Page 58 of Nikolai

Pulling up in front of Kings Construction, Nikolai parks his SUV. "I'm driving up the mountain today to check on the progress the resort is making. The owner is set to open this winter, and he wants to know if we're on schedule. That means I probably won't be back in time to take you to lunch."

"No worries. I can call Alba, see if she wants to swing by and grab something. She mentioned something about stopping by the garage and having lunch with Bella when I talked to her yesterday."

Nikolai cups the back of my neck. "You could just hang with me today."

I roll my eyes. "Then who will answer the phones." Since we said I do, Nikolai and I have become addicted to each other. We don't spend more than an hour apart from each other, and we can't seem to keep our hands to ourselves. I've heard some people say we are going through the honeymoon phase and that it won't last forever. I'm not sure I believe them. I can't imagine ever getting tired of being near or touching my husband every chance I get—my husband. I'll never get tired of saying that either.

"I think the two of us will survive a few hours apart." I lean across the console and kiss him. "I love you," I say against his mouth.

"Love you too, Malyshka. I'll be back in time to take you home."

Hopping down from the SUV, I make my way to the office entrance and wave at Nikolai over my shoulder before stepping through. Inside, Reid is walking out of the break room with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Mornin', sweetheart."

"Hi, Reid." I settle in behind my desk, fire up the computer, and switch the phone over from the answering machine.

"I have a guy named Lester Brickman coming in to see me at nine o'clock. When he gets here, will you send him back?"

"No problem."

"Thanks, darlin'."

As Reid makes his way back to his office, I busy myself with callbacks and emails. Once I catch up on my work, I head down the hall to the breakroom to make myself a cup of coffee when I hear the bell over the entrance door ring. Peering down at my watch, I note that it's a quarter to nine. Reid's guy is early. With my mug in hand, I make my way back toward my desk and pause mid-stride about ten feet from the man who currently has his back to me as he stares out the window beside my desk. My breath gets caught in my throat, and my palms begin to sweat. That's because I'd know that silhouette anywhere. Dressed in his state-issued uniform, is my father. The cup in my hand slips through my fingers, crashing to the floor, spilling onto the carpet. And when I finally remember to breathe, my gasp has my father spinning around to face me.

"Leah."

My name coming from his mouth causes my skin to crawl, and an ugly feeling in the pit of my stomach to form, a feeling I haven't felt in a year.

"Leave," I say barely above a whisper.

"I need to speak with you." My father keeps going.

"Leave," I repeat, voice trembling.

My dad takes a step closer then stops when something or should I say someone over my shoulder catches his attention. That's when I feel a presence at my back. I know exactly who it is because, in two second flat, Reid places himself in front of me, blocking me from my father. I peek around his shoulder to see my dad's face turning red.

"I'm here to speak to my daughter."

"That's not happenin'." Reid crosses his arm over his chest.

My dad doesn't back down. "I suggest you step aside, boy."

Oh, crap!

Reid drops his arms to his side, and his body visibly stiffens. "And I suggest you walk your ass out of here before you lose the chance, motherfucker."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Yes. You're the piece of shit sperm donor who likes to beat on women and children. The real question here is, do you know who the fuck I am?" Reid counters.

James Winters looks ready to spit nails and makes a mistake by taking a step-in mine and Reid's direction because when he does, I watch stunned as Reid reaches behind his back, beneath his cut, and produces a gun. He then proceeds to point it straight at my dad.

"Oh my, God," I gasp my heart suddenly in my throat.

Reaching around with the hand not holding a gun on my father, Reid gives my arm a reassuring squeeze.

"You've made a big mistake," my dad sneers. "I'll have you arrested."

"I'll have a bullet in your head before you do shit."

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