“Thank you.”
“Just, word of advice, if I may?”
He steps closer, and I fight with everything in me not to counter his actions. Something about Nikolai feels like an explosive waiting to go off with the timer. The hairs on my arms rise on end, and I don’t know if it’s because this dinner was insanely competitive and tense or because I’m already on edge.
Or it’shim.
“If youarepregnant, take care of yourself. Ben is going to get possessive, as he should, to an extent. He wants to take my father’s seat at the highest rank there is, and he will do anything to obtain it over me. Protect yourself because he’ll getoverwhelmed, and men like us take it out on the people at our side.”
“Are you both…”Oh, God, this is so unbelievably insane.“Trying to get this spot?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. I’ve been away for a long time, and having that kind of responsibility placed on me isn’t something that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. However, if Ben takes it, he’ll ship me out. He won’t allow me near the family business.”
“Maybe you should talk to him about that.”
“Ben will never forgive me for the things I’ve done. And, before you hear it from him and he threatens you, speaking to me ever again, I was in prison, Sienna. I made some mistakes, I pissed my brother off, and I’m a liability at the end of the day. I’ve been recently released and…hence the awkward dinner.”
I don’t know what to say to that. My brain throws up a blank screen and just hums with static.
He fills the silence, however, like it’s second nature. “Look, I’m not here to climb ladders or play those power games. I’ve seen where that road goes, and I don’t want it. I want to take a little time, travel maybe. Eat food that isn’t served on a metal tray, go somewhere warm, meet a girl who isn’t interested in the last name on my ID.” He smirks, like the thought alone is a relief. “Start over. No blood feuds, no chess pieces, no…this.”
His gaze flicks toward the dining room, toward the table where Ben and their father are probably still measuring each other in thinly veiled insults.
“And for what it’s worth,” he adds, softer now, “I do care what happens to you. The deeper you get in with Ben, the harder it’ll be to breathe. Just…keep your eyes open, okay?”
I don’t know what to say to that.
My brain supplies nothing helpful, just a carousel of inappropriate questions I probably shouldn’t ask a man fresh out of prison.
“That sounds…normal,” I say, because I can’t think of another word that fits.
“That’s the point.” He smiles. “Normal is underrated. People act like they want excitement, but it’s exhausting. Trust me. I had years of…excitement.”
Years in prison, he means.
He leans his shoulder against the doorframe, tilting his head. “I don’t know you, but you seem like someone worth protecting. Stay clear of the storm if you can. My brother…he’s not going to make it easy.”
That hits home when it shouldn’t.
But, before I can respond, a shadow cuts across the hallway. I jolt and glance over to find Benedikt striding slowly toward us.
He doesn’t look tense, doesn’t give off that sharp, crackling energy he had at the dinner table. If anything, he’s too calm, like he’s been looming long enough to know exactly what’s been said.
“Nikolai,” Ben says smoothly. “Didn’t realize you were making friends.”
His brother just smirks. “She’s good company.”
“And then some.”
Nik pushes off the doorframe. “Don’t keep her locked away, Ben. She’s more interesting than you are.”
Benedikt doesn’t rise to the bait. Just looks at him for a beat too long, that measured stare of his that says more than words. Then his hand brushes my lower back, and I’m already walking with him toward the foyer.
Ivan’s there, smiling like we just finished the most pleasant dinner of our lives instead of one where the air was thick enough to cut.
Regardless, I can’t stop staring at the door behind him.
“I trust you enjoyed the meal,” he conveys pleasantly, folding his hands together in front of him.
