"He was her dark fairytale and she was his twisted fantasy, and together they made magic."

***************

Natalie's POV

"What did you do?" I asked again when he didn't answer, his previous tone scaring the hell out of me, and the worst scenarios cooked up in my mind.

When it comes to his lifestyle, I can't help but think of the unthinkable.

He just rested the side of his head over my chest, pretty much comfortable. My hand moved from his cheek to his hair, running my fingers through it and smoothing it back. I couldn't deny that I was partially enjoying this little moment by having him this close, he isn't usually the very touchy type, but drunk him is breaking all the rules.

"Nikolas," I called for him again.

"Hmm?" He said, nuzzling his head as if I am the most comfortable pillow ever.

"You said you did something, what happened?" I asked, "You're getting me worried."

He just shook his head, "Shush, let's not talk about that," He mumbled and as I stared down at his innocent expression, I couldn't hold back my smile and shook any other thought away. If it's serious, he will tell it to me sober and not in this intoxicated state.

He buried his face into the crook of my neck, "You smell so good," He mumbled, humming, and I think I am going to always add some alcohol into his drinks.

He let out a low groan before he edged his head backward to look at me, "I shouldn't be saying all this now, should I?"

I chuckled and shook my head, "I am not complaining."

My smile made a small smile lift the corners of his lips, his eyes still hazy but just as beautiful, "I like your smile too," He added.

I took advantage of the moment, getting all I can get out of his truthful state, "What else do you like?"

He lifted his hand and poked my right eye, "Your eyes," He said, almost making me lose sight in that eye.

I rubbed at it and he moved his finger over my cheek till it reached my lips, he stared at them for a long moment, "I like that little noise you make every time I kiss you," He whispered, his words barely audible as he ran his finger over my lower lip.

I sucked into a deep breath; would it be taking advantage also if I kissed him right now? My sober mind argued, refusing and I internally groaned in frustration.

I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, unable to back away from getting any answer I can get out of him; I mean, can you blame me? It would take hell a lot from him to confess these little tiny things while sober, "So, you like kissing me?" My eyebrow raised, "That wasn't your reaction the first time I kissed you," I still cant forget how I kissed him and he practically ran away from me and cancelled all of our sessions after. The asshole.

His eyebrows pulled closer, "Of course I do," He said, not shying away, "It was all I could think about that fir...first time," He added, pressing the back of his head against the cushion, now leveling his with mine as he brought his hand and tucked my hair behind my ear, "How soft and delicate you are...how I could easily break you if I wasn't careful."

I shook my head, "Don't worry, we have established that you won't do that," I said with a smile, "Now, tell me more," I requested, my heart erratic and my chest heavy with newly developed feelings for this man. Feelings I am slowly coming in terms with. Feelings I want to pause, to stop them...but I know it's impossible. I am past that stage where I can hit pause and back away.

He gazed at my face, "You're like this..." Lines etched between his brows as he searched for the right word, "This light that takes over my...gloomy life," He brushed his thumb over my cheek, "You make it colorful in a way, you make it hurt less," His eyebrows pulled closer, "And I am so scared of the day where..." He let out a low sigh, "Where you will walk away."

I gulped down, his words hitting me in places I don't want to look into, "We said we won't talk about that now, right," I whispered, forcing on a smile, because I don't want to think about it either. Future Natalie will deal with it, this Natalie only wants to make more sense of everything she is feeling at the moment.

"You wanna know something," I started, "I feel like I want you by my side like every second of every day," I said, confessing some more, making us both equal, "I am not usually that clingy, I swear," My eyebrow raised, recalling my previous relationship, "But when I am working, I am thinking about you, when I am eating, when I am talking with anyone, I am just thinking about you and about when will I get out and see you again," A tight breath pushed out of my lungs, "What is it about you that is getting me so...addicted?"

A small smile lifted one corner of his lips, his smile so lazy, like he didn't even have the power to keep his eyes open and awake, he looked tired but a bit relaxed too, the alcohol's effect I guess, "I think about you too, a lot, maybe more than I should," He confessed and I wanted to record his voice saying this so I can keep listening to it, making sure I am not the only one being absorbed into this without any restraints.

I couldn't hold myself from inching my face closer and innocently pecked his lips, a small peck, nothing more, because I couldn't help it when he looked so adorable, telling me how he felt about me, but Nikolas had other plans, my little gesture triggered him and his hand moved to the back of my neck, pulling me back for a kiss that had my heart jumping out of his cage, flying and very much willing to fall and crash for this man.

He kissed me like nothing was holding him back, his tongue and mine melting into one, his heart pumping hard underneath my palm as he blissfuly took my mouth into the most beautiful assault ever. It had me realizing how if he would let go, if he would just loosen that guilt, if he would allow himself to relax, like now...he would be happy, he could be happy.

He could let the pain go, only if he allows himself to do so.

