Kane (Bratva Daddies #4)

Chapter 1

William

I’ve definitely forgotten something.

Something important.

But what…

I shake my head in frustration as I swivel and pivot through the throng of pedestrians on the city street.

My backpack feels heavy and my little briefcase is kinda heavy in my hand too.

But despite the fact that both things are full to almost bursting, the nagging thought that I have forgotten something back at my apartment just won’t leave me.

“Ah-hem! An excuse me wouldn’t go amiss!” a snooty lady says as I swerve around her.

“Excuse me!” I call back, not even turning around and I continue my hustle along the busy street.

I’m still a couple of blocks away from the Uppington Building, a place I need to get my butt to in less than ten minutes if I want to get myself a good seat in the lecture theater.

And it’s not even like I didn’t prepare myself in time. I woke up on my first alarm, no snooze, and had a quick breakfast before hitting the shower and then getting myself ready.

A quick blow dry of my freshly bleached blonde hair later and I was on my way.

But the question still remains…

“What the heck have I forgotten?” I ask myself, my words barely audible over the sound of the morning traffic as car horns hoot and big trucks honk.

I’ve been in the city for a couple of years now and I don’t ever think I’ll get used to how loud it is. Coming from a small semi-rural town, my daily life now is about as far away from how I grew up as you could ever imagine.

Not that I’m complaining.

I worked hard all through high school to get to where I am now.

My first step was getting the academic scholarship to the right school for my bachelor’s degree.

And then of course putting the work in to get a fully funded Masters.

And finally… making sure that I got my hands on funding to come to the city to do my PhD.

If it sounds like a lot of hard work, then that’s because it was.

And is. If I thought that once I’d secured the PhD funding then everything would be easy, then the reality is something different.

Alongside having to publish regularly in journals to maintain my funding status, I need to teach several undergraduate classes a week and also help with some admin in the department office.

Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do.

Nineteenth century literature is my passion.

But that doesn’t mean it’s a bed of roses.

“Oh crap!” I exclaim as I arrive at the doors to the grand old Uppington Building. “Crap. Shit. Ass!”

I shake my head in dismay as I realize precisely what it is that I have forgotten back at my place. And it’s way too late to go back for it now.

“Hey, Davey,” I say, looking up and seeing my PhD buddy Davey waiting for me, a knowing look on his face.

“You forgot, didn’t you?” Davey laughs, rolling his eyes in friendly derision. “I knew it!”

“Yup,” I say, my cheeks flushing a little red. “Sorry.”

“Hey, I survived one night without my stuffie, I can manage another,” Davey says.

Davey puts his hand around my shoulder and the two of us walk into the building together.

We’ve been friends ever since the first day of the PhD.

And it’s not just a shared love of the Bronte sisters that we have in common either.

We’re both Littles. It’s not the entirety of either of our identities but it does play a pretty big part and it feels so great to have met someone I can share that side of my life with.

Whether its cozy playdates at either of our apartments or even hitting a Daddy and Little club for some slightly wilder fun then we’ve always got one another to chill and have fun with.

Although I have to say that there haven’t been many club nights for quite a while. We’re both so busy with academic work that the best we can usually hope for is a once a week playdate or maybe, just maybe, a sleepover at the weekend.

Which is where the whole stuffie situation happened…

“I promise I’ll remember tomorrow,” I say. “I don’t think I could handle a night without Twist.”

Twist is a little otter stuffie who came into my life during the first week of my bachelor’s degree.

I wasn’t even sure I was a Little back then.

In fact, I barely knew anything about it.

All I knew when I say Twist was that I needed him in my life.

And $15.99 later, he was mine. It was like his dark eyes and furry body set something off inside me that on some level I always knew was there.

And slowly but surely after that day I began to learn about being a Little.

“Nah, seriously don’t sweat it,” Davey says, a warm smile on his face. “I know you’ll be looking after Hardy. But I might swing by this evening to pick him up?”

“Yeah, that’s cool,” I say. “I’ll be up studying until late tonight, so whenever works for you is good for me.”

