7. Nina

7

NINA

Fucking Anton Koslov was not part of the plan.

It was so far away from the plan that I would have believed I had dreamed the whole thing if it weren’t for the dull ache between my thighs.

Lying among the plush pillows, I stare at the ceiling reliving every second.

Even just thinking about how incredible the sex was has me growing slick between my thighs. I’ve never come so hard, even with my damn vibrator, and I’m worried I might be hooked.

This was so not part of the plan…

After we finished, I made an excuse about needing to be up early before I could convince myself that I needed another fix.

He was very gentlemanly, walking me to my room and giving me a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing into his own room.

I stared after him at a loss for words.

From what I’ve seen so far, Anton has been kind and considerate, and not just to me, but to everyone he has interacted with.

From the staff at the bar to my friends, he’s been nothing but gracious and generous. It’s a far cry from the monster my father painted him out to be.

Has my father been feeding me a false narrative about him to help get me on board with his plan?

I know I should hate Anton for killing my brother, but the truth is Maxim was a nasty person who didn’t have a good bone in his body.

I loved him because I had to. He was my family, but that didn’t mean I liked him.

Perhaps there’s more to this story than I was led to believe. Or my mind might be completely biased toward Anton right now after the multiple orgasms.

Either way, I’m feeling uneasy about being involved in my father’s revenge plan when I don’t have all the information.

I have no idea what the end game is here. If he wanted to torture and kill Anton for his role in Maxim’s death, then why have me go to all the trouble of seducing him in the first place? It makes no sense.

The logical thing to do would be to directly ask my father about his plans, but the truth of the matter is I’m fucking terrified of him. I always have been.

The thought of questioning him seems too much of a threat to my dream of studying ballet in New York, so I need to approach the subject carefully.

My mind continues to race for most of the night but eventually, I must drift off to sleep as my six-a.m. alarm jolts me awake, and I groan at the pounding in my head from the lack of sleep.

If I were in my own bed right now, I could have slept in until at least seven thirty and still been early to my nine o’clock exam.

The thought only makes me more annoyed as I throw back the covers and get ready for the day.

I find Anton in the kitchen, brewing a pot of coffee and looking just as immaculate as he did last night in a fresh black shirt and slacks.

When I approach, he glances over his shoulder and smirks.

“Morning, lapochka .” His lips twitch as his eyes roam over my body.

Smug asshole.

“I’m not your sweetheart,” I scowl, heading to the fridge to fix myself some breakfast. Anton watches as I pull out some Greek yogurt and berries and set them on the island. I’m surprised to see you up so early.”

“I have a ballet exam at nine, remember? I don’t want to get stuck in traffic.” I start opening cupboards looking for a bowl.

Anton reaches over my head and pulls one out for me.

“You’re not going into the city,”

I take the bowl from him. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not leaving this house until this threat is taken care of.”

The rage bubbling inside me at his demand to keep me locked inside this house almost has me saying something stupid about what really went on last night.

“I have an exam.” I try to keep my temper in check. “If I miss it without good reason, I could get kicked out of the Institute. So, you’re going to need a better plan than that. Besides, I distinctly remember you saying yesterday that you would drive me into the city day or night if it meant I would come and stay with you.”

Anton narrows his eyes, but I refuse to back down on this.

I made a promise to myself that I would make the most of being at the IOD, and I’m not about to let some fake threat on my life get me kicked out when I’ve barely started.

I take a seat at the kitchen Island and start putting berries into my bowl.

Anton turns his back to me, seeming lost in thought as he pours us both a coffee.

“Fine.” He sets a mug down in front of me. “But you’re taking Yakov with you.”

“Yakov?”

“He’s one of my men.”

“You’re giving me a bodyguard?”

“It’s a fair compromise.”

I groan as I think of all the attention I’m going to get from my classmates when some hulking great Russian dude is following me around everywhere.

“I can come and go as I please as long as Yakov comes too?”

Anton nods, leaning against the island as he clutches his coffee mug.

“Like I said, fair compromise.”

I sigh, reaching for my coffee. “Fine. Tell your lackey that we leave at seven.”

There’s no way that Yakov is going to blend in among a building full of ballerinas. He’s easily six foot five, with a shaved head, multiple eyebrow piercings and hands covered in tattoos that make him look rough as hell.

I decide to sit in the back of the Range Rover he picks me up in and put my headphones on so I can avoid any uncomfortable conversation as we drive into the city.

On my way there, I quickly message my group chat, letting them know I’ll be there soon.