Our lips broke their contact and his forehead rested over mine, still leaning into me and I moved my hand from his chest and cupped his cheek, moving my fingers over the light stubble, feeling this man, so hard yet also so soft, he is a total contradiction within himself, "You're making me feel things I've never felt before, Natalie," He mumbled, his hand moving from my neck and stroking down my spine, "You make me want to do things I shouldn't do."

The bit of torture in his tone had me asking, urging him to just say it, "What do you want to do?"

He edged his head backward a fraction, his gaze on mine and I saw the fire tangling in that wild forest of his eyes as he spoke, his voice low and a bit gruff, "I want your skin on mine all the damn time, I want you under me, I want to feel every inch of you, every part," His hand moved and rested over my thigh and I heaved for my next breath, his warmness overwhelming me, fire licking under my skin and when he brushed his lips over mine, I couldn't hold back the low soft noise that erupted from my throat, just a simple brush yet it felt like an electric current surging through every nerve in my being.

His gaze stayed on my lips as he whispered more, "I want that sound with my name as I take all of you, Natalie, even though it's wrong, I want you to be only mine," His hand over my thigh tightened the slightest, pouring his frustration into the simple touch, "I selfishly want to take all that you are willing to offer," Pain enveloped with the heat of his words, "And I fucking hate myself for it."

His gaze flickered up to my eyes, "I want to take you and get far away from here and from everyone, because as much as I need you to know everything, I really don't want you to know," He shook his head, "You are the only one who looks at me like this," He said, his finger brushing the area under my eye, "If I lost that too, then..."

The rock lodging my throat expanded as I tried to make sense of each word he was saying. He winced a bit, as if he just realized what he is saying and he retreated his hand back, "I am so drunk, I should just shut up," He grumbled and when he opened his eyes again, he glared at me, "I am gonna be so mad at you tomorrow because you're making me say all of this now."

I chuckled, lowly and shrugged, "It's okay, I kind of know my way around your grumpiness."

I rested my hands over his shoulder, deciding to kick the bad parts, especially his insinuation that we could never withstand a chance and changed the subject back, "So," My eyebrow raised and tease fluttered all over my tone, "You actually want to have sex with me."

He shot me a glare, "Of course, have you seen yourself in the mirror?" He grumbled, so annoyed, only proving to me that my grumpy baby was still here.

I pretended to flip my hair, proud and flirtatious, "I mean yeah, I am the best thing that could ever happen to you," I added jokingly, my tone brining his beautiful smile back, "But since you want it too, why are you torturing the both of us?" I scolded and playfully slapped his shoulder.

He shot me another glare, "Are you stupid," He said, "I am doing this for you," He added, "I don't want you to regret this later."

"Woah, are you that bad in...you know what?" I joked around, feigning shock and he looked seconds away from pulling his gun and actually killing me. I bet this look in his eyes has men buried under the ground, but well, not on me, grumpy baby.

"In your dreams," He grumbled, very annoyed at the insult and I shook my head, "No, in my dreams you are pretty good," I shrugged, "Great actually."

He didn't acknowledge the fact that I just admitted I have my share of wet dreams about him, "Natalie," He said, his tone serious, "Yes, my grumpy baby," I answered and he again didn't address my newly acquired nickname.

"I don't know when, but it will happen, someday, sooner or later," He started, "And you will regret meeting me, you will regret knowing me, getting close to me and I can maybe live with that," He shook his head, "But if you regret me...touching you," He shook his head again, so helpless, "I can't...can't ever live with that fact."

His words, the hidden meaning under them had a small theory forming in my head, connecting some dots together and the second the thought formed, I kicked it away, far away. No, no way, not this. It can't be that.

I pulled on a small smile, "You need to teach me some of that control, because I really suck at it," I said, playfully addressing the matter. For someone who claims that he has no control over himself, he sure as hell is better at this than my very own self.

"Anyways, let's forget all this," I waved my hand, dismissing the previous topics, "Now that you told me what you like about me," I licked my lips, "Tell me what is about me that you don't like."

"First, you're so annoying," He said, immediately answering, then his eyebrows pulled closer and he shook his head, "No, wait, I think I like that too."

First? Is there a second? Holy hell, did I open a can of warms on myself?

I pouted and he carried on, the grumpy human insulting me some more, "Well, you talk a lot and I hate talking," Then his gaze flickered all over my face and he pointed at my head, "Your hair, I don't like your hair."

I gaped at him and placed my hand over my hair, utterly offended, "What? Why?" I asked, "What do you have against my hair?!"

The nerve-

He shrugged, "It's showing something that you are not, I told you I don't like to be tricked."

I kept gaping at him with my mouth wide open. I pay half of my income to make sure it looks as perfect as it is, then there is this man...

I take it back. I don't want truthful drunk him anymore.

"So what?" I shot out, annoyed by the fact he finds something in me he doesn't like, "You want me to change it?" As if I will, I will make it even more blonde to annoy him some more. The grumpy asshole.

He looked taken aback by my words, "What, no," He said, lines etching his forehead, "You are beautiful the way you are, whatever color you hair is," He waved his hand over my hair, "You could be bald for all I care about."

