Page 107 of Kings of Cruelty

It doesn’t stop this from being the Cresci manor, of course, and I sit awkwardly on the large guest bed. Konstantin is in the armchair while Yuri is lying across the bed. Nikolai is the last one in the shower.

“I think Silvano has figured out you haven’t been using the other bedrooms,” I say, fiddling with the oversized shirt Kyran had lent me. It hides most of my growing belly, although there’s no way I can forget about it.

Yuri snorts derisively. “They know we’re fucking. Kyran said as much the other day.”

My cheeks flush. “Yeah, well…” I trail off. It’s one thing for Kyran to know I look at them in a certain way. It’s another entirely for my brother to know for sure that I’m in a polyamorous relationship with three guys.

Of course, I learned a long time ago whathistastes were—even if it was my own fault for snooping.

“Only one more night,” Konstantin says. He rubs his hairy chest, drawing my attention to a long scar that interrupts the hair. “Then we will have our own bed again, and we can be as loud as we want.”

Yuri sits up and scoots forward to kiss my shoulder. “We can already be as loud as we want. Silvano and Kyran’s bedroom is in a whole other wing of the house.”

If I thought I was blushing before, it’s nothing compared to how hot my cheeks feel right now. “That doesn’t mean his men aren’t close,” I say. “You know they don’tactuallytrust us, right? They have men posted all over the place.”

It feels weird to be part of that “us,” but I guess that when I took sides, it was inevitable. Despite my heart-to-heart with Kyran, we’re still in a position for things to go sour.

I just have to hope they won’t.

The sound of the shower stops, and a few seconds later, Nikolai comes out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He’s still dripping water everywhere.

“You couldn’t have dried off, at least?” Yuri admonishes.

“I half dried off,” Nikolai says defensively. “But the three of you were going to get started without me. I couldn’t have that.”

I roll my eyes. “You still feel left out over the last time? You’re going to have to get used to not being there every single time I get fucked, Nikolai.”

He shrugs. “Not when I’m right here,” he says.

“It’s not my fault Nikolai is too American to join the revolution,” Yuri jokes, making Konstantin break out in chuckles.

Nikolai scowls at him. “I’m notthatAmerican,” he huffs.

None of us point out that he’s as American as I am. There’s no sense in ruining the night, after all, by making Nikolai storm off to one of the other rooms. Nikolai might be less sensitiveabout his heritage than he used to be, but that doesn’t mean he’s less self-conscious of it.

Nikolai joins us on the bed, leaning in to kiss me. “Nowyou can get started.”

“We shouldn’t waste our energy,” Konstantin says, not moving from his chair. “We need to be well rested for tomorrow.”

“But then I’ll have blue balls tomorrow,” Nikolai complains. “Come on, Kotya. It’ll relax us before bed.” He looks at me. “Tell him, Sierra.”

“Me?” I arch a brow at him. I’m about to tell him where he can shove it when Yuri’s hand slides down to my breast, and I bite my lip.

Konstantin scoffs and stands up. I watch as he walks towards the door.

“Kotya?” I say, pushing Yuri away from me. “Where are you going?”

He sighs. “I can’t. Not right now.” He looks over his shoulder at us. “Have fun without me.” He leaves and shuts the door behind him.

I shake my head. “Nope.” I scoot off the bed. “I’ll be back… with Kotya, hopefully.” I head to the door, opening it to see a door closing down the hall. I follow, knocking lightly on the door. “Kotya?” I try. “Can I come in?”

“Do what you want,” Konstantin answers.

I resist the urge to sigh.

Men.

I open the door and quietly close it behind me before turning to face him. He’s seated on the edge of the bed, and I join him, resting my head on his shoulder. “This isn’t about energy,” I tell him. “So what’s going on?”

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