Page 14 of Nikoli

When I enter Martha's room, my nerves get the better of me. All it takes is for Martha to glance in my direction and I burst into tears.

"Oh, now." Martha shuffles closer and takes me in her arms, making me cry even harder. "What's wrong, Willow?"

I sniffle, trying to control myself. It doesn't work very well, and I hiccup. "I'm sorry." Tears pour out of my eyes, and I don't bother trying to speak again.

"What happened?" I freeze at the sound of Nikoli's voice but relax when I feel his hand on my back. He's not usually here this early in the morning. "What is it? What happened?"

"If you'd stop asking questions, she could tell us!" Martha gives her grandson a sharp look.

I giggle, followed by a sob. Nikoli gently takes me in his arms and holds me close. I bury my face in his neck, letting his scent and care soothe me. I swallow hard and pull away. "I have to go." I pause. "I think I do."

Nikoli shakes his head. "You can't leave. Let us help you."

"It's not..." I run a hand over my face and stare at the two worried people in front of me. "I thought my brother was dead. Now I'm not so sure." I hold the note out to Nikoli.

He takes it and reads it. His eyes dart between me and his grandmother. Nikoli reads it aloud. He reaches out and takes my hand, pulling me back into him. He whispers, "I'm not letting you go, Willow. Tell me what's going on so I can help you." He plants a hard kiss on my forehead. "Please, trust me."

"I do. That's why I brought the note." I wipe my eyes and join his grandmother, who has taken her usual place in the chair. "I'm from Baton Rouge." I give Martha a wry smile. "You figured that much out." She nods. I continue, "My uncle killed my father, and I thought he killed my brother, too. For the last six months, I've been hiding."

"He's still out there? Your uncle?" Nikoli asks, a frown creasing his brow.

"Yeah. He'll have come up with something, plus he's friends with the local cops. I'm from a small town outside of Baton Rouge with its own sheriff's office. I don't trust them. But now I don't know what happened to my brother. I need to go home and make a statement about what I saw the night my father was killed."

"From what I read in the paper; your family is wealthy."

I nod.

"With you and your brother out of the picture, I guess it all goes to your uncle, huh?"

"Very astute, Martha." I smile to take the sting out of my words. She didn't do anything to me and neither did Nikoli. "I was listening outside my father's office. My brother and uncle were inside with him. I saw my uncle shoot my father." Tears threaten, but I force them back. "If the note is true, I must find my brother. He's the only leverage my uncle has over me. Once that's gone, I can tell the truth about that night." I sink back into the chair.

"Shit," Nikoli hisses. "I thought Rhodes had dangerous baggage."

I sit up straight. "What do you mean?"

Nikoli winces and jumps to his feet. "We need to talk to Rhodes."

"Um, Nikoli," Martha says. "I'm not sure you need any more trouble than what's already swimming in the water."

He plants a kiss on his grandmother's cheek, then grabs my hand and pulls me out of the chair. "Gran, would you mind if I take Willow with me?"

That snaps me out of my head. "I can't just leave. I have a job to do. Your grandmother needs her breakfast... Then maybe I can take a few hours off."

Nikoli looks impatient and twitches, but finally agrees. "I'm not going anywhere, though." He sits down next to his grandmother.

I roll my eyes. "I'll get your breakfast, Martha."

10

NIKOLI

As soon as I have Willow alone, I take her in my arms and press my lips against her cheek, the corner of her mouth, until I plant a soft kiss on her lips. "I meant what I said, Willow. This between us is more." I brush her lips again.

Her mouth curves into a gorgeous smile. She jumps into my arms, wrapping hers around my neck. Our bodies press together. "I have to find my brother, Nikoli. We haven't been close these past few years, but he's all the family I have left. I can't rest knowing my brother needs me."

I brush the strands of hair over her shoulder and kiss the tip of her nose. "You're not alone in this." I step back and intertwine our fingers. "We'll do as planned. Talk to Rhodes."

She nods, but says, "I'm afraid my uncle will find out. I don't want any trouble for Rhodes or his brothers for helping me."

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