23. Nikolai
NIKOLAI
T he teddy bear I’d had delivered is almost an exact replica of one her mother gave her for Christmas when she was a child. It’s a subtle reminder that when I research my prey, I do so meticulously.
I knew she’d return to New York at some point. I just didn’t expect to be here with her. On the off chance that I was taken out before she arrived, I wanted my prey to have something to remember me by. One might call it a haunting parting gift.
However, when I’d handed it to her, it was for another reason entirely. My blood had boiled at the shift in her expression when she saw the photos of her dickhead of an ex. I wanted to comfort her as much as I wanted to appease my own jealousy.
I pity her in some ways. She might’ve felt like a princess locked in a tower when I’d kidnapped her, but is a life of riches such as this, with such expectations, truly any better?
I much appreciate having my riches and my freedom to take and give life as I please. But the life Sienna has feels like she’s shaped it so perfectly for the outside to see. But inside, there’s something far fiercer and more determined to break through.
I see people for who they are, including those who are naive to their own monsters and those who have embraced them. But this last month I’ve watched Sienna’s bleed together. She’s raw, she’s furious, and she’s real.
I wonder if she’ll choose to go back to the way things were—even when she won’t admit out loud how miserable she was.
“So far, the apartment seems untouched, Udav ,” Andrei says as we meet in the large open living space.
The penthouse is extraordinary, as is expected from the Falcone family.
It’s known that Sienna is spoiled by her father, but all I can think is how empty and vast this place must feel for one person.
But this is the splendor she’s used to. I could easily purchase her something similar, but wouldn’t it feel just as lonely?
I glance at the pile of boxes and envelopes, intent on opening every single one. I won’t leave it to chance that any variable from the outside can affect us. I don’t bother to look around the apartment, as I’ve done all the research I need to know, and have memorized the layout .
I can’t shake the unease of sitting here like a caged creature.
The Wolf has been intentional with his demand.
But the longer we wait this out, the more wary I grow of what other intentions he might have.
However, it gives me opportunity to hunt for someone I’ve been curious about for some time. Dmitri Volkov.
We could be in this stalemate for weeks, depending on The Wolf’s mood or when Luca decides to get rid of us.
So I’ll strike while I have time, creating an opportunity to come face-to-face with Dmitri Volkov.
Not quite yet, though, because I know we’re being carefully monitored.
I need to take Sienna with me if I leave.
One, because I don’t trust in her being safe here, and two, because I need the reminder that at any moment, she could be hurt.
Not that I have any intention of hurting her, but Luca needs to believe otherwise.
Sienna is a very difficult woman to impress because all her life, she’s been spoiled. The thought gives me pause. Since when have I tried to impress her?
My lips tilt slightly. I might not be trying to impress her, but I’m certainly willing to give my life for hers.
Stupid, really. But it’s the most instinctual pull I’ve had in a long time.
The buzzer at the door sounds, announcing that someone is coming up the elevator.
Andrei stops beside me, uncertainty in his gaze, as I throw the last of the unboxed items onto the pile.
Three fucking hours it took me to go through these, and not one contained anything suspicious, despite the many objects I didn’t understand.
I keep the blade in my hand as I step toward the elevator alongside Andrei. My other hand rests close to my gun. “This could be interesting,” I say.
He steps to the side, waiting for the elevator to open. I look over my shoulder at Agata, who quickly runs up to Sienna’s room. Agata knows the drill when unexpected guests arrive. We’ve had it happen many times before. In fact, one of my most prominent scars is from such an incident.
But I’m someone who likes to dance with death a little.
It acts as a reminder that mortality isn’t to be taken for granted, and it makes my senses sharper.
It’s also been a few days since I’ve had the fun of shedding blood.
Giddiness overtakes me, the same way Sienna first lit up over all the stuff she was sent. Different things excite us, I suppose.
I expect a barrage of bullets the moment the doors open. But instead, there’s a seriously pissed-off Romi Lutton shooting me a death glare as Dante Moretti, Luca’s second in charge, lazily rests an arm around her shoulders, two scalpels clutched in his other hand.
The two men flanking them, both wearing masks, one with a red gem and the other with a blue gem, I recognize as part of Armani’s group of most trusted men, the hounds. They’re currently pointing their guns at me, but no one makes a move.
“I thought Sienna was adamant that no guests were allowed,” I say casually, despite the crackling of tension between our two groups.
“Yes, but we’re not guests,” Romi bites venomously. “We’re practically family, and you can go fuck yourself if you think you’re going to take my best friend prisoner and not expect me to show up on your doorstep.”
I’m mildly impressed at her boldness. I can see why she and Sienna are good friends. They both have that fire in them.
“Do you think I’d be stupid enough to let you in?
” I ask as I size up the hounds. Despite all my available resources, gathering the identities of the hounds has been difficult.
I imagine very few know exactly who they are or what they look like beneath their masks.
