Phoenix's Revenge

27.

Phoenix POV

The next morning, I sneak out of bed, grab my winter clothes and head downstairs. The pain between my legs makes it difficult to move silently, but I do nonetheless.

I just need to be alone.

I head back down the hill by the lake and sit. I stare out into the frozen beauty and will my mind to go blank.

His touch. His scent. Him.

My mind goes to the events that happened yesterday no matter how much I resist. Finally, I decide to kick off my shoes and bury my feet in the snow, forcing the biting cold to drag me harshly back to reality.

I count my breaths and run my hands through my hair.

I hear crunching footsteps in the snow and am immediately on edge. I reach for my gun and slowly turn around.

Before I can draw it, I'm wrapped in a bone crushing hug. I can't see the person, but I can smell them. It smells like home.

Dad.

I wrap my arms tightly back around him and nuzzle my face in his chest.

"Princess. I'm so sorry." His voice comes out choked and I realize this is the first time I've ever seen him cry.

My own tears start to fall as he whispers sweet comforts in my ear.

I finally detach myself.

"What are you doing here? It's dangerous. Especially now."

He shrugs his shoulders and wraps his arms around me, we sit in the snow.

"You needed me."

I did.

"Calen called."

Of course.

"Your mom and him are already planning with Tommy. Mr. Petrov is gone as well as Gonzo. We assume they're together. Tommy's also helping plan."

I nod.

"Uncle Calen told me to give these to you." He pulls out a black leather case and I grab it. I open it up and see a brand new set of knives in it, identical to the last set. A dagger is also amongst them. Beautiful with intricate detailings.

Fuck yeah. Let's kill some people.

You're murderous.

Yes.

I need therapy.

...

"PHOENIX! I swear to god, if you do not get in this car right now, I'll knock you out and carry you in."

Jeez. Grumpy.

I roll my eyes. Nikolai got the bright idea that he is going to take me 'somewhere warm' he says.

We have a war to fight and we're going on vacation?

I grumble my distaste and head towards the car.

He couldn't knock us out if he tried.

Pussy.

Agreed.

I slide in and glare at him when he slides in next to me.

"This is stupid." I say

"I know."

"We need to be here."

"No you don't."

"Yes!"

"Baby, please. No. You need this."

His eyes look so sincere that it breaks my heart. I nod. He takes my hand in his and kisses the top of it. He's been like this lately. Soft.

"Nikolai?"

"Mmhm."

"Don't become a pussy. Shit went down, it was bad, but it's done and I'm not made of glass and I won't break."

He throws his head back and lets out a real, genuine laugh. One that uses his whole chest. The sound is ethereal.

"You got it, sweetheart."

He puts his hand on my thigh and absentmindedly draws little shapes. My eyes flutter closed and the feeling and I welcome his comfort.

...

"Where are we?" I ask Nikolai.

He smirks.

The place we landed was heavily populated, however we took a private helicopter ride to a more remote island with an insanely gorgeous beach house on it.

"Do you like it?" He asks.

I nod.

"Good, because it's yours."

My jaw drops to the floor. This house is mine?!

"This whole house is mine?!"

He chuckles and shakes his head.

"The entire island, baby."

My hand slaps over my mouth as I take everything in.

Holy shit.

Someone's getting their dick su-

Really?

It's true.

Yeah. It is.

I throw myself in his arms and pepper kisses all over.

"Thank you, thank you!" I exclaim.

"Anything for you." He says.

Our lips collide as I kiss him deeply and pull at his hair. He lets a moan slip and heat pools between my legs.

"Careful, gorgeous. We just got here and if you keep doing that you won't be able to walk for days."

"What're you waiting for then?" I say as I smirk against his lips.

"Are you sure?" He asks, the lust dropping from his voice.

Ugh.

"Remember when I said to not be a pussy? Yeah well don't be one."

All the sudden, he's dropping me. I land on my feet and he grabs my neck and slowly pushes me to the floor as his eyes grow dark.

He trails his thumb over my lips and then promptly shoves his thumb past them, forcing me to suck on it.

"You're going to scream my name in every inch of this house. I'm not stopping until you do."