Aww, okay. I forgive him.

"Okay, let's stop this truthful session, I have a limit to what I can take," I said, sighing, my mind tired and in need for a reboot.

"Nate," He said.

Involuntary, I smiled, "You never called me that before," I couldn't help but say and his eyebrows pulled closer, like he didn't understand, "It's your damn name, what else would I call you?"

I rolled my eyes, such a little baby, "You never called me Nate I mean, you always say my full name."

"Oh," He mumbled, now understanding it, "Nate," He said it again and seemed to be thinking something, "Nelly," He added, picking up other nicknames, "Natty," He added, testing them all and I chuckled, staring at this drunk man be the total opposite of the Nikolas I know. No, not opposite actually, just the relaxed version of him, the one not holding the whole world's load over his shoulders.

"Natalie," He said again, testing the name one more time, as if trying to figure something out, "Nikolas," He said his own name and his eyes grew a bit wide, "Our names match," He said, looking at me, as if he just realized that and he pulled two fingers up, "Two N's."

I fake gasped, pretending to be shocked too at the brand new information he is bestowing upon me, "You know what," He carried on, as he just figured another theory that could alter the whole humanity, "If we ever had a kid, we should definitely give him a name with an N too," Then he pushed three fingers in my face, "We'll be three N's."

My heart stopped beating...it definitely did. This man was going to drive me beyond insanity, he is going to ruin my heart and mind in the most drastic way there is, and for some reason, I recklessly want him to. I want him to do what he said previously, to take me far away from here, where no one could ruin how beautiful and flawless that image looked in my head.

I desperately don't want to know anything that would change the way I look at him, as this beautiful yet broken man.

I went on with his words, just having fun drawing an impossible future with a man who is slowly crawling under my skin, implanting himself there, trying to claim a big part of me I haven't given anyone before, that stupid heart that flies with every hope he gives me.

My head tilted to the side, "If we would have kids, how...how do you think they would look like?"

Nikolas gazed me for a long second, and I was scared he might just be like; who said I am having your kids, back off woman, but he surprised me as always, "Well, they definitely won't get your fake blonde hair," He answered, ever so casually, "That's for sure."

I narrowed my eyes at him, both annoyed at his constant mockery of my hair and relieved that for some reason we are having such a weird conversation, "God, what do you have against my hair?" I shot out, a bit loudly as I lightly slapped his chest.

His eyebrow raised and I answered it on his behalf, "It's just you don't like to be deceived?" I mumbled with mockery, rolling my eyes at his silliness and he nodded, confirming it. A simple normal statement I probably should've taken a bit more into consideration.

I only groaned in annoyance and pushed myself out of his embrace, it still sucks that he doesn't like my hair, I want him to like all of me. He chuckled at my annoyed expression and pulled me back to his lap, "I am kidding," He mumbled, pressing a kiss to my cheek in an attempt to calm me down, "I like you in all forms," I almost smiled but then he added, "Fake blonde and all."

My smile dropped and I glared at him, "You are liking this, aren't you?"

He nodded, "A little bit too much," He answered and I kept glaring at him, "Don't give me that cute glare," He said, "You always annoy me, it has got to be my turn."

I sighed, "I am just wondering how will your reaction be tomorrow when you remember all of this."

He winced, "I am gonna be so mad and grumpy all day long to compensate," He rubbed a hand over his forehead, "Don't ever tell Alex about this."

I chuckled and nodded my head, "Okay."

I leaned my back against the cushion, a brief moment of silence enveloped us before he broke it, "Nate," For someone who doesn't like talking, he surly doesn't shut up.

"Yes, Nik," I said, shortening his name too.

"Can you make me some of that disgusting tea that you always make?"

I facepalmed at the very polite way he requested it, "But you hate it."

He nodded, "Yeah, I do, but I want it."

I chuckled, he is unbelievable, "Okay, stay here," I got up to my feet, "I will go make some for the both of us."

He nodded, tiredly rubbing his fist at his eyes like a small little kid and I went to the kitchen, preparing the herbal tea he always whines about not wanting to drink. He really made his mission to keep surprising me today with this drunk behavior.

As I waited for the tea to be made, I went through my phone, checking my work mail and taking a quick look at my schedule tomorrow, sighing at my the long tiring day awaiting me. When the tea was done, I poured it into two cups, took them and headed back inside.

I froze dead in my track by the door when I witnessed a sight that should be immediately added to the seven wonders.

Nikolas was petting Massie's head. I almost dropped the tea cups from the shock, and here I thought I'd die before this day comes. He was running his hand over her little head and she was enjoying it beyond measures, aching for the touch that he doesn't give to just anyone.

He bent down, leaning closer to her face and casually said, "You're an ugly little thing, aren't you?"

Massie, ignoring the insult, she crawled into his lap and he stared at her with furrowed eyebrows, retreating his hand from her head before he tried to shoo her away, "Oh no, get off, we are not that close yet."

