Page 8 of Nines's Time

“Just curious as to where you’re from,” he says, keeping his eyes on me.

I divert my eyes and lick my lips drily while looking for Gavril. When I don’t see him anywhere, my panic starts to increase further.

“Um.” This is all I manage to get out. I don’t know what else to say. I’m scared of this man, and I don’t mean to be.

I can’t take it anymore and bolt out of my seat. Without making an excuse for leaving, I rush out of there, only to plow right into a wall. Well, not a wall but a well-built man.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, looking up at the face of the man I’d just run into.

“What’s the hurry?” the guy asks, giving me a lopsided grin that I swear makes him even more gorgeous than he already is. I’d noticed him before while he was walking around.

I can’t help but think about how beautiful of a man he is. I’ve always been a sucker for a guy wearing a hat and muscles, though I’d never been one to take action on that. I’m damaged beyond repair, and there’s no way this sexy man would even really be looking at me if I hadn’t run into him.

“Oh, um, it’s just getting late, and I’ve got to go,” I blather and step away.

“You’re Meadow, right?”

“Ugh, yeah.” I nod and bite my lower lip doing my best to keep my panic down.

“I’m Nines,” he introduces himself, holding a hand out for me to take.

I tentatively but quickly do so and step away, ready to bolt. “Nice to meet you,” I say and drop his hand. “But I’m just leaving so . . . I’ll, um, I’ll see you later.”

Before he can get another word in, I walk away, all but running.

From what I don’t know.

Maybe it’s because I’ve spent the day with people who are nice, and I haven’t had that in a long time. Gavril was right, I felt safe here, but my panic kept me from relaxing.

Or maybe I’m running from the man who reminds me so much of the pain and anguish I’ve felt my entire life.

Though it could also now be due to the man who introduced himself to me.

Regardless, I’m out of here, even if I have to walk. I can’t stay anymore. Otherwise, I’ll embarrass myself more than I ever thought was possible in front of people who have been nothing but kind to me.

CHAPTERSIX

NINES

I start to go after Meadow, a sense of unease building in my gut. I didn’t like the look in her eyes as she rushed out of here. I even turn to go after her, but a hand on my shoulder stops me.

“Let her go,” Gavril commands.

During our meeting earlier, after the women left the room, I learned Gavril’s Dorin’s cousin, making him family to me as well since he would have been my father’s cousin. Though I didn’t know any of this until Dorin explained it. I swear the whole Dragomir family tree is a mind fuck to understand because of all their secrets.

Evidently, Gavril handles business for the Dragomir family where he lives. Blow asked him about the woman who came in with them that the girls seemed to know. Gavril explained that she was a woman under his protection and was like a daughter to him. He informed us that she’d decided to move here and open a boutique after finishing school and saving enough money to do so.

“Wanna explain what her deal is?” I demand, sensing the trouble that surrounds the woman. I watched her throughout the afternoon, thinking she was beautiful. I also saw how nervous she was around everyone, especially when Sniper sat across from her. From the way she bolted away from him, you’d have thought her ass was on fire. Then she ran directly into me.

“Only when the time is right will I reveal her secrets,” he answers evasively.

I furrow my brows at the discrete way he spoke, barely noticing Sniper and a few others joining us. “What does that mean?

“Is she who I think she is?” Sniper growls. His gaze directly on Gavril before the other man can answer me.

“Who might that be?” Gavril asks in return.

“A damn ghost from my fuckin’ past,” Sniper says, surprising the hell out of me.

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