Chapter 22
Dario
Today’s the day I finally get to see my pumpkin again. There’s a pep in my step, and the guys have definitely noticed—but I don’t give a damn.
“I like this one,” I say, pointing at the ring I’ve been staring at for the past ten minutes.
We weren’t joking about getting a ring. We’ve been at this for hours. But now, I’ve found it the perfect one.
A silver band, small diamonds outlining a black coffin-shaped diamond. It’s dark, elegant—eerily perfect for our girl.
The sales associate pulls it out just as Keir and Kaz step up behind me, peering over my shoulder. Kaz grunts his approval.
“Wow,” Keir murmurs. “It’s almost like it was made for her.”
Of course it is. Our little killer loves putting people in coffins. And me? The only way I’d ever leave her again—is if I was cold inside one.
A part of me knows I should’ve never left. The guys didn’t really need me back east, no matter what they say.
Sure, I was useful—tracking down brothels the Russians had their claws in and helping shut down their rings—but I could’ve stayed with her. It would’ve taken longer without me, but she would have been worth the delay.
“We’ll take it,” I say firmly. No room for argument.
“You do realize we’ll need to get her something else too, just in case,” Keir says, eyeing me.
“I already got her something,” Kaz adds, smug as hell.
Of. Fucking. Course.
He always does this—quietly one-upping us without a word until the last minute. And considering we’re heading to the house in an hour, that minute is now.
“You always do that,” I whine.
Kaz just chuckles and walks to the register as they start packaging the ring.
“Can you believe him?” I mutter to Keir, rolling my eyes.
Keir groans. “No arguing. You know how he is.”
I nod and gesture toward the door. “Well, since he’s got that covered…”
“Go ahead. I’ve got a stop to make,” Keir says like I need permission.
Outside, I pause to think. What the hell do I get my pumpkin? The nickname still makes me smile. Out of all the ones I tried, that’s the one that stuck—because of the way she’d blush and smile every time I said it. It gave me a funny feeling back then, I didn’t know what that feeling was. I do now.
Love.
But even love feels too soft, too basic for what I feel for Selene. Some would call it obsession—I’d call them boring. Sure, I’m obsessed. Not in a creepy way. I just want to know everything about her, remember every word, every detail, every look.
I’m so caught up in my thoughts that I don’t realize how far I’ve wandered until I look up and see a lingerie shop across the street.
I grin. Perfect.
I’m about to spoil her with all the sexy lingerie I can get my hands on—and maybe a few extras.
I cross the street and step inside. It’d be way more fun if she were here to model it for me, but I’ll make do.
“Hi! Can I help you?” A chipper blonde greets me. She gives me that look—like she wants to help with more than just the shopping. A year ago, I’d have taken her up on it.
Hell, I might’ve even railed her in the dressing room.
But not anymore. Not since my pumpkin. And if Selene were here, this girl wouldn’t survive her wrath.
“Yes, actually,” I say, pulling out a slip of paper. “These are my fiancée’s measurements. Pull everything you have in her size.”
Her whole vibe shifts. She even looks a little embarrassed now. Good.
“Yes, of course,” she says, voice pitched a little higher.
“Just bring it to the register,” I say, already heading toward the back of the store. I’m not trying to spend more time here than I have to. One of everything will do just fine.
Once she’s gone, I make a beeline for the toys and accessories. Selene likes to read, and from what I’ve seen, she’d be down for a little exploration. Well…except dildos. She’s got enough dicks in her life.
I grab a flogger, a collar and leash, a blindfold, a paddle, cuffs, a ball gag, and an under-bed bondage kit.
Fuck, we’re gonna have so much fun.
When I return to the front, the girl’s just finishing loading a massive basket with lace, mesh, silk, and leather. She blushes again when she sees the gear in my hands, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
“Would you like this gift-wrapped?” she asks.
I nod, right as my phone rings.
Thank God. I was running out of tolerance for small talk.
I answer.
“The fuck are you doing?” Keir barks.
