Page 188 of Bleed with Me

Dorian looked at me, amusement lighting his sleepy face, while Zyon glared.

“Do you want to see your father, Nina?” he barked, taking a step closer.

“I’ll see my father today, Zyon.” I matched his deadly tone. “Or you’ll have another person on your back to come for your throne.”

Valeria gasped beside me, and Dorian froze mid-step.

“Another one who fails?” Zyon countered, and a humorless laugh flew from my mouth.

“Fails?” I repeated like an insult. “I kidnapped your precious brother from under your nose and returned him only because it fit my plan.” That part wasn’t exactly true, but he didn’t know that. “What do you think…”

I registered his movement before he could reach into his jacket and pull out his gun. Too bad I, for some unknown reason, had mine with me, too. It was just an inexplicable itch to take it with me when I left bed and turned out to be useful.

In a split second, we aimed at each other, and the atmosphere tensed so rapidly, it could be cut with a knife.

“Oh, God!” Valeria yelled, running to the girls. I swallowed hard when I realized what we were doing right before the kids, but I had no choice but to set the rules straight from the beginning.

“You won’t bully me in my house, Zyon!” I raised my voice and pointed at his chest. “Go threaten someone else!”

Dorian stood on the side with his arms lifted. His surprised face would’ve been hilarious if Zyon wasn’t aiming at me.

“I’m here to save your pathetic ass,” he ground out, watching Valeria out of the corner of his eye as she led the girls away.

“By commanding my husband in his fucking house?” I retorted, black dots clouding my vision. This was unacceptable. Every mafia family had their own rules, but this was outrageous.

“It’s okay,” Dorian said gently, his finger touching my hand. “Nina, it’s okay. It’s his love language.”

“You agree with it?” Pure disbelief dripped from my tongue.

“I don’t mind it,” he admitted, gently pushing my hand with a gun down. “But he won’t do it again if you don’t like it.” He turned to his brother. “Right?”

Zyon’s eyes narrowed at him.

“Right, Zyon?” Dorian repeated, punching him in the shoulder.

“Fine,” he mumbled, hiding the gun away. “But next time, be ready on time.”

“Next time,” Dorian said, grabbing the lapels of his suit jacket and catching him completely by surprise. “Point a gun at my wife again, and I’ll rip your throat out with my fucking teeth.” He pushed him away, turning to the stairs without another look.

Zyon glanced at him, his shocked expression matching mine.

Clearly, I wasn’t the only protective one under this roof.

-75-

Nina

The atmosphere in the car was heavy. Zyon sat in the passenger seat, scrolling through his phone, giving off murderous vibes. A young black guy with a weird accent tried to start a conversation, but he shut him up with one glare. I sat in the back with Dorian, who texted with Malin and laughed like crazy.

Obviously, he’d informed his brother about the incident in our house, and Malin’s reply?

Sunshine: Valeria will have his balls for dessert.

Dorian sent hearts to that text, closing the screen.

“I would love to be a fly in their bedroom tonight,” he whispered, grinning at the back of Zyon’s head. “But next time,” he turned to me, his smile fading, “don’t pull out guns before kids. A few months back, Zara regularly peed herself, and Aryna comes from an abusive household.”

“I know,” I breathed, guilt gripping my insides. “I lost my cool.”