'TIL DEATH DO US PART (Silent Demons Book 2)

by C. Luca

  He goes still, and a long silence falls over us.

  I’m worried that maybe I’ve gone too far, but yet I really would like to know his answer, so I wait and hope that he won’t shut down on me.

  “I’ve n-n-never…thought about it,” he says, his tone revealing that he isn’t bothered by the question.

  I prop my chin on my hand. “Well, what do you enjoy?” I ask, switching the topic so that the mood can lighten. Things were getting too heavy, and knowing Nikolai as I do, he would have eventually put an end to my questions.

  A devious smile widens his lips. “C-c-challenges.”

  “I’ve noticed,” I muse.

  “Are y-y-you d-d-done with t-t-the…inquisition?” he asks, quirking a brow.

  “Why?” I ask playfully. “Do you have a better idea of what we could do with our time?”

  He immediately reaches for me.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  Nikolai

  It’s been one week since Blakely left the estate, and things have been quiet—which is almost unsettling.

  I’d expected another attempt on Blakely’s life, which is why I have Reed tailing her during the day if she goes out, and when I can’t be at the club, I have Jonah keeping tabs on her.

  She’d stubbornly rented a new apartment, one I absolutely abhor, but for all accounts and purposes, she seems to be moving on from the attack and Ava’s death. Though there are moments that I can visibly see when she’s thinking about Ava, because the sadness practically overwhelms her. But then she shakes it off and resumes whatever she was doing.

  As I sit behind my desk at the corporate office, my thoughts shift back to Blakely’s apartment. There are so many damned flaws in that place, and as much as I try to talk some sense into her, she insists she’s staying.

  The apartment—if one could even call it that—is much smaller than her original place, and has one bedroom which is the size of my walk-in closet. She has no furniture, so she’s using a sleeping bag as a fucking bed.

  The security is quite lacking, and I’d been frustrated that she’d actually signed a lease for the place. I think she could afford much better, but I also know she wants to continue saving for the home she wants.

  Paying for Ava’s funeral had certainly put a dent in her account. She won’t tell me how much she has saved, but I’m certain she is far from whatever goal she’d set for herself. Blakely’s too smart to put all her money into rent and not be able to save now that Ava’s gone. She lowered her standards so she would still be able to set aside money.

  It bothers me, and yet I admire how her mind works.

  Sometimes, I amend.

  Most of the time, that mind of hers frustrates the hell out of me.

  My thoughts shift to my own home as I lean back in my chair and rub my jaw. I’ve actually found myself considering putting the estate up for sale and either buy new property or lease a penthouse. I don’t want to always have to go to that dump of an apartment since she refuses to see me on the estate.

  Yes, I very much like my place, but I’m finding that I want Blakely more than I want that view from the upstairs window.

  What I’d really like is for her to be at my side always, but it’s too early, and I know she’ll balk. As much as I hate this ‘dating’ shit she keeps talking about, I know she needs it. I’m also aware that I have to prove myself to her after what I’ve put her through.

  If I have to do things her way for a while to eventually get my way, so be it. At least the end result will be in my favor.

  I think back to Blakely’s question last week. She hadn’t brought it up since, but her curiosity still lingers in my thoughts.

  Could I quit the illegal stuff?

  It’d be dangerous if any of my men turned on me, but the actions I’ve been taking lately to cover my ass, and yet benefit my men, allow me the possibility.

  My thoughts turn back to where I am, currently in a large office on the thirty-seventh floor of the high-rise building. I do enjoy the challenge of buying out companies, but would that be enough to keep me occupied and happy?

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Blakely

  I’m fully aware of Nikolai watching me as I work behind the bar. I still enjoy tending bar, but I’ve quit flirting in hopes of higher tips. Nikolai and I have become so close now that flirting with anyone, even meaningless flirting, feels like a betrayal of some sort.

  It’s been two weeks since the surgery, and I almost feel back to normal.

  Almost.

  Every time I shower and see the scars, my heart drops, but I hope that someday when I look at my body, I won’t feel so much anguish over the sight of them.

  And then there’s Nikolai and his determination to show me that the scars are nothing more than battle wounds. We’ve resumed the intimacy side of our relationship, and when we have sex, he makes it a point to always acknowledge the scars by pressing a gentle kiss to them.

  Even though Ava is gone, my life seems to be settling back to some normality. Sometimes, I feel guilty over it, and other days, I embrace it.

  Today, is one of the good days, and I glance Nikolai’s way. He’s sitting at a table by himself, drinking a whisky and coolly turning away women that look like they’re going to approach him. All he has to do is give them one of his ‘don’t bother’ looks.

  He’s all mine, and I love knowing it.

  However, I wish he’d stop being so fiercely protective.

  He won’t allow me to use the train, and I’m constantly being driven to and from the apartment and club. When Nikolai’s driver isn’t available, I find Reed in a dark SUV, patiently waiting to take me wherever I go.

  As much as I enjoy Nikolai’s protectiveness, I like it better when it’s low-key. I do need space of my own and some independence. I want to go where I want without someone always being with me. I’ve been taking care of myself for years, and I won’t allow Nikolai to completely take over my life.

