Chapter 35 Chapter 35
“I need you both to be dead.” I said and saw the look on both their faces.
“Don’t misunderstand me. When I start targeting the Rhodes, Alistair will definitely know that you both had a hand in it and won’t hesitate to come after you and your families. I need you gone, far away from Riverside City. Don't worry; you’ll both be given five million for your loyalty.”
“Our families have been gone for years. The day your parents died, I confided in my wife. We staged a public argument and divorce. I knew keeping your father's secret could possibly cause misery for my family, so I did it and sent them away. To everyone in Riverside City, I am a divorced man with no family.” Martian said.
“I am alone, no family. It is no problem.” Marcel said, and I nodded.
When the jet landed, Wesley and Jules, along with other security, got the box off and were preparing to load it.
“You both will remain at a safe house for the next two days. Security will be present and will escort you on the third day wherever you wish to go.” Nikolai said.
“Thank you, Ms. Valerius. Thank you, Mr. Ferro," they both said.
Jules led them to a car, and they left. I headed back to the car and got in; Nikolai got in beside me but was quiet. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes for a minute. This was a lot to take in, and I was worried about what I would find when I opened that box.
I felt the light touch, and then I felt the warmth of his hands as he took my hand in his and gently ran his thumb over my knuckles, but I still didn't open my eyes. I wanted to say something but didn't; I didn't trust that I could. The entire drive he held my hands. When the car stopped, I opened my eyes and looked at him, but he was looking at the tablet in his hands. I guess he felt my stare because he looked up, his eyes locked on mine. The sun was already up. I checked the time; it was eight in the morning. I opened the door and got out. I headed in, and Ares came bounding towards me when he saw me.
“Back off," Nikolai said from behind me.
"Maria, can you prepare breakfast for us? I'll be down after a shower." I said.
“Yes, Madam," she replied. I left Nikolai there and headed to my room. Once in my room, I dropped my handbag on the table and dropped onto the bed. I was tired, drained, mentally. I walked in and began taking off my clothes. I walked into the bathroom and turned the shower on, stepping under the warm water.
It felt so relaxing, the warm water against my skin. I just stood there; I was about to grab my shampoo when I felt something behind me, and I froze.
“Don’t move," he said.
“Nikolia, what the hell?" My voice was rising. His hands wrapped around my waist, holding me in place. He still had his hands on his clothes. My mind was reeling. What the hell was he doing? I was naked, and he was standing behind me. What on earth was he thinking?
“Nikolai, what are…” My words were cut off; he squeezed my waist tighter and pulled me back into him. I felt his hands on my shoulder, his finger tracing my birthmark.
“We had fun the night you drank; why are you hesitating now?” He whispered against my ear; his warm breath made me shiver. I panicked because I had no idea what happened that night.
“I… I lied. I don't remember what happened," I said with a sigh. It happened so fast; one minute I was standing with my back to his chest, and the next he spun me around, and I was face-to-face with him, his eyes locked on me. One of his hands came up and cupped my chin, tilting my face up towards his.
“I know," he said before crushing his lips to mine. His hands tightened around my waist as he deepened the kiss, his tongue spearing into my mouth, causing a moan to escape my throat. I couldn't stop him; honestly, I didn't want to stop him. I returned his kiss, and he moved, bracing me against the wall.
My back against the wall, and the heat from his touch was dizzying. My body reacted on its own, leaning into him, into his touch. I heard a knock somewhere, but it was muffled. When his mouth moved and he kissed my neck, my hands found their way into his hair. When he bit my neck, I felt the heat of his hand as he cupped my breast, making me moan. I heard the knock again, and I pulled away from him.
I turned my back to him; my breathing was short, and my hands shook. What the hell was I doing? What the hell was he doing? I heard the knock again. I walked past him and grabbed my towel and wrapped it around me and walked out. I opened the door, and Maria was standing there.
“Madam, I am truly sorry, but the Ferro family is here in the living room. Sir…” she stooped, and I felt him behind me.
“Tell them I'll be there in a few minutes," he said, his voice rough. Maria nodded and walked away, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him.
“Nikolai, don't," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
“Isla, you’re mine, mine alone.” He leaned in closer, his warm breath on my ears. “The only reason I haven't fucked you is because I'm giving you time. "Get dressed and come down," he said. He let go of me and walked out, closing the door.
The second the door was closed, I sank to the floor. What the hell was I going to do? I needed to stay out of reach from him. I stood up on shaky legs and went to the shower. I hurried through my shower and got dressed. As I passed the mirror, I saw the hickey. I hurriedly applied some foundation to hide it.
When I walked into the living room. He was sitting there with his family. His mother and father were sitting on one couch, his uncle Victor and his wife Alessia were on another couch, and then there were Anton and his wife Katrina. His cousin Stefan and Matteo were here, and so was his brother Alessio.
I walked over and sat on one of the single chairs but didn't say anything. Nikolai was sitting in the chair next to me, his face a mask. He looked calm and unbothered, while my mind was a mess from what he did in my room.
“Nikolai, what exactly happened, and why did your grandmother step down?” "Pedro?" his father asked.
“What she has been dealing with the Rhodes, her shady dealings in human trafficking, have not gone unnoticed," Nikolai said.
“What?” Victor asked.
“You must be wrong," Stefan said.