Which meant Nate really had to speak to his siblings, sooner rather than later. After he’d fully healed, then he’d—
He reached his room and came to an abrupt stop in the doorway, momentarily wondering if he was hallucinating from the drugs. It wasn’t meant to be a side effect, but still.
Then the figure by his desk turned and caught sight of him, smiling in that familiar way that proved he was really there and Nate wasn’t just imagining it.
“Nuri?” He blinked when his brother walked over and gave him a strong hug. “What are you doing here?”
“We moved up our visit,” Nuri informed him. “After the way our call ended last week, I felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t sitting right with me so I decided to come check on you.” He frowned. “Are you okay? You’re moving funny.”
“Oh.” Nate instinctually placed a hand over his thigh, though there was no sign of the wound with his pants on. “It’s nothing. I’m good.”
“Did something happen?” his brow furrowed deeper. “Was it your new boyfriend? Did he hurt you?”
Nate had contacted Nuri through message since that day, but he’d kept things vague on purpose. Now that he was physically here, however, that didn’t seem possible. “Something did happen, but it wasn’t his fault. And I really am okay. I’ve gotten the best medical aid available thanks to Kaz.”
“Kaz?” He tipped his head. “Kazimir Ambrose? That’s who you’re dating?”
Nate tried to read between the lines, but for the life of him, he couldn’t tell how Nuri felt about that. “Yeah. Wait, did you say we just now? As in…?”
“Silver is here, too,” he nodded. “Didn’t you see him? He was parking the car in the garage when I came inside.”
Nate had not, and that also explained why he hadn’t seen their car either.
A crash from the front of the house cut their conversation short, and they both rushed from the room, Nate momentarily forgetting all about his injury as the adrenaline kicked in. When they entered the kitchen, it was to find Kazimir and Silver toeing off.
Kaz had the CEO pinned to the refrigerator, the tip of his crystal dagger pressed to the side of his jugular.
Meanwhile, Silver had the end of a blaster up against Kaz’s side.
“Stop!” Nate scrambled over, coming to a halt when neither of them so much as budged. “Damn it, I’m serious! Both of you, cut the shit.”
“Do you know him?” Kaz asked, voice dark and filled with threat. He didn’t tear his gaze off of Silver, but he did cock his head in Nate’s direction.
“Uh, hello,” Nuri approached, coming up to Nate’s side. He waved awkwardly. “I would appreciate it if you would release my husband, Mr. Ambrose.”
“Ambrose?” Silver lifted a dark brow. “Ersa Ambrose’s son?”
“What of it?” Kaz kept the knife firmly in place.
“If we want to diffuse this situation,” Nate said, “don’t bring his dad into this.”
“Daddy issues?” Silver chuckled. “Cute.”
“Unless you want me to let him stab you,” he switched tactics, not liking how Silver was so brazenly looking down on Kazimir, “you’ll shut the hell up.”
“Did you just…” Nuri sputtered. “Nate! How could you say that to the Emperor?”
“Emperor, huh?” It seemed to finally click for Kaz and his shoulders relaxed some. “You must be Big Brother then.”
“Yes, that’s right,” Nuri cleared his throat. “Hello.”
“Hey.”
“Okay, Hotshot,” Nate clapped his hands. “Point made. You’re both big and bad and blah, blah, blah. Put down the weapons.”
“Him first,” Kaz lifted his chin toward Silver.
“And simply trust you to keep your word and follow suit?” Silver snorted. “I don’t think so.”
