Chapter 17

17

NIKOLAI

T he blonde pissed me off. When I heard the way she talked to Riley and then saw her hands on her, it made me see red. I'm still not sure I'm done with her yet. Maybe she learned her lesson, but people like her typically don't. Their ego can get in the way. Entitlement rolled off her in waves. I hated how vulnerable Riley looked at that moment. I don't even want to think about what might have happened if I hadn't been around.

I would bet that I was the first to ever put that girl in her place. How she ever believed for a second that anyone would choose her over Riley is beyond comprehension. She must be delusional. It might make her feel better to physically intimidate Riley and spew those lies about her appearance, but anyone with eyes knows none of it is true. Riley is drop-dead gorgeous. I bet it really pisses the blonde off that even her shithead boyfriend has been sniffing around Riley.

I kiss Riley's warm cheek again. I can't get myself to stop touching her. I've watched so many men fall into all kinds of vices. I never understood the love one. It was a foreign concept to me. Now I can't get enough of it. I know I never will.

"I just want you to be ready before we cross that line." I've been keeping my dick in my pants for a reason. I don't trust myself. "Once we cross that line…" I trail off, trying to temper my lust, knowing once I fully take her, there is no turning back.

"Well," Riley says, licking her lips. "Next time we're, you know?—"

"I'm eating your sweet pussy." I fill in for her, watching her face turn redder. I have to reach down and adjust my cock. One day I'll watch her blush as she wraps that mouth around my cock.

"Yeah, that." She ducks her head, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. "I'm okay with doing more." I put my finger under her chin, making her lift her eyes to meet mine.

"You really think you're ready for that? When it comes to you, Riley, my control isn't the best." I want her to understand that. To know what she's asking me for.

"I kind of love that I can make you lose control." I shake my head. I'm not sure how I feel about that. "Nikolai, you'd never do anything to hurt me. Even when you thought I betrayed you and Matteo, you still didn't raise even a finger to me."

"Because I knew you were going to be mine."

I'd been on fire the night her brother showed up here, thinking they could take Riley and Mona from us. I knew that there had to be some kind of tracker on Riley. It was the only way they could have found them. I wasn't wrong. I'd lost my mind, thinking that Riley didn't want to be here with us. That her plan was to go back to her father.

While I might have been pissed, I wouldn't have laid a hand on her in anger. I just knew I would have to show her that her family was fucked and she'd been brainwashed. I also knew I would have to put them down. Then there wouldn't be anyone for her to betray us to. Yes, that would have been problematic, but it was a necessary solution. One that kept Riley and me under the same roof and safe from her family. That was all that mattered to me.

Oh, and making her all mine. I knew that one would take time, but I was willing to play the long game. I've discovered that, when it comes to Riley, I'm willing to do anything.

"And that's what I mean. I trust you." She slides her hand into mine. "You'd never hurt me."

"Never." She is right, so I agree without much thought. For her, I'd go up against anyone. Even Matteo. I didn't think that was possible. That man raised me and gave me a better life. I owe so much to him. Yet I know my choice will always be her if it ever came down to that.

My phone goes off, interrupting our moment. I reach into my pocket and pull it out. "Fuck," I mutter under my breath when I see it's Church. I know it's not a social call. Church doesn't do small talk. He only calls when there's real work that needs to be done.

"You gotta go?"

"Yeah." I don't want to, but I've been somewhat MIA lately, wanting to spend all my time with Riley. Matteo and Church depend on me to do my part, and I need to live up to that.

"It's fine. Go." She squeezes my hand. I'm grateful that she doesn't ask me a hundred questions. This is where her understanding of our lifestyle comes in handy. I hate that she had to live through it with her shitty father and brother, but it makes it easier for me when it comes to my work.

"Sleep in my bed tonight." Fuck, as much as I love slipping into her room, the idea of her waiting for me in my bed is alluring.

"I can do that." She tilts her head back toward me. I sink my fingers into her hair and kiss her deeply. Riley grabs ahold of my shirt, getting lost in our kiss. When I release her mouth, her face is flushed, and her lips are swollen from mine. "Be safe."

Those two words hit me hard. "Okay," I choke out. To think I have someone waiting at home for me, worried for my safety, is new. I can't lose her. I'm in too deep. There is no going back for me. I can't return to who I was before her.

I give my girl one last look before I head out. When I hit the bottom floor, Sal is there. "I got her."

"Sal."

"She's your girl, Nikolai." He cocks a smile. "I only see her as a sister."

"Right," I scoff. You'll never persuade me that Riley isn't the entire package. That not everyone wants her.

"She's good for you."

"She's mine," I remind him, as if I haven't done it a million times already. I can't help myself. I wonder if, in time, some of this will temper, but I've always been quick to react. That's who I am.

"Nikolai." Sal's cocky smile drops. "I'd never betray you."

I nod. Is it fucked up that I can't say the same? When it comes to Riley, I'd betray everyone and watch the world burn while I did it. Thankfully, my girl is full of sweetness and would never ask that of me.

"Thanks, man." We bump the sides of our fists. I watch him get on the elevator and wait for a text alert that he's made it inside the condo before I hop in my car and take off. I make a few quick stops for pick-up before heading in Church's direction.

When I get there, his ass is pacing back and forth. I don't think I have ever seen him antsy before. This reaction from him immediately puts me on edge. Something's got to be up.

"You all right?" I ask him. Church turns to face me. His eyes are as cold as ever. He speaks two words. Ones I never would have guessed coming.

"Angel Rothschild."

Well, shit. This can't be good.