Phoenix's Revenge

10.

Phoenix POV

We head into the ballroom for the reception. The ceiling seems to reach the sky. Laughter and music fill the room.

I spot a long table with all kinds of food lining it, from lobster and caviar to macaroons and puff pastries.

Naturally, I head straight to it.

I reach the table and start filling a small plate.

"Congratulations." A gruff voice sounds behind me.

I hate this guy.

"Thank you, Mr. Petrov." I say through tight lips. He reaches for his own plate and starts to fill it.

"You may be married into this family, but don't think for a second that you're one of us. This is strictly business. As soon as the Italians are dealt with, you're next." His voice is low and ice. The threat it crystal clear and I can't help the fear that raises in me.

I feel a hand on my lower back and see Nikolai step in between me and his dad.

"Keep talking like that and I'll break your jaw in front of all these people." His hands are balled into fists at his side. Everything is said barely above a whisper, but anyone watching could sense the tension between the two men. Nikolai Sr. Stares at his son and eventually backs down, slinking back to whatever hole he climbed out of.

I reach out and place a hand on his shoulder. He relaxes slightly and turns towards me.

"Happy wedding day." He says sarcastically. I laugh and pull him towards the bar.

We get there and Tommy embraces both of us in a hug.

"Congrats guys! Let's take shots!"

We both chuckle and wait for them to come. When they do, we each grab one.

"To you!" Tommy yells.

We all raise our glasses and drink. Tommy strikes a conversation up about how he needs a wife, or a husband, and it somehow turns into us comparing worst dates.

Tommy had one say I love you on the first date, Nikolai went out with a girl who's father he had killed(the guy deserved it but still..) and my date was so nervous he puked in my lap.

By the end of the night, we're all laughing and thoroughly drunk. The night comes to an end and we all head out to the valet. We pile into the car and head back to the penthouse, dropping Tommy off at his dads along the way. We sit in comfortable silence as we arrive. Nikolai walks around and opens my door, grabbing my hand as we get out. He puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me into the building. We get into the elevator. I look up at him and see his eyes already on me. I blush and look down. As I do this, his hand catches my chin and his lips are on mine. He kisses me deep, and passionately causing my stomach to fill with butterflies.

He's an amazing kisser.

We finally separate, both of us breathless. He brushes a finger over my bottoms lip as his eyes scan my face, our foreheads stuck together.

The elevator dings and we pull apart. We head into the penthouse.

Something's off.

I turn towards him, my eyebrows furrowed. I see the same look on his face. He nods once and I pull my gun out. I kick my heels off for better agility as we both move silently through the penthouse, finding nothing. We come back into the main room by the balcony.

I put my gun down.

"I guess we're just paranoid." I say and he chuckles, nodding. All the sudden, I see his face grow stone cold. His eyes train on something behind me.

"Do not move." He says. I freeze and do as I'm told for once.

"Touch her and you die. Your family dies. I will ruin generations." His voice is downright murderous.

Faster than either of us can react, two men come through the doors and the elevator dings, more men pour in. I throw caution away and start firing, as does he. Someone behind me grabs me and pins my arms down. I throw my head back but whoever it is is much stronger and I'm drunk. A hand clamps over my mouth and panic fills my body. I thrash and kick but nothing happens. Nikolai drops 3 guys in the time it takes him to be restrained. We're outnumbered and fighting a losing battle.

Our heads whip towards the elevator when a voice I never wanted to hear rings through the apartment.

"Ah. The ones that got away." The man with a thick Italian accent says. Gonzo.

He says something in Italian and a large man turns towards me. I look towards Nikolai and his eyes are trained on gonzo, hatred seeping out of them.

The man handcuffs me. The last think I see is a fist swinging towards me and then complete darkness.