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Nikolai burst out laughing as he raked his gaze down my body. “Why am I not surprised?”
I stormed down the walkway toward him. “There’s nothing wrong with my clothes. I don’t give a shit about fitting in with your people.”
He shook his head incredulously. “No worries. You’re still sexy in that.”
“Save it,” I thundered, flipping him off.
My anger was the only thing that overcame the fear. I had to hold onto it. Walking over to the passenger side, I opened the door and hopped in, my nerves making my stomach churn. Was I making a huge mistake? Most likely, but I couldn’t keep sitting on the sidelines, not when Carter needed my help.
Nikolai started up the vehicle and drove us in the direction of the San Fernando Valley. “Where are we going?” I asked, peering out the window. Even though it was dark, I’d rather look at nothing than at him.
“My house.”
“What?” I gasped, jerking my head toward him. “What for?”
Nikolai smirked. “It’s where the fight is, Emma. Would it hurt you to trust me a little? We’re going to be around each other for a very long time. You need to get used to me.”
A snort escaped my lips. “I’d rather have hemorrhoids.”
His chest filled with laughter. “Nice. I’ll wear you down eventually.”
Not a chance in hell.
Turning to the window again, I focused on the city lights and how they passed by so quickly, like shooting stars. I didn’t want to talk to Nikolai anymore, but I doubted he’d keep his mouth shut the rest of the way. And, of course, he didn’t.
“Tell me about you and my brother,” he said.
I shrugged off the request. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“I doubt that.” It sounded like there was no love between the brothers.
“Do you not talk to Seth?” I wondered, peering over at him.
Nikolai squeezed the steering wheel so hard the leather scrunched together. “My brother and I haven’t talked since I left New York a couple of years ago.” Seth wasn’t anything like Nikolai, and I knew that for sure.
He glanced over at me, and I batted my eyelashes. “Gee, I wonder why?”
The muscles bulged in Nikolai’s jaw. “We’ve had a lot of disagreements over the years. He’s in New York taking over our empire there, and I’m trying to expand here in California.”
It all made sense now. “I see,” I replied. “So, it’s a rivalry. Who’s winning?”
Nikolai’s gaze hardened on the road. “Me. I’m going to make damn sure of that.”
The rest of the ride was silent, and I welcomed it. I didn’t think Nikolai meant to give me a glimpse into his family history, but it was interesting to hear. It was always good to know everything you could about your enemies.
Nikolai turned off the highway a few minutes later and drove through some winding roads until we reached an enormous white brick house with a circular stone driveway. Cars were lined up from one end to the other, most of them probably worth a hundred thousand dollars apiece.
Nikolai pulled into the garage and closed the door behind us. He smiled over at me, his electric blue eyes gleaming evilly. “Are you ready?”
Heart beating wildly in my chest, I got out of the car and shut the door. Was I ready? No, I was terrified.