Page 12 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

“Nikolai Smirnov,” he spoke in that rich tone of his. “Call me Nikolai.”

“Nikolai,” I tried his name on my tongue and it felt right. I knew I looked like hell with the bruise on my cheek. “If you agree to a payment plan, I promise to pay off each cent he owes.” I glared at my brother. “He won’t gamble anymore. He won’t get any additional loans; he won’t even attempt to get any.” I turned to my brother and added, “Anywhere!”

“No,” Oliver protested. “You need that money to get away.”

I promptly rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Oliver! Secret.”

I glanced at Nikolai as he watched us with a slight interest in his eyes.

“My brother was trying to help me,” I begged Nikolai. “I’ll pay all of it, I promise. I’ll sign whatever document you need me to.”

“How can I count on your signature to mean anything,” he asked, “if you were planning on getting away?”

“She needs to get away before her wedding,” Oliver pleaded this time.

“Why don’t you just cancel the wedding?” Nikolai suggested, and the advice made sense. If only my mother wouldn’t end up having to take my place in Malcome’s sick and twisted games. I truly wasn’t sure what Malcome was getting out of marrying me.

“She can’t,” Oliver gritted through his teeth. “Long story. But he’s killing my sister.”

“Stop being dramatic,” I told my brother, never wavering from those mesmerizing eyes. My future husband wasn’t killing me, yet; although I felt a piece of me die each time he touched me. Malcome’s smile alone was enough to get bile in my throat again. He preferred the invisible scars along with his well-placed, hidden ones to hide from the public eye. Yeah, I’d take a bruise over what Malcome liked to do any day.

My brother assumed it was Malcome that gave me the bruise but it was actually our father. If I told that to Oliver, he would kill him. There was no protection holding him back from our father. But I didn’t want Oliver in trouble.

“Look at your face, Sis.” My brother was starting to annoy me. “And you’re not even married yet.”

My brother turned to Nikolai. “Let me work off the debt. I spent five years in Special Ops; I’m on leave for the next four weeks. I can be useful.”

Nikolai glanced at my brother for a brief second and returned to me. I felt more tense and on the edge with each second that ticked by. I wish he’d say what he intended to do.

“Okay, I’ll let you work off your debt.” His voice was lazy. It made me wonder if that was the way he spoke to his lovers. Because I had no doubt, he had many. He was everything women went for. Hot, dangerous, and, from the looks of his clothes, very rich. Not even his scarred face could turn women away.

“On one condition,” he added.

Ah, here we go!I thought to myself. There was always a catch, a condition, anything to take advantage of the situation. And it was the weak that paid the price.

The only reason Malcome was protecting my father was under the condition he gave me to him. What would this man want in return?

“What condition?” Oliver asked with a careful note in his voice while I remained silent, waiting for a shoe to drop.

“Anastasia asked me to help your sister,” he started nonchalantly, shocking the hell out of me. “I-”

“What? You know where Anastasia is?” I asked in shock, interrupting him. “Is she okay? Does her father know?” My voice shook in anticipation and I held my breath waiting for his answer.

“She’s fine. My brother and I saved her from the kidnappers a few days ago,” he responded, his eyes locked with mine. “Olivia, in order to help you, I will need you to do exactly as I say.”

The way he said my name held promises, but I wasn’t sure if I could believe them. I didn’t know if I could trust a perfect stranger. But he saved Anastasia. If Anastasia trusted him and sent him to help, maybe he could. An internal debate with pros and cons was going on and I was scared to make a wrong decision out of desperation. I wanted to get away from Malcome’s dirty clutches.

“What do you want her to do?” My twin brother answered in my stead.

Although Nikolai never moved his gaze away from me, he answered my brother. “Your sister lets me take her back to Russia. It will be the appearance of a kidnapping, to buy us time and bring Malcome Schmidt down. It will seem like all three women were targeted since Scarlett was taken too. Your friend, Scarlett, is safe with my other brother.”

Whoa, this was a lot of information to process. They were both safe? Why didn’t they call me? How did the three brothers end up in all this? It seemed a bit suspicious. But I kept the questions to myself.

“Why would you help me?” I asked him warily. “What’s in it for you?”

“Let’s just say, I don’t particularly like suffering or the men that cause it,” his tone was reserved.

“I’m sure you don’t go around saving every person under some duress” I couldn’t help but keep slight sarcasm out of my voice. “People don’t do stuff for others, unless they are getting something in return.”

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