Chapter 31
As I stare at the foil invitation before me, a wicked idea comes to mind, and I look up at Dodge. “Get my hellion for me.”
“Sir . . .” Dodge sighs, eyeing the open door. “You’re letting an assassin wander around our house and poke through our business. What if she betrays you?”
For a moment, the ringing in my bad ear intensifies.
It comes and goes, and after a few tests from the doctor, he's confident it will heal on its own, though he doesn’t know if it will ever truly be the same.
Most of the time, I can ignore it, but then suddenly it will cut through the noise like now.
Blinking slowly, I try to reorientate myself while it lessens so as not to give my weakness away.
I steeple my hands under my chin and watch him, knowing he means well, but he doesn’t understand this like I do.
Anyone who wasn’t there with us won’t comprehend.
I saw another side to my hellion in Butcher’s dungeon, one she wants nobody to know about.
For all her strength, determination, and power, she is still a person who is inundated with trauma and damage, just like us.
She’s one of us, so no matter how hard she pushes, I will push back.
“I’ll take responsibility,” I assure him. “She won’t anyway. It isn’t her style. She’s a blunt weapon, the type to shoot and stab when annoyed, not play the long game. If she wants us dead, then she will just kill us. It’s simple. She’s just having fun with us now.”
“She killed staff—”
“Playing.” I shrug. “Let her. She’s welcome to. Our home is hers now.”
“You’re so sure about her. Why? You’re never that open or trusting of anyone but your brothers.” Dodge sighs as he sits. “I don’t mean to question you.”
“Yes, you do.” I chuckle. “But you’ve earned the right.
The truth is, I don’t know. From the moment I laid eyes on her, it was like I was struck by lightning.
I’m not just thinking with my dick, but with my soul.
It recognizes hers. Besides, she saved my life.
She earned my loyalty, and I expect you to treat her as such. ”
He nods and stands. “I’ll get her.”
“And remind my brothers about our party tonight. Call Neo back no matter how late it is.” After inclining his head in acknowledgement, he leaves my office, and I look at the invitation and smile, excited for her reaction.
It doesn’t take her long to arrive, and she storms into my office, ready to fight. She’s so fucking magnificent. I get hard just seeing the fire in her gaze. “You don’t summon me like one of your staff,” she hisses as she stops in front of my desk.
“It got your attention, didn’t it?” I rub my jaw to hide my smile.
“I have three guns on me,” she warns. “Choose your next words carefully because I might decide your ability to eat pussy is no longer worth keeping you alive.”
My lips twist in amusement as I slowly run my eyes down her body. “Still thinking about last night? I know I am. Want me to remind you?”
“Kane,” she growls, but my dick is hard.
“I didn’t call you here just to flirt—”
She smirks. “You call this flirting? Your skills are getting rusty, old man.”
Narrowing my eyes, I yank her onto my lap, but I grin when I feel a gun press against my cock in warning. “I was simply going to show you I’m not that old.”
“Try it, I dare you,” she retorts.
Grinning, I release her, and she leans back on my desk, gun still in hand. “Fine, I’ll stop teasing you. I was just given an invite. There’s an event tonight we need to attend. You will come with us.”
“And why the fuck would I do that? I don’t want to spend my evening around rich pricks,” she scoffs.
“You’ll come with us in case we find out any information. They might be rich pricks, but they are a fount of gossip and information. Besides, I need to show my face. By now, word has hit the streets of my kidnapping. We need a show of force to remind them of our control.”
“Control is an illusion men like you tell themselves to feel superior. The truth is, whoever has money always wins.”
“Very true,” I concede. “Most power comes from the idea of strength rather than actual strength. A few well-placed actions and the entire city fears us without us having to keep up the act. Like last night. All you had to do was order me and I was yours.”
“The next time—”
“So there will be a next time?” My smirk is victorious as she rounds my desk. She aims her gun at me, and my grin widens. “Fine, but you still need to attend the event. It’s black tie, so let me know if you need one of our stores to send you something.”
“I’m not going. I would rather shove a hot poker up my pussy,” she scoffs.
