Page 58 of Nikola

He nodded and I watched his lips move. “Want me to take you home?”

“I’m taking her,” Nikola growled, his anger vibrating through me.

“I was asking her, not you,” Kostya deadpanned, his body tense, knife still clutched between his fingers.

The restaurant staff was plowing through the crowd, the Nikolaevs’ guards taking everyone’s phones and shoving a stack of hundred-dollar bills in their hands. The people slowly dwindled down until there was nobody left and the windows to the restaurant were firmly shut to stop onlookers. But as the three of us stared at each other, I wasn’t sure whether it was for the best. An audience might keep them from properly murdering each other.

Nikola turned to him and I took a step forward, positioning myself between them. Barely reaching their jaws, I was sandwiched between them, my heart pounding wildly in my chest as I read their lips.

“The only reason you’re still alive is because you’re family. Leave.”

“Fuck. You. She came with me.”

Nikola’s jaw tensed and he took a threatening step forward. I shifted, putting both of my palms on his hard chest.

Nikola didn’t spare me a glance, instead slanting his cousin a dark look. “Last warning.”

“I’m not leaving her alone with you when you’re in this state,” Kostya snarled, anger that was rarely seen on his face twisting so it was almost unrecognizable.

I whipped my head back and forth between them, struggling to read their lips.

“Don’t fucking push me,” Nikola growled, his nostrils flaring. “I don’t want you anywhere near her.”

My mouth parted in shock at the fiercely possessive claim in Nikola’s eyes. His behavior made no sense. He had been pretty much ignoring me. But now, he was acting like I was his property.

“Go ahead, Kostya,” I signed with shaky fingers.

Kostya’s eyes locked on me.

“You sure?” I nodded. He shot a threatening look at Nikola. “Hurt her, make her cry… and there’s nowhere you can hide.”

Nikola’s expression darkened. “Touch what’s mine again and you won’t have to worry about anyone’s tears.”

I swallowed as Nikola’s eyes narrowed on his cousin, seeing a flicker of viciousness that promised retaliation.

Kostya slowly backed away, leaving me alone with Nikola. Our eyes met, mine full of shock and his swimming in blinding jealousy and something else I couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Silence stretched as we stared at each other.

“Are you crazy?” I asked finally.

“Apparently I am crazy about something. Or rather for someone,” he said wryly, his gaze traveling down my body. “You shouldn’t have gotten all dolled up for him, Skye. You’ve unleashed a monster in me.”

I frowned, focusing on the first part of his statement. “What are you saying exactly?”

He cupped my neck and asked slowly, “Why did you come here today?”

I swallowed before my shameful admission. “To make you jealous.”

“It sure worked.” His smile held no humor. “All I think about is you, Skye. You don’t need to make me jealous. I already am. I’m jealous of every smile you give someone else, of everything you touch, including your beloved piano.”

I froze, my lips twitching.

“You’re jealous of my piano?” He watched me for a heartbeat before reaching for his tie and loosening it with a hard tug. When it became clear he wasn’t going to answer, I asked, “Why are you wearing a suit?”

“I came here with a woman.”

I sucked in a breath and closed the small distance between us. “Who is she?”