Page 97 of Heritage of Fire

“Uh-huh. Didn’t think you’d findthatbook so riveting.” He winks at me, then plunges his hands back into the soapy water. I close the book, reading the nonfiction title.

A Guide for Keeping a Raccoon as a Pet.

I snort and toss it on the coffee table, cringing at myself for being so obvious.

Nik joins me on the couch when cleanup is finished, and we spend an hour watching random game shows, but I can’t focus. The tension between us is burning, and when his leg grazes mine in those gray sweatpants, I nearly come out of my skin. Library memories wash over me and caress my desire, fanning it.Gosh, what is wrong with me?

I need a distraction.

“Have you spoken with Luka or my father about what you’re going to do about EV?”

And, instantly, I’ve doused the joyful mood and cut the tension into pieces.

Nik stiffens next to me. I’ve come to the conclusion that they all knew about EV before I ever got involved—could even be the reason for the alliance. Now I want to know: what are they going to do about them?

“No. Kieran had to go back to Boston, but he has a man on the inside. We’re hoping to get some information soon in order to make our move.” Nik converses about it so easily, butI’m on edge, my muscles twitching. I frown, wishing there was something I could do to help.

“Kieran. Is that the Irish man?”

“Yeah. That was his yacht and some of his men. Luka and I grew up visiting him and his father. He’s the leader of the Irish Mob in Boston.”

I grit my teeth. “There were pictures in the room where I was held.”

Nik grabs the remote and clicks off the television, sitting up and inching closer to me. “You said something about pictures on the water.”

“Yeah. After Mr. Rose?—”

“Wait. He told you his name?”

“Yes.” I start at the beginning, telling Nik everything. The phone call from my sister, and making a deal with Mr. Rose to let her go and have him take me instead. Nik’s fists are clenched the entire time I talk. I go into detail about how I woke up in the container and tried to find a way off the ship before I was taken to a room. I explainsomeof thehallucinations, and EV’s agenda for me since their demands had failed to be met.

“I was dragged to his room where—” I blink away tears and decide to skip past that part. “I saw file folders. Photos of you, Luka, and a ton of Kieran. I didn’t know his name at the time, but after seeing his green eyes and hair—that was him.”

Nik listens and takes a few notes to pass along, and by the time I wrap up, I’m exhausted and ready to go to bed.

“Thank you, Nik. For dinner and the books.”

He smiles. “Sure thing, Luna.”

As I brush my teeth, I mull over his words. It’s not a sure thing. Because this isn’t really Nik, is it? He doesn’t do relationships, so why is he acting like an actual … husband. Is it because of the contract? Obligation?

When I come out of the bathroom, my eyes go wide. Nik is standing next to the bed. The covers are pulled back, and he’s changed into his gym shorts and a t-shirt. “What are you doing?” I ask.

“Going to bed. What areyoudoing?”

I look around, desperate to know if this is a joke. “Going to bed.”

“Well, look at that. We’re both going to bed.”

I’ve never once gone to bed with Nik. Ever. I’m always in bed before him.

We stand there, staring at one another.

“Nik, I don’t want you to feel obligated?—”

“Luna, get in the bed.”

I open and close my mouth several times before I realize I have no words. I brush past Nik, his hand grazing my thigh as I climb onto the bed and crawl over to my side.

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