Page 32 of Root

“Coward.”

“Weirdo.” I let her go and get up, looking down at her as she rolls back, her illustrated tits with their light, tight nipples exposed.

Somehow I drag my eyes to her face.

“Rose said you should come down whenever today, tomorrow, next week. When you feel better. But Nikolai wants you there sooner rather than later.”

“So,” she says, sitting up with a wince and covering those hot tits with the robe, “now.”

“Now is good.”

I turn, put my hands on my hips and drag air into my lungs.

Then I turn back. The jeans and top are crumpled from where we landed on them. But they’re new and fresh and her size. According to Rose.

Who I trust.

“I’ve no idea if this is some act—”

“Getting myself stabbed?”

I shrug. “Seen it all, Jess. I don’t know if you’re just a good Samaritan bartender or have an ulterior motive. Lie to me, if you want. I’d prefer not. But…Nikolai? He’s a different beast. He will kill.”

“I guess you’ve seen that,” she says dropping the robe and pulling on the T-shirt without a bra. It’s black, so there’s that, and I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad. Then she pulls on the jeans.

“Yes,” I say quietly. “I have.”

She stills at my tone. But when she turns intrigue is all that shines in her eyes.

“I’ll leave you to it, Jess.”

“Don’t fuck the girl, Rush. If you haven’t already.”

I fold my arms and glare at Nikolai as I slouch against the wet bar.

“What do you think I am?”

“I think,” he says, looking up from his computer and motioning to the wet bar as Dante lazes on the sofa, somehow managing to take up most of the room, “you think with your dick. And since you’re there, I’ll have a drink.”

Grumbling, I pour us both a drink and take his to him. I don’t need to, but it’s easier, and besides, this is the Nikolai honey. I’ll get way more from him if I bring him a drink. If I play the game. Even if he knows that’s what I’m doing.

It’s fuck face. He knows.

“What’s all this about, dude?”

Nikolai gives me a pointed look and goes back to the computer.

“Information. There’s something going on, and I don’t like things going on that affect me when I don’t sanction them.” Then he looks up. “So I’m going to question your gangbanger and if I don’t fucking like it, kill her.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He ignores the dryness of my word. Gotta love Nikolai.

“You’re not killing her.”

“Order or question?”

I think about it. “Interested. And you’re not killing her.”

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