Page 59 of Runaway Queen

“You shouldn’t hit on her if you value your life.”

“Hit on her? I was thinking I could hit on both of them. Their bedroom sounds like an interesting place.”

“Fair enough. So, where is Nikolai, and why has he sent you here?”

Bran handled the car expertly through the crowd. “Niko’s in New York. He had some business to see to. And the reason why he sent me here is obvious, love. The man’s obsessed with you and always has been.”

That probably shouldn’t warm my heart like it did.

I traced a circle on my knee. “So, you mentioned prison.”

Bran grinned at me. “If you want to grill me, go ahead, love, I’m an open book.”

I hesitated. It seemed wrong somehow to go behind Nikolai’s back and try to find out what the last seven years had been like for him.

Bran nudged me with his elbow. “We never slept together. We were roommates, not bunkmates, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

My cheeks flushed with the vivid image that jumped into my head at Bran’s words.

“Well, that’s not my business, I guess.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. That man lived like a monk in your memory. I’d say that was your business. You need to make up for that lost time. Wear him out, he needs that. I’ve never seen him as relaxed as he was this morning.”

“You saw him this morning?”

Bran chuckled. “Jealous again? Don’t worry, I told you, you’re the one he loves. He never stopped, you know, not even for a second. Not even when he nearly lost his damn mind inside.”

The hospital came into sight ahead. My mind was swimming with Bran’s insights, and I couldn’t lie to myself that it wasn’t exciting to hear anything about Nikolai at all. After a day of waiting to hear from him, Bran’s overprotective taxi service soothed my ragged nerves.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning to take you to work.”

“It’s really not necessary,” I said, stepping out of the car.

“Yes, it is, because your car is at school, Miss Rossi, if you’ve forgotten.”

“Right. Okay, fine.”

“Your enthusiasm is infectious.” He grinned at me.

Man, I’d bet many a lady had fallen for that grin.

I took a step toward the hospital before pausing. “Is Nikolai going to be gone long?”

Bran’s knowing smirk made me roll my eyes.

“I just want to know what to expect.”

“With the youngest Chernov, it’s best to expect the unexpected at all times. He’ll be back very soon, don’t you worry.”

22

NIKOLAI

Ileft for New York at first light. Leaving Sofia sleeping, smelling like me, unguarded, her head on my shoulder, had been nearly too difficult, but I’d had gotten a message I couldn’t ignore.

Overnight, my world had changed. I had to be ready for it. For so long, I was the man whose mother’s love was measured by the sound of the rope swaying and Irina’s lifeless feet hanging above me. Last night, I had learned of another kind of motherly love, one so different, I’d never even imagined it was possible.

Sofia De Sanctis had turned her back on her rich, privileged life, and everyone and everything she knew, to protect our son. My son. She had let me torture her, bury her alive, and chase her down in the woods like a demon, to protect our son. She was no longer just the woman I loved and my obsession. She was something else entirely. Something so high above me, I could only worship at her feet, and I would do that, but first, I had to make sure I could protect my family.

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