Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 147734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
I speak five whole languages, while this prick only knows two and is barely literate in English. I shouldn’t even want to prove anything to him, but I had to.
Call it a matter of pride.
Yulian leans down, his eyes peering into my face, and that’s when I see the most curious view.
The brown flecks in his blue eye. Talk about rare and…stunning.
“Russian royalty, huh? Hmm. That makes sense,” he whispers near my cheek, his breath spreading across my skin.
A shudder ripples through me as unease tightens my chest.
I loathe the guy so much, my body is revolting at his closeness.
I lift a fist and punch him, finally forcing him to release me.
Fucking prick got blood on my hair after all.
As I’m about to pummel him to the ground again, we’re pulled away from each other by Cyrus, Nikolai, and the others.
“Come on, don’t be selfish.” Nikolai grins, his eyes brightening. “It’s my turn to fight.”
“Me!” Yulian shakes off the guy who was holding him and jumps into the middle of the arena. “I want to fight again. I’ll beat you, Niko.”
“You wish, motherfucker!” Nikolai screams back, laughing.
And so it begins—one of their daily fights that even the mentors don’t bother to interfere in anymore.
I stand there for a while, my arms crossed, occasionally darting my tongue out to lick my cut lip and tasting copper.
Not sure why I don’t get out of there right away, but something’s bothering me.
The discomfort. It still hasn’t disappeared, even though Yulian’s left me alone.
If anything, it’s spreading in my chest.
I shake my head and leave, my eyes flitting back to Yulian one final time as he exchanges blows with Nikolai, both of them laughing like maniacs.
Why the hell would I care that he instantly directed his attention to Nikolai?
3
VAUGHN
I’m doing handrail pull-ups in the gym when Nikolai walks in, half naked, sweaty, and with his long hair damp.
I was hoping I’d have the gym to myself before I had to go up the mountain with the clown from Chicago.
And I needed to work out, because I’m still bubbling with pent-up energy from after the fight.
“Who won?” I ask Nikolai, unable to eradicate my curiosity.
“Me, of course.” He laughs. “Guess I have to thank you for tiring the bull.”
“Good.”
“He wants another fight after he comes back later, so I’ll be working my arms.” He grabs a few weights, then stands in front of the mirror and flexes, showcasing the random scattered tattoos he’s started to get. “Wanna spot me?”
“Give me a minute.”
Nikolai continues flexing during the whole minute, rolling his muscles and tightening his stomach.
Even though Niko and I are around the same age, we couldn’t be any more different. Where he’s too outward, I’m too inward. The reason we get along, however, is because we’re both loyal to the people we care about.
As I watch him, I wonder if his flamboyant personality is the reason he gets along with Yulian. If fighting all the time is considered getting along, that is.
Nikolai points at his reflection. “Looking good.”
I pull myself up with a bit of a challenge for my fiftieth rep. “Is that important?”
“Is what important?”
“Looking good in this setting. It’s not like you’re crushing on one of them.”
He grins at me through the mirror. “Maybe I am.”
I go slack, my arms screaming under my weight, and then drop from the bar, my fall louder than usual.
“What the hell, Nikolai? If the wrong person finds out, you’ll be in danger. This isn’t exactly our turf, and your parents always told you to be careful around outsiders or those who don’t belong in the close circle.”
He lets out an exasperated sigh. “I know, I know. It’s not like I’ll be fucking left and right in public.”
My muscles are still tense as I help him set up the weights, then I frown.
Why the hell am I stressing out anyway?
Yes, Nikolai came out as bi a year ago and even threw a party to celebrate it, but he didn’t come out to his grandfather or uncles or even the elders in the organization. He needs to be careful about the places he announces he loves dick as much as pussy.
This camp is not one of those places.
“Relax. It’s just a harmless crush. For now.” He laughs as he lies down on the bench.
“Who are you crushing on?” I stand next to him as he lifts.
He blows out a breath, his face reddening with exertion, but he doesn’t say anything, completely focused on his task.
“Yulian?” I ask, sounding almost bored, but that sharp malaise settles at the bottom of my stomach.
“Yulian?” He hands me the bar, and I help him deposit it on the hooks.
“Yeah.”
“What gave you that idea?”
“I don’t know. All the fighting you guys do?”
“Fuck no. I wouldn’t trust that crazy motherfucker anywhere near my dick.” He sits up. “Also, pretty sure he’s straight, and you know I don’t fuck with straight guys.”