Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
GORAN
Ivan was waiting for me in the foyer when I walked out of Dimitri’s office. I had only one question on my mind.
“Where’s Kaylani?”
“She went to her room with her mother.”
I grabbed his shoulder.
“Guard her and call me if there’s any movement.”
He looked around, but none of Dimitri’s guys lingered nearby.
“Anyone not allowed in?”
My jaw flexed. “Anyone you consider a threat.” My eyes flicked in the direction of Dimitri’s office. “But be smart and don’t try to be a hero. Call me.”
Ivan nodded and jogged up the stairs toward Kaylani’s room.
It was time to do what I had been avoiding for months.
Time to talk to Nathaniel.
Stepping outside I took the stairs two at a time, hopped into the SUV, and hit the ignition. Driving through the gates and watching them close behind me made my heart race. I had just locked Kaylani in with a lion.
Nervous wasn’t my thing. I could count on one hand the number of times I had felt nervous in my life, and every incident involved Kaylani.
I drove straight to Nathaniel’s house. The guards at the gate opened it when they saw it was me. I waved and drove up to the front door, then I just sat there, staring at the steering wheel. My mind was scattered. I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn’t figure out how to form the words.
Ten minutes passed before Nathaniel opened the front door.
“Shit,” I muttered and jumped out.
“What’s wrong?”
I swallowed. “I need to talk to you. But not out here.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Alright.”
We stepped inside just as Cutter ran into the room riding his hobby horse. He whinnied and pretended to rear while patting his steed’s neck.
“Uncle Goran,” he cheered.
It always warmed my heart that Nathaniel had referred to me as family.
“Hey, kiddo. Is that stallion of yours giving you trouble?”
“No, don’t be silly. He’s not real. But guess what. Dad said I can take riding lessons. Then I can be a famous rider like Aunt Kay.”
“God, help me,” Nathaniel grumbled low enough for only me to hear.
Cutter faked a perfect dismount and ran toward me with his arms open. I lifted him into the air, and he squealed as I tossed him up before catching him again.
“You’re almost too big for me to do that now,” I said, wincing as if he weighed a ton.
“Uncle Goran, I know you’re lying.” He rolled his eyes just like his father.
It was terrifying how much this kid resembled a mini Nathaniel.
“Maybe,” I said as he hugged me.
I couldn’t picture not being allowed to see him again. Nathaniel, Savannah, and the kids were as much my family as my father.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in bed,” Nathaniel asked as Savannah called Cutter’s name.
Cutter cringed.
“Dad, do I have to?”
“Yes. You have school tomorrow. Go on.”
“But I’m already smarter than everyone in my grade,” he moped, lip pushed out.
“Cutter.” Was all Nathaniel said, but the tone said it all.
“Okay…I’ll go.”
Cutter leaned over in my arms and hugged his dad despite the pout on his face.
I set him down, and he mounted his horse before waving.
“Night, Dad. Night, Uncle Goran.”
“Night, bud.”
My heart ached with dread as I watched him round the corner and disappear.
I followed Nathaniel into his study and closed the door behind us.
“Want a drink?”
“Sure.” I peeled off my suit jacket, tossed it over the arm of the couch, and rolled up my sleeves. “How was the trip?”
“Good. My father thought he could steal one of our suppliers by offering more money for the same product. Fucker.”
He walked over and handed me a tumbler of his whiskey. I sniffed it before taking a sip. The warm, rich, spiced flavor went down smooth. It really was the best whiskey in the world. I didn’t blame him for keeping the distillery location a secret. I was one of the few who knew.
“So, you got them to see the error in doing business with Dimitri?”
Nathaniel smirked. “Of course.” He sank into the large leather chair. “Was there any doubt?”
“No,” I said, sitting on the couch across from him.
I took another sip of whiskey and stared into the golden liquid.
“What do you need to talk to me about? And it better not fucking be that you’re quitting to work for my father, or I’ll shoot you where you sit.”
The corner of my mouth lifted in a lopsided grin.
“No. But you may still want to shoot me.”
“Oh? More than usual?”
“Yeah.” I set my drink aside and wiped my hands on my pants.
Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed slightly with suspicion.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so nervous. What’s going on?”
I drew in a slow breath.
“I should’ve told you when it first started. I’m sorry.” The words stuck in my throat. “Shit.”
Nathaniel leaned forward and placed his whiskey down on the table.
“As entertaining as it is to watch you struggle, It’s getting late so I’ll save you the trouble.”
I tilted my head.
“This is about Kaylani,” Nathaniel said with a smirk.
The walls felt like they were closing in on me.
“Yes.”
“The two of you have been in love for years, and you’ve finally gotten off your ass and done something about it.”
I sucked in a shuddering breath.
“You know?”
