Page 25 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

“So have you ladies already started planning what you’ll do while I’m gone?”

“Uncle,” Tasha whined. “Do you have to leave so soon?”

“I’m sorry, rypka,” he spoke softly to her. “I have to take care of some stuff. But as soon as I can, I’ll be back.”

Tasha made a pouty face but said nothing else.

“Rooms are being prepared for you, Olivia.” He turned his attention to me and I shortly met his eyes. “They’ll be close to Tasha’s. There are clothes and other items being delivered for you as we speak. Also, you’ll have your own phone so you can call your brother. My phone number and numbers of the staff here will be in it too. Social accounts won’t work on it. We have to limit exposure.”

Whoa, this guy really thought of everything. I was grateful he thought of the phone so I could at least get in touch with my brother.

“Thank you very much. I won’t use social media and will limit my calls to ensure our safety,” I murmured softly, disturbed by this sudden intense desire I felt every time I gazed upon him. I really liked him, although it scared me too.

So I avoided looking at him, alarmed by the attraction I felt coursing through my body. I shouldn’t feel anything for any man. Not after what I endured under Malcome... yet just looking at this man in front of me made me ache for him and forget all the horrific experiences.

I bit into the toast and couldn’t taste it at all. I might as well have been chewing dirt.

“While I’m gone, you ladies can go anywhere you’d like,” Nikolai began. “You will be taken wherever you want to go by my security staff here.”

I nodded, understanding the need for safety. He risked a lot by bringing me to his home and I wouldn’t dream of putting his niece in danger because I preferred to roam the streets free, without any escort.

Another ten minutes, and he was ready to depart. Tasha gave him a big hug and smooch on his cheek while I stood to the side.

“Don’t forget to give Olivia a hug and a kiss too, Uncle,” Tasha beamed and I swore there was some happy smugness about her. I would have to get to the bottom of her romance infatuation.

I stiffened, realizing he was actually going to do it. He bent his head, placing his warm lips on my cheek. My eyes fluttered shut for a fraction of the second, inhaling his woody scent, and for that second, the whole world disappeared. But too soon, I forced my eyes open and took a step back.

“Have a safe flight back,” I whispered, looking everywhere but at him.

I quickly turned away and walked out of the room and up the stairs in search of my new bedroom.

You could get lost in his blue sapphire gaze and his body, my mind whispered.

Chapter Eight

Nikolai

Iwatched her walk away, her curved body and graceful back giving me an eyeful. I couldn’t unglue my eyes from her beautiful ass as she climbed two stairs at a time. An immediate jolt of arousal shot straight to my cock. I knew I shouldn’t kiss her but I couldn’t resist the temptation. Now, the scent of her would be engraved in my mind forever. She smelled like crisp fresh air.

What was it about her that so effortlessly turned me on? I saw the flame in her eyes, her pulse sped up as soon as she saw me enter the room.

She fought this attraction between us. I couldn’t blame her since I could only guess on the hell she went through up till now. When I claimed she was under my protection, I meant it. Anyone that tried to hurt her, including her father, would sorely regret the day they were born. She was mine to protect now.

I would give her time, all the time she needed. I’d be here when she was ready. Because deep down we both knew the day was coming when she’d end up in my bed. Every breath we took brought us closer to that moment.

Glancing at my watch, I realized it was time to head out.

“Okay, rypka,” I crouched down onto my knee. “I won’t stay away long. You’ll take care of Olivia till I come back, right?”

My niece's dark eyes twinkled with mischief. “I will, Uncle,” she replied in Russian. “You like her very much, don’t you?”

She was a perceptive little girl when it came to certain things. “I sure do.”

“So that means you’ll be back very soon,” she grinned knowingly and I couldn’t help but groan inwardly. My niece was obsessed with romance. I had no idea where it was coming from but it drove me nuts. “Will you and her make babies?”

I had to stifle my laugh. “Rypka, you know those are not appropriate questions to ask. Don’t scare Olivia away.”

She gave me a beaming smile with a cunning expression. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll put in a good word for you so she’ll like you even more.”

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