Chapter 71
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Elena’s POV:
I hissed involuntarily as Nikolai’s grip tightened a little too hard on my wrist. His fingers immediately loosened.
“Sorry,” he muttered under his breath, the tension in his body still practically radiating heat.
His apology was quiet. I gave him a small shake of my head in reply. “It’s alright,” I murmured, though truthfully, I was still startled. I could feel my pulse fluttering like a trapped bird against his fingers.
Malakai was still standing beside us, all cheekbones and charm, one brow arched as though the world was a joke he hadn’t stopped laughing at since birth
As much as I would’ve loved to have that dance–just a fun, casual twirl with someone new, someone exciting–I knew better. Friendly or not, it wouldn’t sit right with me. I wouldn’t like it if some random woman approached Nikolai and asked him for a dance either. So how could I say yes?
Before I could even open my mouth to politely decline, Nikolai’s voice sliced clean through the atmosphere.
“My apologies,” he said, voice as cold and clipped as glass. “I’d like to dance with my wife first. I’m sure you’ll find many other beautiful, single ladies who would love the chance.”
His tone wasn’t overtly rude, but it was laced with steel. Possession. The finality of it made Malakai chuckle softly and raise his hands in mock surrender.
“Of course,” he said smoothly. “My loss.”
Then Nikolai’s hand slipped into mine again and without a word, he guided me toward the dance floor. His palm rested on the small of my back, gently as he led us through the thinning crowd of guests.
“Uh… Nikolai?” I asked as we reached the center of the ballroom.
He didn’t answer right away, just adjusted his stance, pulling me close and settling one hand low on my waist while the other lifted my wrist to his lips. His mouth brushed the delicate skin there.
“cu’re my wife, Malishka. No one touches you but me.” His eyes locked onto mine, his lips cold against my skin causing a shiver to run down my spine. Oh god. This man. What was he doing to me?
“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you earlier?” he asked, speaking softer this time. His voice gentler.
I shook my head, my voice small “No. It’s alright”
“But” i added, leaning in with a sheepish whisper, “I don’t really know how to dance…”
tista”s upe fitted into a smile. “That’s alright,” he murmured. “You’re not supposed to actually do the waltz. Look around.”
glarmed him the corner of my eye, and sure enough, couples were mostly just swaying, laughing, spinning lazily. Two women in silver gowns were wiring each other sound playfully their laughter blending with the soft, whimsical music echoing through the grand ballroom.
That eased Beer tights in my shoulders i cehaled.
Stanlega atong heavy instrumental that felt the something straight out of a fantasy mute. it built slowly, with violins weaving **ch. 20 like threads is a loom. The au bazed with warth, gting off champagne glasses and crystals.
woordenated at that, and I outlet intle as he spun me
confident us and guided me as he began leading the show, steady rhythm of the dance. Our stops were
the caught the whortlessly, his palm Meady as my last back. “See?” ved Wing
13:18 Fri, 25 Jul G G
Chapter 71
25 Jul G
1 laughed, more out of nervous energy than amusement. “This night is insane.”
His eyes searched mine. “Good insane?”
I nodded. “Very good. Honestly, this might be the best night of my entire life.”
That made his eyes soften, the corners crinkling faintly. But the smile didn’t quite reach all the way. I watched him closely.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my brows drawing together. “You seem… distracted.”
He shook his head, brushing it off too quickly. “It’s nothing.”
I didn’t believe him for a second.
“Is it work?” I probed. “Or… is it the accident? Are you still worried something might happen to us tonight? Because if you are, we can leave. We really don’t have to stay.”
He paused. Then a sigh left him as he leaned down, his lips brushing my forehead.
“I was worried,” he admitted. “I just didn’t think it was worth the risk. But…” His thumb rubbed circles into the back of my hand. “After seeing you smile like this? I think it is worth it.”
My chest warmed, eyes stinging slightly from the weight behind those words.
“Still,” I began, “I don’t want to be a burden, you kn-”
A voice cut through the music.
“Evelina?”
It was a loud voice. Deep and obviously male.
The name froze in my chest. My eyes jerked toward the voice.
There, just past the edge of the crowd, stood a man. Middle–aged, with striking features–sharp cheekbones. His dirty blond hair was swept back elegantly, and his eyes-
Green. Piercing.
He was handsome. Familiar. But not in a comforting way. Something in me recoiled.
Before I could move or even speak, Nikolai yanked me behind him.
“Nikolai?” I gasped, startled.
“We’re leaving,” he said, voice clipped, already walking us toward the exit.
“What? Why? What’s wrong?” He didn’t answer any of my questions as he kept walking.
His grip was like iron around my wrist.
“Hey-”
Stop right there!” the man called again, his voice sharp like a blade.
We kept walking. Until a sound cracked through the room like thunder.
BANG
13:19 Fri, 25 Jul G G
Chapter 71
A gunshot.
My heart leaped into my throat.
The music stopped.
Every head turned. People gasped. Screams began to echo.
* 57%
Nikolai froze. Slowly, he turned, keeping me tucked behind him as guards in suits converged on the fringes of the room, weapons out and eyes scanning
The man who had called out was walking toward us now, the gun in his hand not yet raised, but visible. His face was twisted in fury, and his steps were
sure.
“What the hell do you want?” Nikolai snarled, stepping in front of me completely.
That was the first time I’d ever heard that tone from him. First time after the fight with Dmitri at least. He sounded so venomous.
My stomach clenched, nausea crawling up my throat.
Who was this man? Why did he look so…familiar?
The man sneered. “I warned you not to cross me. You fucking bastard. Let go of her hand.”
He lifted the gun again, pointing it at Nikolai. My scream caught in my throat.
“What are you doing?!” I cried. “Stop it!”
I started to move forward instinctively, but Nikolai snapped, “Stay back!” and shoved me behind him again, his body tense and trembling.
Another gunshot.
This time aimed at the glass table behind us–but it didn’t matter. People screamed, running now. The ballroom dissolved into chaos, bodies pushing toward exits, glass shattering somewhere in the distance.
Security swarmed.
But the man’s voice rang out again. Clear. Commanding.
“I want my daughter.”
Everything in me stilled.
“What…?” I breathed, barely able to form the word.
“She’s not here,” Nikolai said, voice hard. “Leave Elena alone. She’s not your daughter.”
His grip on my wrist tightened, I winced. I felt like he was going to break my fucking wrist.
The man laughed darkly. “I know my blood when I see it.”
And then he stepped forward. His green eyes locked with mine.
A chill ran down my spine, lodging itself in the hollow of my chest like a splinter of ice.
My breath caught. Those eyes. That shade of green.
Chapter 72