I chuckled and walked back to the couch, this man has the emotional maturity of a little baby. Massie noticed me and jumped off Nikolas's lap and scurried away, knowing very well she cant claim my grumpy man in front of me.

I placed the cups over the small table, closer for him to pick up before I sat down beside him. He leaned to me and kissed my cheek; god I am so gonna love teasing about this night tomorrow, "Thank you, Nelly," He said before he picked up the cup.

"Nelly?" I questioned, "Wasn't it Nate?"

"I am trying them all, to see which one I will like," He said before he took the first sip. He grimaced, still not liking the tea, "It's so disgusting," He grumbled but continued drinking it for some unknown reason.

I shook my head with a low laugh, "You are so cute."

He shot me a glare, "I hate it when you call me that," He said, so very annoyed, "I am not cute."

My eyebrow raised, "What then?" I said, "You are a dangerously sexy handsome man?" Truth be told, he was that too.

He nodded, "Yes, just that, dangerously sexy, not cute."

I chuckled, "So you are actually aware of how much hot you are?"

He nodded, casually taking another sip of his tea, "Of course, it's why you like me."

My eyebrows pulled closer and I shook my head, "It's not the only reason I like you," I said, placing my hand over his hand, urging him to look at me, "I like all of you," The broken you, the cute you and even if I don't like to admit it out loud, the dangerous you, he recklessly pulls me in, something my well-trained sane mind should disapprove of, "I like your grumpiness as much as anything else about you."

He lowered the cup down, staring at me with an unexplainable look. When he didn't look away, I placed my cup down and asked, a bit of red creeping up my cheek at his strong unwavering gaze, "What?"

"I am just thinking how different my life would've been if I had met you before, at least...three years ago," He said.

I sighed and nodded my head, "I keep thinking about that too."

He drifted his gaze away, staring down at the cup in his hand before he kept drinking it, silently this time until he finished it all.

"I want to sleep, I am tired and I don't want you say more things I am going to regret tomorrow," He announced and I nodded, "Okay, little baby, let's put you to bed," He was acting like one. He glared at me, not liking my comment very much and tried to get up to his feet, grumbling some incoherent words under his breath.

"Let me help you," I said as I wrapped my hand around his waist and he threw his arm around my shoulders, "Please don't fall down, you're so big, you would crush me and I would literally die," I said as I lead his way to the bedroom.

He tightened his hold around my shoulders, "I won't let you die," He mumbled and I chuckled at how that's the only part of the sentence he acknowledged.

When he reached my bedroom, he immediately slumped over the bed, resting his head on the pillow and he threw his arm over his eyes. I inched closer, "You won't be comfortable wearing your clothes," I said and he hummed, too tired to speak now.

I inched closer, my hand going to his white dress shirt and I unbuttoned the first few buttons only. Nikolas took his arm off his face before he edged his upper body up, his hand going to his shirt and unbuttoning the rest before he casually took his shirt off and placed it aside.

Oh dear lord...

Am I supposed to just casually sleep beside him when he looks like this? Someone is going to work tomorrow with bags under her eyes.

I really need a lesson in how to control your hormones when around shirtless men. No, not any men...just those who look like this. He had laid back down, totally not affected, as if he is not giving me the hottest view at the moment. Damn him, I am taking my revenge when he is sober, he will see.

My gaze drifted from his chest to his face, to the green eyes staring back at me as I shamelessly ogled at him. I bit at my lower lip and pointed at him, "I will take my revenge tomorrow," I warned him and he looked so confused.

I was about to stand up and get ready for bed when his hand circled over my wrist and pulled me back. Even drunk, the man could move mountains with his hands, because his simple pull had me pressed up all against his chest, "Natalie," He said and I should give him an award for saying my name way too much this night.

"Hmm?" I mumbled, trying to ignore the heat radiating off his chest and into mine.

"What's the one thing I'd do that you would never forgive me for?"

His words startled me for a second, it had me forgetting how only thin clothes material separated our skins, "I know that you had," I gulped down, the thought too uncomfortable to say out loud, "That you had hurt innocent people in the past," I carried on, unable to digest the thought entirely, "So now, after all this guilt, and after your will to change and redeem yourself, if you do hurt innocent people now," I shook my head, "I wouldn't be able to forgive you for that, Nikolas."

A small smile lifted his lips, as if relieved with my answer and he shook his head, "I won't do that, I promise."

***************

Nikolas's POV

My head felt like it's about to explode, like needles prickling under the surface, poking at my skull and tiring my brain even more than usual. With a low groan, I allowed my eyelids to flutter open, blinking the ache away as I focused my sight and began to be aware of all my senses.

An arm was thrown around my neck, and Natalie's face a breath away from mine, our foreheads barely touching and involuntarily, a small smile pulled at my lips at her peaceful state. Her eyes were closed, her chest rhythmically moving with every breath she took, and her amber scent enveloping me whole, a one I am becoming more familiar with every day.

