Page 67 of The Stalking King

She nods. “I think so. A little shaken up.”

“That’s understandable. I’m sorry you have to be part of this. I wish things could be different.”

I think about a different world, where this could simply be a heartwarming scene between my brother and my girlfriend. Well, my kind of girlfriend, my almost girlfriend.

But there’s too much at stake.

“Lia,” I say gently. “I need to speak with my men.”

“Okay, sure. I should go and talk to Mom. What should I tell her?”

“The truth,” I say immediately. Nikolai gives me a look. “She deserves it. And I’m not going to force Lia to lie to her mother.”

She walks over and kisses me on the cheek.

“Best nurse ever,” I whisper, and she kisses me again.

A minute later, Anton joins us.

“Were you followed, boss?” he asks. “No tracker on your vehicle. One of our men dead. Two of theirs. We’re talking to cops. They know to shut their mouths.”

“I don’t think I was followed,” I say. “But hell… I was distracted.”

Nikolai and Anton look at me in shock.

“I know,” I snap, sitting up, wincing as the bullet wound tugs and flares in pain. “This doesn’t leave this room, but I was thinking about Lia, about meeting her mother. I might not have been as vigilant as I should have.”

Anton nods. “Happens, boss. No one will know.”

“Nikolai, you should check on Rachael and her son.”

His face goes pale, his eyes widen. He looks like a little boy suddenly, wearing a kimono one size too big with an anxious smile on his face. Will you teach me, big brother? Can I be strong like you?

“Why?” He asks tightly.

“Listen,” I tell him. “I’m pretty sure Rachael is the woman who’s been giving you trouble. I think you did more than save her and her boy. I think you’ve fallen for her, and hell, there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s time we were honest. If you have fallen for her – and if they somehow find out – she could be at risk too.”

“She’s in New York,” Nikolai says uncomfortably.

“Yeah, a four-hour drive,” I grunt.

He massages his forehead. “I’ll call her.” He looks at me with hard eyes. “If Vale hurt Rachael or Mikey, I won’t be able to stop myself. I’ll burn it all down.”

“I get that,” I say. “You did a good thing, saving them. Make sure it all wasn’t for nothing.”

Nikolai leaves the room. Anton stands at the window, then turns, frowning.

“What?” I ask.

He moves closer, lowering his voice. “I have to say.”

“Say it, then.”

“He’s been acting… strange,” Anton says. “He can always know where you are⁠—”

I dart my hand out and drag Anton toward me. It’s not often this hard, grizzled man is afraid. But he is now. My blood is boiling. My vision red.

“Nikolai has saved my life multiple times,” I snarl. “Nikolai has never betrayed me, never even come close. He's the only family I have left. Do you understand me? Do you fucking understand me?”