NIKOLAI

I glanced at the glowing mantle of the clock piece above me, my heart sinking to the pit of my stomach when I realized how nervous I was about seeing the olive-skinned woman again, the image of her small face and piercing hazel eyes rising unbidden to my mind.

Christ, I was a fucking mess, how the fuck was I going to hold up in front of my father if I couldn't get Raya freaking Banks out of my fucking head.

I needed this break, being the last son came with its perks, being my father’s favorite, but I had to work twice as hard, break my fucking back...