I moved my hand, lifting it up to her face, and my thumb gently brushed the soft skin at the corner of her mouth and my eyelids dropped down for a long second, just making sense of the newly founded emotions brimming my chest as I breathed her in. This woman has officially gotten under my skin, becoming a constant in my brain, always invading my thoughts when she shouldn't.

Despite everything, at the end of the day, I keep finding myself coming back to her. Needing her. Wanting her.

Remnants of last night's memories flashed behind my closed eyes and I winced, the ache pulsing over my head only intensifying by the second. Words like fake blonde and Nelly flashed in my head and I wanted to groan, what in god's name did I do last night?

I pried them open again, a low sigh parted my lips before my gaze drifted around, making more sense of my surroundings. We were in her room, and when my eyes flickered down, I noticed my shirt was taken off but thankfully enough my pants were still on. I let out a sigh of relief, at least I didn't do something too irrational. I don't even remember getting to bed. I was really out of it after so long.

I carefully moved, pulling away from her as I turned to the nightstand, pulling my phone to check the time. It signaled seven in the morning and before I could get up and try to gather myself together for the day, Natalie stirred beside me, a low moan escaping her mouth as she snuggled closer to my side.

I turned my head to see her trying to blink her eyes open, "Morning," I mumbled and her lips curved a small smile, "Morning," She mumbled, burying her face into the crook of my neck and flashes from last night kept coming back to me. Something about a future kid and three N's. Oh god, I wanted to slam my head against the nightstand at the moment.

"What time is it?" She sleepily mumbled into my shoulder.

"It's seven," I answered, desperately hoping she won't mention last night at all.

She let out a low whiney sound, "I don't wanna go to work," She snuggled closer to me, too lazy to get up or at least lift her face up, "Can we stay like this for like more five minutes or like five more years?"

I leisurely stroked my hand down her back, "I need to get up as well."

She lifted her head from my shoulder to look at me, her eyes hazy with her sleep, her full lips pouting and the longer I stared at them, the more the thought of staying in bed with her for more five years felt more appealing.

"I have so much work today," She said with that cute whining voice.

"How about after work I drop by your office and take you somewhere?" I suggested, wanting that tired look in her eyes to go away.

She narrowed her eyes at me, "Are you still drunk?"

My lips curled up in annoyance and I shook my head, "Can we not talk about that, like never ever again?"

Her lips lifted into the biggest smile ever, "Oh, no, we are so gonna talk about last night."

I winced and rubbed a hand over my forehead, "At least can we do that later, I am still hangover and I need to shower, have some coffee and get back to myself."

She giggled, "Okay, you're free for now, enjoy it as it lasts because tonight is my turn to annoy you."

I let out an annoyed sigh as I got out of bed and she was enjoying my miserable state too much, way to be a supportive girlfriend.

Girlfriend...god, it felt too odd for me to use that term or even acknowledge it. How did it reach here? Just yesterday she was my annoying therapist who wanted to dig into every secret I had and I wanted to snap her neck at every question she asked.

After showing, getting my coffee, Natalie and I left the house together. I dropped her off at her office and went off to take care of...my work. I had enough to fill my plate today. I took care of the important parts in the morning and when it reached noon, I knew it was time for step three already.

I stood in front of the mansion he is staying in for the time being before he takes off to London again to check on the precious boy he is hiding away. The security guard pressed his hand to the earpiece and mumbled something, probably preparing everyone for my presence. I wanted to ask him to chill down, I mean can't a son just visit his father these days?

My jaw tightened, my own thoughts mocking me, it was really wrong to get drunk after so long, I think my braincells aren't recovered yet from that intoxication.

Everyone looked guarded, their hands near their weapons, ready to pick up the gun and fire if I dare to make a wrong move. I stopped by one of the rooms, my gaze traveled around, falling at him as he made his way inside. He was casually folding the sleeves of his shirt up, carrying on with normal life's tasks before his eyes flickered up to me, a smug smirk lifting up one side of his lips, "I am hoping you are here because you came back to your senses?"

All I wanted was to walk forward and let out everything on his face, but I kept myself in check as I talked, "Not exactly," I took a step forward, getting closer to him, "I just wanted to tell you to be careful," I feigned care, "You see, I kind of told Jospeh that you are the one who helped Maria escape," I fake winced, "My bad, it just slipped you know."

My sarcastic words were enough to erase that smug look off his face, his eyes focused on mine as he tried to figure out if I am messing around or not. He straightened his body, trying to show me that this doesn't affect him the slightest, "So, you will side with Joseph, against me?" His eyebrow raised, as if the though is so silly, "And to think I actually believed you cared about Natalie yet here you are willing to side with the man who would slice her throat if he just discovered her mere existence."

He had to bring her in to trigger me, but he isn't winning this time. I shrugged, "As much as I'd care for her, it never will be more than my hate for you, will it?"

He scoffed, "And what about Mia?" He questioned, moving his pawn and throwing it in my face, "You think Joseph would let you go if you don't marry her?" His eyebrow raised, too confident, too naive.

