Don Nikolai

(Excerpt)

An hour later, they were done and I was ready to leave. Nikolai guided them out of his office and closed the door behind him. I heard a familiar click and I knew he had locked it but I wasn't sure.

Was he going to kill me?

I chose to play dumb and walk to the door to try and open it. After jiggling the handle a few times, it wouldn't open. I turned around and he was right behind me. He put his hand above my head and leaned in.

" You wish it was you screaming my name, don't you? " He asked while locking me in place with his gaze.

My cheeks flared as his question was spot on. It was a rhetorical question but I felt the need to defend myself. He had seen me after all.

" I don't know what you're talking about," I said.

I clutched the door behind me as he moved closer. Our bodies were inches apart and it was getting harder to concentrate because of his bare chest which was muscular and covered with ink.

" Tell me principessa, do you think of me when you trail your fingers down your stomach and between your thighs? Do you think of me as you work yourself trying to reach the brick of euphoria? Do you imagine it's my fingers as you work faster to ease the ache between your thighs? Do you scream my name as your walls clench around your digits and your eyes roll to the back of your head when you orgasm? "

" Fuck you! " I screamed, ignoring the loud thumping of my heart against my chest.

" You see, I know girls like you. You've been sheltered all your life and you crave some rebellion. Tattoos, muscular, bad boy, and an Italian accent are your undoing, right? That's all it takes to have you drooling and fawning. I'm I right, principessa? "

" You know nothing about me! " I screamed and he chuckled.

" Oh, but I do. I can smell your arousal begging me to pin you to this door and show you just how much I can make your pussy weep for me. " He whispered in my ear.

Our chests were now touching and I knew he heard how fast my heart was racing.

" Five seconds, " he muttered with a devious look in his eyes.

" W-what? " I stuttered out.

" That's how long you have to run before I bend you over my desk and teach you a lesson. One I'm sure you'll enjoy. "

" Are you crazy, Brianna?! " My best friend exclaimed.

She was sitting across from me at a table in the cafè we frequented. I fidgeted with the envelope in my hands, sweat threatening to wet it.

" No, can you blame me? Malcolm has a stable income that can support the both of us. He loves me and I love him. What's getting in the way? " I shrugged it off like it was a simple decision but my heartbeat was fast.

" You have an envelope containing a job offer from the company you've wanted to work for since I can remember. It's in your hands. You want to throw it all away and for what? A man who isn't serious with you? "

I started burning up with anger. She was my best friend, supporting me was her job not trying to trample on my happiness.

" How could you say that? We've been together for five years. He's my soulmate, Lily. He's the man I want to get married to. " I defended, raising my voice at her.

The topic of I and Malcolm's relationship was always a sore subject.

" You've been together for two years. The other three he was on the other side of the planet barely answering your calls, forgetting your birthday, and not replying to your letters. " Lily said, making me angrier.

Every word she uttered seemed to gnaw at me.

" He answers my calls and he texts me back. "

" Barely. We both know this, Brianna. You can't uproot your whole life for someone who doesn't care. You want stability and the familiarity that comes with him. You don't love him and he doesn't love you. You can't uproot your whole life and abandon your dream job to go to Italy for some man who doesn't deserve it. "

Lily tried to reach for my hand but I pulled it away and stood up from my seat. I refused to hear her criticize my relationship. I knew it was flawed but we were in different countries.

I wouldn't give up on us. It would get better when we stayed together like we had always planned. I left the coffee shop while clutching the envelope tightly in my hands.

Lily tried to call out for me but I wouldn't turn. I didn't know why I even confided in her. She always took every opportunity to judge me. Was she even my best friend?

I got in my car and drove to the apartment. I ignored her thousand and one phone calls and texts. She just didn't want me to be happy and that is what I wanted most of all.

I booked the first flight to Amsterdam and started packing all my essentials. The flight was set for the next day at 7 am. Before then, I had to discard all my belongings.

This is something I had already planned out and I wouldn't let anyone deter me. I had yet to tell Malcolm that I was going to him. It would be a surprise as I already knew his address.

Wasn't serious with me my ass. He wouldn't have given me his address if he wasn't.

I sat on my desk and typed an email declining the job offer. I had always wanted to be an editor. The biggest publishing company in Seattle had offered me a job and I was declining it.

I convinced myself that it was all worth it in the end.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my reverie. I stood up and went to open it. There were men outside wearing uniforms.

