Chapter 13
Selene
I hug Lily tightly. Seeing her face is exactly what I needed after hearing Keir say the things he did.
“Hi, Lil,” I murmur, then glance at the Max standing behind her. “Maximus.”
He pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head like he hasn’t seen me in years.
A throat clears behind us.
I step away from them and let them into the apartment.
Lily’s eyes roam slowly over each of the men before she looks at me with a sly smile.
“Maximus, Lily—this is…” I gesture toward the guys. “Keir, Kazimir, and Dario.”
Lily beams at them while Max scowls ever so slightly.
“Hi, fellas. I’m Lily Dovermen—we had a chat yesterday.”
The boys step forward, each shaking her outstretched hand.
“It’s a pleasure,” Dario says, flashing her a megawatt smile. Jealousy pricks at my chest.
Max steps in closer behind Lily. I try not to laugh, which causes me to choke.
Kaz is in front of me in an instant, scanning me with concern. His hand cups my cheek, and Keir and Dario close in beside him.
“Are you okay, malyshka?” Kaz asks, his voice low and smooth.
I crane my neck up to look at him. “Yes, I’m fine—just had air go down the wrong pipe.” I smile to reassure him.
That’s when I realize—they’re all touching me.
Keir’s hand rests on my waist, Dario’s fingers stroke my arm, Kaz’s hand lingers on my face.
This time it’s Max clearing his throat, snapping me out of the spell.
I take a small step away and glance at Max and Lil. Lily is grinning like a psychopath, and Max looks like an unimpressed older brother.
“Uhm, let’s all go sit down,” I say quickly, turning on my heel and heading for the living room.
As I go to sit, Kaz grabs me and pulls me into his lap. My body tenses for a second, then relaxes against the heat of him. His strength. His comfort.
Everyone sits, the silence thick as we wait for someone to speak. Max and Lily both look at me, waiting.
“Why are you after the Russians, Selene?” Keir asks, his voice serious.
So I tell them.
I tell them about Barbra. What she did to my father.
I explain the timeline they mentioned and how we did a deep dive into everything.
I tell them about the kidnapping. About my plans for Barbra.
All the while, Kaz holds me—strong, silent support while my voice falters talking about my father.
Dario’s hand rests on my leg, grounding me.
“Well, fuck. Now this makes sense,” Keir mutters, his voice low and deadly.
“Yes. Not only are they trying to take over—I think they’re trying to set up here. Permanently.”
Everyone nods, murmuring their agreement.
“Then let’s execute their takedown,” Dario says, his smile sharp and lethal.
Heat pools in my belly. I shouldn’t be turned on by that.
“There might be an opportunity,” Lily says suddenly, excitement in her voice.
She pulls a tablet from her bag and hands it over to me.
I study the screen—it’s security footage of the house. I hit play.
Barbra stands outside, directing movers as they carry bags and boxes inside. Her smile is smug, victorious, while security watches on with grim faces.
I keep watching as a man steps up the front steps to stand with her. He’s older, tall and broad with a thick waist and greasy hair slicked back with too much gel.
I can’t hear what he says, but Barbra beams up at him. He kisses her cheek before walking away, leaving her alone again.
“She didn’t wait long, did she?” I grumble.
Lily gives me a sad look and squeezes my hand.
“I told the men you were missing,” Max says. “But I didn’t give them anything else. We have to be careful about who knows the truth.”
I nod, handing Lily back her tablet. Then I take a deep breath.
Everyone waits for me to speak—even Keir.
But I’m exhausted. The realization hits me like a freight train.
“I’ve been awake for far too long.” My voice comes out hoarse, heavy with fatigue.
“Let’s reconvene in a few hours,” I say, glancing at the clock.
It’s just after eight in the morning. I’ve been awake for nearly twenty-four hours. My entire body feels like lead. Kaz’s warmth has my eyelids fluttering shut.
He notices and rises, lifting me in his arms without a word. I tuck my face into his neck, letting him carry me to the master bedroom.
