Chapter 63 Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Nina’s POV
The kitchen went still after Nikolai spoke. He kept it short. Just those few words. “She’s right about the library.” Nothing more. No explanation about why he was there with me or what we talked about. He stared at his coffee like the mug was the most interesting thing in the room.
Dante turned his head slow toward him. Gave him one of those long looks that carried weight. The kind brothers give each other when they know too much has been left unsaid. Nikolai didn’t flinch. Just held the stare until Dante looked away.
Then Dante shifted his eyes to me. Leaned back a little in his chair. “Your medical school stuff won’t defend you when there’s a bomb going off or gunshots ringing in your ears. Books and screens don’t stop bullets.”
I met his gaze straight. “You said this place is safe.”
He gave a small shake of his head. “I never said completely safe. Nowhere is really safe. Not for people like us. Not for you now that you’re here.”
I let a tiny smug smile pull at my lips even though my insides felt tight. “Then maybe I should use what I have. You gave me the laptop yesterday. I’m already talking to my classmates online. Lectures. Study groups. My best friend Amanda too. She’s smart. She listens to everything. Picks up on things other people miss. She might hear something useful. Something that could actually help all of us.”
Enzo let out a sharp whistle. Low and drawn out. He pushed his chair back just enough to reach behind him. The gun came out smooth. Black. Sleek. He leaned across the table without hurry. Pressed the barrel right against my temple.
The metal felt ice cold. Heavy. My heart slammed once so hard I thought it would break free. I tried to keep my face blank. Tried to stop the shake that wanted to run through my whole body. My fingers gripped the table edge until my knuckles turned white.
“What else do you know?” Enzo asked. His voice stayed calm. Almost gentle. Like we were still talking about breakfast. “What have you told her? Who else is in these little chats?”
I couldn’t get air past the knot in my throat. The pressure from the gun made my head throb.
He tilted his head. Watched my face close. “You know what? Fuck it.” He pushed the barrel firmer. Just enough to make my scalp sting. “Just remember this. If you ever think about betraying us. If one word slips to Amanda or anyone else that puts us in danger. I will blow your fucking brains off. Right here. No warning. No sorry. You get me?”
My body shook even though I fought it. Legs trembled under the table. Stomach rolled. I nodded fast. Small jerks. Couldn’t speak.
He held it there another beat. Long enough that sweat prickled along my hairline. Then he pulled the gun back. Slid it into the back of his waistband like it weighed nothing. Sat straight again. Picked up his coffee. Took a slow sip.
The kitchen smelled like burnt toast now. Nana had forgotten the pan on the stove.
Dante hadn’t moved. Hadn’t blinked during the whole thing. When Enzo settled, Dante leaned forward. Elbows on the table. Fingers laced together.
“Your lessons with Nikolai stay,” he said. “It’s a command. Not an order.”
He reached over. Clicked the tip of the gun barrel once against the wood. Sharp. Final.
I stared at the spot where the metal touched the table. My pulse still hammered in my ears. Nobody said anything else.