" We are here for the furniture, ma'am, " one of them said.

I opened the door further and they got in and carried all the furniture and stuff I had put in boxes outside. I had donated everything that I didn't need to charity. My apartment now looked empty and bleak without all the furniture.

I got excited just thinking of the next day.

***

I woke up early and got ready quickly. After giving my keys to the caretaker, I hailed a taxi to take me to the airport. I checked in at the counter and then boarded the plane after everything was cleared.

I got comfortable on the chair since the flight to Amsterdam was a long one. Nine hours later, I arrived. I boarded another flight to Sicily, Italy.

When I got there, it was late and I was tired. I didn't have the energy to take a taxi to the other side of the city where Malcolm lived. I decided to sleep at a motel and get to him the next day. I checked it at the closest one I could find and settled in.

After a long shower, I slept. I was so tired and jet lagged but I was also excited. Sicily was such a beautiful city and I could imagine building a life with Malcolm there. We had always talked about that.

A few minutes later, I succumbed to sleep.

When I woke up the next day, I wasted no time preparing myself and checking out. I recited Malcom's address to the taxi driver. I had to use a language app to be able to know what to say to the driver. I needed to learn Italian quickly if Sicily was going to be my home.

After two hours, I was in front of where Malcolm lived. I compensated the taxi driver and stood near the short gate with my luggage. My skin tingled and my heart was beating very fast. I couldn't wait to see him for the first time in three years.

I pushed the gate open and walked into the compound. I climbed the three steps to the front door and knocked. I waited for the door to open with a wide smile on my face. When I heard footsteps, I fixed my attire and placed my hands on the handle of the suitcase.

The door opened and Malcolm came into sight. I fought the urge to gasp. I was completely speechless. He was different from when I last saw him. His short hair was now long, reaching his neck. There was a thick beard on his face and his dull eyes were now bright and gleaming.

" B-Brianna? " He asked.

The smile he was sporting was replaced with a frown. He looked spooked. It wasn't the look I was waiting for when I went to see him. I expected him to have a wide smile on his face and to lift me off the ground to twirl me. The look he was giving me made me feel like he wanted me to disappear off the face of the earth.

" Hey, Malcolm, " I said softly.

" What are you doing here? "

I raised my eyebrow at his question. What did he mean by that? That wasn't what you asked your long-distance girlfriend that you hadn't seen in three years. Where was my hug? My kiss? My smile?

" What do you mean? I came all the way from Seattle to see you and you ask that? Aren't you going to at least invite me in? "

" Brie, a lot has-"

" Malcolm, who is that at the door? " A woman's voice asked from inside.

She came into sight with a toddler in her arms and stared at me in question.

I stepped back like someone had slapped me across the face. That was when I saw it. There was a ring on his left finger. There was also a ring on her left finger. I couldn't stop the tears that were falling down my face and blurring my sight.

" Go back inside, Gianna. I'll handle this. " He said to the woman.

She hesitated before going back inside. I knew she would be looking out the window to see what was happening.

" Brianna-"

" No! You don't get to act like a good guy now and let me down easy. You should've told me! I uprooted my life for you and you had a whole other life here. I declined my dream job for you. "

He had a somber look on his face and he didn't have the bravery to even look me in the eye.

" I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen, okay? There is nothing I can do about it now. " There was an Italian accent in his voice. He had adjusted to this life that I wasn't even a part of.

" Oh, you mean you didn't mean to hit on her, kiss her, fuck her, ask her to be your wife, and then proceed to marry her? You tripped and there was suddenly a ring on your finger, right? All this happened and you didn't tell me. You led me on, Malcolm. "

At the moment, I didn't care that I was shouting. The neighbors were peeking out of their windows to see what was going on.

" Please, calm down-"

" Calm down? I won't fucking calm down you cowardly fucker! I hate you! My life is over because of you! " I screamed.

He tried to get closer to me but I held out my hand to stop him.

" I'm so sorry, " he said softly, trying to make me feel guilty for shouting.

" Sorry means nothing. I hope you fall on your fucking face and die! Does your wife know we sexted mere weeks ago? That we had phone sex three days ago? I have been faithful to you and this is what I get in return? " I asked, not caring that I was dragging his name through the mud.

By the look on his face, I knew the answer.

" Shut the fuck up, Brianna! " He growled at me.

