“No,” Trey eventually answers, his expression unreadable. “But Nikolai still won’t like this.”
“Then he can tell me that himself.” Nero’s voice is still dangerous. Still deadly. “Until then, step the fuck aside. This isn’t your kingdom to guard.”
While mumbling something about kingdoms being merely conquered provinces, Trey moves aside as requested.
My stomach gurgles when his soundless permission for us to enter Nikolai’s realm is quickly chased by a man from the sidelines hooking his leg over an all-terrain vehicle and taking off in the direction of the Popov residence.
He wears tattler as obviously as I wear worry.
“I don’t need to be here,” I say to Nero, halving the lengths of his strides.
His narrowed eyes widen the longer they float over my worried expression. “They won’t hurt you, butterfly. They were ordered not to months ago. They won’t disobey a direct order. Not from Nikolai or myself.”
“I’m not worried about me.” Nothing but honesty rings in my tone.
I trust Nero because why would he build me up so high only to stand back and watch me be knocked down? It is the intentions of others I am worried about.
In between the wild, crazy sex, and a sickening number of calories to keep our energy up, we talked—a lot.
Years of stories were spilled in hours. Nothing was off-limits, and the purge brought us so close you’d swear we’ve been dating for months.
If we’re even dating.
Nero scoffs as if he heard my thoughts. It doesn’t match his smirk when he asks, “Then who are you worried about?”
“You,” I answer without pause for contemplation, speaking from my heart as I have numerous times over the past four days. “And how many people Tasha hooked with her nails while she was here.”
I’ve been ruminating over Tasha’s game plan since Nero explained the swiftness of their marriage and how it came about. I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her.
I reconsider my analogy after remembering how tiny she is.
I don’t trust her. Period.
Nero’s smile turns genuine, and it makes my knees quake for a completely different reason than my worry that we’re walking into a trap.
“If that’s the case, butterfly, you’ve gotnothingto worry about.” He continues walking, taking me with him. “She’s never been here, and she willneverbe invited to come here.”
I don’t bother hiding my delight that I’ve progressed further than his quickie Vegas marriage. He can’t see my smile since he is in front of me—though you wouldn’t know that from how clammy his hand gets when I set it free.
My heart is already in a state of disrepair, but it surges to coronary failure territory when we pass through thick plastic curtains at the side of a warehouse. All the catering products I wrote down, and a handful of missed ones, stretch from one wall to the next.
Everything I need to bring Justine’s wedding reception to its glory is in this room. He even sourced the engraved caviar spoons most guests don’t know how to use.
“How?” My mouth moves, but that is all that comes out.
I’m too shocked to speak.
I didn’t give him my list, so how did he get everything I need?
I’m torn between hollering in excitement and growling in anger when Nero answers, “The buyer Roy sought was a friend of a friend. He had no clue he was purchasing stolen goods. He thought it was a regretful sale of a once-loved business because of the dissolution of a marriage.”
I talk through the lump in my throat when the entirety of his reply works through the lust haze stealing my smarts. “This ismystuff?”
Nero nods, and the nonchalance of his response makes me laugh. It is highly inappropriate, but it is either laugh or tackle him to the floor and let him impregnate me like the desire shouldn’t only ruminate from the exhaustion of multiple orgasms.
Regretfully, I go for what I believe society will find acceptable for a woman still technically married.
“Will Roy get in trouble for this?” I pick up a napkin holder I purchased specifically for Nikolai and Justine’s wedding before twisting to face Nero. “I don’t care about what happens to Roy. I’m just curious as to the process of selling stolen goods to someone in the mafia.”
