Page 158 of Caged

She’s in a better mood than the last time I saw her. Much less threatening to kill me. It’s nice.

But, when she turns and sees me, the smile fades.

“There’s the secretive couple.” Her eyes flick back and forth between me and Nikolai. “I had to find out my brother got married from him?” She jerks her thumb toward Alexei who’s running lopsided circles around the edge of the blowup pool.

“Why is he limping?” I whisper to Nikolai.

He just shrugs in response and takes another sip of his beer.

Lara charges closer until she’s standing directly in front of Nikolai. “Why did her brother get to go, and not me?” She pushes him against his chest, but Nikolai doesn’t budge.

I’m just thrilled she’s not in my face. I cuddle Maverick like he’s my personal protector, warding her off by his mere presence.

“Danny almost died. He needed a vacation.” Niki smiles at her.

“You almost did too, because of her.” This time, the thumb jab goes in my direction.

Great.

“But, I still didn’t get an invite.” Lara crosses her arms and glares up at him.

Mikhail moves closer to her. “I didn’t get invited either. Don’t take it personally.”

Lara glares at him. “You rarely go to anything you’re invited to. I’m surprised you’re here, to be honest.”

Mikhail shrugs. He’s in a casual long sleeved shirt today, unlike the suits I’ve always seen him in. “I wanted to see if Nikolai survived his honeymoon. Never know with her.” He catches my eye and winks.

Nikolai sighs. “Lara, it’s done. We’re just as married as if there were a million people there.”

Her eyes well with tears.

It makes me feel terrible seeing how upset she is. I reach out, almost touching her arm. “We could always do a small ceremony here, for everyone to attend.” Maybe that will soothe her?

A loud pop startles everyone.

Jax rushes to Sofia, and Niki wraps his arm around me, while Mikhail covers Lara.

Handing Maverick back, I glance over Sofia’s shoulder to see Alexei hold up another balloon and poke it with the point of his knife.

It lets out another sharp sound.

“Alexei? What the hell, man?” Jax turns and yells at him.

Alexei walks over, his legs unnaturally spread with each step. “I’m trying to scare Sheila out.”

Jax starts laughing. “It isn’t working.” He points at the lazy circles the flamingo is doing. “Still sore? I told you not to do that shit.”

Alexei nods, then cups his crotch. “I think by next week it shouldn’t sting anymore.”

Nikolai grunts next to me. “What the hell did you do?”

With a grin wide enough to showcase his silver tooth, Alexei starts to drop his zipper. “I’ll show you.”

“No!” We all join voices in trying to stop him.

He rolls his eyes. “I saw Jax get his, but I wanted to get one, too. I just don’t have any kids, so the stones didn’t make sense.”

“So you pierced your dick? I still think you’re a dumbass.” Jax snickers over his beer before tossing the empty bottle into the garbage can.

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