I must be exhausted—because being in his arms feels like coming home.
And that’s crazy, right?
Inside the room, he sets me gently on the bed and squats in front of me. Through half-lidded eyes, I watch him pull off my socks, then peel down my leggings.
He inhales sharply when he sees my lacy red panties.
Next, he removes my sweater, and a quiet curse slips out when he sees the matching bralette.
His eyes lock onto mine. I give him a sleepy smile.
God, those eyes. I could stare into them forever.
I shake the thought away as he pulls back the covers and tucks me in like I’m something precious.
Satisfied that I’m cozy, he stands and turns to leave.
I reach out before I can think. My hand wraps around his.
“Stay with me?”
He looks at me for a moment, then nods.
I try to keep my eyes open as he undresses, but they’re too heavy. I feel the mattress dip as he crawls in beside me and pulls me close.
Wrapped in his body heat, I drift off.
? ? ?
I wake tangled in Kaz’s arms; my body pressed against his. I sigh, enjoying the warmth, the security.
His hand trails up my thigh, fingers curling around my hip.
Is it bad that I want him? Probably.
Do I care? Not really.
He wasn’t the one spewing bullshit earlier—in fact, he looked anything but impressed.
I turn in his arms to face him. His eyes are already on me.
I reach up and cup his cheek, my thumb brushing his plump lips.
“Am I allowed to want you?” I whisper.
His eyes close for a beat. He takes a deep breath.
“You can want me, dusha moya,” he murmurs, voice a low rasp. “But I’m not gentle. I like certain things that might not be your speed.”
My breath catches at the thought of him taking me—using me.
I think of all the kinks I’ve read about. The ones that soaked my panties.
“I, uh… there are things I’ve read about,” I admit, my cheeks heating.
A dark chuckle rumbles from his chest, and my thighs press together instinctively.
“What’s your favorite thing you’ve read about, moon?”
His hand glides along my thigh again, teasing. My heart pounds.
“Well… my favorite is… uh… knife play.”
The groan that comes out of him is easily the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard.
I can feel my panties dampen. My hips grind forward, seeking friction.
“You want me to make you bleed, kroshka?” His voice is pure sin. “Or would you like me to fuck you with a blade to your throat?”
A whimper escapes my lips. “Yes. All of it—yes.”
Before the words are even fully out, he pins me to the mattress.
He reaches over to the nightstand and grabs one of the daggers I keep there.
Kneeling between my spread thighs, he towers over me, his frame solid and terrifyingly beautiful.
He runs the blade across my collarbone. I hold my breath.
His other hand slips between my thighs, pressing against my clit through the thin lace. My eyes flutter closed. A moan slips out.
Then—sharp, soft pain just above my left breast.
“Eyes on me, malyshka.”
My eyes snap open, locking on his.
“Good girl,” he growls.
He leans down and licks the blood that wells at the surface.
I grind against his fingers, desperate for more.
“More, please,” I beg, breathless.
His eyes flash as he smiles crookedly.
He takes the dagger and slices through the waistband of my thong on both sides, tossing it somewhere across the room.
“You’re so wet for me already.” His voice is thick with arousal.
He runs a finger through my folds, and my hips buck up in response.
“I’m going to fuck this perfect cunt while I slice your pretty skin.”
I moan, the sound caught between pain and pleasure.
He slices through my bralette, baring me completely.
I reach for him, but he catches my wrists and pins them above my head.
“Hands stay here, pretty girl,” he murmurs, biting my lower lip.
I nod, eyes wide as he stands and shoves down his boxers.
His thick, pierced cock slaps against his stomach. I stare, hungrily.
He resumes his place between my legs, muscles flexing beneath inked skin.
I lick my lips, tasting the copper tang of blood still lingering there.
Kaz grips the dagger again, lines himself up with the other hand.
The blade traces a path beneath my right breast.
Then—he drives into me and nicks me at the same time.
My back arches, a scream caught in my throat.
I lose sight. I lose sound. I lose everything but him.