Page 91 of Shot For Mercy

We’re sitting at Giovanni’s for a private dinner after hours. The windows and walls are finally fixed from that shootout, and everything is back as it should be. Business is back to usual, thankfully. We didn’t lose any customers even after the news was everywhere. And it was—annoyingly so. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, we were too busy with Cole being kidnapped to give a damn.

There is a long table in the back of the restaurant for large parties, which we are now occupying. It’s me, Cole, my brothers, and Nikolay. Though we’re also waiting for Matteo, who hasn’t been around since Cole came home six weeks ago. I don’t find it odd though, all things considered.

My brothers keep the conversation going, everyone except Alessandro, who is sulking. Nikolay has the biggest smile on his face, as if my brother’s unhappiness brings him joy. I chuckle, raising an eyebrow at Nikolay, and he smirks knowingly. Yeah, he’s definitely a plotter.

His hand goes under the table, and Alessandro jumps, clearly startled. “Keep your hands to yourself, devil, before I cut them off,” Alex practically growls.

“Oh, husband.” Nikolay grins. “Then who’s going to touch your cock?”

I choke on my water and Cole laughs out loud. Nikolay is nothing if not entertaining. That’s for fucking sure. The rest of my brothers turn to watch the show as well, the table falling silent.

“I have a hand—actually, I have two of them.”

“Not as good as mine.” Nikolay grins. “Though if you insist, at least I’ll make some content for you. So you can perform.” Giovanni howls at this, and I snicker. “And youcanperform, right?”

“I perform just fine,” Alessandro says through gritted teeth.

“Oh, goodie,” Nikolay says, a dreamy expression on his face. “We’ll have to see about that.”

“I guess we will,” Alex snaps. “Enough talk about our sex life, please.”

“Impendingsex life,” Giovanni says with a smirk. “Let us know all about it, Nikolay.”

“Oh, trust that I will be filing formal complaints,” he replies, and all of us laugh.

“Shoot me now,” Alex begs me. “Please, Emiliano. I’ll do anything.”

“No way.” I grin. “I want to see what happens next.”

“Do we need popcorn?” Gio asks, then shakes his head. “Never mind—we definitely need popcorn.”

“So, do you plan on quitting your Only Fans after you get married?” Cole asks, purposely stoking the fire.

Giovanni looks at Nikolay expectantly, and Alessandro scowls, looking at him too.

“Absolutely not.” Nikolay grins. “I love what I do.”

“You won’t need the money, Nikolay.” Alessandro frowns. “You can quit.”

“Oh, you sweet summer child.” Nikolay cups Alessandro’s face, looking up at him with fake adoration, and Alex’s eyes widen for just a split second before he schools his features. “I’ve never needed the money. I just like doing it.”

“You will stop,” Alessandro growls, and Nikolay shakes his head. “You will. I won’t allow this to continue. You’re my husband.”

“So possessive.” Nikolay laughs, diverting his gaze away from my brother and looking at the rest of us. “Is he the only one, or does it run in the family?”

“It’s in our blood,” I say, grinning.

“I love it.” Nikolay sighs. “But sorry, Daddy. I’m not easily convinced.”

“Don’t call me daddy,” Alessandro snaps.

“Why not?” Nikolay pouts. “You’re ten years older than me.”

“Not old enough to be your daddy.” Alex sighs. “Let’s drop this conversation, please, for the love of God.”

“God has nothing to do with this,Daddy.” Nikolay grins, and Alex scowls. I’m convinced it will be his permanent facial expression for the foreseeable future. “I don’t believe in him.”

“What do you believe in?” Cole asks, clearly curious.

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