Page 68 of Stolen Seconds

The lies piled up, and it sickened me. If Nicolai didn’t accept to come with me willingly, I had to resort to less pleasant methods and I really didn’t want to do that.

His silence was my cue to continue, even though that was the worst thing he could’ve done.

He’d told me I could trust him, but now I wasn’t sure if I could. Problematic outcomes whirled through my mind as I collected my thoughts.

But I wasexhausted. I didn’t want to continuepretending and lying when this was the one chance I had at convincing him I only wanted to make up for our lost time.

I wanted a family.

“I know I’m in no position of asking this of you, but I need you to promise me that this stays between us.”

“I can’t d-.”

“Promise me,” I enunciated, my face stiffening with urgency.

Nicolai must’ve seen the desperation written on my face because he sighed and sat down again with his elbows resting on his knees.

The fabric had become thin and worn. There was no use in prolonging the tear.

“You’re heir to the Bratva. The nextPakhan.”

Tension rose in the cold room as his face hardened.

I stilled, expecting a flicker of his surprise, but he was stoic, his eyes glazed over in wrath.

My mouth parted as shock coursed through me. “You knew.”

The muscle in his jaw pulsed as he scathed me with his gaze. “How come no one knows that thePakhanhas a daughter?”

I pulled the side of my jeans down slightly and showed him the triangle tattoo on my hip. “It was safer to keep me hidden.”

“Safer for who?”

I remained silent. He was tearing me apart with his words, and I couldn’t do anything but take it.

“So, you’re one of them.”

One of them.

I looked ahead, unwilling to meet his eyes. His tone of voice had a tinge of judgment in it, and I couldn’t handle it if I saw that crossing his face. Not from him. “Yes.”

“Does Roman know? DoesAuroraknow?”

I swallowed the bile threatening to rise at the mention of my best friend’s name. “No.”

“Wow,” Nicolai scoffed. “You truly have everyone fooled.”

The ache in my chest bloomed with fury as I flicked my attention to him, a burning sensation ripping my flesh. “Don’t judge me when you don’t know asinglething about the sacrifices I’ve made. The moment I found out about you. . . ” I paused, my lips trembling. “I felt hope. A spark of something I hadn’t experienced in a very long time.” I blinked away the unshed tears, continuing to bare myself. I couldn’t contain the torture anymore. “I was determined to meet you. A brother I’d lost enough time with.”

“Irina. . . ”

“No, let me finish. I know this is hard for you. I do,” I choked, my eyes glossing over further. “But would it be so bad to accept me as your sister? To get to know me? We all have flaws, but I would love you for yours.”

Nicolai watched me, his expression softening back into what I’d come to know. But I could see the speck of hesitancy swirling in his chocolate brown eyes as he regarded me.

“No, it wouldn’t,” he said in sadness. “But I can’t. You’re our father’s daughter and he’s not someone I wish to know.”

If my heart wasn’t broken already, it would’ve happened in this moment.

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