Page 28 of Break Me Apart
We finish faster than expected. Niko insists on checking the locks twice and Cassie kisses him like she’s memorising him while I make my way to the door. Whenwe leave, she’s standing in the doorway watching until the door clicks shut.
Back in the car, Niko exhales hard. “She’ll be better here,” he says.
“She will,” I agree. He glances at me sideways and studies my face like he’s weighing up options. Then he starts the engine and drives us back.
“You need to pack a bag,” he says as we pull in.
“What?”
He doesn’t look at me. “I’m not explaining. Pack a bag.”
“Where are we going?”
“You will see.”
I snort. “You’ve been spending too much time with me.”
He finally looks over, his mouth quirking. “This is definitely your fault.” We stop at the barracks just long enough for me to grab a bag. I don’t pack carefully. I throw in clothes, a toothbrush, and the basics. I assume this is some half-thought scheme that will end in vodka and a lecture. When I get back in the car, Niko pulls away immediately.
The drive stretches, the trees thicken, the road narrows, and the snow deepens. I watch the dark slide past, the unease coils low in my gut. “Are you kidnapping me?” I ask eventually.
“Yes,” Niko says. “For your own good.”
I huff. “That sounds ominous.” When we stop, it’s quiet. Too quiet. There’s just snow, trees, and my cabin crouched among them, the windows glowing warm against the dark. “What is this?” I ask slowly.
Niko kills the engine. “We’re going hunting, get out.” I step out of the car, and the cold hits me hard enough to clear my head. The cabin looks... lived in.
Smoke curls from the chimney, and light spills from the windows. I turn to look at Niko. “You’ve already been here?”
“I have,” he says, opening the boot and grabbing my bag. “Go, I’ll bring the bags.” I hesitate; something feels off, my instincts are screamingtrap,but another pull overrides it. Something familiar and magnetic. I walk up the steps; my footsteps crunch loudly in the silence as I reach for the door.
I push the door open, step inside, and there he is...
Caiden.
He’s standing at the small counter by the stove, his sleeves rolled up, his hair a mess, and he’s stirring something that smells like garlic and butter.
Impossible.
There’s music playing quietly. It’s Western and soft; he’s wearing civilian clothes, comfortable ones. For a moment, my brain refuses to cooperate, and I stand there stock still.
Then he turns and sees me, and the spoon clatters to the counter.
“Privet, krasivyy.”Hello, beautiful, he says. The sound of his voice detonates something in me. Shock gives way to heat so fast it steals my breath. He crosses the room in three steps, and I’m moving too. My hands grab him, his hands grab me, and we crash together. His mouth slams into mine, and it’s not careful or restrained. It’s relief, hunger, and disbelief all at once. My hands slide into his hair, tugging, and he groans like the sound’s been trapped in him for months.
Then the door opens.
“Wow,” Niko says cheerfully. “Didn’t even make it past hello.” We both freeze as Niko strolls in, kicks the door shut, and drops my bag inside with a heavy thud. “Dinner smells good,” he adds. “I assume this is the part where I leave before you traumatise me.”
“You’re early,” Caiden says, clearing his throat.
Niko grins. “I’m always early when it’s this entertaining.”
“You set me up,” I say, glaring at him.
“Yes,” he says, unrepentant. “You’re welcome.” He claps Caiden on the shoulder. “Feed him. He’s feral when he’s hungry. I’ll see you both on Monday.” Then he’s gone again, his footsteps crunching away into the snow, leaving silence in his wake.
“I was worried he’d stay longer.” Caiden laughs, breathless.
