Page 19 of Innocent Bratva Twins

“Sera, you’d tell me if you weren’t, right?” he asks sternly.

“I promise,” I smile, wishing he would just kiss me, and I could drift off into the make-believe-fairytale that’s playing out in my head.

Oh myword.This is crazy.

Nico empowers me. With him standing at my side, I’m stronger, more capable, and I think I could take on the world. I look up at him and realize it’s because of how he looks at me.

Like he believes in me.

He sighs softly, a frustrated amusement flashing over his face, and he smiles. “I should let you get back to work.”

“Um, yes.” I step away from him, releasing my grip on his shirt. My office door is wide open. Imagine if someone had walked in and caught us standing like that. It would have been impossible to explain.

It’s so unprofessional.

I clear my throat softly.

Nico hesitates before moving away from me completely.

“I’m right next door,” he smiles.

“Thanks,” I smile back at him, my heart spinning.

***

Sitting at my desk, I’m losing my mind. It’s almost five, almost time to go home, and I haven’t been able to focus on work. It isn’t because of what happened with Drake. It’s because of what happened with Nico.

And on top of that, he keeps coming into my office to check on me; he’s hovering and worried about me, and I adore the fact that he cares so much.

But I’m also reading into it. My silly crush is getting out of hand, and the attraction I feel towards him is so intense I might need to jump into an ice bath to clear my thoughts.

At five o'clock, Nico comes back into my office—I’ve lost count of how many times now.

“How are you getting home? I was thinking you should leave your car here and I can drive you,” he says, leaning against my desk.

I laugh. “Nico, I don’t have a car. But I really don’t need you to drive me.”

“I’m not comfortable with you going home alone. Just in case. I don’t know what Drake is capable of. He’s embarrassed and pissed off, and men like that don’t like to be made a fool of. His ego will want revenge,” he says. “I’ll drive you home.”

Standing up, I start packing my things into my work bag. “There really is no need. The drive would be pointless. I live twoblocks away, across from Golden Acre Park. It takes five minutes for me to walk home. Honestly, Nico, I’ll be completely fine. I make that walk every morning and every evening. The streets are busy. There are a lot of people around.”

His lip curls in annoyance; he doesn’t like it when I say no to him. I grin, enjoying the fact that he so badly wants to take care of me.

“Fine. I’ll walk with you then.”

“Nico," I huff. “It’s cold outside. You don’t have to do this.”

“Serafina, it’s not negotiable. Besides, there’s an excellent coffee stand in the park, and I’m dying for a good shot of caffeine. We can go the long way around, through the park. The cold air will help clear my mind. It’s been one hell of a day.”

My heart flutters at the thought of strolling through a park with Nico. It’s easy to romanticize it.

Nico is staring at me with one brow raised, and I realize he’s waiting for my answer. “Coffee sounds amazing,” I smile.

“Good. Let me grab my things. Don’t move,” he demands. I shrug my long coat onto my shoulders, tying the belt around my waist.

Outside Nico’s office, I wait nervously for him to finish packing up. Is this really happening? Is Nico about to walk me home?

Outside on the streets, I glance at him, flashing a cheeky smirk. “I don’t need your protection, you know,” I tease him. “It’s not that dangerous out here.” I gesture around the busy street, and Nico rolls his eyes at me.