It happened so fast; one moment they were exchanging words laden with threats and mockery, and in the next heartbeat Nikolai took Mikel down with brutal precision—a single hit that knocked him flat on his back against the floorboards.
I blinked in shock at how quickly it all unfolded—the ferocity of that single blow left no doubt about who truly held power here now.
Mikel groaned as he lay sprawled on the ground, dazed but not entirely out for good—his eyes glazed over in disbelief at how easily he’d been toppled from his precarious perch atop this chaotic situation he'd tried so hard to control just moments before.
Nikolai stood over him—a looming shadow casting long lines of power across what used to be Mikel’s domain—and all at once everything shifted again—the weight of past grievances hung heavy in that silence that followed; an unspoken acknowledgment passed between us: this wasn’t just about physicality anymore, it was personal on levels neither man had anticipated earlier tonight when tempers flared higher than fists ever could reach alone.
“Don’t you ever touch her again.” The words dripped from Nikolai's lips with lethal clarity as he glared down at Mikel lying there stunned by his own arrogance turned inside out like a coat shed too carelessly for warmth's sake.
Mikel groaned as he pushed himself up, the floor creaking beneath him. Blood trickled from his lip, and a smug grin threatened to break through the pain.
Nikolai didn't give him a moment's reprieve. He drove his fist into Mikel’s gut again, the punch landing with a sickening thud.
“Stay down,” Nikolai ordered, his voice low and menacing.
I watched in disbelief, my heart pounding. The raw energy in the room was electric; it pulsed between them like an unseen force. I should have felt fear, but instead, something else surged within me—an undeniable thrill.
Mikel coughed, blood splattering onto the floor as he met Nikolai’s icy stare. “You care for her?” he rasped, words strained and laced with venom. “What a pathetic little hero you are.”
The silence stretched taut between them. I could see the muscles in Nikolai’s jaw clench as he held back whatever anger simmered just below the surface. Then he turned to me, speaking softly in Russian, “??? ???. ??? ???.”
The weight of his words sank into my chest like lead, filling me with warmth and possessiveness that felt both intoxicating and terrifying.
Mikel laughed—a harsh sound that echoed off the walls. “Is that supposed to mean something? You really think she wants you? You’re just a convenient distraction.”
Nikolai’s expression darkened further; there was a primal intensity radiating from him that made my heart race even faster.
“Get out,” Nikolai growled, every syllable wrapped in steel.
For a moment, Mikel hesitated—perhaps weighing his options or gauging how far he could push this before things turned uglier still. But the fire in Nikolai’s eyes must’ve made it clear there would be no second chances.
With a final glare directed at me, Mikel rose slowly to his feet—wincing but still trying to hold onto some semblance of bravado as he stumbled toward the door.
“Enjoy your little game,” he spat over his shoulder before stepping outside into the night.
The moment the door swung shut behind him, an enormous tension released from my shoulders. I turned to face Nikolai, breathless and overwhelmed by what had just unfolded—how quickly everything had escalated into chaos.
But it wasn’t just chaos; it was clarity too—a fierce protectiveness from him that ignited something deep within me.
He stood there silently for a moment longer, breathing heavily as if coming down from adrenaline’s high before turning toward me again.
“Are you okay?” His voice was softer now, edged with concern that cut through the remnants of anger still lingering in the air.
I didn't think.
I threw myself into his arms and kissed him.
Chapter 26
Nikolai
Her lips were soft against mine, tentative at first, but then the heat surged between us like wildfire. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us. The chaos of the past moments faded into a distant echo; all that mattered was the taste of her mouth and the warmth of her body pressed against me.
I deepened the kiss, letting my instincts take over. It felt as if I had been starved for this—her breath mingling with mine, the sweet scent of vanilla still lingering from her baking. Every second stretched out, holding the world at bay. Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging gently as she leaned into me, her trust palpable and intoxicating.
My mind raced. Just moments ago, I had been ready to unleash everything on Mikel, to protect what was mine with ruthless precision. But now, here in this small bubble we’d created together, I wanted to show Mina something different—a passion that wasn’t born from anger but from something deeper.
I broke away for just a heartbeat to catch my breath and to look into her eyes—those wide, expressive eyes that spoke volumes without uttering a word. “I'm sorry he was here,” I murmured, brushing my thumb along her cheek.
