CHAPTER FORTY - FOUR

LORENZO GRAYSON\ VADIM KERZHAKOV ©

Nick held my coat as I led him out of the room. I gently took his injured hand in mine as we walked downstairs.

“What happened up there? Is he okay?” Kyle asked as he walked over to us.

“Yes, sir. I'm fine,” Nick replied, quickly pulling his hand away from mine. He winced the moment he did.

“How did you hurt your hand?” Kyle asked, noticing the injury.

I sighed and took his hand into mine again.

“I need a first aid kit,” I said to Kyle.

Kyle looked at me for a moment before giving a small nod.

We followed him to his office, where he placed the first aid kit on the table.

“I've got some business to take care of in the club. I'll check on you later,” Kyle said.

I nodded, and he left the room.

“I need to check if there are any glass shards in them,” I told Nick.

He stayed quiet and just stared at me.

I opened the first aid kit and took out the cotton wool and tweezers before carefully removing the pieces of glass.

He winced and bit his lip as I gently removed them.

“I didn't mean to hurt you,” I said softly.

He slowly clenched his injured fist.

“Which exactly do you mean?” he asked and I fell silent.

I knew what he meant.

Even after the kiss we shared, my feelings were still there.

They hadn't changed.

I turned to him, gently patted his head, and gave him a small smile.

I cleaned the cuts on his face with methylated spirit before looking up at him.

“Do you want me to take you to the hospital?” I asked and he shook his head.

“I'm fine,” he replied quietly, covering his face with his palm.

I watched him for a moment before gently pulling his hand away.

His eyes were filled with tears.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my forehead against his.

“Hey,” I whispered and he sniffled softly.

“I'm sorry things turned out this way between us,” I said. “But I promise we'll be okay.”

He slowly shook his head.

“I don't care,” he murmured. “As long as I have you to myself.”

I couldn't help but smile. Then I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

What did I really want?

This.

I had to protect him because I wanted him by my side now.

And if this was truly my choice, then I'd have to make the right decisions in keeping him safe.

I pulled him closer, and he snuggled against me before resting his head on my shoulder.

“What... What about Vanya and Miss Douglas?” he asked and I stayed quiet.

I hadn't even thought about them.

Wait a second.

I raised a brow slightly and turned to look at him.

“Vanya?” I asked and he slowly nodded.

A small laugh escaped my lips, but he only stared at me.

“What?” he asked.

I reached over and ruffled his hair.

“So that's who you thought Vanya was?” I asked with a small smile. “My lover?”

He nodded again.

I chuckled softly and tapped the tip of his nose.

“Then who is she?” he asked.

“My stepsister,” I replied and his eyes widened.

“Your... your stepsister?”

I nodded.

He covered his face with one hand, and I noticed his ears turning red.

He was clearly embarrassed.

Before either of us could say anything, the door suddenly flew open.

Kyle walked in with a tired sigh.

The moment Nick saw him, he quickly stood up and bowed his head.

“I'll get going, then,” he said before slipping out of the room without giving me a chance to stop him.

I turned to Kyle.

“What is the matter?” I asked as I crossed one leg over the other.

“Do you have any idea who you injured tonight?” Kyle asked and I simply looked at him.

“What were you thinking?” he continued.

“He tried to touch Nick,” I said as I picked up the cigar on his table and lit it with the lighter.

“Yeah, and that's exactly why this matters,” Kyle said and I let out a quiet sigh.

Kyle sat down and rubbed his temple.

“His uncle runs several crime syndicates here. If you want to protect Nick, keep him away from danger first,” he said.

My breath caught in my throat.

Fuck.

Was I actually scared?

“I'll go talk to him, then,” I said.

Just then, Vanya walked in.

“No need. I already spoke to him... in my own way,” she said and we both turned to look at her.

“If you want to investigate your mother's death before something happens to you,” Vanya said.

“Stay away from anything or anyone that makes you forget who you really are,” Vanya said, staring straight into my eyes.

“What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.

“Nick... he's changing you,” she said with a sigh, trying to hold back her anger.

I could tell she was upset, even if her face didn't show it.

“I'm going home,” she said before walking out of the office, leaving Kyle and me in silence.

What if I didn't survive, and I never found out the truth about my mother's death?

This wasn't how I planned for things to go.

Mother was the whole reason I came here.

“See if you can find anything else, Kyle,” I said.

He looked at me for a moment before letting out a sigh.

“Don't let her words get to you,” he said and I scoffed and rose to my feet.

“I need to get my hands on solid evidence as soon as possible,” I said.

He gave a sigh before nodding.

I walked toward the door, then stopped and turned back to look at him.

“I'm taking Nick home. He needs to take care of his hands,” I told him and he nodded.

“I don't disagree with your decision. Just make sure he's safe while he's in your care,” Kyle said.

“And be careful, Vadim.”

I gave him a small nod and walked out of the office.

He was right.

I had to be extra careful with Nick.

Hearing Kyle call me by my real name reminded me of who I truly was... and why I had to protect the people I cared about.

I let out a quiet sigh as I stepped out of the office and made my way downstairs to Nick.