" Go to hell you pathetic piece of shit! You better pray that I don't see your disgusting face again. I will cut off your balls and feed them to the fish. " I said and left angrily.

The anger was a mask for my pain. Lily was right. He wasn't serious about me and he never had been. I shouldn't have uprooted my life for him. Only three blocks away, I broke down and cried.

I carried my suitcase to the beach and sat in the sand while I bawled my eyes out. After deciding I had had enough crying, I left the beach and hailed a taxi. I didn't know where I was going. All I knew was that I had to be as far away from Malcolm as possible.

He took me to a motel. I checked in and ignored the pitiful look the lady at the counter gave me. After putting the luggage in the room, I left the motel and went to the nearest bar. What I needed was alcohol to help me forget.

I ordered a vodka and sat on the barstool while sipping my drink. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed someone coming and sitting beside me.

" Take it easy, bellissima, " a deep velvety voice drawled out in a thick Italian accent.

" Don't tell me what to do-" I started but my words were caught in my throat.

The man next to me was a sight for sore eyes. Let's just say that Malcolm had nothing on him.

He was wearing a suit but without a jacket. He had on a waistcoat and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbow, showing off his muscular tattooed arms. He looked like a man who frequented the gym with the way his body looked powerful under that suit.

He had a perfectly sculpted face with a sharp jawline and high cheekbones. There was a 5 O'clock shadow beard covering his face. His gray eyes held nothing but mischief and bad behavior. Not the boyish one, no. He exuded manliness, dominance, and sex appeal.

On top of all that? He had glasses. Did he have an eye problem? I had never thought glasses looked that hot on somebody until him. His black hair fell over his face and he pushed it back with his tattooed hand that black rings on some fingers.

I was undeniably attracted to the man.

I tried to defend that it was the alcohol but I knew it wasn't. There was something dangerous and forbidden about him that pulled me in, daring me to jump into the fire.

I turned to my drink when I realized I had been staring at the stranger for way too long. However, he hadn't noticed because he was busy eyeing me. For some reason, it made me feel sexy.

" You look like you need a friend, " he said again, his Italian accent almost making me fawn.

I had a new type and it was Italian men.

" I'm fine, " I replied curtly, not wanting to engage with the man no matter how tempting it was.

He looked like a man who caught the attention of many women and I didn't want to set myself up for heartache. The way he was looking at me told me that he was looking for more than friendship.

" A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be crying over a man. "

I blushed as he called me beautiful. I knew I was a catch with my big baby blue eyes and waist-long copper brown hair. I also had a slender waist and generous curves. However, I was still stuck on the fact that he knew a man made me cry. I felt obligated to become defensive.

" A man is not the reason-"

" Don't lie to me, bellissima. " He said it in a cool way but I got the feeling that he wasn't saying it nicely.

Before I knew it, I was spilling all my secrets to a man I didn't even know. He was so attentive and keen in a way that made me feel like I could trust him.

When I was done, I felt stupid because I ignored all the signs that what we had was over.

" I should've guessed. I'm smart. How could I not notice that he only texted me or called when he was horny? I feel like a phone sex attendant minus the pay. Maybe I should do that for a living. I'm broke with no job and no life to go back to. "

" He's stupid for not realizing how lucky he is to have a girl like you. He doesn't deserve you. " He said while stroking my cheek with the back of his hand.

We changed the subject and the issue of Malcolm was long behind us. At one point in the night, we had pulled our bar stools together and we kept finding reasons to make body contact as we spoke about our lives and joked around.

I couldn't remember the last time a man had made me laugh like that. Even my drink was long forgotten. We only stopped when the bartender told us he was closing and we had to leave.

" When can I see you again? " He asked.

I frowned and looked at him with a sorry look on my face.

" You can't. I have to go back to the U.S. tomorrow and figure my life out. Maybe I can still salvage my job. "

He put his hand on top of mine and my body felt like it was on fire. His big hand engulfed my small one. Shivers ran through my spine at the contact and I hoped that he didn't notice the effect he had on me.

" Give Sicily a chance. Maybe you'll love it and make it your home. Look, how about you take tomorrow to think things through? I'll pick you up in the morning and show you around. If by the end of the day, you still want to leave, I'll respect that. "

" I don't know..."

" Say yes."