  There are definitely a lot of things that still need to be worked out between us, but it’ll come with time.

  When the club closes for the night, Nikolai leaves with the rest of the patrons, but I know he’ll be right outside, waiting in the SUV for me.

  Sure enough, after I’ve helped with the cleanup, I make my way outside and find the vehicle waiting. Nikolai climbs out and opens the side door for me, and I climb in.

  Then, Ezra drives us to my apartment about five minutes away, and we go into the building.

  As the elevator creaks and shudders beneath our feet, I can see how tense Nikolai’s shoulders are. He looks completely out of place in the old elevator with the stained flooring.

  I’m hoping we aren’t going to argue again over my choice of apartments. It wasn’t exactly my plan, but with the rent being so low, it would allow me to continue to save. I really don’t want to be living paycheck to paycheck. Nor do I want to go back to pickpocketing.

  When the elevator doors loudly slide open, Nikolai politely waits for me to exit first. I step out into the hall and note that another lightbulb inside one of the ceiling lights had burnt out.

  Inwardly, I wince.

  Nikolai has made no qualms about hiding his opinion, so I’m certain I’ll hear about it sooner or later.

  At my apartment door, I pull out my key and slip it into the lock. Then, I twist the doorknob and open the door. As soon as I step inside, I switch on the light as Nikolai follows me, closing the door behind us and automatically relocking it.

  I glance at him and watch as his dark gaze wanders around the small living room and kitchen. He’s seen it before, but I have a feeling every time he comes here, he’s not going to be able to hide how disturbed he is by the sight.

  I look around the apartment. Sure, the carpet is stained in a few places, and the linoleum in the tiny kitchen is pulling up in the corners by the wall. That’s not the end of the world. Nor is the old stove and refrigerator. As I’d told him before, I am not the type of person that needs to be surrounded by superfi
cial things. As long as there are no bugs and the place is clean, it works just fine for me.

  When my eyes return to Nikolai, his expression is impossible to read, and I am quite certain he has a gun on him tonight. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t consider this place all that secure.

  I also know that he will insist on staying the night to keep me safe, and as much as I need my independence, I also like spending the night in his arms.

  I’m anxious to lose myself in Nikolai and all his sexiness, so I quickly lead him towards the bedroom before he can begin an argument.

  TWENTY-NINE

  Blakely

  The club is crazy busy. I’m struggling to keep up with drink orders, but it’s not just me. I’m working with two others behind the bar, and they’re swamped too. It’s the weekend, and word had gotten out that a celebrity is in the VIP section.

  Nikolai isn’t here yet, and he’s going to be annoyed when he does arrive. He hates crowds, and his usual table is already taken. I’m sure Jonah or Reed—or both—are somewhere nearby, keeping an eye on me until he can do so himself.

  I wish Nikolai would give up on his insistence that I’m still in danger. It’s been a few weeks since I’d left his estate, and nothing out of the ordinary has happened.

  Being followed and watched all the time is wearing on my nerves, and it’s an argument we’ve had more than once lately. We’re going to have it again soon, and I’m going to firmly tell him it has to stop. I wasn’t kidding when I’d told him I didn’t want to live my life in fear. Besides, if anything were going to happen, it would of by now.

  It's also probably time I put an end to the nightly sleepovers.

  We’ve fallen into a routine of him taking me home and staying the night. It’s not like I don’t enjoy being with him, but I’d like things between us to progress naturally, and right now, it isn’t natural.

  He’s staying nights because he wants to protect me. I’d rather him stay nights—sometimes—because we’re focused on each other, not because he has a motive.

  Plus, if he stays every night, it’s similar to us living together, and I’m not ready for that. Not that I wouldn’t want to one day, but for now, it’s important to establish my independence. Diving in and allowing Nikolai to have his way all the time isn’t going to make me his equal.

  If our relationship progresses and becomes serious enough to merit living together, I see a lot of compromising in our future. Not just on his end but on mine as well.

  I’m fully aware that a man like Nikolai is never going to be the average partner, especially with his line of work. I understand his need for control, and I get his protectiveness. He just needs to dial it back a notch. I’m also going to have to accept that Nikolai has his limits with what he’s comfortable with and what he’s not. We’re both going to have to pick and choose what’s more important at the time.

  Mentally, I give myself an eyeroll.

  There’s no point in even dwelling on the future, so why am I? We’re nowhere close to moving in together, and if I have my way, we won’t for a long time.

  During a brief lull at the bar, I note that we’re low on napkins and cocktail picks. I signal to one of the other bartenders that I’m heading to the supply room. He nods, and I turn and exit the bar to slip through the ‘employee’ door located not far from the bar area.

  I quickly make my way down the hall, around the corner, and down the next hall to the supply room. It’s ridiculous that it is so far from the bar.

  Knowing I need to hurry back, I quickly browse the two rows of shelves for the items that I need. I’m just reaching for a package of napkins when I sense someone behind me.

  Just as I’m about to turn around, I feel a prick of a needle on the side of my neck. I flinch and jerk around to face a man that I’ve never seen before.

