Chapter 31

Nikolai

W hen I wake, I'm surrounded by Arianna's familiar smell, a scent I couldn't quite grasp or recall before, but now is so distinctly her I wonder how I ever forgot it. The events of last night unfold in my memory as I realize I'm in her bed, in her home. But I'm alone. The noise of clattering pots and conversation flow from the kitchen. By the sounds of it, it's just her and her daughter.

Fuck. Her daughter. How could I forget about that? Arianna has a child. Thank god she didn't wake up last night.

Poor kid would have been scarred for life no matter what point she could have awoken.

Panic rushes through me as I remember that all my clothes and belongings are in the other room, we were naked when we came in here. I can't exactly walk in there butt naked, and there's no way I'm putting on Arianna's floral robe. Luckily, as I'm contemplating what I should do, my eyes land on my clothing neatly folded on top of the dresser with my phone placed on top. I quickly get dressed, checking my phone for updates.

I had Endo and a couple of others accompany me on this trip, just in case. Thankfully, I did, since it turned out I needed them last night. As much as I wanted to murder that creep for touching Arianna, I knew we needed to get as much information from him as possible, and it probably wouldn't go down as the best reunion ever with Arianna if I tortured and murdered a man in her kitchen on my return. Any more than I already had, that is—although she seemed as ready to kill him as I was at one point, my fiery little kukolka .

Endo and his men came as soon as I called to deal with the problem. The text on my phone from Endo reads:

The pig didn't squeal, or offer much more than what you already got out of him. Fucking pathetic, like you said. Let me know what I should do with him next.

I know Endo wouldn't have acted without instructions. That the man will still be tied up somewhere secure waiting for my orders. We're using burner phones so I can afford to be less circumspect than if I had been using my personal cell phone. I fire off a message back.

Cut off his cock and balls, stuff them down his throat, and sew his mouth shut. Then, send the body to De Luca's compound. He'll get the message wherever he's hiding.

Endo's reply immediately pings back.

Fucking creatively brutal even for you, boss. I take it the reunion either went really well or shit. Either way, I like your style. Consider it done.

With that taken care of, I slip my phone into my pocket and head into the kitchen.

Arianna and the little girl are sitting at the table eating breakfast. As I enter, Arianna looks up at me and a shy smile appears on her face.

"You're up."

The little girl swivels around to look at me and I'm momentarily blown away by her eyes. They're so blue, almost turquoise azure. Just like mine. I glance at Arianna, and I can tell she sees what I've noticed.

The little girl breaks into a toothy smile as she claps her hands together, "Mommy, a giant!" she says, pointing a chubby finger at me.

Arianna lets out a little chuckle at the cuteness of her child. "Maria Adelina, this is Mommy's friend, Nikolai. He's not a giant, though he is very tall."

I'm struck dumb, still reeling at the sight of Arianna's daughter.

"Come join us?" Arianna asks tentatively, breaking me from my reverie.

"Me!" Maria Adelina demands.

"She wants you to sit next to her," Arianna explains. "You should feel honored. Usually, she's quite shy with new people."

"Well, how can I refuse the lady in that case," I say with a smile, sitting next to the small child.

"Can I get you any breakfast?" Arianna asks, her eyes flitting between me and Maria Adelina.

"Just coffee please," I reply.

Now the passionate encounter of last night has passed, we're both a little uncomfortable and awkward around each other. There's so much to say and neither of us has a clue how to start. I watch Maria Adelina, fascinated. She's almost the spitting image of me as a child, though she has inherited her rosebud lips and long eyelashes from her mother.

Arianna is carefully studying me as she tentatively places the coffee in front of me.

"Is she…?" I start, gesturing to the child beside me, unsure how to ask such a big important question, though she certainly seems the right sort of age for the dates to line up.

"Yours? No," Arianna replies hurriedly, but she is unable to meet my gaze, turning away and busying herself.

"How old is she?" I press.

"Just turned two. Her father is no longer in the picture."

