Chapter 14
Abbie
Jesus, everything’s gone to shit at the speed of light.
Misha and his friends got into trouble for stopping the hit on my life, and Viktor, their boss, shot Alek because someone had to take the bullet that was meant for me.
I’m just thankful he didn’t kill Alek. I don’t want anyone dying on my behalf.
But damn, what a freaking shit show.
As if that’s not enough, since we’ve had sex, Nikolai hasn’t even bothered to look my way whenever we cross paths.
The asshole.
I always try to make the best of everything, but the thing with Nikolai is getting to me. How the hell could he fuck me like that, only to walk away as if it meant nothing?
And Aurora’s dealing with her own problems, so we haven’t been able to hang out much. She doesn’t even know I’ve slept with Nikolai.
Then again, I’m not sure whether I’m ready to spill that secret yet. Walking toward the combat studio, I lift my chin and take a deep breath.
It’s just another training session. You’re a badass bitch who doesn’t need a man.
Entering the studio, I force myself not to glance in Nikolai’s direction. I make a beeline for the treadmill and program the settings before climbing on. I start a slow jog to warm up before increasing the speed to a steady run. From the corner of my eye, I see the other attendees arrive. Aurora and
Misha head my way so they can train, and she shoots me a smile. “You’re so damn lucky,” I mutter as she passes me.
While I have to face Nikolai, she has Misha training her. “I know,” she chuckles.
“Abigail,” Nikolai calls out, “care to join us?”
Slamming stop on the treadmill, I get off and walk toward the group.
“Duarte versus Caspian. Abigail versus Paula. Fight until someone submits,” Nikolai orders.
I walk to a mat and take a fighting stance. I’ve only fought Paula once, and she wiped the floor with me, but that won’t happen today.
I’m so freaking pissed off, and getting to take it out on someone will do me a world of good.
The moment Paula steps onto the mat, I lunge forward. I jump and, twisting my body, I slam the heel of my foot against her head. I manage to land on my feet, only staggering back once before I dart toward my opponent again.
She blocks my first blow, but I catch her off guard with a punch from my left hand. My knuckles protest at the impact, but I ignore the pain as I swipe her feet from under her.
The instant Paula hits the floor, I’m on top of her. She gets in two punches before I manage to wrap my arm around her neck. Using all my strength, I tighten my hold.
“Let go, Abigail!” Nikolai shouts.
I free Paula, and as I climb to my feet, she gags as she struggles to breathe.
Shit, the hold was too tight.
“What the fuck was that?” Nikolai asks.
I shrug as I look at him for the first time. “Just doing what you taught me, sir.”
His expression is cut from granite as he stares at me. “A hundred sit- ups.”
Yeah, fuck you too.
Walking to the back of the studio, I drop to my ass and start with the punishment. Aurora gives me a sympathetic look before focusing on her own training.
I’m stuck in my mind and only snap out of it when Nikolai crouches by my feet. “You’re acting like a child.”
I freeze mid-sit-up and stare at him. “Enlighten me. What have I done to give you that impression?”
“This sulking attitude you have.”
Sulking attitude? The fucking audacity of this man.
I nod, and climbing to my feet, I lock eyes with him while giving him the sweetest smile I can conjure on my face. “I’m not sulking, Mr. Vetrov.
This is me being professional.” I step closer to him, my chin held high. “We fucked. It was mindblowing, but that’s the end of the story. There’s no reason for me to flirt with you any longer.”
Anger burns in his eyes as he growls. “I fucking knew it was a mistake.”
I shrug. “It is what it is.”
Nikolai walks back to the other trainees, and I drop down to my ass to finish the hundred sit-ups.
My freaking abs are on fire by the time the lesson ends, and I’m the first out of the studio.
When I walk into my suite, my phone rings, and seeing the call is from my father, I let out a sigh. “Of course, this day isn’t shitty enough.”
I answer. “Hello, Father.”
“Abbie, I trust the training is going well?” “Yes.”
“Good,” he mutters. “I’ve arranged for Elio to collect you and Aurora from St. Monarch’s on Saturday morning.”
Shit. The birthday party. I completely forgot.
With the attack the past weekend, I don’t feel it would be safe for me to leave the grounds.
“Do you think it’s wise for me to leave the safety of St. Monarch’s while there’s a hit out on me?”
Because you can’t call a truce with the bratva and mafia.
Oh, by the way, your enemy’s cousin fucked me so good I can still feel him between my legs.
“Don’t be overly dramatic,” he snaps. “Elio will collect you and Aurora.
Don’t be late.”
The call ends without a goodbye, and I drop the device on the table.
I shake my head, and needing an outlet for all the anger and disappointment I feel, I grab my painting supplies, a blank canvas, and the easel.
Leaving the suite, I carry everything to the waterfall at the back of the castle.
After I have the canvas resting on the easel, I glance at the beautiful scenery around me while trying my best not to think about the disaster that’s my life.
My eyes rest on smooth rocks and the water trickling over them, and picking up the white tube of paint, I open it and squirt some onto my palette.
I let out a sigh when my mind won’t shut down.
You got good dick, Abbie. Leave it at that.
But…It felt like there was a connection between us.
You knew the man was cold and ruthless when you started flirting with him. Letting him fuck you wasn’t going to make him magically fall for you.
Annoyed with myself, I let out a huff as I practically throw the paint onto the canvas.
Okay. Be an adult about this. You’re going to forget about Nikolai and focus on your training.
Ugh. Training. I hate my life.
I don’t want to be here for the next four years. I don’t want to take over my father’s illegal empire.
My brushstrokes grow gentler as I admit the truth to myself.
I just want to paint.
But sadly, a mafia princess doesn’t get to choose her future.