Page 89 of Nikola

34

SKYE

After we all agreed there wouldn’t be any half-assed, speedy weddings while Papa and Sasha were unconscious, Nikola packed a few belongings and went to stay at the club where we shared our first kiss.

Of course, nobody else knew that but the two of us.

Branka and Mama were deep in their wedding planning talks, and they were sure to get Isabella’s input on everything. Vasili dedicated his energy to the only thing he could control: business. His words, not mine.

Marietta, the fashion lover she was, was showing me wedding dress photos that she thought would be perfect for me. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I already had something in mind, and it was anything but traditional.

Because Nikola and I… we were anything but an ordinary couple.

Just as I was about to rip her phone, along with the Pinterest app, away from her, the doors and windows of Vasili’s office shook, and I knew Papa or Sasha must have risen from their slumber.

The door swung open with force, banging into the wall behind it.

“Where is that fucker?” I couldn’t hear Sasha’s roar, but I imagined it would have pierced my eardrums.

Branka shot to her feet and rushed to calm him down just as my papa showed up behind him, gun in hand.

“I’ll murder that little shit,” Papa signed. I was fairly certain he was shouting those words too.

“Dante!”Mama scolded, her expression full of disapproval. “He’s just a young man, and our daughter loves him.”

His expression darkened.

“He’s not good enough for her. Where is he?” I shot to my feet and joined my mother. “Don’t give me that look, princess. He’s not worthy of you. You’ll thank me one day.”

I pried the gun from his hand, then emptied the bullets before he did something stupid.

“I’ll never forgive you if you hurt him,” I signed calmly despite the turmoil churning inside me.

Papa shook his head. “He’s not right for you. Your husband should treat you like a queen.”

“And he will,” I signed firmly. “He does.”

“Skye, he’s a deviant. He’s all wrong for you. He’ll hurt you, disrespect you, and then I’ll truly have to kill him.”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Sasha chimed in. “He is a deviant, there’s no disputing that one, but he’s never disrespected Skye.”

At least Sasha still had some sensibility left.

“Papa, do you really think I’d let Nikola treat me poorly? I can hold my own.”I tipped up my chin.“And you taught me how to kick a man’s ass.”

“He made asex tape.”

“Papa, I know. I was there, remember?” My cheeks burned, and I couldn’t help but be annoyed at him. I loved him, but hecould be so overbearing. “He asked me for my permission, so I’m to blame as much as he is for that tape.”

He gently cupped my cheeks. “Princess, he’s just not for you. Trust me on this.”

I blew out an exasperated breath. “And Amadeo Marchetti is? When did you meet him? Have you not heard the rumors about him? Even I know that he’s a total playboy.”

“He is?” Sasha straightened and had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. “News to me.”

I rolled my eyes.

“If Nikola cheats on you, I’ll kill him,” Papa said with a murderous expression, and hope flickered in my chest. He was coming around.