Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“I kind of love that I can make you lose control.” I shake my head. I’m not sure how I feel about that. “Nikolai, you’d never do anything to hurt me. Even when you thought I betrayed you and Matteo, you still didn’t raise even a finger to me.”
“Because I knew you were going to be mine.”
I’d been on fire the night her brother showed up here, thinking they could take Riley and Mona from us. I knew that there had to be some kind of tracker on Riley. It was the only way they could have found them. I wasn't wrong. I'd lost my mind, thinking that Riley didn't want to be here with us. That her plan was to go back to her father.
While I might have been pissed, I wouldn't have laid a hand on her in anger. I just knew I would have to show her that her family was fucked and she'd been brainwashed. I also knew I would have to put them down. Then there wouldn't be anyone for her to betray us to. Yes, that would have been problematic, but it was a necessary solution. One that kept Riley and me under the same roof and safe from her family. That was all that mattered to me.
Oh, and making her all mine. I knew that one would take time, but I was willing to play the long game. I've discovered that, when it comes to Riley, I'm willing to do anything.
“And that’s what I mean. I trust you.” She slides her hand into mine. “You’d never hurt me.”
“Never.” She is right, so I agree without much thought. For her, I'd go up against anyone. Even Matteo. I didn’t think that was possible. That man raised me and gave me a better life. I owe so much to him. Yet I know my choice will always be her if it ever came down to that.
My phone goes off, interrupting our moment. I reach into my pocket and pull it out. “Fuck,” I mutter under my breath when I see it’s Church. I know it’s not a social call. Church doesn’t do small talk. He only calls when there’s real work that needs to be done.
“You gotta go?”
“Yeah.” I don’t want to, but I’ve been somewhat MIA lately, wanting to spend all my time with Riley. Matteo and Church depend on me to do my part, and I need to live up to that.
“It’s fine. Go.” She squeezes my hand. I’m grateful that she doesn’t ask me a hundred questions. This is where her understanding of our lifestyle comes in handy. I hate that she had to live through it with her shitty father and brother, but it makes it easier for me when it comes to my work.
“Sleep in my bed tonight.” Fuck, as much as I love slipping into her room, the idea of her waiting for me in my bed is alluring.
“I can do that.” She tilts her head back toward me. I sink my fingers into her hair and kiss her deeply. Riley grabs ahold of my shirt, getting lost in our kiss. When I release her mouth, her face is flushed, and her lips are swollen from mine. “Be safe.”
Those two words hit me hard. “Okay,” I choke out. To think I have someone waiting at home for me, worried for my safety, is new. I can’t lose her. I’m in too deep. There is no going back for me. I can’t return to who I was before her.
I give my girl one last look before I head out. When I hit the bottom floor, Sal is there. “I got her.”
“Sal.”
“She’s your girl, Nikolai.” He cocks a smile. “I only see her as a sister.”
“Right,” I scoff. You'll never persuade me that Riley isn't the entire package. That not everyone wants her.
“She’s good for you.”
“She’s mine,” I remind him, as if I haven't done it a million times already. I can’t help myself. I wonder if, in time, some of this will temper, but I’ve always been quick to react. That's who I am.
“Nikolai.” Sal’s cocky smile drops. “I’d never betray you.”
I nod. Is it fucked up that I can’t say the same? When it comes to Riley, I’d betray everyone and watch the world burn while I did it. Thankfully, my girl is full of sweetness and would never ask that of me.
“Thanks, man.” We bump the sides of our fists. I watch him get on the elevator and wait for a text alert that he’s made it inside the condo before I hop in my car and take off. I make a few quick stops for pick-up before heading in Church’s direction.
When I get there, his ass is pacing back and forth. I don’t think I have ever seen him antsy before. This reaction from him immediately puts me on edge. Something’s got to be up.