Chapter 15
Keir
“Are you going to say something, or are you just going to stand there?”
I snap out of it, internally cursing myself. I was staring. She looks ethereal—bathed in the warm mid-afternoon light, the sunset casting a golden hue behind her as she sits in the tub.
Clearing my throat, I glance away. “We have a plan I wanted to go over.”
The sound of water sloshing draws my eyes back. She’s turned away from me, reaching for a towel. My cock stiffens at the sight of her perfect, round ass framed by wet tendrils of hair sticking to her skin.
“Go ahead then,” she says, voice detached.
I try to focus. “Barbra’s hosting a masquerade event tonight.” I aim for professional, but the words falter when she bends over to unplug the tub, giving me a flawless view of her pussy.
“Perfect time to make a move then,” she says with a soft laugh.
“There’s one thing I need to happen before that.” She wraps the towel around herself and turns toward me.
“Oh?” Her eyes are sharp. “What’s that, princess?”
“There are documents in my office. I want her to find them before the party.”
Her smirk is devilish as she steps closer. I have no idea what the documents are, but I already know Barbra won’t like them.
“I’m sure that can happen,” I reply, my voice hitching when her finger trails down my chest.
“Good boy.” Her eyes glitter with mischief before she turns and walks away, leaving me stunned.
I’ll take that as a win—she’s at least talking to me now.
When I follow her out, Lily is standing in the room, the two of them talking about dresses.
“Ladies,” I nod in their direction before stepping out.
I head down the hall and enter the room I picked for myself, only to find Dario sprawled across the bed, legs crossed, and Kaz sitting stiffly on the edge, arms folded.
Dario sits up when he sees me, the usual playfulness missing from his face.
“We may have a situation,” he says quietly.
“What kind of situation?” I step in, more alert now.
Dario glances at Kaz, which instantly annoys me. This is probably about Selene—and yeah, I get it. I feel it too. But we still have unfinished business in Boston: the Syndicate, our people, our city.
“We overheard something,” Dario continues. “I think they’re keeping something from us. Something important.”
That throws me. “What exactly did you hear?” My tone sharpens.
“I’m not sure what it means, but Lily said Selene needs to tell us something… especially ‘the big fucker.’” Dario mimics the air quotes.
I glance at Kaz, who gives a silent nod. So it’s confirmed.
I curse under my breath and head for Selene’s room, the others trailing behind.
I knock once, then open the door. Selene and Lily are just stepping out of the closet. Selene gives me a curious look.
“Something wrong?” she asks.
“I’m not sure.” I keep my tone steady. “The boys seem to think you’re hiding something.” I nod toward Kaz and Dario behind me.
Something flashes in her eyes—hurt? It’s gone as quickly as it came, her face going blank as she looks between us.
Lily eyes us with obvious disapproval.
“I see,” Selene says calmly. “Then I guess it’s time we talk.”
She gestures toward the hall, and we all head into the main living area.
“Where’s Maximus?” Dario looks around.
“He went to do his job,” she answers coolly. We all pause, sensing the shift.
“You might want to sit down for this,” she adds, motioning to the couch.
We sit, while she and Lily take the chairs across from us.
“Why are you guys really here?” she asks, eyes locked on mine.
I scoff. “You already know. The Russian skin trade we’ve been tracking.”
She nods but looks away, lost in thought for a moment.
“It’s not because Kaz is a Volkova?”
The air stills.
“What?” I ask, confused. “Ivan Volkova?”
All of us shake our heads.
She groans. “Seriously? I thought you were well-connected on the East Coast.”
“We are. What does Ivan have to do with this?” I press.
“Ivan, the old Pakhan of the Bravata. His family was murdered.”
She looks at us like we’re missing something obvious—and maybe we are.
“I’ve had a theory,” she continues, now speaking directly to Kaz. “Since your last name was mentioned.”
Kaz’s jaw tightens. “What’s your theory, milaya?”
She moves in front of him, takes his hand. “My father made me learn about all the major players. One of them was Ivan Volkova. He had a wife… and a son.”
Dario and I nod. We’d heard as much.
“But weren’t they all killed by his enforcer?” Dario cuts in.
Selene nods. “That’s the official story. But our division out east responded first. Only Ivan and his wife’s bodies were there.”
She looks at me, waiting for it to click.
And it does.
“So, if Ivan’s heir wasn’t there…” My brow furrows.
She nods. “And not just that. The trauma caused his wife to go into early labor.”
A guttural noise comes from Kaz. “Katherine.”
Selene’s eyes go wide as she looks at Lily, something unsaid passing between them.
“If you’re right,” I say slowly, “Kaz is the heir to the Bravata.”
She gives a sad smile. We all know what a mess the Bravata’s been since that incident, we’ve been hunting them for fucksakes.
Kaz shoots to his feet so fast Selene almost falls. I reach out and pull her into my arms before she can stumble.
“Yebat’. The dirty otbrosy Petrov,” Kaz growls, pacing, his Russian accent thick and harsh.
We stay silent, letting him work through it. Until suddenly, he stops.
“I knew I recognized that name.”
Then, without warning, his gaze locks on Selene—and he charges.
Dario and I both shoot up, ready to intercept, knowing the look in Kaz’s eyes—he’s lost in it. In the traumatic memories.
But Selene doesn’t flinch. No fear in her posture as he grabs her.
“Kaz!” Dario barks, reaching for him.
Then… nothing we expect happens.
Kaz drops into the chair Selene had been sitting in, pulls her into his lap, and presses his face into her hair, inhaling deeply. His entire body relaxes.
I freeze. We all do.
Usually when Kaz spirals like this, I have to pin him down or knock him out.
But now?
It’s as if he found his anchor.