18. Nikhil

18

NIKHIL

“ I sabella,” I begin, my voice dripping with disapproval. “I don’t want to keep reminding you that you are not allowed to do whatever you want, whenever you choose. Actions have consequences. I thought you’d learned that already, and if Damian were here?—”

“But he isn’t,” she says quickly. “You are.”

That makes me grit my teeth. I’m so sick of not having the same respect as my older brother when I work just as hard, if not harder than him. “Take her back to her room.”

Her eyes widen for a moment, but she quickly composes herself, defiance flashing across her face. “Why? She’s a good woman and a loving mother. She doesn’t deserve to be locked up like this.”

I sigh, running my hand through my hair as frustration bubbles within me. Why does she feel the need to defend Annalise so fervently? “You know very well that it’s not that simple,” I tell her, struggling to keep my voice calm. “Our world is dangerous, and we can’t risk any further complications.”

“Complications?” Isabella scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. “She has two young daughters who need their mother. Don’t you have any compassion?”

It stings, her insinuation that I’m heartless. But I’ve learned that in our world, showing too much emotion can be deadly. I glare at her, my eyes narrowing. “This isn’t about compassion, Isabella. It’s about keeping everyone safe.”

“Safe?” she repeats, her voice rising in anger. “By isolating a mother from her children? What kind of safety is that? Don’t you see her in there? She loves those kids…would do anything for them.”

My hands ball into fists at my sides, fighting the urge to lash out. I don’t want to argue with her, but her stubbornness leaves me no choice. “Enough, Isabella!” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “I understand that you care for Annalise, but you must accept that this is the reality we live in. I won’t allow her to jeopardize everything we’ve built.”

“Jeopardize?” She shakes her head, eyes narrowing. “You’re just afraid.”

“Afraid?” I repeat, scoffing.

“Yes. You’re scared that she’ll leave, because even though you don’t want to admit it, deep down inside of you, there’s a part of you that cares about?—”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” I cut her off coldly.

Isabella sighs. She moves closer to me, her voice softening. “Nikhil, please. You’re a fair man. I know you have a heart beneath that icy exterior. Annalise needs to be with her daughters. It’s not right to keep them apart.”

I can’t deny that her words carry weight, and I feel a pang of guilt for keeping Annalise away from her children. “Damian made the rule, and she’s not worth the trouble of going against him.”

“Isn’t she?” Isabella counters, her gaze unwavering. “Or is it just easier to dismiss her as insignificant rather than confront the possibility that she might matter more than you’d like to admit?”

“This conversation is over.”

“Right,” she says sarcastically, her voice low, “because your word is the be-all and end-all.”

“You know the life we live.”

“Yes, and above all things is family. She’s family.”

“Isabella…”

“Why did you sleep with Annalise back then? Was it really just to provoke Damian?”

I narrow my eyes, attempting to maintain control over my racing thoughts. “Isabella, that’s not relevant to this situation.”

“Isn’t it?” she counters, her blue eyes piercing into mine, seeking answers. “Maybe you only claim it was to provoke Damian because there’s more to it than you’re willing to admit.”

“Enough!” My voice comes out harsher than I intended, but I can’t allow her to delve any deeper. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re constantly digging deeper than you should because you’re nothing more than a spoiled brat!”

Her nose twitches. “You really are just like Damian now, aren’t you?”

She turns toward the door, about to grab the handle before flipping back around. “If you won’t let Annalise out of this house, then at least let her have some semblance of normalcy. Let her go shopping with me—just for an afternoon. It might help lift her spirits.”

I stare at her, the weight of her words pressing down on me. My instincts scream that it’s a risk, that we can’t afford any more weakness. But as I look into Isabella’s eyes, I see the desperation there, the depths to which she’ll go to protect those she loves. And I realize that I’m not so different.

“Someone could see her.”

“We’ll be careful.”

“Fine,” I concede, my voice low and grudging. “But I’m coming with you.”

“Is it really necessary for you to come along?” Isabella asks, her tone laced with concern as she glances back at me. “Can’t one of the guards take care of us?”

I grit my teeth, struggling to maintain my composure. “It’s not that I don’t trust them,” I explain, “but after what happened at the cemetery, I can’t afford to take any chances. Rival bratvas are always looking for opportunities to strike, and I won’t let anything happen to either of you. Besides, both of you struggle with following directions.”

Isabella nods before smiling. “Okay.”

“Where do you want to go first?” Annalise asks Isabella, her eyes scanning the storefronts anxiously.

“Let’s start with the clothing stores,” Isabella suggests, excitement lighting up her features. “We need to find you more stuff to wear.”

“I think my closet is full.”

