Overthrown

Chapter 14

Fuck, that hit me hard. I'm not used to having to care about someone's feelings, especially when all they want is for me to be safe and happy. Tossing the towel in a hamper, I leave the gym and head back upstairs. Peeling off the sweaty spandex that clings to my damp body and hopping in the shower as fast as I can. I turn to grab the body wash from last night when I realize the shower has been stocked with women's toiletries. The sweet vanilla scent fills the steam and I start to feel somewhat human again.

As I emerge from the bathroom, I realize my bag of clothes is gone. What the fuck? I swear it was sitting right here before I left. I walk into the closet and realize where the clothes went. One half of the wardrobe is lined with black suits and white dress shirts. I knew that was all he owned. The other half has my clothes organized across it but he didn't pack that many clothes. I start scanning the rack and discover hangers filled with dresses, tags still attached. I know I was running for a long time but not that long. Where did all this come from?

Trying to figure out when he had the time to do this as I continue flipping through the hangers. One dainty dress after another, he must not realize, I'm not exactly the most feminine. Dresses aren't really my thing. I start to think about all the trouble I've put him through today and that he went through the hassle of fetching me clothes. The least I can do is wear what he likes.

I carefully pull a sundress from one of the wooden hangers and hold it up against my body. Looking into the mirror at my reflection; It looks so delicate against the harsh tattoos that cover my arms. Once I am dressed and have done my hair, I look back in the full-length mirror. The white eyelet lace dress clashing against the black ink on my skin.

Trash! You can't hide who you are! Just a cheap whore!

Shaking my head and cringing as my demon repeats Jason's words. I turn away from the reflection looking back at me before it can say anything else. Slipping on a pair of wedge sandals, I return downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, I see a small older woman tending to the dishes. "Ma'am, your breakfast is on the table." She gestures to the other room. "Let me know if I can get you anything." I nod and give her a small smile.

I turn the corner and see Nikolai sitting at the head of the table. He sips his coffee and continues to read the newspaper in front of him, seemingly not noticing my existence. That is until he looks up, his eyes just above the top of the paper. I stand in the threshold while his eyes burn into my skin looking me up and down.

While I can't see his lips, I can tell by his eyes that there is a smile on the other side of the newspaper. He quickly diverts his eyes back to the paper without saying a word. There is a covered plate in front of the seat next to him. My heels click against the hardwood as I cross the room to his side.

"I see you found the clothes I had picked up for you."

"Yes, thank you." I am grateful that he took the time to do all of this for me. We eat in silence for what feels like ages. Neither of us quite sure what to say about last night and this morning. He abruptly stands up and folds his paper, placing it on the table. He begins to leave the room but I have to stop him before he can. "Nikolai." I call out to him. He seems a little surprised, stopping as he turns to face me. "Yes?" He responds shortly, his tone emotionless.

Standing and making my way closer to him. "I'm sorry about everything this morning. I-I have never had one of my night terrors around another person before. I do-" Trying to apologize and clear the air but he interrupts. "Wait, you've had these before?" I nod my head as I nervously bite my lip. "They typically last a lot longer. I'm grateful you woke me up."

It's hard for me to look him in the eyes but I know that this is necessary. I need him to know how much it means to me. I try and speak but he quickly closes the distance between us and wraps his arms around me. Pulling me in tightly against his chest, his hand caressing me as he nuzzles his face into my neck.

He takes a deep breath before speaking, "I am sorry, Angel. I shouldn't have been so harsh towards you for not speaking to me" Pressing my face against his chest as I inhale his cologne. His scent is like Washington, woodsy but with a hint of the ocean. He smells like home.

"No, I'm sorry. I just don't know how to handle people viewing me that way. I don't want to be pitied or seen as weak... Especially not by you." I confess to him looking down as I pick at my nails.

Nikolai's breath falters at the mention of him in particular. He pulls away and lifts my chin to look at him. "I will never view you as weak and I will never pity you. You are the strongest person I know." Those words spoken by anyone else would mean nothing, but by him it means absolutely everything.

"Really?" My uncertainty is evident and that is something I never hear in my voice. He chuckles before speaking, "You do realize you took out three high ranking mafia members and have most of my men terrified of you, right?"

I laugh at the irony of the situation. "You have such an amazing laugh." He lightly runs his thumb against my lips. "And one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen." He leans down and places a gentle kiss on my lips. Pulling away slightly, only far enough to speak. "And I will kill anyone who dares to take that smile away." Cooing into my lips before kissing me again. This time though, there is an added ferocity to the kiss. A sense of urgency, like he needs me to know how much he meant those words. His lips moving harshly against mine to the point it almost hurt. We both need this, we both need each other.

His hand brushing along my sides before trailing up my thighs pushing up my dress. I want him, now. Hell, I want him all the time, even when I am angry. My hands run down his strong chest, pushing open his suit jacket. All of a sudden, the tension in the air shifts. It feels like someone has entered the room behind us, which is immediately followed by the sound of a man clearing his throat.

"Excuse me, Pakhan." Nikolai whips around pushing me behind him so that they would not see my disheveled dress. I straighten myself out, pressing my hands along my hemline as he snaps. "What?!" Clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Once I am presentable, I step out from behind him and to the side. That's when I realize it's the man from the meeting, the one that I shoved a gun into his mouth. It takes him a second to recognize me, once he does though, his expression completely changes. His eyes frantically darting between Nikolai and I; His face showing two emotions, anger and betrayal.

"I'm sorry for interrupting you, Sir. We have a meeting at ten-thirty and we were supposed to leave ten minutes ago." He chokes out, obviously uncomfortable with the idea of Nikolai and I. "Get in the car, Dimitri. I'll be there in a minute." Nikolai orders. Dimitri bows his head to Nikolai and turns to me, "Mrs. Collins." Then bows; I'm glad to see he has learned his place. A gun down your throat will do that to you.

Nikolai buttons his suit jacket and turns toward me. "I might have had a few words with him about respect after our meeting." He jokes flashing his brilliant smile and I can't help but smile back. "Not that it was needed. You got your point across very well." He adds with a wink. God, he is stunning. "I have to go to the office today. I have a few things to handle. All I ask is you don't leave the grounds. Not until we know it's safe for you." His voice is firm; I don't dare to question him on it.

"Yes, Sir." Responding with a smirk, knowing just how much it fucks with him. He leans down to give me a kiss but laughs, "You are going to pay for that later." Pressing his lips against mine just long enough to make me want more. "There are guards around the property. If you need anything, just ask them. Please try to not get into any trouble while I'm gone." He requests before walking towards the door. "Have a good day, Angel." Nikolai departs with a smile closing the door behind him. I peek through the shutters to see him getting into the back of a large black SUV. They quickly pull away and disappear from my sight down the drive.