I smiled, "Oh, and I was actually waiting for you to bring that up," I said, my words etching lines between his brows, "I am so in love with the girl, poor me, how devastated am I going to be when she dies, right?" I let out a low sigh, "When you kill her, I might lose it even."

I thrived for that look on his face now, mix of confusion and a flicker of fear due to the fact he isn't the only one moving pieces around the board, "My heart will be so broken," I carried on, my eyebrows pulling closer, my tone of pure mockery, "I might just have to side with my ex-father-in-law to avenge my long lost bride."

His jaw ticked and I wanted to make him lose it, like he has been doing to me lately. I pulled my phone out, dialing the number, I placed it to my ear, "Everything is ready," He said and I smiled, "Great, kill her now," I said, my eyes on Isaac only as he tried to understand whether I am bluffing or not.

"Don't forget to leave a souvenir for her father though," I added, my smile growing a bit wider as I added, "Her hand maybe or a her fingers could do the job, you know make it Isaac-style," and after I heard the confirmation, I ended the call.

"You're lying," He said, trying to keep his posture composed.

I edged forward, "Why would I?" I questioned, my eyebrow raising, "You wanted the monster, and I just brought him to you," I tapped my hand over his shoulder, ever so casually, "I just forgot to warn you," I shook my head with fake pity, "You really don't want to be at the receiving end of him."

"Gotta admit though, I really missed killing people," I added, my smile only widening, "Feels good to be back, huh?"

He shrugged my hand away, fire licking in his eyes, "No one will believe you, there is no proof I did it," He said, but he wasn't as confident as he always is, he just never expected me to go about it the wrong unethical way. He though Nikolas was a goody two shoes who cant taint his hands with blood anymore.

"Who did it then?" I asked, "Of course not poor wounded me, I wouldn't kill my future wife, would I?"

"I will tell Joseph everything," He grated out.

I shrugged, "You think he will believe you?"

His eyebrow raised, stressing on it again, "I will tell him everything, maybe slip off the fact that Maria had kids."

I smiled, big and wide, "Do it," I said, "I dare you, do it, I would love for you to do that."

He was the one bluffing now.

"Prove to me that you are the same fucked up father I grew up to know, prove it and tell him everything," Prove that you are the rotten one, not just me. That the abnormality was you, not me.

He didn't say anything back, what would he even say, "This is just the start," I stepped forward, ready to leave, "I will be coming for more later," I warned him, "I will be coming for the most precious thing you own, things you hide away from everyone's eyes, I will find out what that is," I wanted to push his buttons, I wanted to keep Nathan as my winning card, I didn't want him to know that I am aware of his presence, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it a bit and scare him off, "And when I do, I promise you to kill that too."

Satisfied, I headed out of the room, my shoulder brushing his and I wanted to revel in all of this, in his silence, in his wavering confidence but I knew it was only the start, and he...he could retaliate back with hurting anyone, that's why I need leverage over him. Soon.

"Nikolas," Her voice invaded my thoughts, pausing my steps and I turned around. She was by the end of the stairs, she immediately rushed forward, reaching my side before I dare to turn and run away from her as I always do, "Are you okay?" She asked, "I heard about...about what your father did," She heaved out a breath, worry etching lines on her forehead, "No one is telling me anything...Is...is Alex is okay?" She asked, her throat bobbing heavily, "Is your sister okay?"

My jaw tightened and I whirled around, ready to walk out of here, not wanting to hear more of her but her hand landed on my arm, stopping me, "Nik, please, just-"

Before she could even say more, I turned around, my hand circling over her arm, snatching it away from me, "I told you to leave me the fuck alone, didn-" The anger in my tone seemed to vanish into thin air the second my gaze fell into her shoulder. Me tugging at her arm so harshly made her shirt move the slightest, exposing the purple skin underneath.

She noticed what I saw and immediately snatched her arm back, edging backward and fixed her shirt, her cheat heaving and I strode forward, eluding her of personal space when my hand went to her shoulder, pulling the collar aside to have a better look at a bruise that looked so big and fresh.

The boy in me who loved this woman way too much, who had witnessed this abuse more than he ever should, that boy shook with fear and pain, that boy wanted to fuck all the plans, to not care about the consequences and just barge in and kill him on the spot.

I sucked into a deep breath and I backed away from her, silencing that boy's voice.

I rushed a hand over my face, "I just...I just don't understand you," I said, looking at her eyes, similar to mine in so many ways, "I don't understand how weak you can be," I added and she pressed her eyes shut as I hit a sensitive spot, "How can you keep doing this to yourself?" I questioned and I needed a fucking answer, "How can you stay with him when all he ever did was hate you, insult you, abuse you, hit you?!" My voice raised and I edged forward, my hostile movement made her take one backward, "He did nothing but hurt you and hurt your own kids, he shot Alex, he could've killed him that day," My chest tightened at the distanced memory, "You remember Alex, right?" I asked with mockery, "The son you pretend to love so much."

