Page 53 of Owned By Shadows

This thing building between Nik and me, it’s unexpected but exciting, thrilling, and it already feels more intense than I was expecting. Of course he’s an attractive man, and there’s a heady chemistry between us I’m desperate to explore, but a tenderness has been growing too, something that is more than just the need to have sex. Something that I have the feeling will be up there with what I feel for Roman and Iris.

It’s another reason to stay alive, another reason to not let Sergi win.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“RUN LIKE A RIVER” BY JAMICA

IRIS

Ican feel the tension radiating off of Nik as soon as he comes back into the house, his hands trembling.

“What’s wrong?” I ask from my place on the sofa. My heartbeat pounds in my ears at all the things it might be. I hate that my go-to is so extreme, but I feel like we’re living on the edge, waiting for the axe to fall. Rowan’s arms snake around my waist, tugging me into his side as we wait for Nik’s reply.

Nik looks at me, his brows deeply furrowed, and exhales a slow breath. “I need you to keep calm, Iris, okay? Please,Moye Solntse.” He comes towards me, crouching down in front of me and taking my slightly trembling hands in his.

“What. Happened. Nik?” The words are hissed through clenched teeth, anger flaring hot and bright inside me. I hate being treated like I’m so fucking fragile. I’ve survived things that would break most people and did break me for a time, but I came back stronger. I know he’s just concerned because of the babyand this preeclampsia diagnosis, but I need him, need them to trust that I won’t crumple.

“Hunter was shot, but he’s okay,” Nik informs me softly, but I can see by the tight skin around his eyes that he’s worried. My stomach swoops at his words, like I’ve just dropped thirty feet into nothingness and have yet to land. “It was clean through and through, didn’t hit anything vital, and Andrei has already patched him up and they’re on their way back.”

“Shit,” Bubby hisses from the other side of the room, his eyes wide.

“Fuck,” Roman rasps from beside me, his arm coming around to hold me close. “I’m sure he’s okay, Princess. It’s Daddy Hunt. One bullet would never be enough.”

I take in their words, let them settle the panic that threatens to overtake me. I can handle this, and I inhale deeply once, letting it out slowly, then repeating until my pulse calms.

“Okay, how long until they get back? Is there anything we can do to help?” I ask, proud of how composed my voice is. Approval shines in Nik’s eyes, and he brings my hands up to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of each one.

“Well, you need to eat first and we need to check your blood pressure,” he tells me, his voice stern, and although I want to argue, I know that in order to show I’m not fragile, I need to take care of myself first.

“I’ll go keep a lookout for the boat,” Bubby states, looking at Nik for confirmation. Nik nods, so the teen gets up, grabbing his phone before heading out the front door.

“Rowan, can you go with him?” I ask, not wanting anyone going off by themselves, especially not Bubby. I feel responsible for him, even though I know he’d hate it.

“Of course, Lamb,” Rowan replies, kissing my lips softly, then getting up and heading out after Bubby.

“I’ll make us something to eat, Princess,” Roman states, placing a kiss on top of his brother’s on my lips before he, too, gets up and heads to the kitchen area.

Nik’s thumbs caress my knuckles, drawing my attention back to him.

“How are you doing,Dorogaya?” he questions, his tone so sweet that finally I let the tears fill my eyes.

“I’m scared, Nik. I want to be strong, to show you I’m not so breakable, but the hits just keep on coming and I’m so fucking scared.” My voice cracks at the end of my confession, hot tears spilling down my cheeks.

“Oh,Moye Solntse. You are the strongest person in this fucking room. Stronger than any of us with what you’ve had to survive,” he tells me, leaning forward and gathering me into his arms. “And I’m learning that it’s okay to lean on others every so often. We won’t think less of you, or that you can’t handle anything. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like that. I just worry.Ya tebia Lyublu. I love you.”

“I love you too, Nik. So much. Always have,” I tell him back, my tears slowing down. “But I need you all to know that I won’t crumple, that I can handle things without falling apart. Even if I need you to hold me every so often.”

“And we will hold you then and so many more times,Malyshka.”

He pulls back, just enough to slide his lips to mine, and I open for him immediately. Nik has always been my safe place, my refuge from anything that was scary. We have such a history together, so much time together that inevitably, we would end up here, in each other’s arms.

We pull apart only when the need to breathe becomes too much, both of our chests rising and falling rapidly with our breaths.

“Food’s almost ready,” Roman calls, and I can hear the amusement in his tone. “Just thought I should warn you guys. Wouldn’t want it to get cold if the heat turns up back there.”

I giggle, a lightness filling me even if the worry is still there for Hunter and his wound, but I suppose there’s nothing I can do right now, not until he gets back. Then I can fuss over him to my heart’s content.

“Come on,Solnishko. Let’s eat.” Nik gets up, holding out his hand, and I take it, letting him help to pull me up even though I don’t strictly need it.

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