We fist bump in agreement and the two of us walking through the opulent lobby into lecture theater number 1.

“I’ll never get over this place,” I say, my eyes drawn up to the vaulted ceiling and the intricate carvings that adorn the walls. “It’s like walking into history. You know?”

“Yup,” Davey replies, equally awestruck. “By the way, I have some interesting news…”

From the way Davey’s cheeks flush ever so slightly, I suspect that this news isn’t to do with the work of George Eliot or whatever else is going to be covered in today’s seminar.

If my instincts are on point, this sounds more like a Daddy thing…

“So, spill,” I say, taking my seat and getting my notepad and favorite notetaking pen ready for action.

“I’ve been messaging with this guy…” Davey says, an unmistakable sparkle in his eyes. “And I think we’re going to meet.”

“Wow! That’s awesome!” I say, suddenly remembering that we’re in a lecture theater and dropping my voice accordingly. “So… when? What’s he like?”

“He’s hot,” Davey says. “And he seems like he’s got all the Daddy values that I like too. He’s not out for a quick hook up. He’s not going to get what he wants and ghost me. He’s a bit older too, just how I like.

“Sounds good,” I say.

Davey and I are both twenty-three and we’ve both had some pretty damn average experiences with younger Daddies, guys who think they know it all but actually just want some quick action and don’t have the kind of character that makes a real Daddy.

But as optimistic as Davey sounds about this potential Daddy, I can sense that there is a catch, and it might involve me…

“So, as you can probably guess…” Davey says. “I do need a favor.”

“Okay, I’m listening,” I rely, arching my eyebrow slightly. “As long as it doesn’t involve a double date, I’m cool.”

“Ha!” Davey laughs. “No, no double date. But as he wants to meet at a club I’ve never been, would you maybe come along with me. You know, just to scope the place out. And him too. Just for long enough that I feel safe. I know you’re busy with studying and everything—”

“Of course,” I say, cutting across my buddy to save him from talking himself out of it. “I’d be happy to. Anything for a friend like you. And when you two get married and become a happily ever after Little and Daddy, you can make sure that he finds me a similar Daddy!”

The two of us laugh and nod our heads in agreements.

The truth is that while I am busy with my studies, I probably could spare one night to help Davey out. I know how hard it is to meet someone, so the last thing I’m going to do is not go that extra mile to help out my BFF.

But with that all agreed, it’s time to take my mind of Daddies and get my head back in the game. Suddenly there is a hush all around the lecture theater as the professor enters and begins his seminar with a dramatic flourish.

I’ve never wanted any drama in my life, but when it comes to literature this is my kind of excitement and it’s just perfect!

* * *

“Why do I feel nervous and not you?” I ask, casting my eyes around the club. “Seriously though, this place is kinda cool…”

It’s ten PM and normally I’d be tucked up in bed with my Kindle’s soft glow lighting up my face and Twist under my arm to keep my company. But just as I promised to Davey at the lecture earlier, here I am, ready to chaperone his date for as long as he needs.

“Hey, I am nervous,” Davey replies. “Looks can be deceiving, trust me! Inside I’m shaking like a leaf. And right now I’m even wondering whether my so-called date is even going to show up.”

But before I even have a chance to reassure my friend, the pair of us realize that the Daddy in question is walking right up to us.

“OMG, Davey,” I whisper under my breath. “You said he was hot. But this is ridiculous.”

“Wowzers,” Davey giggles, shooting me a quick look of approval.

“Davey,” the man says, his tall frame and square jawed looks making him look like a Hollywood icon from yesteryear. “Charles. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”

“Yay! I mean, um, yeah, you too,” Davey replies, his cheeks turning crimson red. “This is my friend, William.”

“And it’s a pleasure to meet you too,” Charles says, his smooth voice and devilishly handsome eyes meeting mine. “Would you both like a drink?”

I give Davey a quick look and it’s clear from his expression that he is more than happy to go this one alone.

Charles is all Daddy, but he’s got a safe energy to him too.

