Chapter 57

"What are you doing back here so early in the morning?" Nikita asked, dusting herself off while helping Latisha to her feet.

Clifford's gaze swept over them, ignoring Nikita completely. His eyes locked on Latisha. "Where were you going?"

Nikita jumped in, her voice dripping with scorn. "What's it to you? She has her own two feet. She can go wherever she wants. Latisha isn't your pet! Does she need to report her every move to you?"

Clifford's gaze shifted to Nikita, his tone flat. "Nikita, don't think that having Killian as your brother gives you a free pass to test my patience."

Nikita was taken aback for a second, then laughed humorlessly. "Don't drag Killian into this. If you have a problem, deal with me directly. You think I'm afraid of you?"

A cold sneer touched Clifford's lips. "An ignorant, foolish woman like you wants to take Latisha away? If you weren't Killian's sister, do you really think you'd still be alive?"

"Who are you calling foolish and ignorant?"