The motorcycle helmet each one holds loosely in a hand could explain how they so easily walked through the lobby without security being called.
“Yes, I think all men are morons, including mine.” Romi hooks a thumb at Dante. It was very risky of him to bring her here. But I have a feeling he wasn’t given a choice.
“I will speak to my best friend when I want to.” She places her hands on her hips and juts her chin out. “Or are you scared I’m going to kick your ass?”
My eyebrows arch in surprise. Oh, I like this one. In Russia, there are only few women I know who stand their ground. Tiarna is the first to come to mind. They are rare, but I’ve seen how they can successfully build their own empires with the right amount of cut-throat ambition.
They’re never to be underestimated.
Romi is that type of woman. As is Sienna.
“Your woman is tenacious,” I say to Dante.
His dark-brown gaze is locked on me. “You have no idea.”
“Romi!” Sienna yells as she rushes down the stairs. That’s when my instincts prickle, and I step in front of her before she can get any closer. I don’t trust this situation because I can’t control it.
Romi tries to step forward, but Dante holds her back. There’s a silent question in the lethal look he gives me.
“Nobody kills anyone here. I’m not getting blood on this floor,” Sienna says, shoving at me.
And when I snap my attention to her, still conscious of any movement in my peripheral vision, an unease runs through me at the desperate look in her eyes.
She would never forgive me if I denied her this, though, I sure as shit shouldn’t be allowing that to be a factor.
When I turn back to the others, however, I can’t help but be curious as to how someone like Romi, an artist, fell for an unhinged lunatic like Dante Moretti, known for using his scalpels as instruments of torture. He’s just as much of a monster as I am. And yet, he’s in a functional relationship ?
“Agata, please make some tea and coffee for our guests,” I call over my shoulder with an insincere smile toward our guests, mostly directed at Dante. I don’t release my hold on Sienna, and his grip doesn’t loosen from his woman either.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Stop this stand-off shit and put your weapons down,” Sienna snaps. “Put them away. You too, Andrei!” She points a finger at him.
He frowns and looks at me for direction at the same time Romi scowls at Dante.
“Weapons down. We’re here on friendly terms, right?” Dante says with a shit-eating grin that’s as provoking as it is unfriendly.
Slowly, we all put our weapons away, and Sienna takes the opportunity to break away from me and run forward. Romi does the same, and they hug one another. Dante and the hounds step out of the elevator, assessing the room.
Dante stands closely behind Romi, glaring at me. We stand there, both pocketing our hands in feigned comfort.
“Fuck, you’re as big as they say, aren’t you?” he says, appraising me. “Slashing the back of your knees and ankles seems like the best way to drop you.”
I offer him an unfriendly smile. “You assume you’ll make it that close, when I can simply hold you out at arm’s length.”
His smile grows wider and more menacing. He’s by no means small, not as wildly built as his older brother, Lorenzo, but he’s still a few inches shorter than me, and built with lean muscle. But it’s the crazy look in his eyes that deems him a threat.
The two hounds behind him are like stoic statues, sizing up Andrei, who is almost as big as me.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Romi says to Sienna, and there’s a pinch in my chest when I realize Sienna is wiping away tears. “What did they do to you? We can take you right?—”
“No,” Sienna and I both say at the same time, then looking at one another.
But she snaps her attention back to Romi, as if making sure the others haven’t noticed something they shouldn’t.
And I hope they didn’t hear the desperation in our voices.
My jaw tightens. No, I’m not yet ready to hand her over.
Romi shoots a pointed glare at the necklace around Sienna’s throat, and Sienna is quick to say, “I don’t want anyone getting hurt. I’m okay. Shaken but okay. I’m just happy I can see you. Let’s all sit.”
“Sit?” Dante questions, most likely as shocked by the civil suggestion as I am.
“Yes, sit your ass down. I’m not teaching you men basic etiquette right now,” Romi bites back. “Either you play nice with one another or you leave.”
His jaw drops, and I’m shocked that she so easily leashes one of the most infamous killers in the underworld. But then I realize, uncomfortably, that his cock is pressing against his pants.
Ah, he’s no better than me in that regard .
Sienna pulls Romi over to the living area, and we awkwardly follow after them, sizing one another up.
“Big windows,” Dante comments, silently suggesting the same thing I thought when we first arrived—a perfect view for a sniper.
“Don’t worry about it, Doc. I think you’re a bit short to reach even the floor level.”
A crazed smile curves his lips. “And to think, I’ve been given direct orders not to kill you yet. I’ve never been quite good at restraint. Apparently, curbing my impulses is my shortcoming.”
“That would make two of us,” I say.
Before Sienna can sit down, I possessively pull her in by the hip, tucking her into me. “You will sit in my lap.”
Her body locks up at my obvious claiming, and the entire room goes quiet. I might be willing to give this moment to Sienna, but I’m certainly not going to let anyone take her from me.