27. Nikolai
NIKOLAI
M y temple throbs in a consistent, irritating beat as I lean against the back wall of the room, arms crossed over my chest, while people flitter busily around me. I want to pluck their heads off one by one, not at all used to the crazed energy pulsing through the air.
I’m hyper vigilant of every movement, watching out for anyone who seems to be out of place or acting shady.
Though I don’t like splitting up, I left Andrei with Agata at the penthouse.
I didn’t want to unnecessarily expose Agata or leave her without a guard.
Andrei, of course, was against it, and I understand his irritability with the situation.
Luca might’ve given his word not to kill us yet, but I’m not stupid enough to trust any man’s word.
My gaze snaps back to Sienna, and the buzzing noise in my head lessens. It’s dangerous to allow myself to be distracted by her, but I have a hard time looking away.
Sienna looks into the camera, angling her body in a lime-green pantsuit that beautifully complements her sun-kissed complexion.
Her blonde hair has been twisted into a sleek knot, with some of it left down to frame her face.
The only thing missing is the diamond snake necklace, which is currently clutched in my hand.
We were told it clashes with the aesthetic, and so as not to cause a scene, I reluctantly allowed her to remove it.
Her angles are sharp, her movements flawless, and I’ve never seen anything like it; never been so entranced by a woman. Her aura has completely changed. She’s confident and compelling. This isn’t a role Sienna is playing—this is part of her.
Her manager, Ria, stands beside me, and whispers, “She’s such a natural. Has been since I brought her on when she was sixteen.”
I glare at the woman from the corner of my eye, livid at her for dragging us here. The first fucking thing I’ll be doing is changing the codes to Sienna’s apartment since it seems every fucking person in the city has access to it.
“For a while there, I was worried she was losing her drive, but I guess there’s no motivation like a breakup,” she says cheerily, and my mood darkens. I’m sick of hearing about this Michael motherfucker. I’m going to completely erase him from this lifetime and the next.
Noting my cold demeanor, she stammers, “S-sorry, that was insensitive. Sienna doesn’t often bring … friends with her, so it’s nice to have someone to talk to. Um … maybe you should consider modeling. I’d sign you on. I’m sure that scar would be a breakout defining feature.”
Does this woman ever shut up?
I clear my throat. “I’m not interested.”
She sighs, as if she’s disappointed. “And what is it you do, exactly?”
I look down at the woman. “Finance.”
“What did you say your name was again?”
I’m already exhausted by the trivial interrogation. She doesn’t need to know anything about me or my connection to Sienna.
“I didn’t,” I rebuff, growing tired of this conversation.
I’d certainly hate to do something that Sienna would disapprove of, like dragging her manager to a dark corner and strangling her. So I remind myself to caution patience.
I had no intention of leaving the apartment, but I fucking caved .
I gave in to a woman’s demands. I’m risking everything I’ve built to get to where I am now.
But as I watch Sienna flourish in her domain, I have no regrets.
If anything, I realize that no matter how thoroughly I researched and stalked her, it never prepared me for this multifaceted woman.
My ears prick when I hear two women gossiping. “Oh my God. Did you hear Sienna Falcone’s ex-fiancé replaced her already?” I side-eye the two women, whom most people would consider beautiful. But all I can see is their hideous true selves.
“I heard she went quiet in London, and dropped her acting gig because she was so ashamed. And he’s now engaged and having a baby with the other woman!”
“Wow, I wouldn’t be able to show my face after that humiliation.” Then one of the women turns her head in my direction, and she immediately stiffens at my furious expression.
“Maria, what is—” The other woman also looks in my direction and turns a shade paler. “Come on; let’s go.” They scurry off.
Most of the people in Sienna’s social circles are nothing but clowns, performing for cronies and sycophants.
They have no goals other than taking from one another to make themselves look more impressive.
They wouldn’t last an hour in my world, where the stakes are higher; most of the time life and death.
“Touch up,” someone calls, and two makeup artists bustle onto the classy, European-styled set. I watch Sienna carefully, ensuring she’s not telling anyone she’s being held against her will.
Only a few hours ago, I’d reminded her that she’s my prisoner. Her expression had shifted, and I could tell I hurt her.
“Is that really all I am to you?”
My fingers curl into my palms with the same restraint I’d had when I didn’t say the first thought that came in that moment.
No, mishka you’ve become far more in the short time I’ve known you.
I know I don’t continue to hold her captive because of orders.
It’s because I’m not quite sure how to let her go. Or I’m not willing to.
Her blue gaze snaps to mine, and she waves.
A few crew members look in my direction and then whisper amongst themselves.
I grow uneasy with the attention on me. I’m used to it because of my size and the scar on my face, but I prefer to hide in the shadows.
And she’s the fucking sun, lighting up all my dark places.
One of the makeup artists asks her a question, and she laughs, and I find myself envious that someone else made her laugh like that.
Fuck me, I’m not thinking straight. Yet my cock stirs, growing uncomfortable by the distance between us, even though it isn’t that far.
I want to be inside her. Always. I want to shove through the crowd of people and throw her over my shoulder, instead of enduring this pointless shitshow.
But it matters to her. And I can see it brings her to life in a way I’ll never be able to.
Ordinarily, I might want to snuff something like that out, but bizarrely, I want to see how brightly she can blaze .
My phone buzzes, and when I pull it out, The Wolf’s name appears.
“Boss,” I answer in Russian.
“Little cub, you’re still alive. How fortunate.” I doubt the sincerity in that. “Has Luca Armani replied to my request yet?”
“Not yet. It’s only been twenty-four hours. But the moment he does, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Ah, yes, I’ve heard you’re already out with the little doll. I don’t like my package assuming she has freedom. It mars my reputation.”
I’m instantly on edge with the knowledge that we’re being followed. Or Andrei has reported to him directly. I lick my lips. “I have my preferences in how to strike, boss. Dangling her as bait is a good use of her.”
“Ah, but didn’t The Lion try the same approach?
That didn’t end well for him, did it?” My anger flares as I think about the woman he used to draw Dmitri Volkov’s interest. That’s how The Lion got killed.
“Considering you worked so closely with The Lion, I thought you would’ve learned from his mistakes.
“I want a video this week. I want to hear the American girl’s scream. Perhaps that will ramp up the Armanis’ timeline since they seem far too complacent.
“I never did get a taste of her. Perhaps I should have you bring her back to me permanently if this isn’t resolved within the week.”
My grip tightens on the phone. He knows if I were to hurt her again, they’ll kill me. He’s applying pressure for results because of his own impatience. “You’ll have a response within a week, boss. I guarantee it.”
“I should hope so. I didn’t take mercy on you and bring you into my ranks just to piss away my resources and time. Make it happen, or it’ll be a bullet in your head instead.” The line goes dead, and my jaw grinds painfully.
Not because I fear The Wolf, but because I don’t appreciate threats, nor do I handle them well.