Dark Prisoner ✔

Chapter 17: XOXO

Two weeks had passed since the night Mia confronted Kade after he rescued Alec and took revenge for him. She observed her brother as time went on and he was an enraged tyrant. He was constantly irritated at everyone around him and was easily angered, he even snapped at a chair he himself clumsily bumped into today. On top of that, he was simmering with a burning tension at all times like he couldn't come to terms with his own thoughts.

Mia tried to talk to him but he wouldn't hear her out and gave an excuse about being busy with work. Dario and Niko both sensed his bad moods as well and were concerned for him just like her. But unlike those two, she knew the reason her bother was angry. He was battling his feelings that were against his own plans and whatever else excuse he held his life on. She wondered when he'd come in terms with the fact that he really was in love with Alec and that they were mates.

Sitting in the kitchen, Mia was eating a croissant with her coffee while watching Kade pacing in the living-room discussing business with Dario about a party that was coming up. Her phone pinged and she looked down at the screen thinking that she missed an appointment today with Freya. But it wasn't from Freya, it was Vadik.

She almost choked on the mouthful of croissant. She carefully swallowed with some coffee and picked up her phone to read the message.

Good morning, he texted. Are you busy today?

Mia didn't know what to say to him. He fingers lingered over the screen. Good Morning and No. She boldly hit send.

Good. Spend the day with me.

Mia's eyes widened. My brother would never allow that.

Your brother doesn't control me nor you, he messaged back instantly. I'll pick you up in an hour.

No! She quickly messaged. I'll meet you, just tell me where.

He didn't message for a while and she wondered if she angered him. But then an address pinged on her phone and she realized that he gave in to her request.

After agreeing to meet, suddenly, the nerves spiked in her body. She couldn't sit still. This was her first time going out to meet someone without her brother's permission. Mia didn't know how to even sneak out of the house. What was she going to do about the guards that always followed her?

"I'm starving," Niko entered the kitchen. "What's for lunch?"

Mia got an idea. A bold one but it was better than nothing. "I can cook you something," she offered. "Anything you'd like?"

Niko's eyes lit up. "A frittata," he said.

"Sure," she ushered him to take a seat before she got cooking.

In a matter of time, she cooked a perfectly crisp and golden frittata with eggs and loads of herbs and pepper before laying it in front of Nikolai. He grabbed a fork and took the first bite that was steaming hot.

"I had a favour to ask," Mia started as she sat beside him.

"Anything for you," Niko said as he was lost in the fluffy cloud of goodness.

"I'm so glad you think that way," she mumbled because what she was thinking they might actually die by her brother's hands. "I wanted to visit a bookstore. Can you come with me?"

Niko demeanour immediately changed. The charming, light-hearted man flipped into the man who had a duty to his work and brother. Nikolai took his job to protect this family very seriously. "What's wrong with the guards assigned to you already?" He said putting his fork down and staring at her with his intimidating grey eyes.