Page 67 of Twisted Cage

Nikolaj smiles, keeps his gaze straight ahead, but subtly tips his head. “He doesn’t get near my sister.”

“Agreed.”

He gives his glass a shake, setting the ice rattling. “We don’t need him thinking he has a shot with her and we sure as fuck don’t want her considering him a prospect.”

The hair on the back of my neck prickles. “A prospect. A prospect for what?”

“Marriage.”

One word with all the power to peel my eyeballs from Logan’s hand caressing Nikoletta’s lower back. “What the hell are you talking about?”

He turns to me then, propping a shoulder against the wall. “She didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

He glances around, then leans in, dropping his voice low. “She needs protection. More protection than I can give her. There’s one way to get it.”

“And she agreed to this?”

“Not at first, but I told her I’d give her time to make the choice. Introduce her to prospects who could keep her safe. But she can’t fuck around. There’s not a whole hell of a lot I can do to change it, but I can protect her while she chooses.”

Every tactical thought disappears from my head. Swiped away by the knowledge that she knew the whole time why we were coming here. Standing on the riser in the single most revealing gown I’ve ever seen. The flippant smile on her face. The way she practically chirped about going to this party. She knew I’d be watching her pick her forever.

She took glee in the fact.

The blood pounds in my ears. I clench my fists, fighting every single urge pumping through my veins to spin on him.

And now she’s dancing with Rhodes. Her first kiss.

Oh, I don’t fucking think so.

He claps me on the shoulder a couple times, completely oblivious to my blood pressure spiking to stroke level, and grins. “Won’t be long and you’ll be walking her down the aisle. What better way to piss my father off, right?”

If he doesn’t stop talking, I’ll be in the ICU before the night is out.

“Vincent wants to meet in his study for cigars. She’s in good hands with Logan but stick close.”

She’s not in good hands with Logan. There are only two good hands. Mine. “You hate cigars.”

“True, but no reason he can’t have one while we discuss whatever it is he wants to discuss.”

“He wants something?”

“I’m sure of it.” Nikolaj grins. “What better way to get ahead than give it to him?”

Any other time, I’d insist on going with him, but there’s no way I’m leaving her. “He’s the Grand Serpent. What can you possibly do that he can’t do for himself?”

“Get my hands dirty.” He shrugs and drops his glass onto a tray as a waiter passes by. “Plus, there’s one part of New York City he doesn’t control. I have a feeling he knows it.”

“Be careful.”

He slides his hands in his pockets, the absolute picture of calm. “Always.”

The minute he’s gone, I shoot a message to Grigori.

Me

I need Gleb and Roddick on Nikolaj. He’s meeting with St. Clair in the study. They won’t be allowed in, but I want them stationed by the door.

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