Page 14 of Nikola

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NIKOLA

Isensed her the moment she stepped into the clearing.

But like the smart man I was, I stuck to my plan of ignoring her until her infatuation with me ceased to exist.

She was forbidden fruit that I had no intention of tasting again.Ever.

I was trying so hard to do right by her and keep my distance. The only way I could ensure I didn’t cave into her temptation was to stay away, but she was making it so hard.

After our little rendezvous in the club, I’d been more or less successfully avoiding her. Skye, the goddamn pest she was, took that as a challenge and had been flooding me with texts for over two weeks. I would never admit it, but I’d taken to scrolling through them mindlessly throughout my day.

Skye: It’s me, Skye.

Ridiculous of her to think I wouldn’t have her number—I’d known her most of my life for fuck’s sake.

Skye: I still owe you a lesson on how to put a tie on properly.

Skye: Want to go see a movie?

Skye: Okay, that was a dumb question. You aren’t into movies. Want to go to a bar?

At twenty years old, the girl was underage, but I didn’t bother pointing that out. Skye was smart enough to know that she couldn’t get into any bar that I’d be interested in. Not to mention, it wasn’t safe, and I’d rather cut my balls off than put her life in danger.

Skye: We could have a drink?

Skye: Or do you want to do something else? I’m up for whatever.

Skye: I played at the Metropolitan Opera today. The singer was amazing, but I daresay my piano performance was even better. Don’t bother pointing out that I can’t hear—I’m well aware. But I can always judge by the audience if the singer is good or not.

She was right about that. I wasn’t into classical music or opera, but I’d gone to see her performance. Mainly to ensure she was safe, but also to sneak a peek at her.

I wasn’t obsessed with her, and as soon as this invisible threat that lurked around was eliminated, I’d be happy to welcome some normalcy back into my life.

At least that was what I kept telling myself.

The rest of her texts went unanswered, even though I’d been tempted a few times.

Skye: I do love playing piano, although sometimes it puts me in a melancholy mood.

Skye: Why are you being such a dick?

Skye: Can you at least say something… Anything!

Skye: I know you want me, Nikola. I felt it, and if you wait too long, you’ll miss your chance.

Skye: Nikola, talk to me! Or I’ll find someone else who will.

Skye: Gosh, just because we kissed doesn’t mean you have to shut me out. We could still be friends. Whatever.

It took everything in me to remain silent. I’d even considered blocking her. But if I did that, I wouldn’t be able to track her location.

The fact that I was, at this very moment, standing in a pool of blood, a sadistic-looking man smirking at me, was enough of a sign that she was no match for me. Our incompatibility couldn’t be clearer.

Instead, those fucking hearts in her eyes refused to withdraw.

During the chase, we taunted the organ trafficker with the possibility of escape. We had booby traps set up all throughout to ensure the men were thoroughly battered down when we located them. And we always did, because an escape wasn’t possible.