NIKOLAI
I heard the car pull up, and I ran my fingers through my hair as I stood up, walking toward the door. The moment I saw them, I froze. My jaw locked tight. So, she was still around.
Then she slapped him. His eyes snapped up to mine, and something inside me cracked, my entire body going rigid. One more step and I'd drag her face across the floor until it wasn't even f*****g recognizable.
"Come here." My voice was low, forced out between gritted teeth, the anger burning through me like fire. But he moved, like the obedient thing he always was.
"She hit you." The words felt like gravel in my throat as I pulled him close, my fingers tracing the fading red mark on his skin.
He chuckled, but his eyes didn't meet mine. "I think I deserved it."
I hated hearing it—hated—t
