Chapter 34
Two Weeks Later
The office at home buzzed with tension. Maps, surveillance photos, and notes about Cameron’s case were scattered about the table we were all sitting around.
I couldn’t help but feel gratitude at the lengths the men would go to in this.
Of course, all of us had our reasons. And everyone had a role to play, but the one that surprised us all the most was Pasha.
It seemed fitting, and I had a moment of déjà vu. He and I started this endeavor together, and so we’d end it in the same manner. He had come to me a few days ago and confessed his desire to join the squad officially. He’d made the hard call when it came to Hannah.
It took a special type of woman to be able to handle what the Death Squad did on a regular basis. She wouldn’t be able to handle it. When confronted with the choice of keeping it from her entirely or walking away, he chose the latter.
Truthfully, I wasn’t surprised by the outcome.
Their normal existence had ceased to be comfortable for her as he explored life outside of her and dance.
And now there was a determination in his eyes.
Maybe it was the foolishness of youth, but I’d be eternally grateful for his desire to be hands on in this operation.
He sat across from me, his fingers idly tapping his knee, his expression unreadable. Sensing my gaze, his eyes flicked up to meet mine. I gave him a nod. He cleared his throat.
The room fell quiet as the men around the table gave him their undivided attention. “I know we’re here to discuss Tori’s case but I’d like to officially put it out there. I’m all in.”
Alek, ever the leader, was the first to speak. His voice was calm and measured. “Mmm, is that so? You understand what this means.” It wasn’t a question. The statement issued was heavy with finality.
“I do.”
Alek studied him for a long moment, then gave a single nod. “Once you’re in, you don’t get to be half in. There’s no second-guessing. No backing out. You’re either one of us, or you’re not.”
“And again, I state for the record. I’m all in.”
Sebastian let out a low whistle, leaning back in his chair, arms folded behind his head. “About damn time. Thought you’d keep dancing around this forever.” He grinned, all dimples and mischief.
“Hannah?” Alek asked.
Pasha’s jaw tightened. “Not an issue any longer.”
Nik’s head snapped up. He narrowed his eyes, observing Pasha like he were working through a puzzle. “And you’ve considered every angle? What this will mean for you, for your future. Especially with future prospects of a love interest.”
“I know exactly what it means,” he said. “I’ve spent too much time trying to balance on both sides of the line. That’s over. I have zero interest in settling down. It’s time for me to be a free agent in that aspect of things.”
Ivan smirked. He had always been the easiest for me to read. He let out a huff, shaking his head. “You’re already family—you might as well make it official.”
I watched all of them, my gaze settling on Pasha last as I leaned forward. “You understand that your first real initiation means hands on. You will be taking a life. And it’s something that will sit with you forever.”
His expression didn’t flicker. “I can’t imagine a more deserving cause. It will be my absolute honor to house that memory.”
I nodded, feeling something tighten in my chest. Maybe pride. Maybe something deeper.
“All I ask is that I be the one to tell Kinsley when it’s official.”
Bash made a sound somewhere between a scoff and a laugh. “I want front row tickets to that. We can book the red room. She’ll be so excited and then you can do some interpretive dance shit, strip for the crowd and show her your tattoo. If you can earn it.”
“Fuck off,” Pasha huffed.
“Oh, that too dramatic for you. Maybe you can break it to her gently? Maybe sit her down, hold her hand, stroke her hair, and tell her in soft whispers over a sentimental song so she doesn’t pass out?” Bash teased.
“I’ll handle it.”
“I’ve no doubt you will,” Sebastian added. “I’m just wondering what we should bet on. My money says she has a full-blown meltdown about how her precious Pasha isn’t built for this life. Again.” He shook his head. “If I didn’t like to see her so hot and bothered, I’d feel bad for you.”
“Almost,” Nik muttered, smirking behind his drink. “The red room idea has potential, just saying. She was so bummed she didn’t get to see you perform.”
“She’s not going to take it well,” Alek said. “No matter how it’s delivered. You know that.”
“I know.” Pasha’s jaw flexed. “But she needs to hear it from me.”
Alek gave him one final, long look, then nodded. “Then make sure she understands. Completely.”
“It won’t matter, Reaper. No matter what he says, she’ll still worry excessively,” Sebastian added.
Alek grinned. “And I can distract her ass while he goes out in my place.”
Pasha rolled his eyes while the King brothers laughed. “I swear one of the three of you needs to put a baby in her belly so she can mother hen the fuck out of the little tyke,” he grumbled.
