Page 12 of Root

It’s still all on my mind four months later when I walk into Nikolai’s office. I think I’ve found my niche. I work with Tony. I’m not right-hand man material, but I’ve made my way up to this position. That was my idea–I wanted to go from security to earning my right to be privy to plans, to being an indispensable cog.

I don’t want to be Nikolai.

He’ll never admit it, but it weighs on him in ways I don’t think he sees or notices. Instead, I listen. I watch. I hear the weight of words, and when men tell me they’re rotten or untrustworthy, I listen.

I just…I wish Nikolai could ease on the brakes. We’re beyond rich. We’re a powerhouse and we’re respected, so respected that Finnegan wouldn’t dare touch us.

Still, the search for the wife and kid, one that had been a backburner, long plan situation, has suddenly come to the fore.

Whatever Derek Finnegan did to my parents is something horrific, and I’ve pieced together little bits. I…

Nikolai is right.

Knowing doesn’t make it better.

“Hey…” Whatever I’m going to say vanishes as I see his face, the concentration, the dark, cold, vengeful smile. “What’s up?”

He leans back and looks at me. “Wanna go on a trip, Rush?”

Oh man, he’s got the sweetest fucking car, a vintage black Stingray corvette he almost never lets me breathe on, let alone touch. “Can I drive your car?”

“Not on your life and not that kind of trip.”

I quirk up a brow. “Then what?”

“Beauty pageant.”

“Have you lost your mind?” I ask slowly. “Or are you hard up for women?”

“I’ve found her. I think I’ve found her.”

“Who?” I frown.

“Thorne Finnegan. Derek’s daughter.”

I swallow. “Nikolai?”

“I’m going to confirm it’s her. And when I do, I’m going to take her, then use her to destroy her family. When I’m done, when I have every single thing Finnegan has, I’m killing her, too.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Rush

Two Years Ago

“I’m going to murder him.”

Rose is all flashing eyes and claws, and I’m here for it.

“Y’know…” I say, scratching the black piece of fluff in my lap behind the ears as she storms about, dressed like fucking Nikolai, but cooler. And hotter. Way, way hotter, like thirties gangster hot. “I knew from the first time I laid eyes on you that you’d be the one for Nikolai.”

His wife spins, long dark hair swirling as she turns her ire on me. “Was that before you helped drug and kidnap me, or after?”

“See? That, right there–pure Nikolai catnip.”

She’s really mad at him if she’s bringing that up.

“Shut it, Rush, or I’ll invite that girl who won’t leave you alone out for lunch. I’ll talk about how you’re shy and into her, but she needs to make a real effort.”

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