Chapter 9
MILA
Who the hell was that? Nikolai brings in some random woman in the middle of the night who drops off stuff for me? Without knowing me?
Why?
And, what is she to him?
This definitely complicates things.
“She seems nice?” I tuck my legs under me on the cushion and slowly start pulling out some of the clothes.
Well, at least they look like they’ll fit. She’s a little taller than me, but the leggings are stretchy.
Nikolai grunts.
I’m starting to wonder if he knows any other words.
His blue eyes follow me as I go back to the bathroom.
Staring at myself in the mirror, I begin to question my plans.
I thought it’d be easy to seduce him. I mean, look at me.
Shedding the torn T-shirt, I lift my breasts and check them in the reflection. Who wouldn’t be interested in these?
I sigh and pull a fresh cami over my head. The pants fit well enough that I should be able to sleep in them.
They feel warm, too. Which is good, since it’s likely I’ll be in bed alone.
Shit.
One more day passing could mean one more body part removed from my brother.
Maybe I need to try the sympathy route again.
I nearly run into the brick wall of Nikolai’s chest when I step out into the hall.
“You can have this room.” He flips on the light, showcasing a plain queen sized bed with a white comforter.
The walls are more barer than a hotel.
He drops the bags onto the floor next to the only other piece of furniture, a simple dresser with four drawers.
“Okay.” I’ve barely stepped in when he disappears and closes the door behind him.
What is with this guy?
I guess it’s bedtime.
He didn’t even offer to tuck me in.
Do I smell coffee?
With a groan, I roll out from between the stiff, bleached sheets. The fight last night has caught up with me.
My joints rebel as I make my way to the ensuite bathroom.
At least there’s some nice hair products in the bag Lara brought. They make me feel almost human.
Shit. Another day.
It makes me sick thinking about Daniil. I really need to figure out a way to get Nikolai to tell me where the diamonds are.
But, he’s made of stone. How do I coerce that?
The man of marble himself is sitting on the couch in the living room when I make my way out.
“Good morning,” I mumble.
I’m not sure how to get this moving. Coffee first.
“I need to know where the Reapers were keeping you.” He pushes a button on his phone and a map of Las Vegas appears on the large television opposite him.
Well, I guess he’s ready to get it moving.
Tyler and I went over all of the details days ago. All I have to do is act the part.
Blowing on the steaming cup, I curl up on the far end, making a show of limping and wincing when I do.
“I don’t know, it was all kind of a blur. I remember a dark room without windows. They held me there for a few days.” Digging my nails into my palm brings the tears I need.
“That man—” My voice gets shaky as the first sob shudders through me. “—Knox. He’s awful.”
His name was in the dossier. I know Kirill mentioned him too in our most recent meeting.
He’s going to be my scapegoat. Kirill told me there was bad blood between Knox and Nikolai.
Nikolai’s jaw tightens.
“I know he’s going to look for me.” Hot droplets fall from my chin onto my thigh. “Please don’t let him find me.”
I hide my face against the beige pillow and ramp up the crying.
This better work, it’s embarrassing.
The cushions shift before I hear the freezer door open.
“Here.” His deep voice comes from just a short distance away.
My eyes are itchy as I look up at him.
Ice cream?
“Um. Thank you.” I take the pint and spoon. “Why?”
He shrugs before sitting back down. “I’ve been told it’s hard to be upset eating chocolate.” He gets a far away stare at some point on the wall behind me before he shakes his head. “I just thought it would help to distract you while I ask you more questions.”
Nikolai’s dark brows furrow and his lips thin. “I know this is hard. I’m sorry. I do know Knox, he’s an asshole.”
His large fist clenches before he glances down and flattens his palm over his leg.
Well, I got a reaction. That’s a start.
I let another sob loose. “He’s a monster!”
More tears. This seems to be working.
Nikolai reaches out and puts his hand on my shoulder.
There it is.
I take the chance and turn, burying my face against his chest. “I was so scared! He told me all the things he was going to do to me. If you hadn’t shown up…I don’t know how I would have gotten away.” Another long wail and I thread my arms around his waist, clinging to him while I soak through his shirt.
To his credit, he holds me until I can’t cry anymore and the condensation from the ice cream has made a wet circle on his knee.
“I’m sorry,” I whimper and wipe my cheeks.
His arm doesn’t move, but he doesn’t take it away either.
“I’ll make sure you’re safe. I have access to other places where you can stay that?—”
“Do you trust them?” I cut him off.
“Who?”
“The people watching those places?” I watch him closely. I want to see if there’s a flicker of doubt.
Fuck, he’s a statue.
“Most of them.” He finally relents with a long exhale.
“Well, I know I can trust you. But, I don’t know them.” I hug the pillow to my belly and pry open the half melted container of chocolate crunch.
He’s right. This is nicer. And, delicious.
“I need to know where you were though.” He removes the heat of his hand from my back and points at the TV. “The faster I can find him, the sooner you’ll be safe.”
And, the sooner I can hopefully talk him into revealing the diamonds.
“There.” I point at the last place I know Knox was at. A warehouse near the outskirts, far from the Strip.
“Perfect. I’ll make sure someone checks on you.” He stands, taking the map off of the screen.
“Wait, you’re leaving?” I let a frantic sound crack my voice.
“Just for a little while. I have to set the ball in motion. There’s food in the refrigerator.” His heavy accent rolls the ‘R’ before he leaves.
Well, shit.