God of Ruin (Legacy of Gods #4) by Rina Kent

Nikolai’s eyes narrow to threatening slits, but his face soon returns to its normal grumpy expression as he grabs my shoulders. “I don’t like the secrecy in whatever you’re doing lately.”

“Everything is okay.” I stroke his arm like Mom used to do whenever he got too into his head. “Trust me.”

He narrows his eyes again. Thankfully, I catch a glimpse of Maya, who must be boring Kill to death, considering his near-murderous expression.

I wave them over.

As soon as they’re within reach, I jump on Killian’s back and headlock him in a not-so-friendly greeting.

He elbows me and when I get back to the ground, he ruffles my hair. Not to brag, but I’m probably his favorite Sokolov, maybe even more so than Niko.

“I was talking, Mia.” Maya gives me a look and taps her shoe on the floor and hikes a hand on her hip. She’s done that since we were toddlers and it’s never changed.

“About insignificant fashion topics that could result in someone’s accidental suicide,” Killian says.

“That’s rude.” She glares at him.

“What’s more rude is your indulgence in these shallow topics that make you look like an airhead.”

“Hey,” I sign to him.

Maya’s never really cared about Killian’s—or anyone’s—opinion of her. She’s a diva and wears it like a badge while flipping everyone the middle finger.

And yet her face reddens. “I’m not an airhead.”

“Then develop more interests that aren’t confined to some boring Paris catwalk show.” He pauses. “Considering our blood relation, your clear tendencies of being a stereotypical brain-dead blonde reflects badly on my perfect image.”

All psychos are arrogant assholes who think the world revolves around their inflated egos.

However, I’ve never felt resentment toward Killian. Granted, he’s never hurt me or my siblings. Even now, he’s not really being malicious to Maya. He’s just trying to provoke her on purpose or something.

“Try harder, Kill.” She flips her hair. “Your arrogance used to rival mine, but I’m only looking at you through the rearview mirror now. It would reflect badly on my goddess image.”

“Stop drooling. Your bullshit is splashing on my fifty-grand shoes.”

“More like your bullshit is polluting the air around my special edition LV dress.”

I get between them and look at Niko so he’ll help break up the verbal fight.

My jaw nearly hits the floor when I see him sprawled out at the bottom of the stairs, eyes closed. I didn’t even notice when he left the scene.

Truth be told, Nikolai has never been good in these situations. Not that he can’t break up fights, but if it doesn’t involve his fists, then he loses all interest.

Thankfully, Gareth walks in, recognizes what’s going on right away, and joins me in breaking up the two most volatile cousins—in the ego department.

“You’re officially blacklisted from my next birthday party,” Maya tells Killian.

“Be right back. I’m going to cry into my pillow.”

Gareth and I manage to take each of them to the dining room. Then I go back to wake up Nikolai so he’ll join us.

He still looks at me weirdly, and for some reason, I can’t suppress my fear for Bran’s safety. Maybe I should warn him just in case?

The problem with Niko is that he appears aloof and only interested in violence, but, in reality, he can be secretive and impossible to read if he chooses to.

The five of us sit down for dinner, with Maya and Killian still bickering like children.

“Where’s Jeremy?” she asks as the food is served and points a fork at Killian, who’s taking Jeremy’s usual place at the head of the table. “I certainly didn’t come for your face.”

“Desperate doesn’t look good on you.” He smirks. “Besides, is it really Jeremy you’re asking about, blondie?”

“W-who else would I be asking about?”

All of us, aside from Niko, who’s busy eating, look at her.

“What?” she whisper-yells.

“You just stuttered,” Killian taunts. “I would’ve sworn you didn’t know how.”

“I did not.”

“I’m afraid you did,” Gareth says.

“See? Even Mother Teresa’s lost son agrees,” Killian replies and makes a show of smearing a piece of meat in blood.

Maya, a vegetarian, scrunches her nose at him and then focuses on Gareth. “Jeremy?”

“He said he has something to do.”

“Without me?” Nikolai finally gets into the conversation.

“Who knows?” Gareth lifts his shoulders. “Tried checking your phone?”

Nikolai does just that and his eyes light up. “I’m out of here.”

“Where are you going?” I sign.

“Nowhere you need to worry about.”

“I thought you insisted we have dinner together.”

“Dinner finished.” He gulps his glass of beer and kisses the top of my head. “Stay out of this, Mia.”

He kisses Maya’s head as well. “Don’t cause any trouble.”

Killian stands up as well and I meet his gaze with my questioning one.

He smiles a little. “Not your scene, baby Sokolov.”