Page 121 of Bleed with Me

“We’re teaching her survival,” came the response from behind me, and I spun on my heels.

Zyon entered the living room like a predator who never doubted his position at the top of the food chain. His black eyes bored into me with crushing intensity, reminding me that I was the prey tonight.

“The sooner Zara learns to take care of herself in this world, the better for her,” he said, walking toward me. “Right?”

“Right.” Dorian appeared before me like a shield, creating a barrier between his brother and me. A barely visible smirk lifted a corner of my mouth, and of course, Zyon caught it. His eyes narrowed slightly, his terrifying gaze lingering a moment longer on my face before he glanced at Dorian.

“Are you her spokesperson now?” he asked with an ironic undertone.

“I’m keeping you at a safe distance,” Dorian replied casually, masterfully ignoring the tension. “We don’t want you to get hurt, boss.”

He turned and winked at me while Zyon’s expression soured.

“Let’s move this meeting to my office,” he ordered, walking toward the massive door on the opposite wall. I stared at his broad back in a black, fitted button-up, but my feet refused to obey.

“Weren’t we invited to dinner?” I looked at Dorian, relaxing a little when he gently took my hand.

“House rules.” He led me to the office door. “No work-related stuff talk in front of Zara.”

“They remember she’s seven now?” I almost groaned at the absurdity of that rule. No one would discuss murder over the zucchini soup. But then my glance landed on Malin, casually leaning against the bookshelf, and I realized that without rules, this psychopath would teach the little one to slice a throat before the age of ten.

“Please, take a seat, Nina,” Zyon interrupted Dorian’s reply, pointing at the dark leather armchair. I sat, facing him across the huge oak desk, calculating how much time I would need to reach the silver letter opener or my knife if I needed to.

“So.” Zyon placed his hands on the table and wove his fingers together. “We are gathered here in the presence of family—”

“Seriously?” Dorian cut him off, plopping in the seat beside me. “This is the opening you chose?”

“It’s fitting,” Malin pointed out while my confused gaze jumped between them.

“You didn’t invite us to the wedding. Did you expect me to wave it off?” Zyon raised an elegant brow, leaning into his chair. “I’m actually offended. You sat in the front row at mine.”

“You really are in a good mood.” Dorian grinned, crossing his legs. “How was your trip, by the way? Enjoying the last months of being the center of Valeria´s universe?”

“Don’t change the subject,” Malin interjected, his emotionless expression sending chills down my spine. He constantly looked like the entire world bored him to the bones while he secretly planned a mass murder. “We are here because of your wife.”

“So the marriage is legal now?” Dorian flashed another smile at Malin. “Two days ago, you were telling a different story.”

“It depends entirely on how this conversation goes,” Zyon replied, my heart missing a beat. Out of the corner of my eye, I peeked at Dorian, but his attention was on his brothers.

“What’s the catch?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave. His signature playfulness disappeared in a millisecond.

“The bride is the catch.” Zyon turned to me, freezing me on the spot with his chilling look. “What’s the game plan, Miss Valentino?”

“Mrs. Zhumagulov,” Dorian corrected, my head whipping toward him.

“Not so fast.” Zyon raised a hand, opening his mouth to say more, but I completely ignored him. My entire focus was on Dorian.

He just called me, Nina Valentino, the woman who kidnapped and almost killed him, by his last name.

Was it for real?

“Are you sure?” I whispered, leaning closer so my fingers gently brushed against the back of his hand.

“Don’t make me regret this,” he exhaled, the severity of his words making my stomach knot.

For a brief moment, I forgot why we were here. All I could think about was the fact that the man of my dreams had just placed himself on my side of the battlefield.

Fuck! I wanted to kiss him.