Page 124 of Caged

Sometimes you have to push yourself through the very worst times of your life to realize who is truly there for you. Nikolai, despite me ripping his heart out, is there for me.

I want him by my side until the end.

I have spent my entire life being a robot. Trained to kill. Living under the orders of Tyler and others. For what? My own family threw me to the wolves to save their own ass, when all I’ve done is protect him?

I’m angry and sad. He was all I had for so long.

“You ready, baby?” Nikolai’s deep voice brings me out of my own head.

I watch him pour the alcohol onto the cloth and brace myself.

His fingers brush against my bare stomach as he slowly peels off my leggings. At this point, I’m running on fumes, and the fact I’m horny.

I see Nikolai flinch as he runs his fingers along my thighs. Fuck, Ivan certainly did a number on me.

This is the worst I’ve ever come out of a fight. It will be the last time I look like this.

I clench my teeth and close my eyes as the sting rips through me from the first hole in my leg. Blowing out slowly, my heart melts when he places a soft kiss next to the wound.

“Next one,” he says.

This one wasn't so bad.

“Do I get a reward for being so brave?” I joke.

He looks up at me from where he is on his knees on the floor.

“You’ve been far too bad for that.” He runs his hands up my calf.

Tipping my head back, I take my brain elsewhere as he finishes cleaning and bandaging me. Letting myself relax into his touch.

With him, I’m looked after. I’m safe, and so is Daniil.

“Such a good girl for me,” Nikolai mutters, his breath hitting against my thigh.

Shaking my head, I lightly press my teeth into my busted lip. It’s already a mess, it will be worth it.

“Call me a good girl again and I’ll show you just how bad I can be for you, Mr. Volkov.”

Pulling my knees apart, he sits back and rubs his jaw. His blue eyes burn into mine as the darkness flashes across them.

“You think you’re in a fit state for a punishment? Hmm?”

I bite back my smile. “Remember, I like pain.”

He hooks my leg over his good shoulder and slides my panties to the side.

“Ya navsegda ostanus’ plohoy, no horosey ya budu tol’ko dlia tebia.” I will always be bad, but only for you will I be good.

His eyebrows raise, I want to remind him who I really am.

I am not Melissa. I’m Mila. Mila fucking Sidorova.

Orphan. Fighter. Protector.

If he wants me, he has to accept me for exactly who I am. Even the ugliest parts. The bits I should want to hide. Around my man, I will only ever be myself.

If he truly loves me as I do him, it won’t matter.

---