"I actually do know. I often feel like no one really listens to me. I mean, I'm not in your position… but I understand being misunderstood," she says sympathetically.
For some reason, the look in her eyes makes me open up even more.
I find myself talking to her about what happened.
About how I got screwed over by people I trusted, how I'm angry at myself for letting my guard down when I know how brutal this world is. How it got me into trouble, and how I didn't want to drag my family into it, so I tried to fix it myself.
She listens attentively, her hand resting on my leg. It's a distraction and a comfort. Her fingers rest quietly, heat soaking between us.
The way she's looking at me has my heartstrings pulling me toward her. I want to kiss her so badly, to pull her into my arms and hold her.
Fuck. This isn't good. I shouldn't have brought her out here.
But tonight is incredible. This is more fun than you've had in years.
"You know, if you tried to talk to my brothers, they'd listen. They aren't bad people. Maybe you're misunderstanding them too… " she says, her bright blue eyes locked onto me. "You make them sound evil, but they're not." She shrugs.
Anger grates at me. Why the hell did she have to bring them up and defend them after what I've just told her? They stole my family from me. How is that ok?
I huff angrily and move away from her.
She notices immediately and sighs, rolling her eyes. "You're impossible, Bardil. You go on and on about how people don't understand you, but you're just as bad as them!" she snaps.
"Don't talk to me about your family as though they're innocent."
"Don't accuse them then. You want them to think you're not the bad guy, then you've got to make an effort as well."
I shake my head, my anger getting worse.
Standing up, I move away from the sofa and try to calm my thoughts, but she follows me.
"Dammit, Bardil. Can't you see how childish this is?" she complains.
"Childish? Who the hell are you talking to? You don't understand what I'm going through if you're still pushing your family's agenda onto me," I growl.
"I'm not pushing anyagenda,you idiot. I'm only saying that there are two sides to every story and you're demandingpeople hear yours without also wanting to hear theirs." Her eyes are fierce and confrontational.
She puffs her chest out and tries to look taller as she squares up to me. Little rabbit. Half my size and trying to look intimidating.
I hate that it also makes her look so fucking sexy. All night she's been teasing me. All night she's been taunting me and making me fight for self-control.
"Nikita?" A guy's voice drags my attention off her.
She spins to look at him. "Stalone?" She smiles. My hackles rise as he walks toward us, his eyes on Nikita.
"Are you ok… Is this guy bothering you?" he asks. My instincts are screaming at me to punch him in the face.
"No, um, I'm… "
I move against her side and slip my arm around her, pulling her tight against me. No asshole is going to come and interfere with us. No one is pulling her away from me.She's mine.
"We're fine here," I snap.
"I was asking the girl," he snaps back.
"The girl? Where's your respect?" I snarl darkly. "She has a name."
"Nikita?" he asks, looking away from me. "Is this guy bothering you?"
