Page 16 of Root

“It’s better than little Nicky.” I shrug. “Ask Rose.”

He points at the cat. “That’s your responsibility for the night.”

“And tomorrow?”

“It’s out of here. That’s my final word.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Rush

Present Day

I rub the back of my hand where Dante, the two-year-old demon cat, scratched me earlier. That particular injury made Rose coo and Nikolai say, “Good cat.”

I have a pretty damn good relationship with that cat, but Nikolai’s lost his mind and thinks Dante’s gonna make a good attack cat.

“There’s no such thing as attack cats, Nikolai.” I rub my hand again.

“What was that?” Rose joins us in my room—I have my own place, but more often than not, I’ve been less about fucking hot chicks and more about hanging out at home and working. Dante’s purring, and Rose is wearing some slinky number as she hands me the cat.

“Your decrepit husband thinks he’s training Dante to be an attack cat.”

“If anyone can do it, it’ll be Niko.” She runs her gaze over the outfits I pulled out. “Wear the jeans and the black sweater. The worn blue ones and the boots. Perfect first date clothes, trust me.”

“Did he tell you about my date, Rose?”

She slides an arm around Nikolai’s waist as he joins us. “There aren’t any secrets.” She rises in the sleek heels and kisses him, and fuck, do they look good together. “We ready?”

He lets her go before he turns his finger in the air, and she spins. “Fucking perfection, Rose. Well, almost. Wear the black collar, the new one.”

She turns and looks at me. “Stay out of trouble.”

Once she’s gone, Nikolai just smiles after her, and I shake my head.

I don’t think others see the massive changes in him. Mia, Tony, and Garcia have noted the small ones and said so, but what’s small to them is huge to me. Rose has made him whole, softer where it counts. She gives him light and whatever else it is that makes them so good together.

There are times I don’t recognize him. He’s not driven by hate or the urge to destroy those who’ve hurt his people. Although, I’m not dumb; he’d turn into that if he had to. He just hasn’t had to.

He smiles more, gives me more responsibility, and he’s content not to push. Our world is still deadly, but his strength and power is such that no one’s stupid enough to come after him.

Plus, he has allies.

Rose, too, has people falling all over themselves for her. Together, they rule.

Together. Something I never thought Nikolai would ever do—share with someone, especially with Rose, his oldest enemy’s daughter.

“What’s tonight?” I ask.

He shrugs. “There’s an art opening. Just info gathering. Plus, Rose wanted to see the show.”

“Rumbles?”

“I don’t know yet. Be careful, though. Stay in our areas or those you trust.” Nikolai sighs. “Don’t want you dead. After all, I might get out of the game, give Rose the life she deserves.”

“No one ever really gets out.” Those are the exact words I’ve heard him say.

“Maybe, one day, I’ll give it a go. Have a kid with Rose.”

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