We made eye contact for some time before I caved and nodded my head. I needed a break from my life anyways. The man nodded his head and helped me off my stool. We walked out of the club and stood outside. He was towering over me with his height, making me feel small.

" Where is your motel? " He asked.

" Just around the corner, " I answered.

" Let me walk you there. "

Just as he said that, an Alfa Romeo Stelvio parked next to us and a man in a suit came out. My hot guy whose name I had yet to learn, excused himself and they went further from me and started speaking.

I looked at him as he spoke to the man in hushed tones. It looked like the man in a suit was his driver with the way he was nodding curtly and listening intensely. I kept staring at his full lips moving, wondering how they would feel on mine.

He turned to look at me and smiled. I looked away and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. He made me giddy and nervous like a high school girl.

After a while, he walked over to me and the driver got in his car and left.

" Are you ready to go, bellissima? "

I nodded my head and we started walking on the pavement to my motel.

" What do you do for a living? " I asked to break the ice.

The man was clearly rich. He was wearing Armani from head to toe and he had an expensive car plus a driver.

" I own many businesses. Usually, I invest in collapsing businesses and bring them to their feet. "

I nodded my head in understanding.

" What about you? "

" I'm an editor. I love languages and I thought I'd put my skills to good use. "

" I'm sure you'll find another good job. "

Before we knew it, we were outside my motel. I turned to face him and wondered what the right thing to say was.

" Is 9 a.m. alright with you? "

" Yeah. See you tomorrow."

" Sleep tight, bellissima. "

" I didn't catch your name, " I said before he left.

" Nikolai. "

I nodded my head and started walking inside. When I looked back, he was still outside waiting for me to enter. I blushed again and looked ahead. Nikolai. That was a name that would make me bend my morals and bring out my inner demon. I just didn't know it yet.

****

I wore baby blue booty shorts, a white tank top, and gladiator sandals because it was hot. I couldn't wait for Nikolai to come and pick me up. Every now and then, I zoned out and his face was all I saw.

I practically skipped downstairs to go outside because it was already five minutes past nine. When I got there, Nikolai was leaning against a matte black Mazzanti Evantra.

He was clad in a white tee and black shorts that showcased his powerful legs. His glasses were gone and in their place was a pair of black sunglasses.

" Are you ready for a tour of the city? " Nikolai asked while walking towards me and hugging me.

" Yes sir, " I answered.

He opened the car door for me and I got in. He spent the day driving me around town and showing me spots to eat, shop and hang around.

I noticed the way he kept a protective arm on the small of my back when we walked on the street. He showed me the basics of learning Italian so I could communicate better with Italians.

Our tour ended at the beach. We sat in the sand watching the sunset while we each had our thoughts to ourselves.

" So, what do you think of Sicily so far? " He asked.

" It's a beautiful city but I'll have to sleep on whether I want to stay or not. "

" Let me give you some incentive. "

Before I registered what he had said, he put two fingers under my chin and kissed me. I froze for a second before my instincts took over and I kissed him back with the same energy.

Our mouths molded together in a fiery kiss that sucked the air right out of my lungs. Desire settled at the pit of my stomach and electricity shot through my veins.

When his tongue made contact with mine, a sound came from the back of my throat. His hands were all over my body and liquid heat pooled in my center.

When he pulled away, we both panted, trying to catch our breaths.

" Is that reason enough for you to stay? " He asked.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before answering, " it might be. "

He walked me back to his car and drove me back to my motel. It was already dark and cold so he handed me his jumper. It smelled just like him. Addicting and comforting.

" When can I see you again? " He asked.

" You should call tomorrow. I can try and squeeze you into my busy schedule. " I answered, making him chuckle.

He walked me to the entrance and pecked my lips.

" I'll see you soon, il mio bellissima, " he said before walking to his car and driving away.

I stood on the pavement smiling at nothing in particular. I touched my lips and blushed even harder. My lips tingled and I could still feel his lips on mine. I hugged my arms to my body to wrap myself in his scent.

Just as I was turning around to walk inside, I heard sirens. Three cars stopped in front of me and men in uniform came out.

They pointed guns in my direction and my arms went up in the air. They spoke but I couldn't figure out what they were saying since I didn't know Italian.

Before I knew it, there were cuffs around my wrists and I was in the back of the Polizia di Stato's car. The worst part was that I didn't even know why.

Fuck.

--------

Polizia di Stato- State Police