Page 17 of Stolen Seconds

I’d never been shy of receiving attention from others, I was used to it but there was something about havinghisthat unsettled me.

“You know Roman warned him off,” Aurora said, glancing over to where Luca stood. “But I set them both straight that my best friend knew how to handle herself.”

I appreciated that. I was more than capable of dealing with others, but she didn’t realize this information confirmed my suspicion.

The brute wanted me for some reason and from the feral way he looked at me, I knew this was a game I’d need to play strategically to veer him away.

“Curiosity killed the cat, Aurora,” I replied, narrowing my eyes at him. “He’ll find out that this one bites first.”

“Never doubted that.” She linked her arm around mine. “Before you startbitingthough, let me introduce you to everyone else.”

Roman had his whole security team around, many of them standing with watchful eyes despite the lack of danger but it made sense when their chief was Ricardo, a large man with a buzz cut who grunted more than he spoke.

Aurora’s brother, Enzo, and his girlfriend Sofia wereseated at the kitchen island, whispering between themselves.

“Enzo.” Aurora caught his attention before he pulled back from the redhead and smoothed his concerned expression to a gentle one as he regarded his sister. I didn’t miss the way his eyes hung with tiredness. “This is Irina.”

“It’s finally nice to put a name to a face.” I chuckled.

Enzo had been there for Aurora during a time when I hadn’t been able to and for that he was in my good graces.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about you, the pleasures all mine.” He smiled and turned toward his girlfriend. “Irina, this is. . . Sofia.”

The woman pinched out a smile that didn’t seem genuine as she shifted uncomfortably.

Enzo seemed to have read her body language because he grasped her hand and set it atop his lap. She looked at where they were joined and her face morphed into puzzlement.

I knew enough from this interaction to know there was something off about Sofia.

She turned back to face me. “Hello.” Her voice was husky and stronger than I expected.

“Nice to meet you, Sofia.”

She stared at me for a beat longer, the green in her eyes empty as if she were in a daze.

“I’m making rounds before dinner,” Aurora told them before pulling me away.

When we were out of earshot, I said, “That was interesting.”

She sighed, shaking her head slightly. “Interesting doesn’t even sum it up.”

I’d have to ask her about them later. I had a suspicion there was a lot to unfold about that relationship.

“And this is my favorite man,” she cheered before we reached my brother. “Don’t tell Roman I said that.”

I wouldn’t dare. And the thought of Nicolai being liked among them gave me a sense of peace to know he was taken care of all these years.

“Aurora.” Nicolai crookedly smiled, nodding his head in greeting at her. “How is Roman’s salvation doing?”

She giggled as a blush crept along her face. I realized that was an inside joke between them.

I knew it was wrong of me to feel the pang of jealousy I did but seeing how close they were reminded me of how much I’d lost.

Someone called for Aurora, and she hurried off, leaving us alone.

“Hi, I’m Nicolai.”

My head flicked to the side so fast it gave me whiplash. They were words that I’d wanted to hear all night.

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