Page 58 of We The Depraved

Khyrstina turns to take in her sister and I can now see the rage on Sage’s face. I’m in the vicinity of two volcanoes now. The sky above us is turning into a dusk, the sun is setting and I have no idea what’s going to happen next.

“You completely withdrew from school, and you’ve been back in Texas for two fucking weeks?”

Sage’s hands flex by her side and I look to my sister in law whose smiling now.

“And? It’s not like you fucking cared where I was as long as I wasn’t near you.”

Sage takes a deep breath.

“You are to stay in this fucking house, Khrystina. And I mean it. You don’t leave for any reason, in fact my brand new brother-in-laws are to watch you like a hawk. We will talk when I get back.”

Khrystina’s smile turns into a frown. “You can’t tell me what to do, Sage.”

My wife gives a laugh and it almost makes my blood run cold. “He did leave you money, Khrystina. But I’m the executor until you turn twenty five years old. So, if you want your inheritance early….you’ll do what the fuck I say.”

An actual growl rips from my sister in laws mouth and I know she feels caught in a web she can’t escape from. “I fucking hate you!”

Sage’s eyes close and I know she’s trying to keep herself from saying something she’ll regret. She moves past the both of us and goes to join my brothers who are waving us both over. I shoot Khrystina one last look. She doesn’t say a word but there’s murder in her eyes.

We’ll deal with her after the honeymoon.

CHAPTER19

Sage

My eyes are drawn to the huge piece of ice resting on my left finger. I feel like some sort of imposter and my stomach is churning. I am the new Mrs. Nikita Safaryan. There is power in that last name and I know it.

The earth quakes when that name is said in rooms all across Texas.

Men walk in fear that those brothers will show up in the middle of the night to take everything that they hold dear.

Now I’m a part of it.

Rain beats down on the car as we travel on the highway. There’s enough water lining the roads I can hear it moving under the tires. God is getting silent prayers from me.

“What are you thinking about?” Niki finally asks.

“About why the roads are so slick,” I wince.

He gives a chuckle. “You’re gripping that door hard enough to bend it.”

My eyes travel to my hand and I see the truth in his statement.

“Look in the back,” Niki commands. “I have something I was waiting to give you when we got to our destination.”

I offer a smile, “What is it?”

“Just a small thing,” he murmurs and keeps his eyes on the road.

Gently, I unbuckle my seat belt, all thoughts of hydroplaning gone. Twisting, my eyes search the back of the SUV and I see seven squares wrapped in shiny paper, and all of them are held together by a white ribbon. Glancing at Niki, I quirk a brow and grab them.

When I’m comfortable in the passenger seat, I sit the gifts on my lap.

“Do I want to know?”

“Just open them.”

Rolling my eyes, my fingers begin to make short work of the wrapping paper. It goes everywhere. My eyes come into contact with the covers of the Harry Potter series. They’re first editions just like the ones my mother had given me.