Emma: SHE’S ALIVE?!?!

Beatrice: I was starting to get worried…

Allie: Bring coffee x

I groan as I read Allie’s message. I had completely forgotten that it was my turn to provide the caffeine. “Hey, Yakov. Can we make a quick stop?”

At quarter to eight, Yakov pulls into a parking spot outside the IOD, and I immediately spy Emma hanging around outside. Our exam doesn’t start until nine, but we wanted to have plenty of time to warm up beforehand.

Emma’s eyes light up as I approach with the container of coffees.

“Uh, who’s the hottie with all the muscles?”

“He’s my, uh…security,” I mutter.

Emma’s blue eyes look like they’re about to pop out of their sockets, so I hand her a latte to distract her. “My father’s decided to get all super protective. He reads too much news.”

“Well, I must say I’m very grateful for the eye candy.” She winks at Yakov.

I turn, and a faint blush is staining Yakov’s cheek.

I fight a smile.

“But what happened to the other hottie from last night? Please tell me you got some.”

“I, uh…” I glance around for any sign of Beatrice and Allie.

“Oh, my god, you so did!” Emma squeals, slapping me on the shoulder. “Was it good?”

“Can we discuss this later?” I glance at Yakov.

His eyes might be scanning the sea of students heading inside, but I know he’s listening to every word.

Emma seems to follow my train of thought and winks.

“We should definitely go for drinks again this weekend. Especially if this guy has to come too.”

“Oh, my god.” I shake my head.

If Anton has his way, he likely won’t be letting me anywhere near a bar for the foreseeable future, Yakov or no Yakov.

“Why don’t you come round this weekend? We can have a girls’ night in.” We turn to head inside.

“Even better, that way I can wear my pajamas.” Emma laughs.

After my two-hour fundamentals exam followed by back-to-back classes, my lack of sleep is finally starting to catch up with me.

I’m exhausted, and it hasn’t helped that every person I’ve come into contact with has pestered me with questions regarding my new sidekick.

I’m starting to regret my choice of faking an attack to try and get Anton on my side. I wasn’t expecting him to be so protective.

After my final class of the day, I say goodbye to the girls and start to head for the exit with Yakov hot on my heels when my phone starts to buzz in my pocket.

I pull it out, and the nickname I’ve saved my father under is flashing on the screen.

The last thing I need is for my phone to ring and anyone to see who my father is.

As much as I want to send the call to voicemail, I haven’t spoken to my father for a few days, and if I put it off much longer, my life won’t be worth living.

“I just need to use the ladies’ room,” I say to Yakov who dips his chin.

I dash into the bathroom and lock myself in a stall before answering. “What is it?”

“You’ve been quiet the last few days.” My father’s voice automatically puts me on edge, and I grip the phone so tight my knuckles turn white.

“I’ve been busy.”

“I didn’t send you to New York to prance about in a fucking tutu, Nina. That was a perk based on if you could deliver the information I require. So far, you’re not holding up your end of the bargain, so I’m reluctant to keep holding up mine.”

“Things are going to plan.”

Images of Anton’s face between my thighs flash through my mind.

I’ve never been more grateful that my father is currently in Russia and unable to see the guilty look on my face.

I hate that I’m using Anton as a way to land myself a career in ballet but when it comes to the thing I love most, I will do whatever it takes to make sure I can finally live the life I’ve always wanted.

“Are they?”

“Yes, I promise you?—”

“At this point, it’s just empty words to me, Nina. You’ve been in New York for three weeks, and you’ve gotten nothing.”

“These things take time . I can’t risk making a mistake.”

“And I can’t risk the Koslov’s making another move against my fucking family,” he growls, causing me to jump. “Remember why you’re doing this, Nina.”

I’m trying .

“If you don’t start proving yourself, I’ll put you on a plane back to Russia, Nina. Don’t think I won’t.”

“Please…”

“You’re not giving me much choice.”

“Dad—” My voice breaks as I think of the future I’d have if I didn’t have dance, and it’s not one I want to live.

“I expect a call tomorrow with an update.” He hangs up the phone.

I screw my eyes shut as tears threaten to spill down my cheeks.

I never should have crossed the line last night with Anton because it’s only made things even more complicated now that emotions have gotten involved.

How can a man as attentive and kind as Anton be the monster my father painted him out to be?

I know monsters. My father is one, and so was Maxim.

From what I’ve seen of Anton Koslov, he couldn’t be more different from them.

And yet, he murdered my brother in cold blood, so he deserves to pay for his crimes.

Right?