  “What are you doing in here?” I demand as I automatically touch my neck, feeling something wet on my fingertip. When I look at my finger, I see there’s a smudge of blood.

  The brief millisecond I’d had that I could’ve used to react fades as my limbs become heavy. My hand drops limply to my side as I weave on my feet, the room swaying sickeningly. I want to open my mouth to scream for help, but I can’t seem to get my lips to move.

  The man steadies me so I don’t fall flat on my face and wraps an arm around me. He then begins to lead me out of the supply room while my feet somewhat drag on the floor since they won’t hold me up.

  Meanwhile, my heart is racing at a frightening pace, and my panic is building. This is all happening so fast, and I’m rattled over my lack of options for stalling this from unfolding.

  As we enter the hallway, my anxious eyes dart around as I hope to see someone. Anyone! However, my head falls forward, and my hair is now in my face.

  I can’t see anything.

  What the hell is happening?

  I may have no control over my body, but my brain seems to be functioning just fine.

  Scream.

  I need to scream.

  Once more, I try parting my lips, but the only sound I hear is a pathetic moan.

  Shit.

  He’s practically dragging me to the nearby exit, and it dawns on me that he’s trying to give the impression that I’m going with him willingly.

  That’s right, the surveillance cameras!

  I try to push my feet into the ground to halt us, but I can barely feel them since my limbs have grown fairly numb.

  Unfortunately, I don’t hear any employees coming to my rescue as I’m escorted out the back door as the cold night air greets us. Between the strands of hair in my face, I can just barely make out a car parked next to the building. Full-blown panic engulfs me as my kidnapper keeps an arm around me while using his free hand to open the trunk.

  Gaping blackness appears before me.

  No, no, no!

  I’m shoved inside, my body falling awkwardly since I have no control over it. The man adjusts my legs inside the trunk, folds my arms across my chest, and slams the door shut.

  Now, there’s just darkness.

  Silent screams rise up the inside of my throat, but I can’t release them. I never do well with darkness, and being enclosed in a tight space makes it even worse. As I feel nausea building from my fear, I hear the car engine start, and then the car seems to be moving.

  This can’t be happening.

  A strange man just snatched me from a public place without anyone even noticing.

  Why?

  Who is he?

  I’ve never seen him before. Is he the one who killed Ava?

  What does he want with me?

  Is he going to finish me off simply because I was there that night at the apartment?

  My mind is overwhelmed with millions of questions that I can’t even begin to sort. Nikolai was right all along, and now I feel foolish brushing off his concerns.

  As my mind races, the earlier panic from the darkness begins to fade. I manage to control my breathing and tell myself that Nikolai will find me. He can track my phone.

  Wait…it’s in my bag in my locker since the pants I’m wearing tonight don’t have pockets.

  My heart immediately plummets.

  Then, I recall that Reed or Jonah were somewhere in the club until Nikolai could arrive. When I don’t come back to the bar, they’ll look for me. I can’t recall if there are surveillance cameras outside, but if so, they could get the license plate from off the car.

  Either way, Nikolai is a very dangerous man with plenty of resources. Whether they can get the license plate number or not, he will come for me. I know he will.

  I just have to stay alive long enough for him to find me.

  I’m not sure how much time has passed when I feel the car slow and then come to a halt. The engine turns off, and I find myself holding my breath.

  Have we reached his destination already?

  The trunk suddenly opens, and the man easily hauls me out and places me on the freezing pavement. If I weren’t drugged, I’
d probably be violently shivering.

  I stare blearily up at the man as he bends over me. “We can’t have Nikolai tracking you in any way, now can we?” He begins tugging off my shirt.

  I’m horrified that he’s undressing me, but then I realize he’s doing so as quickly as possible without any lingering touches. It’s clear his intent is simply to undress me to my bra and panties.

  Once that’s been accomplished, he picks me up and deposits me back inside the trunk, slamming it closed.

  I’m alone once more in the darkness.

  THIRTY

  Nikolai

  The issue that had been brought to my attention earlier has taken far too long to fix, and I’m aggravated. I could have easily passed it on to Jonah since it’s corporate-related, but I’d decided to do it myself since I didn’t have to go into the office to handle it.

  Now, I’m wishing that I hadn’t bothered, because I’d much rather be watching Blakely than still sitting here fixing shit that shouldn’t have needed fixing. Thanks to an employee error, I’ve wasted more time than I’d wanted over this.

  After sitting at my desk for so long, I’ve become sore. I pull my eyes away from the computer screen and lean back in my chair, rubbing the back of my neck.

  Christ.

  I’m tempted to just let the problem go until tomorrow.

  I glance at the clock to check the time. In about another half hour, I’ll have Ezra take me to the club. Usually, I’m already there by this time, but business had set me back.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out. It’s from Jonah. Blakely went into the back; I’m assuming to grab supplies. It seemed to take a while so I went looking for her. I found a box of napkins on the floor, and Blakely’s nowhere to be found.

  My entire body tenses as I reread the text one more time to make certain that I’d read it correctly. How the hell did this happen? I quickly text him back. Search the entire club and get back to me.