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He says, sounding a little more sincere now.
Immediately, my heart skips a beat.
Nikolai’s expression hardens at once.
“No.”
His voice is firm.
Mikhail sighs.
I see how he tilts his head slightly, studying his brother, waiting for a few seconds. He doesn’t push—not right away. Instead, he allows the silence to stretch between them both, giving Nikolai some time to reconsider.
When he doesn’t, Mikhail only shrugs.
“Come on, Nikolai.” He says, swinging an arm over his brother’s shoulders. “She won’t say anything; all she wants is for them to know that she’s okay.”
Nikolai takes a deep breath in, his chest rising and falling. I watch the way his jaw clenches, and how tension rolls off him in waves. For a moment, I think he’ll refuse again.
But slowly, his eyes flicker to Mikhail’s.
A silent conversation passes between both brothers.
And finally, Mikhail’s lips curl into a grin as he glances between myself, and his brother.
“Fine, beauty. You can make a video, but only on one condition.”
I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest.
“What condition?”
His grin widens.
“Another kiss.” He tells me. I’m okay with that; they’ve been kissing me for many days now, and their touch is always expected now. “You have to kiss us both, beauty. You lead, and we follow. Sound like a plan?”
My breath catches in my throat.
This isn’t what I expected—not at all.
My first instinct is to argue with him, to push back, but the desperation to reach out to my family outweighs my pride.
It’s not like I haven’t done worse since being in their captivity.
They’ve touched me…I’ve touched them…
But I’ve never been the one to kiss them…to initiate it…to lead as they follow.
Ever.
But if a kiss is what will help me reach my family…
I nod quickly, wiping my tears away as I swallow hard.
“Okay.” I breathe out. “I’ll do it.”
If they’re surprised by my answer, they sure don’t let it show.
Nikolai is the closest, so I find myself taking a step towards him, my heart hammering in my chest. His eyes stay locked on mine. He reaches out, both arms wrapping around my middle, as he tugs me closer towards his chest. His body heatburnsagainst me.