Nick's arms wrapped around my waist while I sat side saddle on his lap. 
        "You don't have to worry about me. I'm very good at what I do, Gia. People fear me more than you give me credit for. I'm not a hitman ghost because I'm bad at getting away with shit" he lifted my chin with two long fingers and let his gaze linger on mine. This is actually the first time he's mentioned his hitman job since that time. 
"I'm sorry you had to fight your dad because of me for a second time" I pressed my lips together in a line and peeked up at him. He chuckled and waved it off. "It was barely anything," he assured me. But by the story he told me I wouldn't call choking out your father as nothing. 
"We have to be more careful with what we're doing here, Nick. Nobody else can find out. Seriously" I turned back to the serious start of all this. His eyes lingered on mine. 
"Everything's fine," he assured me. I hope to hell he's right.
-
        I'd fallen asleep cuddled up against Nick like we always are when in bed together. We had hot sex and then we fell asleep. I only woke up now because I felt Nick moving around restlessly. He even muttered somewhat under his breath, which he doesn't usually do in his sleep. He's a mostly quiet sleeper. 
        When he jolted up it scared the hell outta me and made me jolt too. I clutched my chest and looked at his seated frame on the bed. The sheets had fallen to his lap and his chest was bare. The room is dark, but I can see enough of him to know he's practically panting right now. 
"What is it?" I sat up to be beside him again. His eyes were wild in his head and he looked...pained. "Nick" I touched his shoulder to get him to hear me. 
"Fuck" he cursed under his breath and stood up. I found myself following after him. 
"Can you just gimme a minute?" he snapped at me before closing the bathroom door in my face. Nick has seen me through many of my terrible night terrors and comforted me when I needed it most. Something tells me he'll need the same tonight. 
This is a first for him. At least as far as I know. He's never had a bad enough dream to jolt him this way. 
        I walked back to the bed and sat on the end of it, still in the dark. I was waiting for him to get out of the ensuite bathroom so I could talk to him. He was in there almost a full five minutes before I knocked again. I heard him huff, but he finally opened the door. 
"Was it a dream?" I asked him quietly. He looked really bothered and I wanted to ask him to tell me everything. Nick swallowed hard and he looked away from me. I took a step forward and placed my hand on his bare back. He was slick with sweat. 
"Please, talk to me" I asked him. 
I know how horrible a mind can be and how dark it can get when it shows you all the worst things about your life and your traumas. He's faced many traumas too, but because he is who he is, the mob boss...he doesn't let himself view it that way. 
He thinks he has to be strong, but he doesn't. Not with me. 
        "My brother" was all he got out through a croaking throat. I wasn't sure if his face looked somewhat slick with sweat or if maybe he shed a private tear. I dragged him to the bed and sat with him on the edge of the mattress. 
"I don't know how you do it. Have these fucking night terrors. My hearts about damn ready to leapt outta my fucking chest" he ran a hand over his heart. I placed mine under his to feel it. It was pumping so fast. 
        "I know, it's awful. I know how you feel, so talk to me. What did you dream?" I asked him. He always asks me what my dreams are about, so I was doing the same. At first he shook his head no, but when I just kept staring at the side of his head he finally sighed and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.