Twisted Chances

20. Niko (edited)

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I don't know if I should punch Eithan back—God knows he deserves it for wrecking this beautiful face of mine—but I can't. Not because I couldn't take him, but because deep down I knew this would happen. I'd prepared myself for the storm that comes with loving a Harper girl. Her family is born with fists instead of hearts when it comes to protecting them.

Every punch hurt like hell, but I refused to fight back. I refused to give her family even a sliver of reason to believe I wasn't worthy of her.

And then—she said it.

Her voice cut through the chaos like sunlight splitting storm clouds:

"I will never forgive you. Never talk to you. Never acknowledge you as my brother if you do not stop this nonsense right now and do not give my man back to me. My puffin is mine and I will not let anyone of you harm him."

My man. Her puffin.

I probably looked insane, blood dripping from my split lip, grinning like a lovesick fool at her. But what could I do? This girl just told a room full of her deadly, terrifying family that I was hers. She defended me. She claimed me.

I'd take a hundred more of Eithan's punches just to hear her call me "my man" again. That single sentence gave me more strength than a lifetime of victories ever could.

The room went dead silent. Shock painted every face—her father's, her uncles', her brother's—but all I saw was her. All I heard was her voice. All I felt was her fire wrapping around me like armor.

Eithan, of course, didn't give up that easily. "I'm going to punch that stupid smile off your bloody face," he growled, arm cocked back again.

But then, her warning came. Just one word.

"Brother."

Her tone was sharp enough to slice steel, and it froze him mid-swing. That was my Nia. My fierce, fearless girl who could command a battlefield with nothing more than her gaze.

God, I love her.

Her father finally stepped in, dragging me away and depositing me right into her mother's arms. The women swarmed instantly, their soft hands checking every bruise, their voices layered with concern. It should've been humiliating—being fussed over like a wounded puppy—but I was too busy basking in the fact that Nia had chosen me, defended me, and wasn't about to let me go.

Aunt Jules, naturally, couldn't resist turning it into a performance. She collected her ten-million-dollar bet like she'd just won the lottery. Typical.

But then, like an angel of mercy, my girl was back. She rushed to me, her soft hands cupping my battered face like it was made of glass. Her eyes—God, her eyes—were pools of worry, love, and fire all tangled into one.

"Just tell me I'm still handsome enough for you," I teased, even though my face throbbed with every word.

She smacked my shoulder and rolled her eyes, but her lips curved into that smile that kills me every single time.

"Nah, you're too ugly now. But since you've got no one else, I guess I'll keep loving you." She kissed my nose, and I swear, the pain melted right out of me.

When Uncle Josh came over with a first-aid kit, she snatched it from him and practically dragged me away to Sophie's room. My hero, saving me yet again.

I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted but stupidly happy. She sat beside me, gentle as ever, cleaning the blood and bandaging me up like I was her most fragile treasure. Every sting of antiseptic burned, but her touch was worth it.

"As long as you're with me," I murmured, kissing the back of her hand, "I can bear anything. I just need you by my side. I love you, Nia."

Her eyes softened, and her lips curved into that heart-stopping smile. "I love you back."

She sealed it with a kiss—soft, quick, but enough to flood me with energy. Enough to remind me that no matter how dangerous it is, she's worth every scar.

Of course, our moment didn't last long. A knock at the door made us jump, and then came his voice.

Eithan.

"You both need to talk," Nia said, giving her brother the kind of glare that could turn bone to ash. "And remember—if I see one more bruise on my puffin's face, you'll regret it."

She left, and I barely stopped myself from laughing. Puffin. She really called me that in front of him. If I survive this family, it'll be purely because she claims me so fiercely.

Eithan stomped in, glaring at me like I was the scum of the earth. He sat beside me, voice low but sharp.

"You owe me twenty strawberry pastries."

Only Eithan Harper could make dessert sound like a death threat.

"Yeah, I know," I sighed.

"And I'm sorry for messing up your ugly face," he muttered. "Still don't get what she sees in you."

I bit my tongue, but the smirk slipped out anyway. "You don't want to know what she does to me. She definitely has me under her control."

The glare he gave me could've leveled mountains. But he didn't throw another punch. Instead, he stomped away like the overgrown child he is.

And I was left alone, finally, bruised and bandaged, but more in love with Nia Harper than ever before.

God help me. This girl is going to be the death of me. And I'll die smiling.

(Author's notes: Hi!!! My lovely fellas.... Thank you for being so patient with me and waiting for my next update. Sorry that it took long. I was busy studying for my exams [it did not go well 🥲]. But nevertheless please enjoy the chapter.)