“And what if we are attacked? What if the mole follows us? It’s a chance to observe and fulfill your contract.” I shrug. It’s a stretch, and we both know it. “You know I’m right. I’ll see you at six sharp. You can go back to terrorizing my household now.”
“Me? I’m a sweet angel. Martha, your house manager, said so.”
“Martha?” I frown. “That’s a woman, right?” My jealousy still flares.
“Seriously? You don’t even know who works for you?” she snaps.
“Hellion, I employ over forty thousand staff members throughout the city. I don’t know their names,” I reply.
“You should at least know the ones in your house.” She stands. “They live with you. They serve your family in your safe space. Don’t ever think you are too big for that, Mr. Sai.” Ah, shit, I’m back to Mr. Sai. “No amount of money can change that.” She leaves, and I sit back in my chair.
I feel well and truly reprimanded, even worse than when my father used to scold me.
Is she right? Have I overlooked things like that? Yes, I’m busy, but they are in my house and serving my family. Turning to my computer, I click through the files and open them, determined to learn their names.
It’s definitely not for her.
I should have known she wouldn’t do as I expected.
I was prepared for her to be in a killer dress after Dodge contacted one of our boutiques at her request, but as she descends the stairs, I can’t help but grin. She looks incredible, even better than in a dress, but I want to laugh at what she chose to wear.
Her suit is matte black, with a silk trim around the collar.
The jacket has a low V-neckline, showing her impressive cleavage since she has no shirt on underneath.
There’s a long necklace dangling between her breasts that makes me salivate before I look at the rest of her.
Her hair is pulled back away from her face, and her makeup is dark and sexy.
She’s a mix of temptress and elegance, and my mouth goes dry as she gracefully prowls toward us.
How does she always look so good?
Whether she is covered in blood in a dungeon or wearing black-tie attire, both suit her, and it drives me crazy. I can’t even speak, and her red lips tilt up like she knows it.
“Why does she look better in a suit than I do?” Zayn grumbles.
She stops in front of him, straightening his tie as he leans into her. “I don’t know. You look pretty good. I might even let you strip it off later so I can see what’s under it.”
“Why later? Why not now?” He reaches for his jacket as she laughs and steps back.
“Well then, let’s get this fucking thing over with. Don’t worry, I only brought two guns.”
“Where are they hidden?” Zayn asks. “Let me feel—” He steps back, holding his hands up as she flicks a dagger at him.
One of our maids appears silently at my side with my coat in her hand. Her head is lowered respectfully, and I quickly scan my brain for the files I memorized earlier when I should have been reviewing new contracts.
“Your coat, sir.” I take it from her and slip it on over my suit. The long black fabric drapes around me, sweeping against the floor.
“Thank you, Helen,” I murmur, and the maid’s eyes widen before she drops to her knees, pressing her forehead to the floor.
“Mr. Sai, whatever I did to displease you, please forgive me.” Panic courses through me, and I urge her to her feet. “I’m so sorry. Please, I have kids—”
“I—no, I was thanking you,” I say, fumbling over my response. “Your kids, Jem and William, are getting close to their next birthday, correct?”
She cries harder, and I look at the others for help. “Jesus, Kane, stop scaring the poor staff.” Bexley sighs as she guides Helen away.
“What the fuck, brother?” Neo scoffs.
“I was trying to show I care. I don’t know what I did wrong,” I defend, rubbing my head.
“You said her name. The only time you use someone’s name is when you’re about to kill them. The poor woman.” Zayn slaps my side. “Stick to your job and leave us to be the nice ones.”
They walk outside to the cars, but I keep my eyes on Helen until she disappears. When Bexley returns, she shakes her head. “I changed my mind. Don’t try to get to know them. That poor woman nearly had a heart attack. Come on, Kane, let’s get this over with.”
“I was trying to be nice,” I tell her as I follow her outside. She turns to me, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Maybe leave that to others. Nice doesn’t suit you. Besides, I like the cruel, cold asshole . . . sometimes.” She disappears into the back of the SUV, leaving me frozen.
She . . . likes me?
I dive in after her as gracefully as I can.