“You’ll be escorted by eleven guards. Three in the same SUV as you, four stationed in front of you, and four at your back.” Nikolas lifts his eyes to me, pausing where he’s securing a cufflink. “Do you understand, Theresa?”
“Why so many?” I ask before biting into a slice of toast.
“Because you’ve just become target number one to my enemies,” he mutters, fixing his jacket.
Slipping off the stool, I walk to him and straighten his tie. “Do you ever not wear a suit?”
“Yes, when I’m fucking you or sleeping.”
Letting out a huff, I shake my head. “How many enemies do you have?”
Nikolas lifts his hand to my chin, and instead of his touch being forceful as he nudges my face up, it’s tender. “Right now, I’m at war with the Sicilians.”
Crap, right. He mentioned that the other day.
His features tighten with concern. “Only leave the penthouse when you really have to.”
This is a side of Nikolas I haven’t seen before. Him concerned about me.
His eyes dart over my face. “Don’t defy me on this. The Sicilians have already killed thirteen of my men. They will try to get to you.”
Holy shit. Fear slithers into my chest because if it’s one thing I know, the mafia doesn’t screw around when they’re at war.
My tongue darts out, nervously wetting my lips. “Then why did you marry me? Why not let me go with Christos like you wanted at first?”
“Because I’m selfish,” he admits, much to my surprise. When he lowers his head and his mouth takes mine, I don’t hold back. I might not get along with the man, but I sure as hell desire him.
Lifting my hands to his jaw, pleasure fills me when he deepens the kiss. Nikolas wraps an arm around me, then I’m tugged hard against his body, my toes barely touching the floor.
My fingers slip into his hair, the passion between us igniting a fire that never seems to quite die out. There are always embers, ready to be stoked by the slightest provocation.
Nikolas breaks the kiss, and I moan, not wanting him to go to work but stay in bed with me. Not that I’ll ever admit that out loud to him.
“Order the clothes online,” he instructs, handing me a black credit card. Giving me a no-nonsense look, he adds, “And stay home.”
Home.
It’s going to take a while before I can think of the penthouse as home.
When I don’t reply, Nikolas’ features tighten with warning. “Tell me you understand, Theresa.”
“Yeah, okay. I hear you.”
He shakes his head at me before walking to the counter. I watch as he drinks half my coffee and steals the rest of my toast, then he heads to the elevator. “I’ll be back for lunch.” Before the doors shut behind him, Nikolas winks at me as he bites into my breakfast.
As soon as I’m alone, I allow myself to smile because as much as I want to hate Nikolas, the past twenty-four hours haven’t been absolute hell.
On the contrary, it’s been the opposite.
Staring at my laptop’s screen where clothes are on display, I don’t take in any of the items. My thoughts revolve around Nikolas and everything that happened in the past twenty-four hours.
God, the past week. It’s still crazy and hard for me to wrap my mind around.
Am I still angry? Yes.
For the past seven days, I’ve been in absolute turmoil, only to end up married to Nikolas.
I frown, trying to make sense of how things escalated between us. We went from strangers to enemies to… I’m not sure what we are now. Well, besides married.
My eyebrow darts up when the thought crosses my mind that I married my stepbrother. Then, shaking my head, I dismiss it quickly. He was never my stepbrother. Our parents being married doesn’t count.
At least I don’t have to move to Greece. If I’m really honest with myself, I’m relieved I didn’t have to marry Christos. Rather the devil you know, than the devil you don’t know… or something like that.
And the sex is mind-blowingly hot. That’s a bonus.
I shift into a more comfortable position on the couch, then lean my head back and stare up at the ceiling.
I’m married to Nikolas. Holy shit.
The realization keeps hitting me at the most random moments.
Lifting my head, I look at the wedding ring on my finger. I feel a strange twinge in my chest, thinking I’m wearing his mother’s ring.
That must mean he’s serious about this marriage, right?
Nikolas has managed to evade getting married for years. He’s thirty-six and could have his pick of any woman.
Yet, his ring’s on my finger.
My mind goes down a dark path, leading to nothing good. Will he be faithful? Is this just his way of controlling me?
Still, I’m allowed to continue my studies and pursue a career.
Confused from trying to figure out what happened and what it all means for my future, I suck in a deep breath and focus on the laptop’s screen.
Finding a boutique that houses a selection I like, I pick up my phone and dial Athina’s number.
“Morning,” she answers cheerfully. “How was your wedding night?” It only takes two seconds before she says, “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. What’s up?”
“I need help. Nikolas told me to fill my side of the closet. I found–”
“I’ll be right over.”
