Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
KAYLANI
This was so much harder than before. The last week had been excruciating, not seeing Goran.
We texted every night, but aside from that…
he was back to his usual routine with Nathaniel, and I was trapped by the ever-watchful stare of my father’s guards.
It didn’t matter where I went, other than the stable, they tagged along.
Today, the entire family was gathered in the legendary Mikhailov mansion.
A rarer occasion than Halley’s Comet these days, thanks to my father, who seemed determined to rub all his children the wrong way, except Ronan.
My oldest brother was annoyingly in my father’s pocket and did whatever he said, the perfect soldier.
I honestly didn’t mind our home. I was born here and would miss my mother fiercely when I left. But I craved independence from the constant hovering of my father.
With a sigh, I stood and walked over to the window, looking out at the front driveway.
We were waiting for my cousin Ren to arrive, and Goran stood in the corner, hands clasped, eyes firm.
He looked so incredibly sexy, dangerous, and all mine, yet I didn’t even dare go up to him for fear of giving everything away.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.
He didn’t look my way, but the fact we were only ten feet apart made me feel…
partially whole. My heart had beat steadily like a drum since the moment he arrived with Nathaniel.
My body was so warm I found myself wishing we had a walk-in fridge to cool off.
“Oh, my God, cannie believe it? Ren is finally comin’ ere,” Fiona squealed as she hugged me from behind.
Her thick Irish accent always made me smile.
“I’ve missed our chats. She’s become such a good friend, ya know.
Who woulda predicted it when she snatched me betrothed, Myles, out from under me?
But it was fir da best,” she whispered loud enough for only me to hear.
“You really mean that,” I asked.
Letting go, she stood beside me, a wide smile on her face that was warmer than the sun beaming in through the window.
Fiona had the wildest red hair and green eyes, like she’d been plucked straight out of the movie Brave and dropped into our home.
I kept expecting her to say that she knew how to use a bow and arrow.
She was a kind, old soul. I hadn’t known who she was when Father agreed to let her stay with us for protection, but we’d become fast friends, and it was nice that she was only a year younger.
“Aye. I wanna be with someone dat truly loves me with all their heart. Myles’s heart belonged ta Ren.” She fluffed her hair, the waves cascading down her back. “My true heart is still out there. I just need ta find ‘em.”
My gaze shifted to Goran, then to his hand. He was still wearing his wedding band, and my heart soared. His eyes flicked to mine for a moment, but it was enough…for now. I rubbed my hand over the necklace hidden beneath my shirt.
“Are ya feelin’ alright, love? Yer heart seems heavy.”
I wished that I could confide in her, but I knew better. There was far too much at stake.
“Yeah, I’m good. How is school going,” I asked, changing the subject.
“It’s goin’ real well. I can’t wait ta graduate and get on with what I really want ta do.”
I was about to ask what that was when my father called my name, stopping the conversation.
“Kaylani, did you hear me, my dear?”
I slowly turned to face him.
“Keep this Saturday free,” Father said.
I bristled. “Oh, why is that?”
“I’ve arranged a dinner that you are to attend.”
Before I could question him further, Fiona grabbed my arm.
“She’s here.”
I turned around, excitement filling me as the limo pulled up and Ren stepped out. I rushed from the room, abandoning all sense of propriety. One of the guards already had the door open, and I ran out, straight down the steps, to my cousin.
She looked shocked when I wrapped my arms around her, but she quickly returned it, hugging me tight. I pulled back, smiling wide as I looked her over.
“I wanted to tell you soooo bad last year.”
“Wait…you knew who I was,” Ren asked.
I nodded. “We were under strict orders not to reach out for your safety. It was killing me to see you at school all the time and not say a word. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” I begged, holding her hands.
Before she could answer, Hailey and Holly nudged Ren’s hands looking for attention.
“Well, hello there,” she said, with a smile.
“She likes you. That’s Hailey with the ruby collar, and Holly has the amethyst collar,” Titus said, introducing his dogs.
Ren looked up, and her mouth fell open as she stared at my brother. He always got that response. He was the definition of a walking mountain.
“I’m your cousin Titus,” he said, offering Ren his hand.
I was genuinely shocked that Titus and Nathaniel came after everything Father had done to them. What was between them and Father wasn’t simply a crack. It was a rupture, one that I didn’t see our family repairing easily.
Nathaniel stepped up next, practically pushing both Titus and me out of the way.
“You look so much like your mother. It’s crazy. I’m Nathaniel,” he said, hauling Ren in for a hug. “I loved your mom.”
