Niccolo (Blood Brothers) by Eve Vaughn

a couple of inches shorter than Niccolo. He had no clue who this Yuri character was in relation to Sasha, but he didn’t appreciate the way the other man looked at her.
    “Sasha, you look more beautiful every time I see you. What are you doing here in Munich?” Yuri smoothed her hair back in an intimate gesture, and Niccolo wanted to break his goddamn fingers.
    “I—”
    Niccolo approached them before Sasha could answer. “She’s with me, and we’re looking for our son, so, as touching as this little reunion is, we really must go.” He gripped Sasha’s arm, his gaze never leaving Yuri’s face. There was something about him Niccolo didn’t like, but he didn’t have time to analyze it.
    “Nikita is missing?” Yuri ignored Niccolo and looked down at Sasha. Nikita? Who was this interloper and how close was he to Jagger that he called him Nikita?
    “Yes, my son is missing and I’m frightened that something has happened to him.”
    “He’s no longer a boy, but a man. He’s most likely okay,” Yuri suggested.
    “A mother knows.”
    “ Moy angelochek. You worry too much.” Yuri brushed Sasha’s cheek with the back of his hand and Niccolo’s blood began to boil.
    “Sasha, let’s go,” he repeated between clenched teeth, trying to rein in his temper.
    Yuri finally turned his dark gaze to Niccolo, a hint of challenge in his eyes. “So you are Nikita’s father.” It was a statement not a question.
    “And you are?” Niccolo raised a brow.
    “Yuri Khrushchev. I’m a friend of the Romanovs and a very close personal friend of Sasha’s.”
    Niccolo didn’t miss the fact that Yuri had emphasized the words “very close” and “personal friend.” The asshole obviously didn’t know he was two seconds away from getting his heart ripped out. “Good for you. Sasha, we need to go. Now!” he growled.
    She looked back and forth at both men with uncertainty on her face. “Yuri, Niccolo is right. We must go. I’m sorry we couldn’t have met under better circumstances.”
    She turned to go, but Yuri grabbed her shoulder. “ Ya pomogu o tebe. ” Yuri spoke to Sasha in Russian as though Niccolo were some dolt who wouldn’t understand.
    This time he would not excuse the man’s rudeness. “We don’t need your help, thank you very much. I suggest you release her or you will feel my fist in your face.”
    “Do not make threats, vampire. You’ll find that I am not one to be trifled with.”
    “Oh? I—”
    “Stop it! Both of you are behaving like a couple of ridiculous children. Jagger is missing and he is what’s important here. Niccolo, Yuri is my friend and he wants to help us look for our son. What is the harm of one more person searching for him? Yuri has many skills which could prove very helpful.” She faced the other man and looked at him pleadingly. “Yuri, I would appreciate your help, but Niccolo isn’t used to your sense of humor. He doesn’t understand that you were only joking.”
    Niccolo knew damn well Yuri had meant what he had said.
    “I’m sorry, Sasha. I didn’t mean to upset you, but you must allow me to aide in your search.” Yuri smiled at her.
    “Of course,” she readily agreed, “but why are you at the airport? I wouldn’t want you to derail your plans.”
    Yuri smiled. “I was going to take a pleasure trip. I can go anytime. It’s not as important as searching for Nikita.”
    “Well, if you’re sure. I’d love your help.”
    “No.” Niccolo contradicted.
    “He’s my son, too, Niccolo, and I say Yuri comes with us.”
    He was seething. The little control he was holding onto was quickly slipping away.
    “Yes, Grimaldi, don’t be petty. Besides, I’ve been more of a father to Nikita than you have.”
    Niccolo’s slammed his fist into Yuri’s face.
    Yuri went reeling back as an onlooker screamed.
    “How could you?” Sasha looked at Niccolo as if were the one in the wrong.
    Yuri slowly made it to his feet. “You will pay for this, vampire.”
    Niccolo