He might be more than capable of dishing out a spanking, but he’s got the kind of trustworthy energy and calm demeanor that any boy would be happy with.

“I’m good, but thanks for the offer,” I say, making my excuses. “I’m just going to grab a mineral water from the bar and probably head off. If that’s cool, Davey?”

“Yeah, all good,” Davey says, smiling as he takes Charles’ hand.

“Text me later,” I say, smiling.

And with that, Davey and Charles bid farewell and head towards a cozy booth over on the other side of the club’s main room.

Damn. Davey might just have found him.

He deserves it.

Ah, maybe me too one day…

I let out a little sigh and walk toward the bar area behind me. I’ll head home in a minute, but the idea of a non-alcoholic cocktail right now is appealing. I’m not a big drinker but the thought of a fresh and zesty drink with some ice and a nice little decoration is just what I need.

Fortunately for me, the bar is empty and I get served right away.

As I sip my drink, I take a look around and watch as Littles zoom around together, some of them already well on the way toward the kind of behavior that will no doubt see them having their asses set alight by some more than willing Daddies come midnight.

Part of me wishes I could be that kind of person. But letting go and acting all wild have never be my thing and I’m actually okay with that. I want a Daddy who shares my interests, who won’t try and make me be someone I’m not.

But I can’t deny that sometimes, and right now is one of those times, I can really see the appeal of living a totally carefree and out of control life…

“Vodka. Make it a double. Ice,” the voice comes from behind me.

The hint of a Russian accent immediately sends a shiver of electricity over my body. I don’t know why, but there’s something about the emphasis on ice, and the direct delivery that piques my interests.

I turn around and see him.

He’s older than me, maybe in his late thirties. Black hair, with one or two slithers of white in there for good measure. His facial hair is black, neat, and brings out his cheekbones and full lips too.

And when his dark eyes flash over toward me, I look away just about as quickly as I possibly can. But it’s too late…

“Yes?” the man asks. “There’s something you find interesting about my order?”

I don’t know what to say. I try to fumble out a response but each and every word in my vocabulary seems to desert me in that moment. Instead, I simply drop my eyes and try my best to stop my ears from burning red.

“A shy boy, huh?” the man continues, stepping closer to me. “A shy boy with an interesting drink…”

“It’s non-alcoholic,” I say, unsure why I feel the need to point that out. “I drink sometimes. Just not a lot. I don’t feel like I should have to. I mean, I don’t need to drink to have a good time.”

“Right,” the man answers. “Now I know.”

There’s something about this man. He’s a total stranger, but it feels like he’s looking directly into my soul. His eyes are magnetic, dangerous, and his whole aura is of someone who is very much the master of his domain, whatever that might be.

“Well, okay, good,” I say, nervously sipping my drink. “Um, goodbye.”

“Kane,” the man says, his voice low and gravelly. “And you are?”

“William Peeters,” I reply, immediately cursing myself for using my full name. “I mean just William.”

“Well, okay, Just William,” Kane says, a hint of a smile on his face. “Perhaps we could share a drink. Mine alcoholic, yours non-alcoholic.”

I don’t know where to look or what to say.

I didn’t come here for a date, or to hook up, or for anything other than helping out my friend Davey. And now here I am, being propositioned by a dark-suited, enigmatic Russian who goes by the name Kane.

“N-n-n-no, thank you,” I stutter. “But thank you.”

“Maybe another time,” Kane answers, a steeliness in his voice that sends another bolt of electricity through me. “Or maybe not. Whatever fate decides.”

Before I know it, I’ve put my half-finished mocktail down on the bar and am halfway out of the door and then on the sidewalk.

The evening air hits me hard, and I momentarily feel a little dizzy.

What the hell just happened?

And why the hell do I feel like I’m seven cocktails in?

Whatever. It’s time to get my ass home…

The city throbs and thuds around me as I begin my walk home. I’m in a different part of the city, a place I’m not used to. The vibe here is different, a little darker than my usual areas.

The sooner I get home the better.

It’s time to put my Little turbo boosters into action and get back to my kind of world…