Page 22 of Obsession of the Bratva

I stared at his back. “You can’t keep me here forever.”

His shoulders went still, and then he looked over his shoulder. The expression on his face made my stomach drop because there was absolutely nothing familiar in it. Nothing gentle or loving or kind. Only cold certainty.

“Watch me.”

And for the first time since he took me from that church, I realized just how much damage six months had done. Not to me. But to him. And if I didn’t find a way to stop what was coming, my father wouldn’t be the only threat waiting for us. Nico Romanov might become one, too.

Chapter 5 - Nico

I should have known peace would never last.

Not because Vera was particularly loud or difficult. She had never been that way, even when we had been together. But because Vera had always possessed a remarkable ability to identify exactly which of my nerves needed to be stepped on and then proceed to stomp on it repeatedly until I lost my mind. That was something she had done even when we were together.

The office door flew open without a knock, and I did not look up from the reports spread across my desk to find out who it was. I already knew. I had known the moment she had stepped out of her room and walked downstairs, her loud and angry footsteps echoing across the house.

“No,” I said, before she could open her mouth and say whatever she was about to say. It had been three weeks, and we had been constantly fighting over anything and everything. I knew she was frustrated, and she was making sure I stayed just as frustrated as her.

“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

I signed the last page and placed it aside, still not looking up. I knew how much that annoyed her.

“I know you walked in here looking homicidal. Experience tells me whatever follows won’t improve my day, so please leave me out of it and let me work.”

“Your confidence is inspiring, but I am not going anywhere.”

“My attitude is certainly not inspiring.”

I finally lifted my gaze. Vera stood in the doorway wearing one of my black T-shirts and a pair of gray sweatpants she had stolen from one of the guest rooms. The sight irritated me immediately. Not because she looked bad. She looked beautiful. The oversized shirt hung off one shoulder, exposing smooth skin, and her dark hair was twisted into a careless knot. There was no makeup, jewelry, or armor, but her blue eyes glowed beautifully, making her appear brighter.

Just Vera. My Vera.

The woman I had once loved enough to destroy myself for. The woman who was no longer mine. I looked away first.

“You came here to complain about something or the other, I am sure. So, go ahead, let’s get it over with. Let’s hear what it is this time.”

“I came here because I haven’t slept in three days, Nico. Three fucking days.”

I leaned back, unsure how that was my problem. I folded my arms across my chest, the movement tightening the sleeves of my dress shirt, which immediately tugged her attention towards my bare arms. I still noticed the way she looked at me, which was enough to tell me that the attraction had not faded. Not one bit.

Every time I was near her, I heard her breath catch.

She still wanted me just as much as I wanted her, and that was both confusing and annoying at the same time.

“That sounds rather unpleasant, but I don’t know why I should care.”

“You should care since I am unable to sleep because of you!” She all but shouted, her beautiful face twisted in an angry scowl. “It’s the music, Nico.”

“The music? What about it?” I knew exactly what she meant, but I was determined to rile her up. If she could frustrate me, I could treat her the exact same way as well.

Her eyes narrowed.

“You were playing jazz in your room at three in the morning! And the volume on your speakers was high enough to wake up the entire house. I bet the servants hate you just as much for keeping them awake as well.”

“I couldn’t sleep. Music helps me,” I replied with a shrug, feeling like an asshole but not admitting to being one.

“Neither could I.”

“Well, that’s a shame.”