CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: THE SERRANO STANDARD

Nikolai's POV

I don't even know why I bothered coming. I can’t believe I let this get under my nerves.

Viktor picks up the minute I call, like always.

“Boss?”

“Silas,” I say. My voice is low and clipped. “I want eyes on him. Now.”

“Copy that,” Viktor responds, not bothering to ask for more information.

I hang up and shove the phone back in my pocket.

I’m halfway down the block, trying to walk off the adrenaline before I head to my car, when my phone buzzes again.

I glance at the screen and actually stop dead on the sidewalk.

Mom.

Of fucking course.

Why the hell is she calling?? She hardly ever calls.

I let it ring twice more, debating whether to pick. I could ghost her. Send her to voicemail. But she'll just call again and again until I eventually give in.

I answer.

“Nikolai.”

As always, she'll go straight to business. Classic.

“Mother,” I say, laying the sarcasm on thick. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“We need to see each other. Tonight.”

I rub my forehead. I can feel a headache