Page 35 of Hunter's Trial
I glance at Liz and move back into the kitchen so that she’s not alarmed by our conversation. I hiss my words through my teeth. “Don’t tell me what to do with my own daughter.”
“She can’t leave the house. Neither can you. No school, no errands, nothing.”
“Are you giving commands now?”
He had better not be. He has no right. Even if this thing between us is developing far more quickly than I could have anticipated, I will never be commanded to do anything by a man, ever again.
Definitely not outside of the bedroom.
I expect more of a fight from Nikolai, but he backs down almost immediately. I wonder how many times he’s backed out of a fight before. He flicks a glance at Horus, almost seeming to dare him to say something, to be fair Horus does look utterly shocked. Then he looks back at me with his palms facing me.
“No, sorry. It’s just…” Nikolai takes a step toward me, speaking more quietly. “It’s not an order, Kate. It’s a necessary precaution.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek, deliberating.
“I’m not talking about this anymore here.” I motion with my head to the door that leads to the adjoining studio in the backyard. The house that I rent is owned by an artist currently living abroad. I haven’t found anything that I’ve needed to use the space for but it will serve as a good meeting room.
Nikolai follows me into the room and Horus follows him. I almost want to tell him that there’s no need to attempt to protect me from Nikolai. If he actually wanted to hurt me, then he would have done so already.
I close the door behind us, sealing us in the warm room filled with tension. It’s maddening. I don’t want to have to force information out of him like pulling teeth but I will do it if I have to.
“Somebody needs to tell me what’s going on, right now.” I say as I glare at Nikolai.
He looks away in contemplation for a moment like he’s debating if this is something that he wants to tell me. If he’s worried about my being involved, he should have just seen that coming. People in my line of work don’t think that they will never see danger. I know what I was doing when I chose to get involved with the mob. Any branch. I went in with my eyes open. Nikolai isn’t going to close them on me now. I will not be sidelined. Period.
Nikolai scrubs a hand up the back of his head, through his hair, tugging at strands for a moment.
Now is absolutely not the time to notice the way that his shirt rode up above the hem of his pants, giving me a glimpse at the toned muscles underneath. I will not allow myself to become distracted by the memories of last night. I refuse.
Even if my core is heating from not thinking about it.
“Di Gennaro is the head of an organization that I fucked over.” Nikolai admits.
As effective as dumping water over my head.
“My Bratva was working on closing in on the territory that they were also interested in. We feigned details on a trade from the Cartel in Mexico… made a deal with border patrol… got the whole clan put behind bars and obtained the property that we needed. Access directly into Mexico. Plus, the added bonus of a better reputation never hurts.” Nikolai explains without any remorse. He speaks about it plainly, as if he were choosing what socks to wear.
Horus’ eyes widen a fraction as he realizes something that I don’t. “May I?” he asks as he gestures for the folder, which I give him. He thumbs through the contents and glances at Nikolai.
I don’t like being left outside of the loop.
“When they were arrested, they were sent to the same high security wing that I’ve been staying in.” Nikolai says flatly. I glance down at the fading bruises on his body and assume that’s the same group who has been trying to kill him. The same ones who hurt him and made it nearly impossible for him to sleep.
“I don’t have to take the job, Nikolai.” I say softly. I take a half step closer. “In fact, I won’t work with him. I’ll refuse.” The last thing that this world needs is more actual monsters walking around these streets. It almost feels uncomfortable to speak to him so informally in front of company. Like I’m doing something that I shouldn’t or revealing too much information. Silly, I know, but I can’t seem to shake the feeling.
“You will not be safe as long as you’re within the Camorra’s reach. Just because they are behind bars…” Emotion clogs Nikolai’s throat and he cuts himself off.
“Then where is out of the Camorra’s reach?!” I ask. I knew that getting involved was going to come with strings attached. Blindly I had assumed that Alek and his men would keep me safe. I would still feel that way if Billy hadn’t shown up on my front goddamned doorstep and attacked me.
Absently, my hand drifts to my throat, touching the abused skin gingerly as I remember the fear of seeing my ex-husband again.
Nikolai notices the movement.
I can tell just what he’s thinking by the way his fist clenches and his knuckles turn white, despite the bruises he has from beating said husband.
“Russia,” he answers.
Horus immediately starts to protest. No doubt that’s well outside of Alek’s reach.