Page 36 of Cage the Storm
“That’s why I’m here, to make sure you know exactly what those choices look like.” I sit forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “If you’re not ready to leave, you don’t have to. You can stay and work under Nicolai’s protection, earn a place for yourself here.” A few of them exchange glances.
“But if you’re ready,” I murmur, “Nicolai can offer you stability. A real job, a new identity, and a clean slate. But it comes with loyalty. He doesn’t take that lightly.” Amara’s gaze holds mine. The others stay quiet, but I know they’re listening.
“It’s a big decision, so take your time.”
I decide to leave at this time. Giving the women ample time to process everything. I’ll revisit in a few days to see if they’ve decided to stay under our umbrella of protection or to leave.
When I step inside Nico’s office, his fingers are pressed against his temples, exhaustion lining his features. He didn’t get a wink of sleep, and it didn’t help that we had words which led to rough sex that turned rather brutal. We most definitely have the battle scars to prove it.
“Nicolai, I spoke to the women.”
His eyes snap to mine, despite the fatigue. “And?”
“They’re still processing.”
He leans back, his voice resigned. “Figures.”
I watch him for a heartbeat, then add, “Amara’s the one who spoke up. If anyone can convince them, it’ll be her.” His jaw tightens.
“She trusts Mateo too.” His voice is clipped, like he already knows the answer.
“More than she trusts herself.” He shakes his head slightly.
“Let me know when they decide.”
“I will.” I hesitate, watching him. Last night, I used sex to make him lose control, and then he had to walk into madness with no sleep. And now he’s dealing with the fallout, and I’m feeling guilty.
I step behind his chair, placing my hands on his shoulders. His body goes rigid instantly.
“What the hell are you doing?” His voice is rough, but he doesn’t pull away.
I ignore the severity in his tone, pressing my thumbs into the tenseness along his shoulders. “Relax,” I murmur. “You look like you need it.”
He’s about to argue, but his resistance falters as I work through the tightness. His head tilts forward, and then, almost reluctantly, he groans.
I apply just enough pressure to ease some of the stiffness in his neck and shoulders before I pull my hands away.
“Get some rest, Nicolai,” I advise, stepping back.
He doesn’t look at me right away, but when he does, his gaze burns. “You think it’s that easy?”
“No,” I admit. “But it’s necessary.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
NICOLAI
Several weeks have passed,and we’ve settled into a routine. Mateo and I have been talking about hitting the casinos since we’ve stayed away too long. We can’t afford to let things slide. Too much is riding on this. It’s one of the reasons why Mateo’s been pacing the room for over an hour.
His phone vibrates, and he doesn’t delay. “Talk.”
I watch him from across the room. Whoever’s on the other end is talking fast: too fast. Urgency rolls off of him in waves, and something inside me tightens.
Mateo’s jaw locks, while his fingers grip the phone tightly. Then, finally, he looks at me. “It’s Carlo,” he says. “We’ve got a location.”
I push off the desk, grabbing my gun. “Have the team meet us there. We move now.”
We’re out the door in seconds, slipping into the car and barreling down the road. Neither of us speak; we’re too tense, bracing for what’s coming.
