Page 123 of Stolen Seconds

“Why are you staying in Russia? And don’t give me that bullshit excuse of not being able to escape your fate.”

He looked back out the window as silence stretched in the taut air.

“I ran into our father that night he attacked the Mancini manor.” My ears rung as that night resurfaced in my mind. “I plead with him, Irina, for him to stop his soldiers.” His voice carried a dark edge, a bite in his tone. “We were outnumbered, and I couldn’t lose. . . ” He stopped and cleared his throat. “He agreed.”

The room swayed beneath my feet as his words echoed against the walls. “At what cost?” I asked hoarsely, but I’d already known the answer.

“Take his place as thePakhan.”

“No. . . ” I shook my head, moving to stand in front of him. “No, you don’t have to.”

“Yes, I do.” His face was drawn, exhaustion lining his features. “I want this.”

“We both know this isn’t what you want.” I held my hands to my chest, feeling the weight of this burden he’d taken upon himself. “Don’t sacrifice your happiness.”

“I’m a man of my word, Irina. I’ll survive just fine.”

“Surviving doesn’t mean living.”

He stared at me for a long moment as if my words were true beyond this conversation.

“What about everyone back home?” I asked, a feeling of loss washing over me. He’d be here, and I’d be in Italy.

“I’ll visit.”

His words were sharp and blunt, but I knew him better than that. I knew it was killing him inside. He’d given up his life to save us that night and now he would be paying for it.

“I’m talking to our father.” If he wouldn’t put an end to this, then I would. How could they both have lied to my face?

“You will not!” Anger marred his features, the intensity of his gaze prominent beneath his glasses. “I’m serious, Irina.”

“Whyare you so hellbent on taking this role?”

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” he asked exasperated. I wanted to scream at him for acting so callous. “Wasn’t this the plan all along?”

“I was wrong!” My body shook from frustration because I knew this was a losing battle.

“I’ve made a decision, and I won’t be changing it.”

“Nicolai. . . ” My voice broke and before I had a chance to say anything else, he wrapped his arms around me, reassuring me with his touch that he’d be okay. It all felt wrong. “You don’t owe him anything.”

“No, but he owes me.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Don’t be mad at your father. This is between him and me.”

I let out a shaky breath, feeling his shirt dampen beneath my cheek from my tears. “This isn’t goodbye.”

“Never.”

It made sense why Roman had said everyone had a soft spot for Nico.

Leaving Russia was bittersweet.

I hadn’t listened to Nicolai and naturally blew up on my father until Luca pulled me away.

Of course, he had nothing to say, reassuring me that my brother would be safe but that’s not what I was worried about.

The argument had escalated until Nicolai intervened, disappointment wrinkling his forehead as he stared at me.

It had taken another few days to relieve the tension, and I was torn and resigned. There was nothing I could do.

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