Tears gathered in her eyes at my accusation and I added, "You remember me?" I asked, pressing a hand to my chest, my voice lowering, "The other son who needed you more than anything," She curled her hand into a fist, her gaze drifting away from me as few tears scrolled down her cheek, "That man has done nothing but ruin my life and yours, so answer me, tell me, why? Why are you still with him?"

She lifted her broken gaze to meet mine, so helpless, "Why else, Nikolas, why, because me staying with him is the only guarantee he doesn't go and kill you, or kill Alex. Me keeping him over the throne is the only guarantee that you're both alive and breathing," More tears went down, her voice choked, "How do you expect me to be strong when he holds my weaknesses over my head every time?" She shook her head, "What do you expect me to do?"

"To trust me," I suggested, "Trust that I can protect Alex, protect you, and protect myself," I shook my head, "You don't need to stay with him, you just need to trust me enough but you never did."

She shook her head, "No, I can't, I can't risk it, Nikolas, because both of you almost died, both of you, because of him, and do you know why, because back then I had decided to take a step back from him," More tears flowed form her eyes, "I was always a terrible mother to both of you, so the least I can do now is this, make sure you're alive, it's all I want."

I shook my head, "But he is doing much worse than killing me," I wanted to shake her, to make her understand that she was only ruining things this way. I stepped forward and extended my hand, "Come with me," I suggested, surprising herself and mine, "Trust me for once and come with me, I will keep you safe, he won't dare to touch you again, I won't let him hurt Alex, I promise, just take my hand and for once, make the right choice, for once...pick us."

She stared at my hand and shook her head ever so helplessly, refusing the thought and before she could talk, I added, "This is the last chance I will be giving you, last one, so please don't disappoint me again, take my hand and let me get you out of here, let us put an end to this once and for all," Her chest heaved as she stared at my extended hand, so uncertain, so scared and terrified of the consequences, "I am begging you, trust me," My words had her looking up at me.

"Nik, I am so scared-" She said, her voice choked with so much tears and pain.

I shook my head, "I promise you, nothing will happen, so please take my hand," My heart beat so fast, I needed her to do this, "This is the last time I will be asking."

She wiped under her eyes and she hesitantly stepped forward, she sniffled as she placed her hand in mine, I tightened my hold over it and pulled her closer. A choked sob erupted from her chest when I wrapped my arms around her, and she held into me with all her power. I pressed my eyes shut, for the first time realizing that maybe I didn't need her...she is the one who needed me and I was ignoring that for way too long.

"Let me get you out of here, okay?" I softly whispered to her.

She pulled away and nodded her head, fear in her eyes, but she believed in my promise still. I wrapped my hand around her wrist, my other hand pulled the gun out, and the second I turned around, I aimed at the two guards by the door and fired. Can't have them stopping me now.

I dragged her with as I pushed the main gate open and rushed to the car. Hearing hurried footsteps behind us, I didn't dare to turn. I know I had just declared war by doing what I did with Mia and now this. He is going to retaliate for sure. My jaw tightened and I shielded her with my body. The second we reached my car, I opened the passenger seat and pushed her inside before I circled around, got in and drove as fast as I can with them on my tail, but it's nothing I haven't done before.

The whole ride was silent between us, I didn't say anything nor did she, and after some time I was able to make them lose sight of my car. But still, they won't stay away for too long, Isaac must be fuming right now. I wanted to revel some more into that thought but couldn't. Not yet.

I parked the car beside my place and I knew how risky it is to bring her here. But, I've already gotten a new place and getting it ready; somewhere where not every fucking person knows where I live. A place where I can bring Natalie and not be scared she might run into Ronald any second.

I turned my attention to her, she was just looking around us, the nervousness ripping at her being as she fidgeted with her shaking hands. I placed my hand over hers, grabbing her attention to me. A place where I can keep her safe and make sure I don't break my promise.

"Calm down," I said and she swallowed hard and nodded her head.

"You promise, right?" She asked again, "Nothing happens to you or to Alex?"

I gave her a reassuring nod, "I promise, nothing will happen."

"Come on, let's go inside," I said before I got down and she followed. I pulled my phone out to see about ten whiney text messages from Alex;

Where are you?

At my lunch break, I am dropping by, you need to tell me about the whole Nathan ordeal.

Where the hell are you?

Hey, bitch, I don't like to be ignored!

Damn you Nikolas, my life was so much easier before you!

I am on my way, you better be there or I am killing you.

Truth be told, you don't know how to stay dead anyway.

Bitch.

NIKOLAS VIARCHI, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?

Also, where is Mia? Not that I am complaining or anything.

His last message was from about five minutes ago, proving to me that he is here, only worsening this already messed-up situation.

He is gonna be mad. Like so mad.

I know she did her fair share of mistakes, but till when will I pretend that I don't care.

I took her hand in mine, giving it a tight squeeze before I open the door and have Alex rein insults over me and her. Startled, she turned to me and smiled, a smile I haven't realized how much I've missed.

