Alex Pov
I sat in bed, pretending to read, though the words on the page might as well have been in another language. My focus kept slipping, my thoughts circling back to Nikolai. What was he up to? What was his endgame here?
We’d agreed—this wasn’t supposed to mean anything. Yet, he kept trying to close the space between us, making promises I didn’t understand and offering protection I wasn’t sure I wanted. It didn’t make sense. None of it did.
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, closing the book and placing it on my lap.
Antonio stepped in, carrying a steaming mug. “Everything okay?”
I blinked, surprised to see him. Nikolai had left a few hours ago after dinner. I’d been relieved, honestly. Without him hovering, I’d gotten to spend time with the
