Page 58 of Niko's Printsessa

“Not to alarm you, but someone planted a bomb here.”

Her and her mother’s gasps are theatrical. “A bomb? Are we safe here? Where are your bodyguards?”

Smart question. “I gave them the slip,” I chuckle conspiringly. “They think I’m in my studio painting.”

Kira’s bodyguard’s shoulders visibly relax.

“Let’s have some vodka!”

Sweat trickles down my back, but I remind myself, I'm Becca fucking Sokolov. I've got this. “Do you want to start with our original vodka? And then taste our new citrus flavor? We alsohave gin and rum. The gin is really good. Dark, spicy, with sweet berry flavors.”

Kira shrugs, “Let’s try the new flavor. That’s what this is all about right? Why my bestie’s been MIA lately.”

I gush, “I’m so sorry! Believe me, I’ve missed it! All work makes Becca a dull girl.”

Her mother snorts, “Right.”

I ignore her and deliberately open a brand new chilled bottle, and any residual tension they might have evaporates. That’s good. I don’t want them jittery and paranoid. That’ll get me killed.

I manage to pour the vodka without shaking, place the bottle under the bar, and grab the glass next to it, liftingand setting it closest to me. I then remove three bottles of water and set them down in front of each taster.

“When you taste the vodka, allow it to coat your tongue and mouth, and then draw air through your nose to combine your sense of taste and smell. Drink some water after, to help reveal the drink's complexity.”

Kira lifts the shot glass up and rolls her eyes. “Or, we can just take a shot.”

Her mother and bodyguard join her, so I toss mine back and toast, “To family and future.”

She smirks. “Burn to ash, baby.”

Niko’s velvety voice whispers in my earpiece, “Good girl.”Somehow, his sultry words travel straight to my sex. There is no reason to be turned on right now.

The bodyguard places his shot glass on the bar and grunts.

“Another one? Same? Or do you want to try something else?”

“Same.”

I was hoping he’d request another, being so much bigger than Kira, I wasn’t sure of the drug dosage we added to the bottom of their shot glasses. We aren't trying to knock them out, just slow their reflexes and relax them.I’m aware that in order for their arrests to stick, I need them to attempt my kidnapping, or my murder. Preferably not my murder. But, too much of the drug and they'll pass out.

I can't have them detecting any nefarious activity on my part.

I place a new pre-drugged glass on the bar and pour him another, just as Kira begins to sway and her voice slurs.

Shit.

“She… fuck. You bitch!”

She falls to the floor but her mother pulls out her gun and aims it at me. I shriek but before she can get a shot off, Alek is on her. I turn and Niko already has his knife against Ivan’s throat, and the bodyguard’s gun and blade have been tossed aside, next to Kira’s purse of kidnapping accessories and her mother’s gun.

The guys make quick work, gagging them and zip tying them to chairs. Kara is passed out, but her mother and Ivan, although out of it, are staring daggers at me.

Niko takes me in his arms, squeezing me tight. “You did good, Bec.”

Niko

I shake the officer’s hand. “Thank you.”

“Of course. We’ll make sure they go away for a long time.”

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