“Because he’s a control freak?”
“Because he suspects you.”
“Suspects me of what?”
“Theft.”
“Theft? Ha, he should corner Mikhail about that, not me.”
“He’s cornering everyone in his own way. Sergei and Adrian are the only two who know someone is stealing from the brotherhood. Igor must be in the know, too, and that’s why he’s trying to weed the traitor out.”
“Wait…but the numbers I have from the financial team match. I would’ve figured it out if there was a theft.”
“Adrian must’ve ordered them to submit fake numbers to gauge your reaction. If you caused a ruckus, he’d have caught you, for you wouldn’t have known the numbers were fake unless you were the one who had been strategically stealing.”
“That motherfucker.”
“Do you expect anything less from him?”
“No, but the fact that he has insiders in my damn company makes me livid. I’m going to weed them all out.”
“Good choice, but remember that V Corp is the brotherhood’s company. Not only has Adrian been around longer than you, he also outranks you, so his roots run deeper.”
“Are you worried about him?” she snaps.
“I’m worried about you, Princess. He’s not someone you should make an enemy out of. If you’re going to hit him, be discreet about it.”
“I know that.”
“And if you want to reduce his power, strike where it would hurt him the most.”
“Adrian doesn’t have a weakness.”
“Yes, he does. I’m actually surprised you didn’t figure it out.”
“What is it?”
“The question is who, not what.”
“It’s a person? Wait, if you mean his son, I’ll strangle you. Do you think I’d use a child to gain power?”
I chuckle. She’d sure as hell strangle me if she got the chance. “No, not his son.”
“Then who?”
“His wife.”
“Lia? Have you seen them together? He doesn’t care about her and is only keeping her around because she’s the mother of his son.”
“Or that’s what he likes you and everyone else to think. Didn’t you see the way he almost lost it when she was shot at? Even you thought that was uncharacteristic of him.”
She remains silent, probably turning the information over in that smart head of hers. I shouldn’t have revealed the weakness I’m supposed to be using against Adrian, but if it keeps Rai in the position she loves so much, I’ll sacrifice all the information I have.
Taking advantage of her moment of absentmindedness, I pull her closer. “So?”
“So what?”
“How are you going to reward me for all the information I gave you?”
“I already did by cleaning your wounds.” She reaches to the side and closes the first aid box. “You only have to apply the ointment about three times a day.”
“Or you can do it.”
“Fine,” she says distracted, focused on the box.
“Does that mean you’re my nurse now? Kinky.”
She stares up at me with wild eyes before she hits my shoulder. “Do you always have to come up with some porn scenario?”
“When it comes to you, I sure as fuck do. Now, answer my question. Are you going to be my nurse?”
“Does this mean you’re intent on staying?”
“Till death does us part.”
Her inquisitive eyes meet mine. “Promise there will be no more secrets between us.”
“Depends on whether or not you’ll take that fucker Vladimir’s side over mine again.”
“Vlad has the brotherhood’s best interests in mind.”
I scoff. “I’m sure the fucker does.”
“Stop being jealous, you idiot.” She leans over and brushes her lips to mine, softly, carefully, away from my cut. “None of them is my husband.”
None of them is her husband.
Those words stab me straight in the bones. When she attempts to pull away, I grab her by the throat and deepen the kiss.
Time to fuck her on the counter as I originally planned.
15
Rai
A week later, when I wake up in bed alone, a thousand ominous thoughts rush into my head.
It takes me a few minutes to grab my phone due to the shaking in my hand. The message I find there instantly calms my breathing.
Kyle: Morning, Princess. I’m off with Adrian for business with the Italians. Don’t forget to eat breakfast. Oh, and come home early so I can make up for not fucking you first thing in the morning. P.S. Wear that red thing from the other time.
I smile, imagining his exact tone as if he said those words aloud. Ever since that night where he barged back into my room, bloodied and bruised, and announced that he was staying, I’ve felt like I’m in an alternate reality, one that’s shrouded by fog. I figure the mist will eventually wear off and he’ll realize staying is dangerous.
Not that Kyle is afraid of danger. If anything, the life he’s lived thus far might have gotten him addicted to it.
Every night, after he fucks me until I scream, he gathers me in his arms and answers any questions I have. We have no trouble talking now, and it feels new—exciting, even—for every day I look forward to what he’ll tell me about his life in The Pit or the countless adventures he’s been through.