Chapter 13–CLAUDE

CLAUDE

"NEW HERE?"

The guy slid into the seat across from me like we'd been friends for years. His dark curls framed a mischievous grin, green eyes flashing with curiosity. He wasn't collared, but the confidence in his posture gave him away—another pet.

"What gave me away?" I muttered, leaning back, trying not to care.

"The tension. It's written all over you," he said, smirking. "I'm Jace. Figured you could use a familiar face."

"Tate," I replied, using the fake name and not offering more.

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "This your first run?"

I hesitated, glancing around and waiting for Nikolai who went to take something from our room. "Yeah."

Jace nodded, glancing around. "Not all bad. Two weeks, big payout, then freedom. But you don't look like someone who needs it. So…what are you doing here?"

His question hung in the air. I wasn't here for money, no I came here because I thought Viktor was alive—even though I had seen him die— but now, now I was staying for the thrills and for Nikolia

"Personal reasons," I said curtly.

Jace shrugged, his gaze flicking behind me. "Fair enough. Just watch your back. The rich here? They play rougher than you think."

Before I could respond, I smelt a scent from the morning and before I could turn, a hand clamped down on my shoulder, pulling me halfway out of my seat and I cursed myself for not paying attention to my surroundings.

"Tate," Hernandez growled, his voice low, breath hot on my neck..

I twisted free, glaring at him. "What do you want?"

"We need to talk. Now." His eyes flicked to Jace, narrowing. "Alone."

Jace looked between us, sensing the tension. "Catch you later, Tate," he said, standing up. "Take care."

As soon as Jace disappeared, Hernandez yanked me toward a quieter part of the deck. The cold sea breeze bit at my skin, but Hernandez's grip burned hotter.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed, shoving me against the railing.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice calm even though my pulse was racing.

"Cut the crap, Tate." His eyes bore into mine, sharp with anger. "You think I wouldn't recognize my own son?"

My breath caught. Son? He thinks I'm his son? Fuck this was bad.

"I'm not—" I started, but he cut me off.

"Save it. You showing up here? It's a goddamn disaster. Nikolia's breathing down my neck, and now he's parading you around like some pawn in his game." His grip tightened. "If he knows who you are—maybe he knows then we are dead. My company, my money—gone. You're risking our lives by being here!."

I shoved him back, my wolf snarling beneath my skin. "I'm not Tate," I snapped. "You've got the wrong person."

He froze, confusion flickering across his face before turning back to anger. "Don't lie to me. I don't care why you're pretending, but you'll ruin everything."

"I'm not pretending," I growled.

He wasn't listening. His gaze darted around before leaning in close, his voice dropping. "Meet me at the dock tonight. I'll get you off this ship before Nikolia figures out what's really going on."

"Hernandez, listen—"

"No. You listen. You're leaving tonight. End of story." He released me and stalked off, leaving me standing there, heart hammering.

I exhaled sharply, gripping the railing. The situation was spiraling out of control. Hernandez thought I was his son. Nikolia definitely had some shady business with the man. And my pills—the only thing keeping me sane—were still gone.

I took a shaky breath and pushed my hand through my hair.

It wasn't long that the familiar scent of Nikolai wrapped around me and I knew he was right behind me.

"I was looking everywhere for you." He said, hand resting on my back and a lazy smirk on his lips as his eyes met mine.

He frowned and his hand moved to cup my cheeks. "What's wrong? You look flushed." He said, crooking his head and his styled hair moving out of place.

I stared at him, biting gently on my lips and his eyes move to them before landing back on my face. "Why are you being so… nice to me?" I said and his smile wavered for a second. "I see the way the other masters treat their pets, have chains around their neck—"

Nikolia stepped closer, hand gripping my neck. "Why, Claude? Do you want me to wrap a chain around your neck and parade you wherever I go?"

I jerked back, eyes wide and Nikolai laughed, the sound making my heart beat a little to faster. "You are so cute, Claude."

