I blink away tears. “That’s why you flew all the way here? Just because I might be upset?”
“Nikusha, of course. I told you already. You’re the only good thing I’ve ever done.”
I bury my face and cry into my hands. Aunt Yelena comes around and wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly. The tears are hot and thick, and I feel like a child again, desperate for Tyotya to keep me safe.
“I’ll talk to him,” I whisper when I’ve calmed down. I wipe my eyes with my napkin as Yelena kisses my hair.
“Good. You should. Work this out between the two of you.”
“Artyom’s still out there. The fight’s not over, is it?”
“No, Nikusha, it’s not even close to done.” She smiles sadly and squeezes my shoulder. “Now, go wash your face. You look like you’ve been crying. It’s not the prettiest in the world.”
I laugh despite myself. “I’m happy you’re here.”
“Only for a bit though, then it’s back to the gulag with me.”
“But you will stay? For a few more days?”
“Of course.” She pats me one more time before clearing the dishes. “You think I want to get back on a plane already? Thatflight was brutal! Tell your husband to pay for first class next time, the cheap bastard!”
I help her clean up, not sure what I can say to my husband, not sure what words can fix this thing that’s broken between us, but for the first time in days I’m willing to try.
CHAPTER 20
GABE
Rain pelts the roof of the car as I stare at the front door of my beach house. Thunder rolls and lightning flashes. I’m still drenched from chasing Nika onto the beach, my clothes soaked through, my skin wet. I run the engine to warm up, but I don’t let myself get out of the car.
She doesn’t want me in there.
A sliver of ocean is visible in the distance.
What the hell was she thinking, running away like that? Daniel called in a panic and thank God I was already home. I raced to catch her, parking like a maniac, running into the storm like nothing else mattered. She could have died. I could have died. And I’d do it again if I had to.
The worst part is, I’d do it again if I had to. No hesitation, not even a question in my mind. I’d sprint out into lightning to drag her back to safety again and again if that’s what it took.
Why though? What happened to me? I nearly died when the former owner of my Bratva attacked my sister’s Dragonhusband. After that, I swore I’d never be weak again. I worked hard to shed any semblance of humanity I had left, molded myself in darkness, shaped myself into the killer I am today. People don’t matter. They’re tools to be used. They’re nothing more than contractors flitting in and out of my life.
Until Nika. I want to pretend like she’s another piece on the chessboard, but that’d be a lie. She’s become so much more, and I don’t know how I let myself get to this point.
I feel like I’m spiraling, like I’m haunted by a man I thought I’d killed. The old piece of me, still trapped in my heart. I don’t want that person anymore; I don’t need him to wake back up. But he’s waking anyway.
I have regrets. Not many, but some. Listening to Medved is one. Not telling Nika about her father is the other.
I should be celebrating. Aslan’s dead. Artyom’s on the run. I’m in the strongest position to take the Dragon throne, but it all feels empty. All because Nika looks at me like I’m a monster.
Like I’m what I’ve made myself.
Lightning flashes. Thunder rolls. I turn from the ocean and notice the front door’s standing open. Nika stands on the porch watching me, her arms crossed over her chest. She leans against the railing, head cocked.
I kill the engine and get out. Rain drenches me again, but I don’t move to go closer. I close the door and watch her.
“You gonna just get soaked?” she calls out.
“That’s the plan.”
“Come on, you must be freezing.”