Page 43 of Savage Reign

Shock slams into me. “He did?”

“He took the blame for some bogus drug charges. Prison is brutal, and he knew Sergey wouldn’t have lasted a month. Those years behind bars, combined with the crap Sergey pulled afterward, changed Niko. It hardened him.”

Imagining Nikolai as his younger brother’s protector tugs at something inside. Liza did the same for me, shielding me from the worst of our parents’ neglect and keeping me safe when everything around us was falling apart. Maybe that’s what older siblings do.

My fingers tighten on the ledge as I try to reconcile the boy Emil described with the cold, sharp man he is today.

A little voice reminds me that he protected me too, in that chapel in Greece.

I’d nearly forgotten about that—the past was eclipsed by more recent events like the tattoo, making my finger throb.

Emil stubs out his cigarette underfoot and pushes himself to his feet. “I should go.”

“If you’re ready for more responsibility, why not tell Nikolai? He should get it, especially since you guys go way back.” I smile, hoping to lighten the mood. “I promise not to take it personally that guard duty isn’t your thing.”

The humor drains from Emil’s face. “We’ve already had that talk.” His mouth opens like he’s about to say more, but then his eyes flick past me, and his whole body goes rigid.

I don’t turn right away. A strange heat prickles at the back of my neck as the air around me feels heavier. I don’t have to look to know who’s behind me. I feel him, his presence unmistakable.

When I finally glance back, Nikolai is standing poolside, his attention locked on me. His massive frame is backlit by the glow from the house. His suit jacket is gone, shirt collar open, the tie hanging loosely around his neck. His dark hair is tousled, sleeves rolled up, tattoos snaking down his forearms. Electricity sparks down my spine.

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” he says, his voice deceptively light.

Emil straightens. “I was checking in. Making sure Sofiya was okay.”

Nikolai’s lips curl into something that isn’t quite a smile. “Good to know you’re so thorough.”

Emil slides his hands into his pockets like he’s trying to appear casual. “Just doing my job.”

I glance between them, feeling like I’ve stumbled into the middle of something I don’t fully understand.

“If you need me, I’ll be inside.” Shoulders tight, Emil retreats toward the house.

When it’s only us, Nikolai’s attention locks on me. He’s tense, like a storm waiting to break, and I’m not sure why, though it might have something to do with what I’m wearing. But that’s his problem, not mine.

Just to needle him, I let myself float on my back, the cool water lapping at my skin. I can feel his eyes on me, lingering where the wet fabric clings.

“How’s the water?” His voice is low with an edge.

I glance over, keeping my expression neutral despite the shiver his tone sends through me. “Perfect,” I reply.

“In that case, I’ll join you.”

Before I can process what he means, his hands move to his collar. With a sharp tug, he yanks his shirt open, sending buttons flying as the fabric peels off him in one rough motion. My breath catches as the full expanse of his chest comes into view, all muscle and ink, like every part of him was carved by the gods.

His muscles shift as he unbuckles his belt and kicks his shoes aside. My mouth goes bone dry as he sheds his pants, leaving him in nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs. But then those are gone, too. Holy shit. I’ve felt his cock, but I’ve never had the chance to see it. That’s a shame because it’s perfect—thick, long, and right now, it’s at half-mast and growing.

“It’s customary to wear a swimsuit when others are in the pool,” I grumble.

“Well, it’s my pool, and I prefer to swim naked.”

I quickly spin around, my cheeks burning. “I’m not looking!” I blurt, my back to him even though I already enjoyed a generous eyeful. “What’s up with you and stripping whenever you feel like it?” First was the kitchen, and now this. I’m beginning to think he likes to see me blush.

“My house, my rules. And it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.” His voice drips with amusement.

“And nothing I plan on seeing again.”

He laughs, a deep, rich sound. There’s a soft splash of water as he jumps into the pool. “You can look now. I’m fully covered so as not to offend your modest sensibilities.”

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