"Are you ready?" I asked, placing the keys in.

"Ready for what?" She asked, totally unaware.

"For this," I said as I opened the door and walked inside.

"Where the hell were y-" His words paused when his eyes fell on me and drifted to the person right beside me. His eyes grew wide, "What the-" He turned to me again as if I grew another head, "What the fuck is this?"

"Alex-" I tried to speak.

"Are you shitting me right now?!" He shot out again while my mother tightened her hand over mine, apparently not ready for this.

"Nikolas, what the hell has gotten into you these days?" He asked, his eyebrows pulled closer, accusing and dissatisfied.

"Will you listen to me?" My eyebrow raised and he shook his head, "No, I won't, because there is no explanation for this-" He pointed at her with utter disgust, "How could you bring her here?" He questioned in disbelief, "Have you lost your damn mind?" He shot out, "She would just be reporting back to Isaac everything."

"I won't do that-" She tried to say and his gaze flickered to her, he scoffed and waved her off, "You, just...just shut up, I wasn't talking with you."

"Alex!" I shot out and he shook his head, "You know what, I don't have the energy to deal with this bullshit right now," He grumbled, so annoyed and walked past me, heading outside.

"I will be back," I said to her before I followed him.

He was heading for the elevator but I caught up to him and wrapped my hand over his arm, try to stop him, "Hey, hey, hold on," I said.

He stopped and pulled his arm back, "Stay the fuck away from me, I am second aways from punching you right now!" He grated out, he wasn't being dramatic him, the anger taking over his eyes is real, I've seen it before.

"Look, I get it, the situation sucks, but she needs our help," I tried to explain, my words feeding the disgust in his gaze, "And why exactly would I help her?"

I gave him a knowing look, "Maybe because she is your mother."

That had him snapping and he edged forward, "Don't you dare call her that, she is your mother," His jaw ticked, "Not mine."

"That woman inside is even worse than Isaac himself," He added and I shook my head, despite my anger and disappointment in her, that wasn't true. Maybe she hurt me a lot, hurt us both, but I can't stand and see her get hurt more. I've stood and watched that happen for too many years.

"Alex, look, I understand, I am still angry at her, at everything but just like you and I share blood," I said, "You and her share that same blood too."

His eyebrows pulled closer, "Is that why you think I am here?" He questioned in disbelief, "You think that I am by your side because...we simply share blood?" He added in mockery, "You think the one thing stopping me from killing you now is that we share blood?"

"Why else?"

He scoffed, "This blood your are talking about, Nikolas, this blood ruined my life," He said and shook his head, "I am not here because of that, I am here because I owe it to the little kid who was in my basement, the one I cared about long before there was blood connecting us, the one I saw as my brother without even knowing what that word meant," He added, "This is why I am here, not because of your stupid blood."

Before I was able to speak again, he carried on, "As long as she stays with you, don't you dare come near me," He said, meaning it before he walked away.

Hefting out a loud breath from my lung, I raked my hand through my hair before I walked back inside, my eyes going to hers, and not knowing if I was doing the right thing or just opened a can of worms, I said, "Welcome home."

The phone buzzed in my hand, taking my attention away from her. Reading the message, my gaze flickered up again, "I've got something to do, do you wanna come with me?" I asked, "I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone yet, not till I make sure it's safe."

She nodded, "Yeah, sure."

With that, we left the house, hopped into the car and I drove to my destination. The road was long but she decided to keep silent, so did I, that old connection we had once wasn't the same anymore and she is fully aware of that.

I parked the car at a distance, my gaze drifting around and checking, just in case. I made sure I wasn't followed around this time. I can't afford for this to be ruined.

"It will be quick," I said, her confused gaze drifted from the jet visible at a distance and to me, "Are you going somewhere?" She asked.

I shook my head, "Just have to take care of something."

When I went down, Jeremey was already waiting for me. He handed me the big envelope, "Everything you asked for is in here."

I took a quick look and nodded my head. I pointed at the car, at her sitting inside, "Make sure she doesn't get out of the car," I stressed out, "I don't want her seeing anything."

Do I feel bad for her? Yes.

Do I trust her? Definitely not.

I walked to the opposite direction and made my way closer to the entrance. A few seconds later and the car I was waiting for arrived.

Another few seconds and Matteo went down, his hand tight around Mia's and when her eyes fell on mine, a small smile pulled at her lips.

Matteo shot me a glare, his lips curling up in annoyance, "And just like that we are supposed to be okay again," He grumbled, addressing the fact I knocked him unconscious.

I shrugged, no one told him to make a scene and ruin the act. Mia only tightened her hold over his hand, asking him to just suck it up.

He still looked beyond annoyed and my eyebrow raised, "I gave you a ticket out of this, what more do you want?"

***************************************

Hello!

Anyone likes drunk Nik? xD We should let him loosen up more often!

So, what's your thoughts now that Leya is back in the picture? Anyways, see ya next chapter! Love y'all!