I’m struggling to keep my breathing under control as my stomach bottoms out. My skin grows clammy, my body a trembling mess from Nikolas’ threat.
I can’t tear my eyes away from his.
Swallowing hard, I try to think of something to say. Something to do. But there’s only a buzz of fear for brain activity.
My breaths keep coming faster, a sure sign of the impending anxiety attack.
Which I can’t let him see.
“Understood,” I force the hoarse word over my dry lips to end this confrontation.
Nikolas slowly tilts his head to the side, his unwavering and dark gaze locked on my face. It’s unnerving, like facing off with a wolf that’s about to pounce and rip me to shreds.
Needing to defuse the bomb, I repeat, “I understand.”
“Do you really?” His voice is so low and deep, filled with immense danger, it sends a shiver down my spine. He lifts a hand between us, and I instinctively take a step back. Not missing a thing, his eyes sharpen even more on me before he adjusts his jacket. “I’m the head of the family, the head of the fucking mafia.”
Two things I’m well aware of.
Nikolas sweeps an intimidating gaze over me, my skin prickling with apprehension. “And you will obey every single command from me.”
Even though I’m shaking with fear and my heart is dangerously close to bursting from my tight chest, I still manage to say, “I don’t want to be a mafia princess.” I wet my dry lips. “I’m only here for my mother. I don’t want any part of the mafia or your family.”
Nikolas narrows his eyes on me before he closes the distance between us at the speed of light. I stumble backward, slam into a desk, then he’s looming over me like a thunderous cloud.
Oh. God.
Grabbing hold of the desk to keep my balance, I gasp, but the air is quickly cut off when his fingers clamp around my throat. The tight grip gives me a preview of the brutality that comes so naturally to him.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
My heartbeat is nothing more than a frantic mess in my chest that’s too tight, making it hard to suck in a deep breath. Short bursts of air flutter over my lips, drying them out even more.
“In an hour, you’ll be part of the fucking family, whether you like it or not.” The timbre of his voice is rough, his anger making him seem impossibly powerful. His hold on my throat turns surprisingly gentle, then his fingertips brush over my jaw until his palm engulfs my flaming cheek.
It feels way too intimate, making a new fear flare to life.
The pad of his thumb brushes over my lips, his eyes devouring every inch of my face before settling on the breaths racing from me.
God, he’s relishing in my fear. It’s as if he feeds off it.
“You’ll be a good little girl and do as you’re told, or your life will become a living hell.” His teeth tug at his bottom lip, giving me the impression it’s taking all his restraint to not bite me. “Got it?”
When I nod, my cheek brushes against his palm, heating my skin.
He steps back and adjusts his jacket again. “If you’re not sure what’s expected from you, just follow Athina’s lead. She has it down to an art form.” His tone is normal again, all the bite and brutality gone. It gives me whiplash, my mind racing to catch up.
I watch as he pulls his phone from his pocket. “Take my number so you can let me know if plans change in the future.”
With trembling hands, I dig my own phone out of my bag, but I must take too long because Nikolas rips the device out of my hold. While he’s programming his number into my phone, I turn away from him and take a Xanax from my bag. I quickly place the pill beneath my tongue then close my eyes while focusing on taking deep breaths.
Don’t lose your shit until after he’s left. Keep it together.
Suddenly his chest presses against my back. A squeak escapes me, every muscle in my body tightening. My phone appears in front of me while his breath fans over my ear. “I trust this is the last altercation we’ll have?”
Taking the device from him, I nod.
“Good,” he almost growls like a beast.
I feel his heat leave my back, and seconds later, the door opens and shuts.
All the strength flows from my body, and I sag down to the floor. I cover my thundering heart with a trembling hand as a fresh wave of cold sweat breaks out over my skin.
Shit.
I close my eyes as the impact of what just happened fully hits. My anxiety spikes dangerously high, the traumatic memories of what Irene did to me threatening to take hold and drag me down the hole stuffed full of my nightmares.
It takes long minutes before the pill kicks in, forcing my anxiety levels down until they’re manageable. Only then am I able to process what happened.
Nikolas will force me to bend to his will, and if I keep fighting him, it will probably lead to my death. It’s as simple as that.
I don’t have a choice.
I have to play the role of a dutiful mafia princess.
God help me.
I had to take another Xanax after the ceremony because I’m seated next to Nikolas. Since the confrontation in the office, he’s been glued to my damn side, his presence unbearably unnerving.
At least Irene couldn’t make the celebration, or I’d be screwed today. I overheard my aunt telling Mom that Irene is traveling Europe. Silver linings. With her halfway across the world, I have one less monster to deal with.
