Page 53 of Bratva King's Secret Twins

Before a snarky comment can leave my mouth, he threads his fingers with mine and leads me out of the club.

27

GWEN

Nik is winning. Nik has me to himself and despite me wanting to keep him safe, keep him away from me, this man has walked into the pits of hell and he doesn’t even know it. A part of me wants to cuss him the hell out and tell him that he was a fucking idiot for being so attached to a random one-night stand. I mean I know I am pretty, and a little feisty in a way that makes most men excited, but I am not worth this. I am not worth him losing his life.

The drive to Nikolai's apartment is a blur of honking cars and flashing lights as he navigates through the chaotic city streets. Despite the chaos, his hand remains firmly planted on my knee, providing a sense of comfort in the midst of the frenzy.

As we pull up to one of the most extravagant buildings I have ever seen, valets and doormen rush to greet us, addressing him with reverence as "Mr. Petrov". The opulence and luxury of the building is palpable, from the sparkling marble floors to the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I question in a breath of awe, “Is all of this necessary for an apartment?”

That rich kid, entitled smirk spreads across his lips as he firmly places a hand on the small of my back and whispers, “Only the best for my Kotik. Only the best.”

That horde of butterflies I have yet to truly massacre in my gut springs to life again.My Kotik, fuck, that does things to me that it shouldn’t. His need to possess me is something I need to reject, no matter how weak my knees are at the nickname.

The elevator ride up to Nikolai’s penthouse is filled with a tense silence. The unresolved tension between us hangs heavily in the air, and we both know it. As we rise higher, my mind races with thoughts, uncertainties, and a series of plans to make him get tired of me or learn to hate me. Only for his safety and the safety of our children, I need to stay on high alert. I need to keep my walls up, even though he is the best at chipping them down.

The elevator doors slide open, revealing a space so grand and polished that I almost forget to breathe. The grandeur of Nikolai's penthouse is overwhelming—sleek, modern design and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a jaw-dropping view of New York City. My heart races as I take in the glittering skyline, a mesmerizing sea of diamonds against the dark backdrop of the night sky.

My eyes scan every inch of the luxurious space, from the polished marble floors to the intricate artwork on the walls. But I know I can't let myself be awestruck. Not here. Not with him.

My heels click against the glistening marble floors as I enter. The living room feels spacious and welcoming, despite its sleek and minimalistic design. The tall ceilings enhance the expensiveness of the penthouse, only making me feel more out of place. The blend of natural materials adds warmth to the space:deep, rich wood paired with crisp, white walls remind me of apartments I’ve see in magazines. The furniture is modern, featuring clean lines and muted shades of gray and navy that almost makes me feel dirty.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my composure as I move further into the penthouse. I wander over to the windows, letting my eyes drift over the breathtaking view of the city. The lights shimmer like stars, and for a moment, I feel a pang of something I can’t quite name. Longing? Awe? Fear? Maybe a mix of all three.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Nikolai’s voice rumbles from behind me, low and smooth.

His intense gaze follows me as I turn to face him. He leans against the doorframe with a casual air, but his eyes tell a different story. They hold that same hunger I've come to know so well—the one responsible for the fluttering butterflies in my stomach whenever he looks at me.

"Nice place," I comment calmly, trying not to let on how much his gaze affects me. “Though it’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

He smirks and pushes off the doorframe, sauntering towards me with the grace of a predator who knows his prey is within reach.

“Ah, but you know me. I always go big,” Nikolai purrs, his smirk turning into a full-blown grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He reaches out a hand to brush a loose strand of hair away from my face, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. “Besides, I like the finer things in life. And you, my dear, are about to experience just howfine they can be.”

I can feel the heat radiating off his body. My heart hammers in my chest, betraying the calm facade I try to maintain, but I continue to fake my annoyance.

“Is that so?” I reply, arching an eyebrow as I take a step back, putting some much-needed distance between us. “Well, forgive me if I’m not easily impressed by material possessions.”

I roll my eyes as I move away from him into the corner of the room. I keep my eyes on the glittering skyline of New York, trying to distract myself from the way he makes me feel—like I am on the edge of a cliff, teetering between falling into him and running far, far away.

My words are sharp, but Nikolai doesn’t flinch. He’s already moving, closing the distance between us with those same slow, deliberate steps that make my pulse race.

“This is your home now,Kotik,” he whispers, the intensity in his voice cutting through the space between us. There’s a flicker of something in his eyes—hope, maybe even longing. It’s almost enough to make me waver.

But I can’t let him get that close. Not yet. I take a solid step back, holding his gaze with a narrowed glare. “Don’t get any ideas, Nik. I’m not someone you can just pin down like this. I am not your possession that you get to dictate and control. I do not live here.”

He closes the space between us. His hand snakes around my neck, pulling me into his orbit. “It’s not just about the possessions,Kotik. It’s about comfort, control…security.” His voice dips lower, smooth and deliberate, as if he’s drawing out each word to test my patience.

“Security?” I scoff, still staring out at the city lights as if I can will myself not to look at him. “I’m sure that’s what all of thisis about, right? Keeping me safe or…keeping me close?” I glance back at him, daring him to deny it.

A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips, but there’s something in his eyes that’s dead serious. “Why can’t it be both? You belong here with me, Gwen. I can give you everything—safety, comfort, whatever you need. You wouldn’t have to worry about anything. All you’d need to focus on is us.”

His words send a thrill through me, my heart racing as I try to process them. My body instinctively moves closer to him, and I tilt my head up to meet his intense gaze.

My lips brush against his as I whisper, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin. "Is this your plan? To keep me hidden away in your luxurious penthouse like some kind of prized possession?" I pull back slightly, my voice shaking with emotion. “That's not how a real relationship works, Nik.”

He chuckles softly, but I can hear the underlying tension in his voice. “So, we’re in a relationship now?”

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