Page 7 of Root

She leans in, stops, then moves past me like she’s seen a better specimen. Fuck that. I’m the guy the girls want, no one else.

I turn and drop the joint.

Felicity is batting eyelashes at fucking Nikolai.

He gives her a push. “I don’t fucking touch jailbait, and I don’t allow it to touch me.” Then, he simply looks at me, ignoring her.

“Fuuuck,” I groan. “Guys, you should go.”

“No, guys, you should fucking stay.” Nikolai grins. It’s cold, murderous, and he puts his hands on his hips, doing nothing to cover up his gun. “So, Rush, did you steal the drugs?”

“No.”

“So you bought from a competitor?”

“No.” I frown, trying to get my brain to work. “You’re not the boss of me. You’re not my dad.”

He smirks. “I’m the fucking boss of everyone who steps foot in here, especially you.”

I glare at him, high as the sky. “Fuck you. I’m the boss and you know it. Fuck you to hell and back.”

Nikolai doesn’t hit me.

No, it’s worse. Much worse.

He laughs, and then he just flicks his hand. “You’re the boss? Then carry on. I’ll get my stuff and go. Enjoy your empire, Boss Man.”

Then Nikolai turns and walks away.

Oh fuck. Oh, holy fuck. Breathing is hard. I suck at the air, but it doesn’t seem to get the memo, and no one’s saying a word.

The music still plays, and now it’s anything but fun. “Shut it off. Shut it fucking off.”

“Sir?”

I turn. It’s one of the gorillas Nikolai keeps for heavy muscle needs, and the phone in his hand looks ridiculously tiny as the music ends.

“I’m Fred, at your service, Sir.”

“Fuck.”

He snorts. “That isn’t in my pay grade.”

I cut a sharp look at him, and even with the booze and drugs, I can pick up on why Nikolai has him on staff. Captain Giant isn’t stupid.

“We’re partying, so find a good song.” I gesture at the phone attached to the speaker.

I turn back to my friends, but they’re falling over themselves to get out of here, jackets and bags clutched tight as they mumble goodbyes and run to the gate.

“Cars will be waiting for them,” Fred says.

My heart lurches at the big man’s words. Only Felicity is standing there, except she’s not looking at me like she wants my dick. No, she’s looking at me like a conduit to Nikolai, and I wonder if that’s what most of the girls who push for invites, asking about him, have wanted.

I thought they were making sure he wasn’t home, but it seems like maybe all they wanted was a ride on my cousin. It’s enough to make me sick.

“Go,” I say to her. “Get the fuck out. He doesn’t want you, and now, neither do I.”

She sobs and runs, and I’m vaguely aware that I’m being a dick, but I don’t care. How dare the girl who let me touch and play and suck her titties want him over me?

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