Chapter 14 - Nikita #2
Feeling daring, I slip my legs beneath the blankets and snuggle up against his side with my cheek on his chest. He wraps his arm around me and eventually, when we're too tired to talk anymore, this is how we fall asleep.
***
Bright sunshine splashes over my pillow, warming my face and pulling me from my dreams. The curtains are wide open, and the moment I wake up, I smile.
Last night was incredible. Rolling over, I stretch my arm out beneath the blankets to reach for him, but the bed is empty.
I groan, still smiling, and sit up, blinking myself all the way awake.
Bardil walks in carrying a coffee.
Immediately, my smile is wider.
"Good morning," I grin happily.
"Morning, you need to get up and get dressed. We're going out," he says.
"Oh, where are we going?" I ask, excited. Sitting up, I take the coffee from him and sip it. It's dark and sweet. Perfect.
I'm still wearing the dress I went out in last night. I need a shower.
"We're going for brunch. But you need to hurry. I left you to sleep late," he says. He sounds almost bored. But I assume he's tired from last night. And I don't think he's been a morning person since I've known him. Some people are just grumpy in the morning. I can deal with it.
He's already dressed in black pants and a black shirt. He looks gorgeous.
"I can be ready in thirty minutes," I say, already climbing out of bed.
I carry my coffee toward my bathroom, leaving Bardil in his room.
In the shower, I hum. I can't stop smiling.
He made me coffee in bed.
Maybe tomorrow morning I'll get up before him so I can make him coffee in bed instead. Maybe a whole breakfast.
"Nikita?" he calls from my bedroom door. I'm drying off.
"Five minutes," I shout back, moving faster. I'm distracted. I forgot he was in a hurry.
Dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt along with my sneakers, I run downstairs.
"I didn't know what type of restaurant we were going to? Is this ok? Do I need to dress smarter? … I don't have many options… "
"That's fine, let's go." He smiles for the first time this morning. It makes my heart flip over.
On the drive, I open the window and let the city air blow through the car. It smells salty like the ocean. "Did you sleep well?" I ask, trying to make conversation because he looks stressed about something.
"Yes," he answers curtly. "You?"
"It was the best sleep I've had in a really long time. I think last night's… um… exercise was really good for me," I giggle.
He steals a glance at me, but his face is tight. His brows are furrowed.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but before I have a chance to ask him if he's ok, we arrive outside the restaurant.
"We're here," he says, pulling into a parking bay.
"I know this place. My brothers have brought me here before," I remark, pushing the door open and climbing out.
Bardil slips his arm around my waist and holds me close. I want it to feel intimate, but it actually feels somewhat controlling. Confused, I ignore it, thinking I'll wait until we're sitting and then ask him what's wrong.
Maybe I said or did something to upset him.
We walk into the restaurant, and he pulls me immediately to the left. Instantly, my heart sinks. At the table near the window, my brothers are sitting, waiting.
The moment they see us, they stand.
I try to tell myself it's a coincidence, but they don't look in the least bit surprised.
"Bardil," Matvei growls, his eyes on me. My eyes go wide with confusion.
"What's going on?" I ask, my voice coming out small and weak.
"Are you ok, Nikita?" Diomid asks. He looks furious.
"I'm… I'm… "
"She's fine. And as long as this meeting goes well, she will remain fine," Bardil snarls. "Just remember what I told you on the phone. I have snipers watching your every move. If anyone tries anything, she's dead."
My mouth drops open in shock.
Is this really happening?
"No one is going to put Nikita in harm's way, Bardil. No one but you. We just want our sister back," Timofei says.
Bardil laughs. It's a nasty, angry, bitter laugh that makes my skin crawl. Where is the man from last night? Where is the man from the hike? Who is this monster standing with his arm around me?
I try to step away from him, and he digs his fingers into my side. "No, little rabbit. You're staying right here with me," he growls. "Why don't you show your brothers what a good girl you are and be obedient?" He taunts them with his power over me.
The problem is that I have no idea if there really are snipers pointing at me. Right now, I don't even know what's real.
My heart is racing, and my chest is tight. Tears sting the back of my eyes, but the last thing I want to do is cry.
"Don't speak to her like that," Matvei snaps.
"Speak to her like what? Like she's mine to do whatever I want with?" Bardil scoffs. "Until you give me what I want, I'm keeping her. And I'll take what I want from her. Is that clear?" he says coldly.
I swallow hard. Is that what last night was?
The tears spill from my eyes and slip down my cheeks. My heart breaks in two.
Bardil brushes his thumb over my cheek, making a show of it. I turn my head away from him, horrified. Ashamed.
"Don't cry, girl. I'm not that bad. You've been enjoying yourself, haven't you?" he chuckles.
"Fuck you," I hiss.
He laughs again. Louder.
Diomid's jaw is clenched so tightly I can see the muscles rippling over his face. "What do you want, Bardil?" he demands.
"It's up to you to decide. I listed the options in my message. Territory. A piece of your business. A fuck load of money… "
"You're asking a lot," Matvei huffs.
"What is her life worth to you?" he asks, gripping the back of my neck with his long fingers and pushing me forward to dangle me in front of them like bait.
I try to escape his grasp, but he pulls me close again.
"You're a fucking savage," Diomid snaps.
"And you're a brainwashing monster who spreads lies," Bardil snaps back.
"I'll kill you, Bardil," Diomid says, taking a step toward us.
"Na ah ah," Bardil shakes his head, glancing at the windows.
"Keep your distance, boy," he warns my brother.
"If you haven't decided what you want to trade yet, then our business here is done.
Contact me when you've made up your mind.
In the meantime, I'm taking this little rabbit with me to play at home. If anyone follows… she dies."
Diomid's face is taut with anger. He steps back and clenches his fists.
Bardil pulls me with him as he walks backward toward the door. He grins and cocks his head to the side, enjoying the distress on my brothers' faces.
I'm speechless, shocked, and hurt. I'm confused and in disbelief.
Bardil drags me to the car and opens the door, pushing me inside.
My head is racing with a thousand questions. A thousand hateful remarks. But I don't say anything. Silence falls over me like a heavy burden. It was all fake. He used me. He took advantage of me so that he could trick me and then taunt my family. I'm so ashamed I can't speak.
I'm so hurt that my chest is aching.