Page 12 of Heritage of Fire

No one hears me.

Chapter 6

Nik

My ears are ringing, and it sounds like a high-pitched scream is blasting through my head. I turn down the radio next to my bench press and physically shake my head to rid myself of whatever the hellthatwas. Probably went too hard.

I snatch my water bottle off the floor and guzzle half of it. I just completed the last of my sets for the night and my stomach is clawing my insides for some dinner.

A ding from my cell pauses the wipe down of my equipment.

The boss is five minutes out.

Thanks for the heads up, Ivan.Leave it to Luka to visit a warehouse at 9 p.m. on a Saturday night. He hasn’t been around as much since he’s been with Kate, but he still pops up at random inconvenient times.

Done with my wipe down, I toss the towel in the hamper. I put a gym on the lower level of the warehouse, off the training room we have at all our locations. With my apartment being an open concept, I didn’t want all the equipment visible. Plus, I think Kate would have killed me if I’d marred the “beautiful bachelor pad”, as she calls it, with gym equipment.

I end up bumping into Luka at the bottom of the steps leading upstairs. The manila folder in his hand means this visit is all business.

“Boss.” I nod at him, and he gives me a weary smile. “Kate doing well?”

Talking about Kate can usually put him in a better mood. Typically, I use it for my benefit.

“Da. She’s home with Ilena watching a bunch of women try to date the same guy. I have no idea.”

I snicker at that. “Sign me up.”

He shoots me a glare and follows me up the stairs. I stroll into the kitchen, heading for my pantry to grab some microwave popcorn. Luka studies my TV while I chuck it in the microwave.

“That islarge, Nik.” He points to the screen hanging in the space between two sets of windows that look out into the surrounding trees. “Why do you need it that big?”

I snort. “Because I’m doing more than watching cooking shows.”

He scowls at me.

The buttery aroma of popcorn wafts through the apartment and my stomach growls. Triple beeps from the microwave have me moving to grab a bowl. Naturally, it takes me four drawers and two cabinets to find what I’m looking for.

“Want some?” I ask Luka.

“Nyet.”

Disgust curls his lips, and I smile. Typical Luka. Always one to avoid having fun, or food. Well, more like fun food. If it’s not Ilena’s delicate Russian cooking, forget it.

“Nikolai, are you ready for the wedding next weekend?” He flinches as he asks, a hint of guilt lining his brow. One thing about Luka is he feels responsible for others to a fault. I know he thinks this is his doing. This is weighing him down, but he shouldn’t be carrying this burden. It wasmychoice.

“It’ll be okay, Luka. It’s only a contract. Another deal. I’ll have my work to keep me busy. I’m sure she has a mafia princess social calendar and will be with her family all the time. It won’t be a real marriage—only on a sheet of paper.”

The words tumble out of my mouth as if I’m trying to convince myself. Luka’s eyebrows knit and his lips press together, expression concerned. I’m pretty sure he sees through my bullshit.

A salty flavor explodes over my tongue with each handful of popcorn I shove into my mouth. The crunchiness of my late-night snack is satisfying, and I groan at the buttery goodness.

Luka moves toward me. A smirk slides onto his face before he falls somber and serious once again. “The contract dictates there will be no wedding parties, but you know I’d be there by your side if there was. I wish I could take this burden from you, Nikolai.”

This burden—worth it. I would do this a million times over to see the Bratva succeed. For Luka and Kate.

“I know, brother.” I slap my hand on his shoulder, greasy fingerprints from my popcorn leaving smudges on his suit. I wince as his eyes travel from the mess to my face.

“Nikolai, Ilena is going to kill you.” Luka rolls his lips into a tight line, clearly trying not to smile.

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