Page 56 of His Forbidden Obsession

“I don’t⁠—”

He raised his brows. “You’ve punished yourself enough.”

I pointed to the door. “Get out.”

“I’ll leave, but that won’t change anything.”

When he’d closed the door behind him, I walked over to the window and looked out. He didn’t understand. I was six years older than him. I’d been there as he grew up, watching him, protecting him, and then when the cops had dragged me away and locked me up, I’d left him with no one. Our parents were gone, and Dante was left to deal with Rafe, who was already out of control. That wasn’t something I could just get over.

Niko stirred, and I moved toward the bed. He settled back into sleep, but I was sure he’d sleep better if I were holding him. I pushed thoughts of the future from my mind and climbed into bed, where for the next few hours at least, I could be content.

I woke to bright sunlight and my phone buzzing. Niko stirred as I rolled over to answer it, and I realized he had slept soundly with me holding him. I shouldn’t be as pleased as I was about that.

I rubbed Niko’s back as I looked at my phone screen. The call was from Remington. I couldn’t put him off, especially since I’d slept half the morning away.

“Hello.”

At the sound of my voice, Niko rolled over to look at me. I put my finger against my mouth and hoped he understood that he shouldn’t make a sound.

“Lancelot and I will be there in an hour to discuss how we’re going to handle the Russians. I want your brother there too.”

“Which one?” As usual, he’d started right in like we were in the middle of a conversation.

“Dante. Do you really think I want to deal with the shit Rafael is going to say?”

I ran my fingers through Niko’s hair, hoping to soothe him back to sleep. “What if I told you both of them were already here?”

“Fine, but if Rafael runs his mouth, he’s out. I’ll be there soon.”

Remington ended the call, and I leaned down to whisper to Niko. “I’ve got to shower and get dressed. Remington and Lancelot Theriot are coming for a visit.”

His eyes widened. “What will they do with me?”

“Nothing. We’re going to find the best plan to get you somewhere safe and take care of your father and Ivanov.”

He frowned. “Where will you send me?”

“I don’t know yet, but I won’t agree to any plan that would make you uncomfortable.” I wanted that to be true, but I had a feeling that he wouldn’t like any plan where I wasn’t with him, and neither would I.

He nodded. “Okay.”

“Try to get some more sleep.”

“What time is it?”

“Almost nine o’clock.”

He stretched, and I enjoyed the sight of my T-shirt moving against his body. “I shouldn’t still be sleeping.”

“You’re injured, and I kept you up much too late. Rest while I get ready and call my brothers. I’ll have someone bring breakfast up. The TV remote is on the nightstand if you can’t sleep.”

He nodded, but I could tell he was worried. I hated the idea of sending him away. Who could I trust to look after him other than my brothers?

The highly trained guards Remington would send to a safe house.

With anyone else, I wouldn’t question that was protection enough, but Niko was different.

And why is that?