If she was mine, she'd have to be a couple of months older than two. I have no real experience with young children, so I have no way of telling if Arianna is being truthful. The thought of her being with another man, of bearing his child, causes a jealous flare of anger that I struggle to suppress. I can't blame her for having lived a life after I sent her away and told her I never wanted to see her again.

The image of Arianna being with another man is enough to distract me from my line of questioning about Maria Adelina, and I welcome the change of subject when Arianna brings it up.

"Nikolai, why did you come?" she asks nervously, as though afraid she won't like the answer.

"Because I couldn't stay away," I reply truthfully. "I had to see for myself if you were happy. If letting you go was the right thing. Are you happy here?" I ask.

"Yes," she says.

The thought that she might still pick this life, that she's happier here without me feels like a blow to the gut and I have to concentrate on my breathing, remind myself that I came here to give her a choice, not kidnap her again like a neanderthal.

"I was. To a certain extent at least," she continues. "I live in a gorgeous, peaceful town. I have a beautiful and energetic little girl, and Kimiko and Maria visit when they can."

"But?" I ask, praying that there is a but.

"But I didn't have you," she says softly, forlorn eyes meeting mine.

"You do now. For as long as you want me, I'm yours."

"And I'm yours, always."

My heart leaps at her words.

"I'll book us on the next flight to New York. We can stay at the mansion, apartment, or any of my other properties you'd like."

Arianna shakes her head. "Nikolai, I can't just leave. I can't just uproot Mads' life here on a whim. I am yours, always. But I also belong to Mads, she has to come first in my life. I need to think about this before I agree to it. I'm not saying no, I'm just saying give me some time to think. I need to be sure that whatever decision I make is right for Mads, that she'll be safe."

"I will keep you both safe. I promise," I reply, frustrated that she would think otherwise. "You can't stay here, not now it's been compromised. Your father knows where you are, it's not safe."

"I know Nikolai, believe me. But it's just that this is all so soon, so monumental. My whole world has been turned on its head and I just need some time to come to terms with it all and work out what is going to be best for my child," she pleads.

"Go pack your bags, I can arrange for the rest to be collected at a later date," I reply, unmoved.

Arianna looks completely bewildered. "Did you not hear a word I just said? We're not just up and leaving for New York. For starters, what about my job? I can't leave them in the lurch."

"Frankly, Arianna, I don't care. I'm taking you somewhere safe, whether you like it or not."

"You don't get to just barge back into my life and start making demands," Arianna cries.

"Watch me," I growl.

I don't care what Arianna says, now I've found her I'm never letting her go again. Even if I have to drag her kicking and screaming.

Arianna glances at her daughter, "Sweetie, Mommy and her friend are going to go in the other room to talk for a minute, be a good girl and don't go anywhere," she says before jerking her head toward the living room, beckoning me to follow.

I go willingly, I don't want Mads to see this anymore than she does. The second we reach the room, Arianna shuts the door and wheels around to face me, face alight with righteous anger.

"This is my life, my child, you don't get to decide what's best for us. I don't want my daughter to have the childhood I had. For her to grow up afraid, living in a gilded cage, constantly under guard because of the dangerous lifestyle you're trying to force on her!" she rages, her eyes sparking with indignation.

"I'm not forcing anything onto you or Maria Adelina, you were born into this life, whether you like it or not, you're always going to be part of it."

"But I don't want to be part of it. Nothing's changed, Nikolai, we can't be together. I can't go with you. I won't."

I can tell from the defiant glint in her eye that she won't change her mind. Once Arianna's decided something she's as stubborn as a mule. There's no use arguing with her. And there's no way I'm leaving her to fend for herself.

"Fine. If you're determined to be stupid and reckless, then you leave me no choice," I state calmly approaching her as I reach into my pocket.

"So, what? You're going to throw me over your shoulder and carry me there, are you?" she snips sarcastically.

"Yes," I reply simply as I push the plunger of the needle into her soft skin.

Her eyes widen with alarm as she realizes what I did.

"Nikolai, what did you do?" she says, her voice already slurring as she slowly loses consciousness.

"What I had to. I'm going to keep you and Mads state," I reply as she falls into the deep, dreamless sleep of the sedated.