Page 26 of Bloody Tainted Lies

“So cocky.”

“Confident.”

“Debatable.”

My fingers trace down his forehead, the slope of his nose, his lips. I linger on the bottom one, pulling it slightly down. I hold my breath as I look at him, and his lips tip up in a smirk, causing my thumb to slip. I let my hand down.

“You are too.” My face heats up again. I swear it’s all it does around him, and he grins at me. “You’re like a little pink ball of bubblegum.”

“Why?”

“Always so pink.” I choke as he says that, and he laughs. How awkward. “Are you blushing, princess?”

“Maybe.”

“Cute.”

I let my eyes roam, but just as I begin to admire his abs, broad shoulders, and defined chest for a sixteen-year-old. Suddenly, I notice the bruises. “What happened?” My eyes snap up to his. “Who did this to you?”

“Don’t waste your time worrying about me, Camilla. I can take care of myself.”

“But I do worry, so tell me.” I roll my eyes and he rolls his in return, sighing.

“I’m fine,” he replies through gritted teeth.

“Question number one hundred and sixty-six.” I raise my chin defiantly. “You know you have to answer. What. Happened.”

“I got bad grades on my report card.” He shrugs. “Father wasn’t happy.”

“Your dad did this?” But then I remember a familiar scenario with Leo, his father beating him right in front of me. It must not be out of the norm with mafia men to do this to their children. My father has never touched me, although he hates me enough for both of us to notice.

“He said his heir can’t be stupid.” He shrugs. “That a stupid man won’t succeed him.”

I nod slowly, carefully, then reach out and touch his cheek. “You’re not stupid.”

Nik looks into my eyes, his hand coming to my face as he leans in. Our breaths mingle, our lips brush. Mine tingle from the contact, and my breath quickens. It’s happening, he’skissingme.

His thumb caresses my cheek, and he closes his eyes. I lean in further, almost pressing my lips to his, and then he says. “We should sleep, Milla.”

“Okay,” I say, pulling away with tears in my eyes. “Okay.”

16 Years Old

Inever knew what a rush felt like until now. I thought racing was a rush, but seeing Camilla in the passenger seat of my BMW while I’m racing tops that. Maybe it has something to do with it being forbidden. We had to make sure Leo wouldn’t be at this race, but since I wasn’t going to be at the park tonight I invited her. I didn’t think she’d do it, that she would take such a huge risk just to spend time with me.

“This is kinda cool,” Camilla says. “I’ve never been here before.”

“I figured.” I chuckle, driving up to the line and getting ready next to the guy I’m racing. “I’ve never seen you here.”

“Do you come often?”

“Not really.” I smirk. “I spend my time with you instead.”

And it’s true. I’m at our park most days, when we agree to meet up. They don’t usually coincide with hanging out with other people. In fact, I’m pretty sure between Camilla’s dance schedule and school, she’s either sneaking out to see me or making something up. Probably the latter since she’s a good girl. For the most part. Sometimes she comes in her dance attire, which is hot as fuck, so her parents probably think she’s practicing at the studio. But my little ballerina comes to see me instead, and I’ve never been happier than when she does that. I meant what I said when I told her I wanted to be her only best friend, the only one she needed. That we have everything we need, we are everything. She’smyeverything. I just can’t say that part yet. I’m not stupid. Whatever we have here is forbidden. That’s why I didn’t kiss her a few weeks ago. Because we probably should not do this. In fact, I know we shouldn’t. It’s going to hurt more when it has to end. And I don’t want to hurt her.

“You don’t have to,” she replies. “You can spend time with other people.”

“Idon’twant to spend time with other people.”

---