Page 65 of Twisted Cage

Men can’t take their eyes off my woman.

In my head, I expect it. With her shoulders pulled back, the confident tip of her chin, and those eyes of hers glowing like embers of golden fire, she exudes confidence. She not only keeps up with the conversation, but confidently joins in.

Expected or not, I don’t have to like it.

She’s done her homework. Nikolaj must have given her a crash course earlier on the who’s who of the society because she’s talking among the masses like they’re all old friends.

I force myself to stroll the perimeter when all I want to do is bulldoze my way through, noting the amount of steps between exits and notable areas. My men are all taking turns doing the same, making sure three of them stay tight to Nikoletta and Nikolaj at all times.

Bitterness churns through me as I watch her. Each animated word from her crimson lips she shares with everyone but me searing me in my most vulnerable places. Genuine smiles, easy laughter—she just hands them out to whoever looks her in the eye.

All things she used to give me freely.

How the hell will I convince her my feelings have absolutely nothing to do with her mother? This bond, this goddamn ache left from profound longing, goes so far beyond her childish crush and rivalry I had with her father decades ago.

It’s rooted to a place deep inside, as integral to survival as the very blood feeding through my veins.

Nikoletta holds the power. She has me in the palm of her hands. To a degree, she always has, but I saw this connection with her having an expiration date of sorts. Growing up, moving on, and starting a life of her own, distance was all but a foregone conclusion.

It’s the way it’s supposed to be.

But now this bond between us has twisted into something so wildly different than anything I could have imagined. My future, all the roads not taken so I could stay and protect her, they hover at the fringes of possibility.

Taunting. Teasing.

Each one begins and ends with her.

Grigori is right. This road is fraught with landmines. Nikolaj may be leagues beyond his brother and father, but I’m still the man chosen to nurture, protect, and guide Nikoletta, who crossed every line imaginable. I’m still the man he chose to stand at his side and help while he amasses an army to take on his brother and father. What I’ve done will destroy the trust he has in me and will make him question everything he thought he knew. He’ll peel apart every memory of me with her, looking for a predator who groomed her from childhood.

As he should. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t. I would expect no less of a brother who loves her.

What could I possibly do to prove I never once thought of her as anything other than my goddaughter? This tiny human cradled in my hands who had such a huge life waiting for her. The little girl who used to sit perched on the piano while I played for her. The young teenage girl who silently crushed on a boy for six months to the point of absolute lovesick misery until I convinced her to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance at their school.

A problem for another day, because first, there’d be nothing to convince Nikolaj of it if I didn’t manage to get it through her stubborn ass that she’s mine. As much as I’m hers. All the pieces were there. Love, explosive chemistry… all marred by one fucked-up comment from a man who, at one time, was supposed to have been my best friend.

A man who used my worst moment to keep me loyal. We never had a real friendship. I see that now. I owed a debt. It took me far too long to realize he’d never consider it paid.

Keeping her bound to me in my safe house is a hollow victory.

An hour in, and my blood boils watching Nikolaj’s friends lean in and greet Nikoletta where she offers them her cheek and collects kisses. I make note of every single one so I can fantasize about carving their faces off their skulls.

Even better if they fuck up and give me the opportunity to bring the fantasy to life. Doesn’t have to be tonight… I can be patient.

My phone vibrates in my pocket with an alert unique to my team. I duck into a quiet corner and swipe the screen.

Grigori

Unexpected guests. Bar, 7 o’clock. Sasha’s gathering intel now.

Me

Looks like I’m drinking tonight.

Grigori

Oh fun. Buzzed boss. As if you weren’t reckless enough lately.

Me

---