Page 5 of Niko's Printsessa
Andrei, Sergei and Niko finally enter the kitchen and Andrei hugs Summer close, “Mamushka.” He rubs her swollen belly, and the ruthless man’s eyes fill with adoring affection.
For years I’ve felt alone, so believe me, I’m incredibly grateful for Sergei and Andrei falling in love with Summer and Tali. They have some understanding of what it’s like to be a Sokolov woman, with one huge exception. They are allowed to love and be loved, whereas finding love is out of the question for me. First, I’d have to date a guy more than once, and what if he broke my heart? Do I really want my family to murder him?
I thought I found that guy once and luckily I hadn’t introduced him to my family, which is the only reason he’s still walking the earth. Not like he deserves it.
I know I’m lucky. If Andrei or Sergei wanted to, they could marry me off to another crime family to strengthen an alliance.
Thankfully, they haven’t, and I have to trust they never will.
Andrei’s happiness quickly morphs into the serious glare of a Bratva boss, and his target is me. He whispers something in Summer’s ear and her eyes widen as she clutches her chest.
Her face is shadowed in sympathy and fear, and her tone is desperate and urgent, “Bec, please listen to them. I’m so sorry.” She hugs me tight before rushing out of the room and I blink several times trying to digest what she means.
Sergei, Andrei and Niko surround me with their huge, inked arms and angry Russian scowls. They would terrify even the most ruthless criminal, but I’m also a Sokolov, so I stand, my spine iron-rod, my lips pressed in a thin line, my eyes fierce, and my shaky hands clenched.
“What is going on?”
Sergei is never one to beat around the bush. “Your life was threatened, Becca.”
Did I hear him correctly? “Me? What kind of fucked up joke is this?”
Andrei crosses his arms. “Do we ever joke about threats?”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t joke period. Come on, this isn’t funny.”
“It isn’t funny and it isn’t a joke, and you need to take it seriously.”
Niko’s voice is low, also lacking any humor. “The distillery received a threatening email message, yesterday.”
“So? What does that have to do with me?”
“Becca, the threat was against you. Your life was threatened.”
“Fuck whoever did it, they’ll be dead in a matter of days.”
“Until then, we need to take precautions.” Andrei’s tone is stern.
“Wait, what kind of precautions? If you think I’m going to stop my life for some coward, you’re wrong.”
Niko is right in front of me now, his thick, inked arms crossed, and his stance wide and threatening. One muscular arm is painted in blood dripping knives piercing a skull’s hollowed eyes while the other flexes a red, thorny rose wrapped around a dagger.
“Printsessa,this isn’t up for discussion”
He knows that nickname grates my nerves. Calling me a princess and forbidding me to do something is a combination for combustion.
I encroach his personal space and poke my finger into his rock hard chest while trying to ignore his unique masculine scent. “That is the biggest joke of all.”
He rolls his eyes, “You can spare a few nights of partying. It isn’t going to kill you.”
“But it might you!”
Andrei demands, “You’re staying with Niko for a few days.”
Niko’s tone is a warning, “Let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you! Unlike you, I have a life!”
“Of what? Bottomless mimosas and endless bags of shoes?”