Page 6 of Twisted Devotion

I ignore that and say, “I’ll email you my account information.”

He nods. “I’ll have Skylar set up your payment.”

“I assume she’ll also be briefing me on the situation?”

Another nod from Nikolai. “She will send it to you prior to your arrival.”

“Okay,” I say, straightening. “Was there more, or am I free to go?”

Before either of them can answer, the office door swings open, and Allison waltzes in, not bothering to knock or close the door behind her.

“Sup?” she says, glancing between us. “Oh, crap. Did I—?”

“Yes,” we all say in unison, and her face goes red. I don’t bother bringing up the fact that I was with her no more than an hour ago, and she knew I was coming here to meet with Nikolai and Tristan.

“My bad,” she mutters, tying her hair back as she purses her lips. “Aurora called a few minutes ago. Adam’s asking for you,” she tells Tristan, and his eyes light up immediately.

I fight the urge to chuckle. That kid has Tristan wrapped around his cute little finger.

“Go,” Nikolai tells him. “We’ll touch base later. Tell the rugrat I said hey. Adam, too,” he says with a grin.

We all roll our eyes at him.

Tristan gives me one last thoughtful look and heads for the door, Allison leaving with him.

“Have you heard from Seth?” Nikolai asks once we’re alone.

I frown. “Not since he left Rockdale.”

“I’m sorry,” Nik says. “You know, if you want to talk about it—”

“Thanks,” I say, and before I can add anything else, Skylar pops her head into the office.

“I have your brief here. I was going to email it, but I figure you’re here anyway.” She walks into the room and holds out a black file. “Give it a read when you can.”

With a sigh, I accept it, sliding the thick folder into my bag. I’ll flip through it later. Likely with a glass of wine.

“See you tomorrow,” Sky says before leaving the office.

When I turn to look at Nikolai, he’s staring at door that just closed.

I roll my eyes at his openness to gawk at his girlfriend at work, and stand, shouldering my bag. “You’re like a dog with a bone,” I comment dryly.

He laughs. “Did you just call my girlfriend a bone?”

“It’s a metaphor, Nik.”

“Smarty pants,” he remarks, standing to walk me out. “Listen, I know this wasn’t what you were expecting to do with the next few months of your eternity, but it’s important.”

“I know,” I cut in.

“It’s important,” he reiterates, “but so are you. Your job is to keep him alive, which means you have to take care of yourself, too. Understand?” His eyes capture mine, and my throat goes dry.

I’m definitely not used to seeing Nikolai so sincere and serious.

“Understood,” I say in a low voice.

“Good.” His tone is lighter now, and that sparkle I’m used to seeing in his eyes is back, making the tension in my chest lessen.

---