Page 110 of Thorns of Silence

He returned his attention to his nephew. “You always protect the family, and Skye is family. She’s your cousin.” Nikola’s expression turned broody and he pursed his lips. “So what’s it gonna be?”

He stomped over to Skye and I stiffened, ready to intervene if he hurt her, but then he pulled her into his arms. Skye’s expression signaled her shock, and she raised her face just as he bent his head and…Smooch.

Everyone froze, including the boy. I stared at him. He stared at Skye, who studied him with confusion. Sasha and Branka watched both of them.

And the whole time, one sentence screamed in my mind.That motherfucking boy just kissed my daughter on her lips.

His face turned bright red, making his pale blond hair almost appear pink. Then he released her and ran into the house.

A woman with dark hair and soft brown eyes chuckled as she followed him.

“That’s Isabella, Alexei’s sister,” Branka explained. “She’s married to Vasili.”She jutted her chin in the direction of the older, more distinguished version of Sasha and Alexei. Until you looked at the man’s knuckles, ink marring them.“His brother,” she added.

Then the meaning registered and my mouth fell open.Holy shit!This family was fucked up.

“Vasili and Isabella aren’t related,” Sasha chimed in, glaring at me at the same time. It was as if he read me like a book, wreaking havoc on my nervous system. This man was more brawn than sophistication, wide shoulders, an aura of danger surrounding him. Self-preservation kicked in and I averted my eyes.

What if he knew everything I was thinking?

A small hand slid into mine and caught my attention. I lowered my gaze to find Skye smiling happily. “Hello, Phoenix.”

Okay, it still wasn’t mommy, but it was better than “lady.”

With trembling hands, I signed back, “Hello, Skye, it’s so nice to see you again.”

She surprised me by throwing herself into my arms and wrapping her arms around my neck, making me almost tumble backward on my heels.

I held my breath for a long, drawn-out moment, letting the emotions wash over me.Five years!I had been waiting for this for five whole years. Tears burned in the backs of my eyes and my lips trembled as I returned the hug, enveloping her little body in my embrace.

Aware of a few stares, I slowly rose to my feet and faced everyone.

Isabella came rushing outside with her son in tow. Vasili joined them, ruffling his son’s hair and uttering words I couldn’t read on his lips.

They came up to me, Skye’s hand still in mine. I couldn’t find it in me to release it. Sasha’s expression locked on me and darkened, and my stomach dipped.

Isabella lowered her eyes to her son and offered an encouraging smile.

“Sorry,” he grumbled, then went to leave, but his mother stopped him.

“Try that again, buddy.”

Nikola let out a frustrated breath. “Sorry for pulling on your hair,” he signed while moving his lips slowly, and I couldn’t help but be impressed. Then he looked down at his feet, before meeting her gaze as he added, “And for kissing you.”

He didn’t look sorry at all, and judging by his parents’ expression, they picked up on the sentiment too. He readied to leave but his uncle stopped him. “Not so fast, buddy.”

I watched the exchange with fascination. Scenarios like this never took place in our household growing up. My sister and I were always on the same wavelength, and we didn’t have any cousins to argue with, both our parents being only children. Judging by the atmosphere, the Nikolaev family was used to it.

Sasha came to Skye’s other side and got down on one knee. “Is that satisfactory, princess, or do you still want me to whoop his ass?”

Two breaths of silence passed before Skye smiled sweetly.“I forgive him.”

Nikola left to make his way across the yard and Skye followed him. “And so the cycle continues,” Branka stated, amused. “These two will either be best friends or—”

She gave a pointed look to Isabella who just rolled her eyes and turned to me with a warm smile as she extended her hand.

“Hello, I’m Isabella,” she said slowly and with a warm smile on her lips.

Tatiana joined in, speaking too fast for me to follow. I observed the three women chatting vividly and laughing, keeping a polite smile on my face even though I felt slightly left out. My gaze roved the lawn until it landed on Skye, and I caught that same sense of estrangement—or maybe loneliness—flicker across her expression.