“I’m at his penthouse.”
“Give me thirty minutes.”
“Okay.”
Ending the call, I save the boutique’s homepage on my laptop and shut the device. I get up and head upstairs to change out of my sleeping shorts and t-shirt. Changing into a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt, I decide to make the bed.
When I’m done straightening things in the bedroom, I take a moment to be nosy, pulling open drawers and checking Nikolas’ side of the closet. Getting a whiff of his cologne, I stand and sniff the air like a lunatic, then make my way to the bathroom. I can’t find anything weird and giving up, I go back downstairs and place a couple of dishes in the dishwasher.
With nothing else to do, I go stand in front of the impressive floor-to-ceiling windows and stare out over the city.
The view is beautiful.
Soon enough, my thoughts return to Nikolas. The way he touches me, the sounds he makes, his body moving against mine – it makes me wonder if it’s all just physical.
When he orgasms, he always holds me as if he can’t bear the thought of letting go.
He used to be extremely harsh with me, but lately… he’s still firm with his demands, but the bite is gone.
Maybe…
No, there’s no way he loves me. That’s the most ridiculous thought ever.
Shaking my head at myself, I turn away from the window just as the elevator opens.
“I’m here,” Athina calls out as she steps into the entrance portal.
“Hi.” I meet her in the middle of the living room, and we do the whole air kiss thing. “Thanks for coming over.” As always, she’s dressed in a classy outfit, exuding the power of a mafia princess.
Yep, she was the right person to call in for help.
She checks the time on her wristwatch. “The boutique where I normally shop will bring over a bunch of outfits for you to try on. Let’s have some coffee while we wait.”
I walk to the kitchen, and while Athina takes a seat on one of the stools by the breakfast nook, I prepare the coffees.
“You don’t look like you want to kill Nikolas,” she mentions, her eyes scouring my face. “Dare I hope you talked things out with him?”
I let out a burst of laughter as I set a cup down in front of her. Leaning back against the counter, I reply, “We didn’t talk much.”
She scrunches her nose. “You might be my sister-in-law, and I’ve grown really fond of you, but I don’t want to know about my brother’s sex life.”
Raising my eyebrows, I shake my head. “Don’t worry. That’s one thing I’ll never share with you.”
What happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom.
Hoping to get some information out of Athina, I say, “I’m still getting to know Nikolas. I only know what makes him angry.” Me.
Athina gives me an encouraging look. “I know he can be… demanding, for lack of a better word, but he means well, Tess. He has a lot on his shoulders, and he just wants to keep us all safe.”
“I understand.” I set my cup down on the counter. “Does he ever relax?”
Concern flashes over her face. “Not so much.”
Digging deeper, I ask, “Has he ever been in love.”
She shakes her head. “Not that I know of. He’s never brought a woman home for us to meet.”
My eyebrows lift again. “That’s interesting.”
Athina nods. “Yes, so you can imagine my surprise when he declared he’s marrying you.”
“When did you find out?”
She shrugs. “Literally as I got to the church. I was just as shocked as you.”
Wow, he really waited until the last minute.
Athina drinks the last of the coffee then smiles at me. “He wouldn’t have married you if he didn’t want to, Tess. I don’t know if he loves you, but I’m confident he cares. I’ve never seen Nikolas so rattled before.”
I give her a thankful smile because she really didn’t have to answer my questions. “Thanks, Athina.”
“Nikolas might be demanding, but he’s just as giving.” Rising to her feet, her eyes lock with mine. “And if there’s one thing my brother respects, it’s the sanctity of marriage. So don’t break your vows. Nikolas meant it when he said until death do you part.”
A chill creeps down my spine because it feels like the words carry a double meaning. Still, I ask, “Does that mean he’ll be faithful?”
“Yes, and he expects the same in return.”
“Got it.”
Relief unfurls in my chest, and Athina must see it on my face because she adds, “Also, he’s never lifted a hand against a woman. It’s not his style.”
Thankful for all the information I really needed to know, I step closer to Athina and hug her. “I needed to hear that.”
“I know.” She pulls back and smiles warmly at me. “Please… will you try to make Nikolas happy?”
I can see how important it is to Athina, and not wanting to disappoint her, I nod. “I’ll try my best.”
“That’s all I ask for.”
“There might be bumps in the road, though,” I warn her. “He’s not the easiest person.”
But I won’t try to kill him in his sleep.
It’s a start, but it’s going to take a while for me to work through my anger. There’s a lot that’s happened between Nikolas and me, Athina doesn’t know about.