“Getting my gifts, duh,” I say casually.
“You buying the whole damn store? You’ve been in there twenty minutes.”
I chuckle. “Not quite. Getting rung up now.”
“Well, hurry up or we’ll be late.”
I glance at the time. Shit. Between my wandering and shopping, we’re cutting it close.
“Yeah, yeah—don’t get your panties in a twist.” I hang up.
The cashier finishes ringing everything up and practically faints when I hand her my black card.
I grab the four large gift boxes, thank her, and walk outside.
Keir and Kaz are waiting in the SUV. They pop the back and I load in the boxes before sliding into the back seat.
“Christ, Dario,” Keir says. “What did you get her?”
“Lingerie,” I say, grinning. “Think of it as a gift for us too.”
I catch his eye in the mirror and wink. He shakes his head, but I see the twitch of a smirk. He’s definitely into it.
“Let’s go,” Kaz grumbles.
The moment he says it, it hits me—we’re really going. My chest tightens. What if she turns us away?
My leg starts bouncing as Keir pulls from the curb.
Fifteen minutes later, we reach the gate to Selene’s house. Guards stand outside, eyeing us.
Keir rolls down the window. “Here to see Selene.”
The guard narrows his eyes. “And you are?”
Shit. What if we’re blacklisted?
“Keir—” he starts to answer, but the guard cuts him off.
“Let me make a call.” He grunts and walks to the shack, phone in hand, never taking his eyes off us.
“You think they’ll let us in?” I ask.
“They fucking better,” Kaz growls.
The guard stays on the phone a long, tense minute before returning.
“Guess it’s your lucky day.” He leans down to the window. “Lily approved your entry. Don’t expect it to last.”
He returns to the shack and the gate creaks open.
Keir pulls through heading up the driveway.
On the steps ahead, Lily stands with Max and someone else. Lily looks pissed, arms crossed and foot tapping. Max stands rigid, scowling.
The third person—
“Holy fuck,” Keir breathes.
I see her clearly now. My jaw drops.
“Katherine,” Kaz says, stunned.
Keir slams the SUV into park. Kaz throws the door open and barrels out. Keir and I are right behind him.
“Katherine,” Kaz says again, firmer this time.
She eyes him coldly.
“You left,” she says, voice sharp as glass.
Then—bam—she punches him right in the face. It doesn’t faze him, but it sure stuns him.
“I don’t give a damn that you left me,” she spits. “But you left her.”
Her glare slices across all of us. And then she turns, stalking into the house.
Lily snorts. “Well. I guess the easy part’s over.”
Max says nothing, still scowling.
“Where is she?” Keir asks the question we’re all dying to know.
Lily makes us wait. She stares us down, dragging it out.
Then finally, she sighs. “She’s in her room. I’ll take you.”
“We have some gifts in the back,” Keir says, nodding at the SUV.
Lily smirks. “Max will have someone grab them.” He nods and disappears.
“If you can get her out of that room, then you can give them to her.” Her smile fades—something sad flashing in her eyes.
She turns and walks inside. We follow.
None of us ask about Katherine. Not yet. Selene’s our priority.
We follow Lily up the stairs and down the hall to a large door. She turns to us.
“Good luck. Don’t say anything stupid.” Then she walks away.
We all take a deep breath. Kaz reaches for the handle.
“Wait! Knock first!” I hiss.
He grunts, knocks lightly, and pushes the door open.
There she is.
Sitting on her bed, book in hand, long black-and-blonde hair spilling over her shoulders. A cropped tank and shorts hug her figure. She’s beautiful.
Kaz makes a broken noise. Her head snaps up.
Her face floods with emotion.
“You came,” she says, awe and sadness in her voice.
“You wrote,” Kaz replies, falling to his knees at the foot of her bed.
Before Keir or I can say a word, a dagger whizzes through the air. We both dive as it slams into the wall behind us.
Kaz chuckles darkly.
“You fuckers!” my pumpkin screams.