“I’m aiming for a little princess, actually,” Nik remarked.
“We already have one of those,” Pasha said with a grin. “She’s a pretty mean one though, but man, she can draw. Her makeup skills aren’t half bad either.” He fingered the fake scar that snaked across his face.
“Careful now. That’s my sister you’re talking about.” Bash flipped, his cheek twitching.
Pasha wasn’t deterred in the least. “You know it’s true, and I’m technically more scared of her than you. No offense.”
“Smart man. Never underestimate the power of a woman,” Alek remarked.
I leaned back in my chair, watching them go back and forth. It was moments like this that reminded me why this crew worked. The teasing, the tension, the relentless way they all pushed at each other—it was never just about the job. It was about the bond.
And Pasha? He was one of us now. Whether or not Kinsley was ready for it.
Alek cleared his throat. “So I’m taking it we’re all in agreement on letting the kid join us for Operation Requiem.”
He’d given it a code name. My eyes shot to his. He shrugged. Ayes rang out all around. I pulled my phone out and texted my girl, and then Alek spoke again.
“Good. Everything is set. Cameron gets out on bond tomorrow morning. Conditions are he has to wear an ankle monitor and is basically on house arrest. He’s surrendered his passport. We’ll confront him at home. Seems fitting, since that’s where he did the most damage to Victoria.”
Nik chimed in while simultaneously scanning the documents in his hand. “He took the bait the lawyer provided and hired the new guy he recommended. We’ll have no issue getting to him.”
The door creaked open. Every head in the room turned as she stepped inside. Her dress swayed beautifully, and I loved seeing the blush color her cheeks as she met my gaze.
Alek’s expression remained unreadable, sharp eyes taking her in. Pasha’s brow furrowed slightly, and he glanced at me questioningly. Sebastian, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, a lazy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Damn, Counselor. I’ll say it again. She is way out of your league.”
The blush deepened exponentially. Nik’s brow lifted a fraction, though he said nothing. He was trying to figure out what she was doing here.
Ivan’s gaze softened, his grin welcoming. His approval was immediate. “Don’t listen to Bash, buttercup. You’re right where you belong.”
She met my eyes once more. A silent question. A confirmation. I nodded. She stepped fully inside.
“You asked to see me, Sir?”
Victoria stood there, nervously twisting her hands.
I motioned for her to come to me, and she practically ran into my arms. I ignored the smirks and drew her onto my lap.
A part of me couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction.
The last two weeks had been nothing but bliss.
She snuggled into my shoulder and sighed.
“We have news about Cameron. He made bail. You expressed an interest originally in being the one to tell him about Declan,” Alek offered.
I pulled her face up so I could look into her eyes and hopefully reassure her.
“I’ll be safe, right?” she asked.
“Buttercup, we’ve talked about this. That man will never lay a hand on any woman ever again,” Ivan said.
I loved his nickname for her. It was his way of accepting her fully into the family and seemed fitting, especially given he was my best mate. I also loved that he sensed her hesitation, unbeknownst to him, though she had something up her sleeve.
“I know, Sir. I’m just not as brave as you think I am.” Her voice trembled. “Hence why I’m looking for confirmation.”
She’d been taking self-defense classes with Ivan, along with Isabella and Kinsley, daily now, and she was getting to the point where she didn’t jump every time one of us moved too fast.
“You’re doing just fine. If you’ve changed your mind, it’s perfectly acceptable. We just wanted to get clarification, is all,” Bash offered.
“I have sort of, changed my mind, I mean. I’m not sure you’ll like my plan, though.” Her eyes shifted down to her lap. I had to hold her hands tightly in mine; otherwise, she would pinch her thighs again. Some habits were harder for her to break.
“The floor is all yours, angel,” I prodded.
She hesitated for only a beat before speaking. “Well, I was hoping to have a few minutes alone with him once he’s t-t-tie-” she paused and took a deep breath before speaking again. “Secured.”
This time, the word came out more solidly. Alek’s forehead creased, Sebastian’s smirk faltered, Nik’s head tilted to the side as he assessed her words. Ivan and Pasha sat forward in anticipation.
The silence that followed was thick. Her grip on my forearm tightened. Alek didn’t move, didn’t so much as blink. “Alone?” he repeated, his tone deceptively neutral.
She nodded, her throat bobbed, and uncertainty filled her eyes. “I wouldn’t be alone, alone though.”