Chapter 99
Nix
Itake a slow breath, trying to calm my heart, as I square my shoulders. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
She visibly swallows as she looks at me. As she sees how I’ve changed. “Well, since you weren’t answering my calls, I had to see for myself if you were okay.”
Her tone grates against my nerves like splintered wood. And just like that, anger pushes anxiety out of the way.
A thud vibrates through the floor. And I smirk. “Thanks, but that’s not necessary.”
My mom opens her mouth, but then the vibrations get stronger.
She takes a step farther into the room. “What on earth is that?”
“That’s the man who makes sure I’m okay.”
She takes another step deeper into the room, backing away from the door.
She saw the article. That’s why she’s here.
And she may have been mostly prepared for my appearance. But she seems real nervous about meeting Volik.
My smirk grows.
Good.
“C-can we just talk, the two of us?”
One more vibration.
Then a split second of silence before Volik blurs through the doorway.
Through the doorway. No stopping.
He snaps to a stop in front of me, facing my mom.
“Nyet.” His tone is… dark.
I press my hand to his back.
“Impressive,” I whisper.
He just did a ninety-degree turn mid-jump, ducking through a doorframe.
Moving to his side, I see my mom’s skirt is still fluttering in the wake of Volik’s movement through the room.
Volik holds his arm out, blocking me from moving any farther. “You will not talk to this person alone.”
My mom lifts her chin. She’s pretending to be unaffected, which isn’t easy in the presence of an angry Volik. So, I’ll give her that. “Hello, Volik. I am Nix’s mother.”
“I know who you are.”
I twine my fingers with Volik’s, and he finally lowers his arm.
Side-by-side, we face my mom together. United.
“Nix.” She tries for a placating tone and turns her attention just to me. “You must understand this is… a lot to take in.”
“You’re right, I do understand.” I don’t say more. I’m not responsible for making this conversation comfortable.
Volik’s exhale has a hint of a growl.
Volik, on the other hand, is making it his responsibility to make this moment as uncomfortable as possible. For her.