Before I could say anything word, he was pulling me back and into the ship. He looked back at me and smirk and said. "I did say I was going to treat you to breakfast."

—-

When night came, I told myself not to. Hell, I had absolutely no reason to want to go to Jonny but here I was, slipping out of Nikolia's arms and out of the room.

I was going to tell the man I wasn't his son. It was as simple as that.

I headed toward the dock, my steps heavier the more I walked towards where he said he would be waiting.

All I had to do was tell the man I had to was tell the man I wasn't his Tate, and get out. But the moment I reached the shadowy edge of the dock, I realized I wasn't alone.

Hernandez stood there, flanked by his two men, their expressions grim.

"Good," he said when he saw me. "You're smart enough to listen."

"Look, I'm here to set the record straight," I said, stepping forward. "I'm not your son. I know why you would think—"

Before I could finish, one of his men grabbed me, wrenching my arms behind my back.

"Let me go!" I snarled, twisting against their grip and slamming my fist into one's jaw.

"You're coming with us," Hernandez said coldly. "I'm not giving Nikolai a chance to use you against me."

"You're making a mistake—"

"Shut up." He turned to his men. "Get him on the boat. We're leaving now."

"Step away from him."

The voice was smooth, deadly, and unmistakable.

Nikolai.

He stepped out of the shadows, a knife in hand, his gaze locked on Hernandez. His calm façade was gone, replaced by a man far more dangerous.

"Let. Him. Go," Nikolai repeated, his voice cutting through the wind, stepping closer.

Hernandez raised his hands slowly, his men hesitating. "Nikolai, this isn't what it looks like."

"It looks like you're trying to kidnap what's mine," Nikolai said, taking another step forward.

"I don't know what games you're playing here, Nikolai," Hernandez said quickly, his whole scent reaking with fear. "I'll send the money back—two billion, right into your account. Just let us walk away."

Nikolia didn't even blink. "Three billion. The extra one billion is to cover your betrayal,"

Hernandez's face paled and he looked at his men who stood in front of him but they kept glancing around, probably thinking of making a run for it. "Please... I was desperate."

Nikolai aimed the knife right at Hernandez's chest "Desperation doesn't excuse stupidity."

One of the guards lunged forward, his movements quick but not quick enough. Instinct took over, and before I realized what I was doing, I had him by the back of his collar. A sharp tug, a guttural growl from my chest—and he was over the railing.

My heart pounded as I gripped the bars, peering into the inky darkness below. The water churned endlessly, swallowing any sign of him. Even with my heightened senses, I couldn't see if he'd landed safely. But I knew. There had to be a boat down there….or not.

Nikolai handled the second guard with practiced ease, a knife pressed dangerously close to the man's throat. His gaze flicked to mine, jaws clenched tight before he sighed. Then, without a second thought, he shoved the man over the edge.

Jonny tried to run. Stupid mistake. Nikolai caught him by the neck, slamming him hard against the deck. The crack of impact echoed in the night air.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice was low, dangerous. Jonny lay gasping beneath him, shaking like a cornered rat.

"I should kill you for stealing from me," Nikolai growled, his grip tightening, "and for putting your filthy hands on what's mine."

The possessiveness in his voice cut through me. My pulse quickened, my breath catching in my throat.

I stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Nikolia," I whispered, the sound barely audible over the crashing waves.

He didn't move at first, the tension between us thick, suffocating. Then, slowly, he released Jonny, standing to his full height. His knife glinted in the moonlight as he ran a hand through his hair, pushing damp strands from his face.

"Three days, Jonny," Nikolia said, his tone cold and final.

Jonny scrambled to his feet, wheezing, his eyes wide with terror.

"Three days, or you're dead."

Jonny didn't wait. He took off, stumbling away like the pathetic coward he was.

I stood there, my hand still hovering where Nikolai had been. His gaze found mine, and for a moment, the ruthless man I had just seen was gone. All that was left was the man—dangerous, beautiful, and utterly in control.

And damn it if I wasn't drawn to him all the more for it.