Page 47 of Nikola
“No, but I will,” Nikola stated with confidence, and I didn’t doubt it.
Since it resurfaced, that whole memory had been haunting me. On one hand, I hoped Nikola would let it go, but on the other, I hoped he’d learn who that woman was and what happened to her. Maybe that would lay those bad memories to rest once and for all.
Papa’s and Sasha’s eyes locked on us.
“Is something wrong?” Sasha asked, signing and speaking while his gaze darted between Damien and me. “You’ve been quiet all night.”
“Only because you two have been too loud,” I retorted, flashing them a forced smile.
Branka and my mama shared an amused glance before Branka raised her glass of wine and said, “Boys will be boys.”
Sasha straightened in his seat. “I believe you meant to say, men will be men.”
Branka pursed her lips as if she were considering the words, then said, “No, I meant exactly what I said.”
Mama chuckled, her deep blue eyes stark against her dark hair and shining with the kind of peace that pulled you in. “Dante and Sasha really need to stop the constant bickering.” She flashed me a soft smile. “We want to set a good example for the children.”
“I agree,” Tatiana chimed in. “But then again, a family duel would be fun too.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to her.
“A duel?” Isabella, Nikola’s mother, questioned with a furrowed brow.
Tatiana patted the corners of her mouth. “Yes, a duel. Where two men face off?—”
“I think they know what a duel is,moya luna.” Her husband patted her hand. “They might just be wondering where the idea came from.”
“I’ve been reading historical romances lately,” she said, then winked at her husband. “And let me tell you, there are some hot?—”
“Children!” Isabella cut her off.
Marietta threw her head back and laughed. “Mom, we know all about sex, thank you.”
“Keep talking nonsense, Marietta, and you’ll be on lockdown until you’re married.” Vasili offered a stony smile, swirling his whiskey in his hand. “Which won’t be for many more years.”
Papa’s hand came to his forehead like he was suddenly nursing a terrible headache. In his mind, I would forever be the picture of innocence, in need of shelter and protection.
If he only knew.
“There have been increased incidents of organ trafficking,” Aurora said, changing subjects so abruptly I almost thought I’d misread her lips.
Alexei, who was usually stoic and quiet, chimed in, “Nico Morrelli informed me that it’s no longer only an FBI issue. Other agencies like Interpol, CIA, and a few unnamed ones have joined forces.”
“And the FBI agent who’s working the case has the security clearance above the grade of my contacts,” Aurora, his wife, added. “It’s been impossible to get information from any of my contacts.”
“There has been another incident of organ extractions in Florida now. Three dead girls,” Nikola added.
“Anyone we know?” Sasha asked.
Nikola shook his head and said, “We need to re-evaluate security.”
“Can we leave that for tomorrow?” Isabella cut in, her exasperated looks darting around at her family through her soft brown eyes. “Not like we can achieve world peace over peas and carrots.”
“Burying our heads in the sand and ignoring the problem is dangerous,” Illias countered.
“There’s too much at risk,malyshka,” Vasili chimed in, gesturing around at us young ones.
“Just send your lunatic brother after them. That’ll keep the fuckers busy for a while,” Papa muttered.
