"NIC!" she shouted back happily. Her ears perked up as the semi‑tall, unnatural‑blonde man scooped her into a twirling hug before setting her down again. Nicolo shifted his attention to the door as Aurelio entered a moment later. When the door closed behind him, the small copper bell chimed.
"Oh? He's with you?" Nicolo asked, pointing with his chin, his smile fading the moment Giulietta's gaze drifted away from him.
Giulietta glanced at Aurelio, but before she could answer, he spoke up.
"Yes, just for today," Aurelio replied with a polite smile, though he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling the other man was giving off.
"Oh?" Nicolo nudged Giulietta in the side with a teasing chuckle, his smile returning as if it had never left. "Snag another hottie off the street, huh? You're becoming quite the hustler, my little Giul. ~"
"NIC!" she smacked his shoulder while Aurelio, on the other hand, flushed and avoided anyone's gaze as several heads turned.
Nicolo heartily laughed before leading her toward one of the chairs. "Sit. June'll take care of you."
"June? You're not going to do it, Nic?" Giulietta complained with a pout.
"Not today. I wanna talk to your 'friend' over here instead," he said as he made his way closer to Aurelio. As soon as Giulietta looked away, Nicolo's playful expression vanished into a scowl. She turned back around in her chair, none the wiser.
She hadn't actually planned on getting a trim today, but since she'd lied about coming here, she might as well go through with it. What harm could a little trim do?
"So… what exactly are your intentions with my cousin?" Nicolo asked in a low voice, careful not to let Giulietta hear him.
"Intentions?" Aurelio shifted, taking a step back when Nicolo got too close. Nicolo wasn't giving him the opportunity to retreat, strategically herding him into one of the unlit corners of the shop.
"Mhm," Nicolo hummed, planting his palm against the wall near Aurelio's head to block any escape. Not that Aurelio would run from danger—unless it was literally life or death.
"Well, I just met her today, about half an hour ago," Aurelio swallowed a lump in his throat. He had no idea who Nicolo truly was, other than that he was Jewel's cousin. Even so, he could practically feel the murderous intent simmering behind that burning stare. Perhaps slipping away from my bodyguard had been a bad idea, he thought. "I pulled her back from the street before she stepped into traffic. Her mind seemed elsewhere… so I acted because she wasn't paying attention."
Nicolo arched a brow. "I'm guessing you don't even know what kind of fish you reeled in today." A smirk threatened to surface but didn't quite make it. "Out of respect for my cousin, I'll thank you for that."
"Excuse me?" Aurelio blinked, confused and uncomfortable.
Nicolo crossed his arms, looking him over before nodding toward Giulietta—now getting her hair trimmed. "She's quite the catch. Big shot around here." His gaze sharpened, watching Aurelio's expression intently. This was a test. Was the man actually clueless, or playing dumb to get close to her? Nicolo hoped it was the first.
"Pray tell, good sir…" Aurelio hesitated, dread creeping in. "What is the young lady's name? She told me people call her Jewel, but…"
Nicolo blinked. "She didn't tell you—so you seriously don't know? Figures. Look, you'll both find out when you're older. Lemme guess—you're under twenty‑five, right?" He sounded both amused and irritated. If only I were old enough to strangle this guy without breaking the adolescent agreement, he thought.
"No, I really don't know, and yes, I turned twenty‑four last Thursday," Aurelio replied slowly. "You said both of us… Do you mean she's younger than twenty‑five too? And why can't I know her name? It's just a name. It shouldn't be a big deal."
"Look… you seem like a decent guy, Bernardi, but you can't know her name," Nicolo said flatly. "Furthermore, I suggest you stay away from my cousin."
"You…" Aurelio froze, eyes widening. "You know who I am?" His stomach dropped. If someone recognized him, it was never good news. He briefly wished the floor would open beneath him. Or better—that his bodyguard, Valentina, would swoop in. But knowing her? She'd stand there and watch to teach him a lesson.
"Anyone of age around here knows who you are," Nicolo said as he leaned in, voice low and dangerous. "And I'm giving you the only warning you're getting. Stay away from my cousin if you know what's good for you. Otherwise? You're signing your own damn death warrant. Capeesh?"
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