Chapter 39
Lizzy
I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to being chauffeured to work. Even with Bash here with me, it’s a surreal experience. It’s not Nik’s fault. He seems like a great guy. The situation is new to me. And this is only the fifth day of being driven to work.
The strangest part comes in the form of Nik being near me at all times.
He even stands outside the bathroom door when I go, not even letting other women in.
Not even women are safe, he tells me, using Katerina as proof.
She’s more lethal than most men in the Syndicate.
It’s not hard to believe; she has an air about her that screams of her power.
It’s taken some time, but I’m getting him to warm up to me. He’s quiet and reserved, but I’m determined to get him talking. At least if I know him better, I can pretend he’s a friend hanging out with me instead of a highly trained guard sent to protect me.
“So, what’s your favorite animal?” I ask Nik as we feed the pythons.
He raises a brow at me, but when I continue to stare him down, he sighs. “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought of it.”
“Come on. We’re at a zoo. If you could go see any animal, which would it be?” I press.
“Gorillas.”
“Unsurprising. The big, strong mafia man likes the big, strong ape.” I roll my eyes at his predictability.
“I’m Syndicate, not Mafia, not Bratva.” His voice, while firm, isn’t callous, but I can hear how important that distinction is to him.
“And yes, gorillas are ferocious creatures. But they’re my favorite because the mother cares greatly for her young, and the father takes care of the troop.
It’s… it’s not something I had growing up.
But something I vow to give my children. Parents who care and protect.”
His words hang heavily in the air, resonating deep inside me. The relatability in our upbringing has me reaching out and gripping his hand. He stiffens but doesn’t pull away.
“I had a similar upbringing. My mom didn’t care about me, and I never knew my dad. One day, I’m going to give my kids everything I never had. Starting with love.”
“I knew my father, but he wasn’t a good man. And my mother stood aside while he took his anger out on me. My children will never experience that. No one will ever touch them,” he vows.
I glance across the room where Bash is focused on his laptop. With him distracted, I feel safe prying. “Speaking of children, are you dating anyone with parent potential?”
At my question, Nik reddens terribly. He lets out a nervous laugh, so I lean in closer. “Come on. I won’t tell anyone. You can trust me,” I promise as I cajole him.
“Okay.” He sighs again. He does that a lot. “There’s this guy…”
“And?”
“And he’s great. He’s sexy and funny and brooding.
Just my type. He’s the whole package. He can even outshoot me, but I can best him in hand-to-hand.
” He looks at me with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
“Although, you know, no one can beat your man. I’ve seen him take down a man with fifty pounds on him in less than three minutes. ”
Picturing Bash fighting someone and beating them shouldn’t have me tingling inside. But who can fault a girl for thirsting over a guy who can protect her? He may not look dangerous, but I’ve seen what’s hidden behind those glasses and t-shirts.
“Enough about my man. I want to hear about yours. What’s his name? What does he look like? What does he do? How’d you meet?” I badger him with questions, hoping he spills the beans.
He glances at Bash, ensuring he doesn’t have his attention on us, then his voice lowers.
“I can’t tell you his name because he’s also Syndicate, and he isn’t out yet.
But he’s really hot. Tall, dark, sexy man who’s lethal with a weapon.
In more than one way.” He winks at me. “He’s really smart and good at what he does for the family. ”
“How’d y’all meet? Or, well, I’m sure it was through the Syndicate. But how’d this start?” I’ve abandoned the frozen rats I’m feeding Luther to hear the full story.
“So, we were on a stakeout together. I’ve been out for a few years now.
I figured if I did it, maybe it’d encourage others in the underground community to do the same.
Well, he started asking me about it. About my experience.
It wasn’t in a rude way, and the more we talked, the more hope seeped into his voice.
Well, by the end of the four days together, he asked me to dinner.
We went to a restaurant outside of town where no one would know us.
Then we went back to his place. And, well, the rest is history. ”
“How long has this been together?”
“We just hit seven months. We’re exclusive now.
Boyfriends. But it’s hard keeping it quiet.
I respect his decision to not come out yet.
We’re taking it at his pace. I really love him.
He’s my first boyfriend, you know.” As Nik talks about his man, his voice grows in passion, and his eyes soften.
It’s the same way Mr. Damien looks at Mrs. Evelyn.
“Do Katerina and Dom know?” I know he’s her best friend, but they’re the heads of the Syndicate, so I could see how that could complicate things.
“No. He doesn’t want them to know he’s gay. I’ve shown him countless times how accepting they are of me, but Anthony doesn’t have that relationship with them. They’re his boss.” His eyes widen at his slip. “Oh, shit. Don’t repeat that name. Please, don’t tell anyone.”
“I promise, your secret is safe with me.” I pretend to zip my mouth and lock it. He stares at me in wonder, then laughs.
“You remind me of Katerina before her world went to shit. But you’re lighter and a little weirder.
” When I wince, he knocks his shoulder against mine, bending down to do so.
“Weird in an endearing way. Look around. This is the first time I’ve ever hung out with someone who’s feeding frozen rats to killer snakes. ”
“They’re not killers,” I mumble.
“Not to you, maybe. But I’m not the one feeding them their rat dinner.
This is as close as I’m getting. My job is to protect you from other humans, not from the devil’s second form.
If you fall in there, I’m not jumping in after you.
” His words are said in a teasing tone, but the anxious undertone has me smirking.
The big, bad killer is scared of my snakes.
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re not going to hurt me.” I start feeding them again. Nik makes a sound of disbelief, then backs away a few steps.
We spend the rest of the day sharing date ideas and gossiping about Syndicate men. Turns out, there’s a lot of drama between killers. Especially when someone sleeps with someone else’s wife.