Isabella grabs her wrist. “A woman’s closet can never be full.”

Annalise offers a weak smile, clearly grateful for the distraction from her troubles. As they chat animatedly about the latest fashion trends, I can’t stop my eyes from following Annalise.

She’s one of the most frustrating women I’ve ever met, up there with Isabella, who isn’t a good influence on her. But something about that is alluring to me.

As we continue our shopping excursion, I find myself wrestling with the truth that my feelings for Annalise are growing stronger with each passing moment. The desire and protectiveness I feel toward her threaten to consume me, leaving me vulnerable to the very enemies I’m trying to shield her from.

I shake off these thoughts, refocusing my attention on the task at hand—ensuring their safety and keeping my own desires firmly in check. With each step we take, I’m reminded of the potential dangers we face, particularly from rival bratvas, and the responsibility that rests on my shoulders.

“Stay close,” I warn them, my voice barely audible above the din of city life. “And remember, if anything feels off, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

Isabella nods solemnly, while Annalise’s eyes meet mine, gratitude and something else—something dangerously alluring —flickering within their depths. The knowledge that I could so easily succumb to her charms only serves to heighten my vigilance.

This woman, the mother of my children, shouldn’t have an effect on me. But, she does.

The city buzzes around us as Isabella eagerly pulls me from one upscale boutique to another. The vibrant colors and textures of the clothes lining the shelves are a stark contrast to the dark, mysterious world I’ve grown accustomed to. Annalise follows closely behind, a hesitant smile plastered on her face.

“Isabella, don’t you think we’ve done enough shopping for one day?” I ask, my frustration evident in my tone. “We’ve already been to more stores than I can count, and it’s getting late.”

“Relax, Nikhil,” she replies lightheartedly, waving off my concerns as she sifts through a rack of clothes, her eyes alight with excitement. “We’re just getting started.”

My jaw clenches as I watch her proceed to select yet another dress for Annalise, this one a sultry red number that I have no doubt will look stunning on her. As much as I want to put an end to this seemingly endless shopping excursion, my desire to see Annalise radiant and confident in these new clothes trumps my irritation.

“Annalise, why don’t you try this one on?” Isabella suggests, holding up the red dress for her approval.

“Alright,” Annalise agrees hesitantly, taking the dress and disappearing into the dressing room.

“Isabella, I’m serious,” I say, trying to assert some control over the situation. “We can’t spend all day doing this. We need to get back soon.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have insisted on accompanying us,” she retorts, her eyes narrowing in defiance. “Besides, it’s not every day that Annalise gets to enjoy something like this. Let her have her moment.”

I sigh, knowing that she has a point, but I can’t shake the nagging feeling that we’re leaving ourselves exposed by staying out so long. With each passing minute, the risk of being discovered by our enemies grows.

“Fine,” I relent. “But we’re wrapping this up soon, understood?”

“Understood,” Isabella agrees, a triumphant smile playing across her lips as she proceeds to pick out a few more items.

As much as it irks me, I know that I have to swallow my pride and endure this shopping trip for just a little while longer.

I watch, my pulse racing and jaw clenched, as Annalise steps out of the dressing room again. This time she’s wearing a fitted black dress that hugs her curves in all the right places, leaving little to the imagination. My desire for her intensifies with each outfit she tries on, and I can’t help but notice the wandering eyes of the other men in the store. They stare at her with lustful expressions, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to rip their gazes away from her.

“Wow, Lily, you look stunning,” Isabella gushes as she examines Annalise, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “What do you think, Nikhil?”

“Go back into the dressing room,” I snap, unable to keep the possessiveness from my voice. “You don’t need to parade around like this.”

“Excuse me?” Annalise narrows her eyes, her hands planted firmly on her hips. “You don’t control me.”

The tension in the air is palpable, and I can feel my self-control slipping away as I watch her emerald-green eyes lock onto mine, daring me to challenge her again. My jaw clenches involuntarily.

“Enough,” I growl, reaching out to grab her arm before she can protest. “Back in there, now.” I jerk my head toward the dressing room, my grip firm but careful not to hurt her. Annalise’s eyes widen with surprise, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she studies me intently, searching for something in my expression that I desperately hope she won’t find.

“Isabella,” I say, my voice sharp and authoritative, “give us a moment.”

“But—” Isabella starts to object, her eyes darting between Annalise and me with concern.

“Just do it,” I snap, silencing her. With one last worried glance, Isabella heads off to another section of the store, leaving Annalise and me alone in front of the dressing rooms.

Once she’s out of sight, I grab the back of Annalise’s head, clashing our lips together as I walk her backward into the dressing room…

Where no other men can see her.