He pulled back and placed his hands on her shoulders. It was rare to see this kind of emotion from Nathaniel.
“Last time I saw her was so long ago now,” Nathaniel said.
I was too young to remember my cousin Yuliana or Christov, the despised husband she had been forced to marry.
“She had a way of making everyone feel special and seen. I’ll always remember her,” Nathaniel said with a smile.
Ren’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you,” she said.
The emotion was so thick it choked me up.
“Get out of the way. It’s my turn,” Mom said, and the boys stepped aside. “Oh, Sweetie, Nathaniel is right, you look just like Yuliana, so beautiful. I’m your great-aunt Helena,” she said, pulling Ren in for another hug.
At this rate, Ren was going to be all hugged out.
“Hi.” Ren smiled, looking a little overwhelmed from all the attention.
I looked over at the guys who had come with her and cocked an eyebrow at the sight of Nash Collier. I hadn’t expected that. Myles and Blake, sure, but Liam, Theo, and Nash…they were either new additions since the last time I’d seen my cousin, or they were just here to snoop and get a free meal.
“Oh, no, please don’t cry,” Mom said, cupping Ren’s cheeks.
“Eek!” Fiona exclaimed as she barreled down the stairs like a train.
She’d held back for us, but apparently, she couldn’t wait any longer. Mom stepped out of the way just in time as Fiona grabbed Ren and rocked her from side to side.
“I never thought I was going to see you again. How are you,” Ren asked.
“Aye, same. God, I’ve missed ya. Everyone has been grand, but our talks kept me smilin’. I’ve been so cut off,” Fiona said.
My brow furrowed when I heard that Fiona felt that way. I didn’t know what I would have done if I had to go on the run and cut myself off from everything I knew and loved.
“How are your parents,” Ren asked.
Fiona lifted a shoulder and let it drop.
“Alive…we’re grateful for that.” Fiona pulled away and walked over to Nash, holding out her hand. “I can never thank ya fir what you did. Me family owes our lives and allegiance to you. Whatever we can do, we will.”
I hadn’t realized that Nash was the reason Fiona was here. God, I hated that Father never told us anything. We all lived in the dark, waiting for the morsels of information he dropped like treats.
“I appreciate that,” Nash said, returning the gesture.
“Well, now that all the loud and obnoxious ones are out of the way,” Ronan said, his arrogant tone making me roll my eyes.
Ronan held out his hand with a dramatic sigh. “I’m Ronan, the heir to this family.”
If Ronan were any more like a strutting peacock, he’d have feathers sprouting out of his ass. I crossed my arms and glared at my brother, who thought he was God’s gift to humanity. He was so annoying.
“Oh yes, the heir, how could we forget? Next time we’ll hire trumpeters and a squire to announce your grand entrance,” Nathaniel mocked.
I pressed my lips together, holding in a laugh. I loved my youngest brother so much. He never held back.
Ronan glared at Nathaniel before his eyes traced over Ren like she was food.
“Too bad you’re family,” he said, his lip lifting.
Ren yanked her hand out of his and stepped away.
“Lucky for me, I am,” she sniped back.
You go, girl, tell him.
“Oh, I like her. Can we keep her,” Ronan asked.
The tension coming off the guys with Ren was palpable. Ronan must have noticed it too, because he waved his hand dismissively at them.
“Relax, I’m only having a little fun. Everyone is so fucking sensitive these days.”
“Shut up, Ronan. Don’t disrespect your cousin,” Father growled as he walked down the steps.
Ronan grumbled but backed up. Ren didn’t seem nervous or affected by my father’s appearance.
She straightened her spine as he stopped in front of her.
I knew my father’s games. He would try to unnerve her somehow.
Apparently, today’s tactic was the silent treatment. Why was my family always so dramatic?
The distraction gave me the opportunity to look over at Goran standing on the stairs. His head turned in my direction, and his eyes softened ever so slightly.
“I’m Dimitri,” Father finally introduced himself, pulling my attention back to him and Ren.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she replied, and shook his hand.
“You look just like your mother did at the same age. It’s like using a time machine to get a glimpse of my past. I was sorry to hear what happened to her,” he said flatly, making it hard to tell if he meant it or not.
Ren turned his hand over, staring at the Mikhailov tattoo.
“Do you know who in the family wants me dead,” Ren asked bluntly, and Father laughed.
“How about we eat dinner first? Then, we can talk conspiracies and business,” he replied, releasing Ren’s hand.