Our Flame

xix

NADIA

I'm getting married.

In less than four months.

The more I think about it the more bizarre it seems. I want to yell at my brothers. I want more explanations yet, all I can do is think about what the future holds for me.

It sucks, I'm not even marrying a woman. I'm being forced to marry a man. I still like men- yes but that's not the point.

"Nadia, they're going to keep calling." Niko speaks up.

I look at my twin, it's been two days since we left the hospital without telling the rest of our brothers.

In those two days, I've talked to "my father-in-law" and tried to get some answers.

Me referring to him as my father-in-law is not acceptance, I just don't know his name and he refuses to tell us. 

"I know." I mumble. "I'm sorry." Niko apologizes. "You didn't do anything Niko."

"I couldn't stop this." He explains. I shake my head at my twin. "Our shitty father shouldn't have murdered some mans daughter. That's why I'm in this position not because of you." I remind him.

Yes, my father murdered a mans daughter and to 'get even' he decided to set up a marriage.

Not even remotely the same.

The worst thing is he chose the marriage. He could've given up his businesses or paid a lot of money but no, he basically sold my life away.

It just proves what a horrible, selfish person he is.

What's even worse is the fact that I've never heard of this man and all I know is that he's older than me. I'm all for age differences but I'd barely be an adult.

None of this is right.

"Nadia." Niko calls out. I hum in response, still stuck in my thoughts. "I said, we should go now." He repeats. I mumble a small 'okay' following him to the car.

"Niko." I feel his eyes look at me as he's driving. "What if this man is just like him?" I refer to our father.

"Then I'll kill him, no one's hurting you again Nadia."

I look at my twin as his focus is now on the road again, I know Niko would do anything in his power to protect me and me for him.

That's how I know that no matter the outcome, I'll be okay.

**

"Do you think they'll ground us?" I whisper to Niko as we stand outside Luka's hospital room just watching Vadim and Viktor.

Niko let's out a laugh and I give him a deadpanned look, "They can't ground us Nadia. We did nothing wrong."

I continue to stare at him, "Yeah, it's not like we stole a car then bought guns or anything." I roll my eyes. "Don't let them know that." Niko shrugs.

"Do you know how worried we were?" A voice that I recognize as Vadim says.

Niko and I slowly turn around, "How did I get here? I think I'm sleepwalking." Niko moves to walk away but is blocked by Viktor.

"You better wake up then." Viktor crosses his arms. "Where were you two?" He adds.

This time I move to walk away, "You can't just run off whenever you feel like it, Nadia." Viktor stops me.

"You can't just agree to let your little sister get married either."

Vadim's head quickly turns in my direction while Viktor continues to stare at me. "Nadia." Vadim sighs.