Page 28 of Nikola

Although, judging by my papa’s expression, it totally wasn’t. His next words confirmed it. “We’re Italian. We don’t want to eatturkey and stuffing. And I’ll never understand how people can eat sweet potatoes withmarshmallows.” He made a face like he was about to be sick, and I chuckled again. “Besides, why do two family gatherings? We already have one with your uncle Amon.”

“Maybe the Nikolaevs will fix us pasta if we ask them nicely.”

“Doesn’t everyone have better things to do?” he begrudged. “It’s not even a real holiday. Plus, staying in the Nikolaev compound with all of them… it’s just too much.”

“You never complain abouttoo muchwhen we spend time with Aunt Reina and Uncle Amon in their fortress,” I pointed out, and Papa let out an exaggerated breath.

“Reina’snot trying to get my wife and daughter to like them better than me.”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Oh, Papa. Mama and I like you the best. Always have and always will.”

“How did I get so lucky?”

I pretended to think about it. “Hmm, according to Mama’s stories, you’re a stubborn man who stole her heart and refused to give up until she was yours.”

“I did do that, but I hope you find a better boy than your papa.” He smiled. “I have to admit, I acted somewhat… recklessly.”

Mama had used the wordpsychotic, but I wasn’t going to correct him.

“There’s nobody better than you,” I scoffed. “If I find someone like you, I’ll be a lucky girl.”

My fingers itched to tell him that I actually might have already found someone like him, but knowing Papa’s dislike for the Nikolaevs, I didn’t see him taking it well. Their bad blood dated back to my adoption by Sasha and Branka, and the fact that the Nikolaevs tried to take me back.

Yes, the two families had come to a compromise, but it was never quite the familial relationship that Mama and I wanted to achieve. Despite the fact that Mama was a surrogate for Sasha and Branka and birthed Damien, Papa and Sasha never exactly saw eye to eye.

We chatted for a few more minutes, and after we made plans for Papa’s jet to pick me up in two weeks and take me to Trieste, he ended our call with the excuse of going to check on Mama. Even though we both knew it was more the fact that he’d reached his limit for sharing her with Sasha and Branka.

I walked down the hall and found Penelope and Amara in the living room, sleeping it off on the couch. They hadn’t returned to the dorms until the early hours of the morning, looking thoroughly fucked.

A small—okay, big—part of me was jealous.

If only Nikola had lost his head and relaxed for long enough to fuck my brains out.

I sighed.

At least I had my vibrator, which, unlike a certain blond somebody, was extremely reliable and always came through.

9

NIKOLA

The moment Skye flew back home to Italy, I took my own plane back to New Orleans.

The last several weeks since the incident at Revelation were passed in a constant state of arousal. I finally understood the meaning of blue balls, but unfortunately my dick refused to work for any other girl. It zeroed in on Skye, demanding her soft body and her stubborn mouth.

If only that useless organ would cooperate with my reason, life would be easier.

I wanted the best for Skye, and involving her in this life and the mafia wasn’t it. I had no doubt that she’d find some sweet, normal boy who would give her a nice, comfortable life away from the mafia world.

The thought of Skye with anyone else made me literally sick to my stomach. I didn’t know how I would possibly let her go and do the right thing. Loving her and letting her go seemed impossible, yet I knew that both had to be done.

Hence why I did the only other thing I knew I was good at.

I wreaked havoc on this earth while searching high and low for the identities of both The Duchess and the woman whohurt my Skye when she was a little innocent girl without the Nikolaevs and her family to protect her.

I had more than ample time since I was delaying turning in my thesis, but I made a promise to Uncle Sasha to keep Skye safe while in college and I intended to keep that promise.

For more than one reason.