Chapter 98
Nina’s POV
My mouth opened but nothing came out at first. The words stuck in my throat like dry bread. I stared at the tall figure in the shadows. Bare chest glowing from the dying fire behind him. That cigar smoke curled up slow, making his face look even scarier. Broad shoulders. Muscles tight like he could snap me in half without trying. It had to be one of them. Nikolai? Or maybe Dante? My heart slammed so hard I felt it in my ears.
“W-wait,” I finally whispered. “Please, I… I didn’t mean—”
He rolled his eyes. Just like that. Slow and bored, like I was some annoying kid. He took another puff from the cigar and blew the smoke my way. It stung my nose.
“Don’t mind me,” he said, voice low and rough. “Go on.”
That was it? No grab? No yelling? My brain spun. Terror mixed wi
