Page 33 of Fiercely Protective

Rogue put an arm around my waist and anchored me to his side. “If that is the only information you have for me, I will leave you to your lunch. I have more important things to do today, but I will keep you informed if anything happens that concerns you or the Bratva.”

He nodded routinely. “And I will do the same.”

Nickolai stepped closer to me. “It was a pleasure to meet you,ptichka, and I am glad that we had our talk. If it means anything to you, I think you just might be strong enough to be in our world, even if you don’t plan on staying long.”

I heard a loud scuffle behind us and turned to see Blaze pull free of the men that had restrained him and immediately punched them, causing both men to drop to the ground. “Put your hands on me again and I will fucking kill you!”

Nickolai shook his head slightly, telling his men to stand down when they shot to their feet ready to fight.

Rogue pushed me forward. “Go with Blaze. He will escort you back to the car. I need to speak with Nickolai.”

I glanced back over my shoulder, glad to finally be leaving. Blaze gripped my elbow and the other men parted to let us pass.

When we got to the car, Blaze opened the door. “I didn’t expect Nik to do something so bold and stupid. Next time I will be ready.”

He shut the car door before I could respond, and I leaned back against the seat glad to have some time alone.

Rogue

“You shouldn’t have done that, Nik. Blaze will not easily forget, and your men are lucky they aren’t dead.”

Nickolai waved a hand and his men instantly disappeared to leave us alone. “I will make it up to him the next time he is in Vegas.”

“What did you say to her?”

“I merely wanted to get a better feel for her character. I have seen you with many women over the years, but never have you been so enamored with one. I simply wanted to find out if she was hiding something behind that innocent facade you find so attractive. You can’t be too careful, Rogue. What if she was sent to infiltrate your organization? A pretty face like hers would be easy to lower your guard around. But after speaking with her, I feel her innocence is genuine. She also showed me that she possesses an unexpected strength. It will be an asset. A weak woman can be a liability. You know that as well as I do. But it appears as if Miss Rogers is much more than what you see on the surface. I honestly think she would have tried to fight me if I had not let her pass when she asked me. She has a fire in her eyes that I find appealing. But I am not certain you will be able to hold her. She is quite adamant that she does not belong to you. Perhaps you should just cut your losses and allow someone else a chance to tame her.”

“Fuck you, Nik.”

His mocking laughter was deep and low.

“Before you leave, I have a gift for you.”

He nodded to one of his men who left the room.

“What have you done, Nik?”

A sinister grin crossed his face. “Just doing you a favor.”

I turned as two of Nik’s men came back into the room dragging a bloodied and beaten man between them. His head was hanging down so I couldn’t see his face.

Nik walked over and pulled his hair to hold his head up. His men had done a number on him.

“Who is he?”

Nik dropped his head. “This is your masquerading Russian.”

My eyes narrowed. “I told you that I would handle it, Nik. This is Chicago, not Vegas.”

“His deception was a slap in the face to the Bratva. I couldn’t let an insult to me, and my family, go unpunished. Besides, before he passed out from the pain, he was able to give us important information on his reason for being here in Chicago causing trouble.”

Bri was waiting for me in the car, and I had more important shit to take care of today, I didn’t have time to play Nik’s games. “Are you going to tell me or are we going to play charades?”

“Impatience is a flaw, my friend. Your lovely little captive can wait a few more minutes.”

He walked back over to the table and casually took a drink of his wine. I was beginning to believe he was purposefully dragging this out just to piss me off.

Nik sighed. “He was paid to masquerade as a member of the Russian Bratva. He doesn’t know the name of the man who gave him the money, but he was told to go around the city, demand money from shop owners, vandalize property, etc. Buthe had to make certain that he claimed to be doing all these things in the name of the Bratva.”

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