Page 93 of Nikolai (Kansas City Reapers)

“Okay, Maddy. I hear you. But what I said holds true. Speak your peace. Tell him your truth,” he said as he stood from the bed. “While you still have the chance.”

I nodded as he made his way back to the door.

“And Maddy?” he asked, pausing at my doorway, hand wrapped around the doorknob.

“Yeah?”

“Remember that while whatever is going on with Niko is a huge deal, and I’m not making light of it… he’s not the only one in this house who cares about you and wants to keep you safe. Just… remember that, okay? For me?”

Tears welled in my eyes as I nodded.

He left my room, shutting the door behind him and leaving me to my tears — and to my packing.

I knew Jax spoke the truth, that his words had merit. But that didn’t mean I was about to roll over and be the damsel in distress to Niko’s bullshit. I’d lived that story before. I got the fucking tee-shirt.

That wasn’t going to happen again.

Not to this badass bitch.

Yanking the rest of my things from the closet and throwing it at my suitcases, I let myself seethe and simmer in the outrage and anguish I felt.

If Niko wanted me gone… then fine, I was gone. Why should I care, anyway? Why would I give two fucking shits about some pompous, ridiculous, arrogant—

“Maddy?” Niko’s voice rang out as he knocked loudlyon my bedroom door. I nearly leaped out of my skin. The immediate fight-or-flight response kicked in, and I quickly yanked my suitcases onto the floor and shoved them under the bed. He couldn’t know that I’d overheard him.

“Just a moment,” I responded, doing my best to hide any trace of my actual emotion.

Having cleared any evidence from sight, I rushed to the door, opening it just enough to see his face and let him see mine, blocking him from entering with my body, hand still perched on the edge of the door and holding it in place.

“Maddy, can we talk for a moment?” he asked, seeming completely at ease and normal, as though nothing had happened. I knew Niko was good at many things, but I hadn’t ever added actor to that list. Or betrayer, or complete fucking asshole, for that matter. But I guess the truth always comes out.

“I’m kind of in the middle of something right now,” I said, almost flippantly. “Can it wait?”

“Not really. May I come in?”

Immediately, my mind raced with possible excuses to give. Anything to keep him out of my room, and preferably away from my door.

“Niko, I really kind of want some time to myself right now,” I lied, right through my motherfucking teeth.

“Oh, I apologize.” He sighed heavily, running a hand through his thick, wavy hair as he looked around, almost nervously. “Listen, this can’t wait. This isn’t how I wanted to tell you, but I just got off the phone with Quinn a minute ago. They have set up a new safe house. A legitone, through the police department. He’s going to come pick you up this evening.”

“Oh, really?” I asked, feigning near glee at the idea when all I felt inside was pain — gut-wrenching, agonizing pain. “I’m so glad to hear that.”

“You are?” His brow furrowed, confusion written all over his normally smug face at my excitement.

Good. Let him hurt.

“Yeah! You know, honestly, I’m really excited about it. It will be good to finally feel truly protected in a legit safe house. You know, one where they have real trained professionals to watch over me. Thank you so much for coming to tell me, Niko.” I plastered on my most genuinely passable faux smile as I reached out to touch his wrist. “I better go start packing!”

I literally squealed as I spun on my heel, shutting the door in his face with a loud bang and locking the door.

I waited with bated breath, listening intently for his footfalls to let me know he’d walked away.

But no sound came.

Seconds stretched into minutes until finally, his footfalls sounded, the soft clunking letting me know he was heading back down the stairs — likely to the solace of his beloved office.

Then and only then did I let the tears fall.

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