Page 15 of Nikola

After the chase, we’d dragged the fucker back to the clearing so everyone could witness the swift punishment. Under the light of the moon and flicker of fire, our captive’s face was so bloodied that his identity was barely recognizable. But we knew who he was.

“Just end him already,” Gabriel drawled in a bored tone. “I swear, sometimes you’re like a fucking cat playing with his food.”

I shot him an annoying glare as I punched my victim again. “You mean lion.”

“No, I actually meant a cat.” He took a step back, probably scared blood would splash on his pristine suit. Fucking prima donna. “If he doesn’t have any information for us, he’s useless. Just kill him already.”

“You just want to run to Amara,” I said at the same time Gabriel mumbled something, and I leaned closer to hear him. “What? I can’t hear you, Colombiano. Old age getting to you?”

“It’s your hearing that’s lacking, not mine.” He narrowed his eyes on me. “Where is your shirt again?”

“I got fucking hot.”

“I’m so fucking tired of staring at your nipples. I see them more than any woman’s.”

I scoffed. “Seems you have a lady problem. Besides, stop staring at my nipples. We’re related. It’s creepy.”

“Dios santo, you drive me insane. No matter.” He jerked his chin at the guy in my hold. “Fucking kill him already or I will.”

In his suit, Gabriel looked like he belonged on the runway, but his appearance was deceiving. He could kill easily and swiftly, regardless of whether he wore his typical white three-piece suit. In a fucking forest, nonetheless.

“All in due time, Colombiano.” I did want to get things moving along though, so I pulled the knife from my leg holster and cut the rope binding him to the oak tree.

“For the hundredth time, I was born in the States, just like you, mad Russian.”

“Potato, potahto,” I drawled, reaching for a nearby baseball bat someone left, then swung it against the man’s skull, knocking him unconscious.

“God, you’re annoying,” Gabriel grunted, leisurely leaning against the tree.

I nodded toward the gap in the trees up ahead and started walking, knowing he’d follow. I was finished with this night, and knowing Skye was here only made me more anxious to get home. I needed a shower and to burn these blood- and dirt-stained clothes.

“I might be annoying, but I’m your friend. And as I said when you called me complaining yesterday: if you want to live, you’ll steer clear of the Brennan girl,” I stated matter-of-factly.

He scoffed. “And you’re one to talk?”

My eyes darted—involuntarily—to the five-foot-five spitfire huddled with her friends across the clearing when Gabriel’s chuckle pulled my attention back to him.

“You’re worried about me making it out unscathed? Dude, you might want to take your own advice. At least Amara’s father is reasonable. Skye’s family—” He threw his head back and laughed. “Ah, I just remembered, she’s also part of the Nikolaev family. Yeah, you’re a dead man.”

“I kind of want to kill you now, friend or not,” I muttered.

“I’ll certainly applaud your effort.” Gabriel, like the rest of the guys in our group, was an overconfident prick. No fucking wonder we got along so well. “Seriously, Nikola, think carefully here.”

Annoyance flared in me. “Easier said than done.”

“Why?”

“Well, for starters, she goes to the same school as me.”

“Easily remedied,” he drawled. “Submit that thesis you’ve been dragging your ass on and you’re done.”

We headed out of the clearing and through the forest toward our dorm. The energy coursing through my veins warned me that my night wasn’t over. I was too pumped up, but I knew a ride on my motorcycle would cure that.

I narrowed my eyes. “Then there’s the little matter of her being present at every family function.”

He tilted his chin, tapping it pensively. “Yeah, I can see how that would pose a problem.”

I fished the keys out of my pocket when we got to the parking lot in front of our dorm building as I said in a voice laced with sarcasm, “You don’t fucking say. And here I thought you might actually have some useful advice.”