“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Uh…did I interrupt something?”

“Yes.”

“No.” Lily smiled at his brother and patted his shoulder. “Put me down and introduce me.”

Grumbling, he did as she asked. “Lily Bells, this is Mason, the baby of the family.”

“He forgot to mention I’m the best looking of the bunch.” Mason dropped the duffel on the floor and shut the door. “You really do look like Snow White. I can see now why Kade was laughing his ass off when he said it.”

“Excuse me?” Lily stiffened beside him, and Nikoli cursed.

“Ignore him. He was raised by wolves.”

“Don’t letBabushkahear you say that. She’ll come after you with her wooden spoon.” Mason came closer, and Lily started to tremble. “When we were kids, Nik said he hated the cartoon, and then he goes and gets himself engaged to a Snow White look-alike.”

“I’m not sure if I should be insulted or not.” The tremble in her voice set off Nikoli’s protective instincts.

“Don’t pay them any mind. My brothers are assholes.”

“It’s good to finally meet you,sestra.” Mason gave Lily his most charming smile, the same one Nik usually gave to women.

“Sestra?” Lily glanced at him. “What does that mean?”

“It means sister.” He pulled her into his side so her shaking wouldn’t be so visible to Mason. She was already worrying about what his family would think of her, and he wouldn’t have his kid brother give merit to her concerns.

“We never had a sister growing up.” Mason’s grin was impish. “Now we have two.”

“Why don’t I go upstairs and get ready for dinner while you catch up with your brother?” Lily murmured.

“That’s a good idea. I’ll come get you when we’re ready to go.” He kissed her, letting it linger for a heartbeat before letting her go.

She smiled at Mason then excused herself.

“Was it me?” Mason asked, staring after her.

Nikoli waited until she’d disappeared up the stairs before turning to face his brother. He’d better have a damn good excuse for showing up on Nik’s doorstep.

Chapter Thirty-One

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Golly gee,” Mason snarked right back at him. “Some way to greet the brother you haven’t seen in over a year.”

Nikoli felt bad for two seconds until he remembered exactly what his brother had interrupted. Cock blocker. That was what Mason was to him at this exact second.

“Sorry. Nice to see you. Now what the fuck are you doing showing up on my doorstep?”

“What’s up with your girl? Did I do something to offend her?”

“Fuck.” Nik ran a hand through his hair, a bad habit of all the brothers had when they were aggravated or nervous. “No, you didn’t do anything, kid.”

“Then why did she run out of her like I smelled or something?”

“Did Mama not tell you…”

“Tell me what?”