As the celebration is in full swing, my plate lies untouched before me, which is rare. It takes a lot for me to lose my appetite.
My gaze is locked on the flower arrangement, and I’m overly aware of every single movement Nikolas makes next to me.
My nerves are frazzled, and when he reaches for his tumbler of whiskey, I can’t stop myself from flinching. The tumbler appears in front of me, then there’s a low murmur from him. “Take a sip. It will help.”
With zero strength to argue, I take the glass from him. The amber liquid sloshes against the sides and taking a small sip, my breath is stolen as the fluid burns down my throat.
My mind hasn’t stopped racing since the fight with Nikolas, trying to come up with a way to escape my inevitable, grim future.
A joyful sound draws my attention, and I watch as Mom laughs at something her new husband said. She’s so caught up in her blissful day she probably wouldn’t even notice if Nikolas decided to snap my neck right here.
There’s an intense pang of loss in my chest because it feels like I’ve lost my mother. I’m no longer the most important person in her life. Peter Stathoulis has taken over that spot.
Nikolas takes the tumbler from my numb fingers, and my eyes dart to the rim of the glass as he takes a sip, his lips touching where mine were less than a minute ago.
Seemingly relaxed, he casually rests his arm on the back of my chair. My body tenses and arches to put some distance between us, but then his arm wraps around me, and I’m tugged against his side. He lets out a chuckle. “Tell me, little sister, how are your studies going?”
Like you care.
I clear my throat, my gaze jumping to his handsome face, where there’s no sign of malice, before lowering to the black vest complimenting his solid chest.
“Good,” I whisper. I try to pull away, but it only has Nikolas tightening his hold on my shoulders.
When my eyes dart to his again, I feel his thumb brush against my skin. The touch sends a streak of nervous energy through me.
“You’ll be done by June?” he asks, his demeanor still casual, giving the impression to the other guests that we’re comfortable in each other’s company, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve never felt more unsettled around another human being before.
“Yes.”
A smile tugs at his lips, changing him from looking like the grim reaper to sinfully attractive. “Good. The sooner I arrange a marriage for you, the better.” His words shudder through me, then he sweeps his other hand over the hall. “Is there anyone here who catches your eye? If I start negotiations now, we can have you married by the end of July.”
What. The. Hell?
“I’m not getting married,” I object, my tone weak instead of filled with the strength I seem to lack whenever I’m in his presence. It’s as if he drains it from me only to use it against me.
The man is a damn strength vampire.
Nikolas’ gaze locks with mine, dark and brooding. He’s probably planning my demise.
“You are. The sooner I can hand you over to another man, the sooner you won’t be my problem.”
Thank God for the two calming pills and sip of whiskey, or I’d lose my shit.
“Why can’t you just ignore my existence?”
The corner of his mouth twitches again. “You represent the Stathoulis family, Tess. Your actions will either reflect poorly or favorably on me.” Tilting his head slightly, the smirk on his face grows with potency. It’s hot and terrifying. The devil is the most beautiful sinner, and being the arrogant asshole he is, he freaking knows it. “It would be in your best interest to try and gain my favor.”
“How would I do that? Sign my life over to you, give up on every dream I’ve ever had, get married, and squeeze out two kids?” Either it’s the medication, or I’m braver than I feel.
“Hmm.” The sound from deep in his throat sends goosebumps scattering over my skin, making me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt in my entire existence. “I like the idea of you signing your life over to me.”
Shaking my head, my eyebrows draw together as I take in the monster that’s now my stepbrother. Surely he has a heart somewhere in that chest of his? He can’t be all evil. “Don’t you care at all?”
Maybe he’s cut from the same cloth at Irene, soulless and cruel?
His expression grows serious again. “You haven’t given me anything to care about. Change your attitude and show me you’re an asset to the family, and I might start to care whether you’re happy or not.” He leans forward, holding my eyes prisoner with a brutal look. “Piss me off, and I’ll hand you over to the oldest fucker willing to marry you.”
My stomach revolts at the thought, and it seriously puts the fear of God in me. “I’d rather die.”
“That can be arranged.”
My mouth dries up so severely I reach for his tumbler of whiskey and down the rest of the fiery liquid.
Knowing I’m stuck with the devil for a stepbrother, and it spells nothing good for me, my shoulders sag beneath the weight of his arm.
He pulls me into a sideways hug. “Obey me, and we’ll get along just fine.”
Yeah right.
I need to figure out a way to beat Nikolas at his own game before he destroys my entire life.
