt my breath hitch and I felt him chuckle again.

"You want me to be your wife?"

"That was an old one.", he pressed his lips against my hair."In the latest one, you were running after our kids." I felt the blush flush up against my neck.

Our kids.

"I.." I tried to find words but couldn't. He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my hand. "But for that, I want your yes."

"Does it mean I was running after Kia too?", I turned and looked into his eyes."I want Kia to have a perfect family. I don't want to see her sharing her uncle with her cousin, I want her to have a family of her own. It's time she has a father." He let go of my hand and wrapped his arms around me."What if Kia didn't want the same?"

"She does.", I smiled.

"Amore," He sighed as he kept his forehead against mine."What if in future I failed as a father to her? What if I hurt her in some way?"

"I'll be there with you.", I smiled as I kissed his cheek softly.

He smiled, "Thank you for being so amazing."Before I could say anything, his phone rang.

"Mama?", he frowned looking at the time."Mama are you okay?"

I gestured for him to put the phone on speaker.

"Hello, brother.", A man's voice came over the line. Nick's face went pale and a single word left his lips that made mine as well as his heartbeat race.

"Alexander."

What is this TVD sh*t!