Page 56 of Stalk Me

My mind spins with questions. How many cameras did he plant? How long has he been watching me? What else hasn’t he told me? But when he glances down at me with those steel eyes, I feel myself melting again.

“I still don’t trust you,” I whisper, leaning into his warmth.

“I know.” His voice is understanding. “But I will earn it back.”

The scary part is I want to believe him. Despite everything, despite knowing better, I want to fall into whatever this is between us. My heart races as we enter the kitchen, and I wonder if I’m making the biggest mistake of my life.

Or maybe I had already made it that first day in my gallery when I looked into those gray eyes and felt my world shift.

21

NIKOLAI

Ipace in my study, a glass of whiskey in hand, while my brothers sprawl across the leather furniture like they own the place. Erik’s smirk particularly grates on my nerves today.

“So, the Ice King finally melts for a woman,” Dmitri drawls, examining his fingernails. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

My gaze turns deadly as it meets his. “Focus on business. The Italian situation?—”

“Oh no,” Alexi cuts in, the youngest and most reckless of us all. “We’re not letting you deflect. You’ve been holed up here for days with her. This isn’t like you, brother.”

“She’s different,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

Erik barks out a laugh. “Different? Our brother, the strategist, blindsided by a gallery owner of all people?”

“Watch your tone.” My voice drops dangerously low.

“Hey, we’re happy for you,” Dmitri raises his hands in mock surrender. “Just... surprised. You’ve never let anyone get this close.”

I hear movement from upstairs, knowing it’s Sofia getting ready for dinner. The thought of her wearing one of the dresses I selected makes my blood heat.

“She’s more than she appears,” I say carefully. “There are... complications with her background we need to discuss.”

“Of course there are,” Erik scoffs. “You couldn’t just fall for a normal woman.”

“When have any of us done anything normally?” Alexi grins.

The sound of heels on marble makes us all look up. My brothers exchange knowing glances at my instant reaction to her approaching presence.

“Not. One. Word.” I warn them, but their grins only widen.

“Don’t worry, brother,” Dmitri stands, straightening his jacket. “We’ll be perfect gentlemen.”

I watch Sofia descend the stairs in a midnight blue dress that clings to every curve. My brothers’ heads turn in unison, but a low growl from me has them averting their eyes. All except Alexi, who grins and winks at her.

“So you’re the one who’s got our brother acting like a lovesick teenager,” he says.

Sofia raises an eyebrow. “And you must be the troublemaker of the family.”

“He wishes he was that interesting,” Dmitri cuts in smoothly. “I’m Dmitri. The actual dangerous one.”

Erik snorts into his whiskey. “Says the man who color-codes his sock drawer.”

“At least I don’t sleep with a knife collection,” Dmitri shoots back.

“Boys,” I warn, but Sofia’s laugh makes me pause. She seems comfortable. It’s unexpected.

“Let me guess,” she points to Erik. “You’re the quiet one who probably knows fifteen ways to kill someone with a butter knife.”

---