Page 32 of Niko's Printsessa

Don’t tell anyone, ha-ha.

I stopped by to borrow your pink dress, but no answer.

Shit, I forgot.

Lucky for you I used the excuse to go shopping.

Nice.

I called the distillery. They said you were MIA all day. Priorities, huh?

I had work errands all day. I’ll call you tomorrow. Go, enjoy your night.

I should be jealous but the FOMO doesn’t set in. I’ve known Kira and Trish since college, and I consider them friends, but I still keep them at arm’s length. I would never tell them my darkest secrets. Although, they know more than I’d like. Not by choice.

I’m actually surprised Kira wants to even see me tonight.

In college, Trish and I had some business classes together and were in the same study group. We became pretty friendly and one day she insisted I meet her best friend, Kira, because she was also Russian. Since then, we’ve partied a lot together. They know who my family is, but I try to downplay it. Kira Lebedev on the other hand loves attention. Kira’s father was a Senator of the Russian Federation Council, until he retired and they moved to the States. Because of his political background she has a small security detail. She often jokes how odd it is that I, the Sokolov Princess, walk around free of bodyguards while she has her own entourage.

I do have a security detail, and Sergei and Andrei are sly about it, but I’m no idiot. They didn’t balk when I wanted to move out and go to college, but I was never under the illusion they weren’t going to protect me. I say smother, they say protect.

Kira loves the attention when we hit the clubs, but I have an alias and fake I.D. to accompany it. We all know I’m way past the legal drinking age, but the fake identity makes life easier. The bouncers know who I am, but we have an unspoken agreement. If you know me you know me. If not, all the better. For both of us.

Kira sends another picture and I shake my head. She looks like she’s having the time of her life. I’ll never admit it to Niko but I’m happy with staying in. Honestly, I’m more comfortable here- drunk, playing poker with beefed up, scary Russian men.

A day in the life of a Russian Bratva princess.

At least I have the distillery, and I'm proud of the success it is today. I love going to work every day, but lately, I dream of coming home to a husband, maybe a couple of kids. I want what Summer and Tali have. What Sergei and Andrei have. Someone I can fully trust, someone who knows and accepts the real me.

I don’t want the fairytale Niko thinks I’m looking for. I want a partner. I want someone who admires my independence but will hunt down anyone who harms me.I don’t want perfection. I want someone who’s just as flawed as me, but when we bring our broken pieces together, we become whole. I want a lover who can be vulnerable with his feelings but who will dominate me in the bedroom. Yes, dominate. But I won’t dare divulge that to Niko.

He’s going to be so pissed when he returns. His men away from their posts, drunk and playing poker with me. Good. I’m notafraid of him and his empty threats. What’s he going to do? Spank me?

My thighs clench. Fuck, is that what I want?

We’ve always known our roles, but now, I don’t know what he’s thinking.

When my father moved us here, I was immediately thrusted into a big Russian family. Andrei was busy running an empire, so I became Sergei’s shadow, following him everywhere. I grew up with him, wrestling and playing football with his friends, getting in mud fights, arm wrestling, fishing. Yes, I had Anya, but she was just as bad as me, our mother’s called us the tomboy twins. At school, the other girls teased us because we didn’t want to play with dolls or dress up. Most times, the teasing led to fist fights, and our fathers’ were called to the school but nothing ever came of it. One of the few times my last name worked in my favor.

I pour another shot for all of us and enjoy the citrus flavor hitting my tongue. It’s good. Really good. Probably another award winning batch. I need to get to the distillery. There’s so much to do, and I know Anya is annoyed with all of my texts. She’s not only my best friend but the Manager of the distillery, and I trusted her when she assured me everything was in good shape. The bomb, if you can even call it that, only tore the shed’s door down and busted a window. It happened before any employees showed up, and when Anya discovered the flowers and the damaged shed, she immediately called Alek who took care of everything, including calling Sergei. The other employees don’t have a clue about the threats, flowers, or so-called bomb.

Once we catch the fucker, and they will, I’ll be home and back to my life, away from him.

But,I’ll be away from him.

I lay down a straight and Max rolls his eyes. “I should’ve never taught you and Anya poker.”

The mention of my best friend’s name tightens my chest. “I’m so sorry Anya was at the distillery when that bomb went off.”

“It’s not your fault, sweet girl. And the way she describes it, it wasn’t more than a dinky firecracker. I swear that girl loves danger.”

I laugh, “It does have a way of finding her.”

“It? You mean Alek and Isaak. I swear I’ll kill them.”

His phone vibrates with an incoming message. “Shit, the guys at the gate texted, Niko is home.”

We barely have time to comprehend before he barges in. Fuck, he looks so hot, still in his fatigues. He must’ve trimmed his beard before he left tonight. Did he have plans with a woman before his killing spree? Or does he like a victory fuck after?

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