He scoffed and flashed me a wicked smile.
“Of course, I know. I’ve always known. Kaylani has stared at you like the sun rises and sets out of your ass since…forever. And I saw the way you looked at her when she got home from Wayward. I’m your best friend. I’m not blind.”
“Shit.” I dragged a hand down my face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come to you months ago.
I just…” I licked my lips and forced the rest out.
There was no point in holding anything back now.
“Look. I know I don’t deserve her, and I fought it.
The thing is, I love her. I know that makes me a terrible friend, but I couldn’t resist her any longer.
And honestly, I thought the novelty of sneaking around with a guard would wear off, and she’d move on.
I never thought she’d actually love me back.
” I ran my hand through my hair. “If you want to shoot me, I get it.”
Nathaniel barked out a laugh.
“You’re such an idiot.”
“Thanks, asshole.”
My hand shook as I grabbed my drink and took a large gulp, the burn helping to steady me.
“Seriously, you’re an idiot. Did you really think I’d be pissed?”
I stared at him. “Yeah, I did. I’m having sex with your sister. That breaks all the bro codes.”
“Okay, I didn’t need that mental image. Goran, there is no one I trust more than you. You’re a brother to me. My son thinks of you as his uncle. That is how close we are. Not only that, but I know you will protect her with your life. There is no one better for my sister than you.”
“Jesus Christ.” I slumped into the couch as the tension I had been carrying around finally lifted.
“Now, am I pissed you didn’t think you could say anything when this first started? Yeah, I am. You should fucking know that you can come to me with anything.”
“Fuck. I can’t say sorry enough. You’re really okay with this?”
He cocked his brow.
I chuckled.
“Point taken. Well, I might as well tell you all of it then.”
He grabbed his drink. “She’s pregnant?”
“No, but she did marry me.”
The glass stopped on the way to his lips. “What?”
“Remember the Arizona show, and how I was off when I got back? Remember how you were worried that Kaylani would run off with some random guy and get married?”
He nodded.
“Kaylani took matters into her own hands because she knew I would never ask her to marry me. I know how this world works, and there was no way your father would give his blessing. She drugged me, flew us to Vegas, and then married me.” I held up my hand with the black-and-gold ring.
He blinked. “Wait. My sister actually did all of that?”
“Yeah…the irony of our conversation is not lost on me. Amazing what one determined woman can do. I was pissed when I woke up in the hotel room, wondering where the hell I was. I ordered her to take me to wherever she had taken me for the ceremony, but she refused and threatened to tell your father about, well, all the places we had sex.”
Nathaniel’s lip twitched, then he snorted, which turned into a chuckle. Before I knew it, he was laughing so hard he had to set his glass down to keep from spilling it.
“She…drugged…” He laughed harder, grabbing his stomach. “Oh my God. This is incredible.”
I smiled, unable to help myself.
“Not the reaction I expected.”
“Are you kidding me? This is fucking fantastic. My sister is as devious as I am. I love it. I didn’t know she had it in her. And the fact that she…” He broke out laughing again, and I crossed my arms. “Sorry. I wish I’d been there.”
“I’m glad that I’ve felt guilty about this.”
He pointed at me. “Don’t put this on me. You could’ve come to me.”
“True. Look, the problem is that your father wants Kaylani to marry one of the douchebags he’s picked out.”
Nathaniel rolled his eyes as he stood. He marched across the room and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and two cigars.
“My father has learned nothing from Titus and me leaving. If he really thinks Kaylani will bow at his feet, he’s delusional. It will blow over.”
I shook my head and took the cigar as he refreshed my drink.
“No. I don’t think it will. That’s why I’m here.”
His eyes hardened. “What has he done?”
“He sent men to Florida. They stole Atlas out of his stall last night, and he is threatening to sell him if Kaylani doesn’t agree to his terms.”
“Son of a bitch. It amazes me that he built Mikhailov Industries from the ground up and yet he can be so incredibly stupid when it comes to his family,” Nathaniel growled.
“There’s more. He called me into his office. I think he suspects that I’m the reason Kaylani won’t take any of the prospects seriously. He asked me to find the man she’s with and bring the guy to him…or bury his body.”
Nathaniel sighed as he lit his cigar and took a couple of puffs. The sweet smell of smoke filled the room.
“What should I do? I can’t be the reason she gives up on her dream. I won’t. I refuse. No matter how much I love her, there is no choice if it’s me or her future.”
Nathaniel locked eyes with me.
“That is exactly why you’re perfect for her. You will never try to make her become someone she’s not. Let me think about the best way to handle this. And for now…let me congratulate you on officially joining the family, brother.”
With Nathaniel on my side, the odds had shifted. But that didn’t make Dimitri any less lethal. What he might do next was what concerned me.