1
Dallas, Texas
Theheel of my boot hit the tarmac with a soft click as I stepped out of the car. Four more black SUVs lined the private runway, two on either side of mine. Their occupants were instructed to remain inside unless assistance was needed. My girls could be intimidating, and while I thoroughly enjoyed watching men squirm in their presence, it was imperative for this man to know I didn’t need an entourage. That I was the woman in charge. He’d learn to fall in line and understand that our contract was merely a business transaction and nothing more.
Kai Cain.
Not my first choice. But the next best thing to his brother, nonetheless.
Marriage. The word alone was enough to make me want to spit. I didn’t particularly despise the idea, but when it wasforced upon me by some archaic tradition, I couldn’t help feeling especially murderous.
Kai was the first to breach the exit of the private plane I’d sent, and my eyes caught the hard lines of muscle between an open collar and the tattoos branching against tanned skin. Where Derek was always polished and well-dressed, Kai had a more relaxed style, and I had to admit, it suited him.
The devil himself emerged next, a sleeping infant girl in his arms. I’d heard he’d married and had a child with the detective, yet the sight of the once ruthless assassin as a doting father and husband was still as unbelievable as the rumors. We briefly made eye contact across the distance, but he twisted around and extended a hand to his wife. The smile on his face was one I assumed he reserved only for her, though even through the softened expression, there still lived a darkness in his features. One I recognized well.
“The infamous Cain brothers,” I said, with a grin and a hand on my hip as they approached. Both men barely nodded a greeting, and I couldn’t have cared less. I supposed they had every reason to feel resentment toward the woman who was collecting on a debt that meant the forfeiture of freedom and choice. It was a luxury not afforded to me either, so they could fuck all the way off.
My gaze rolled to Eva, the once naked princess whose ass I’d saved. Literally. She returned my cynical smile, an arch in her brow. And I decided right then I liked her. “How was the flight?”
Wind whipped my hair, and a strand caught on red gloss between the seam of my lips. Not missing an opportunity to test the waters, I removed the errant tendril as my tongue slowly rolled across. Satisfaction warmed my chest when I noticed the slight tension in Kai’s jaw as his eyes fixed on my mouth.
“It was smooth,” the taller brother replied, unabashedly giving me a once-over.
The smoke behind his eyes let me know he liked what he saw. Kai and I had met in passing at the compound of that Russian bastard, Belov. At the time, there was far too much chaos, bloodshed, and adrenaline for a formal introduction, and I barely remembered what he looked like. But I’m questioning how I ever forgot in the first place.
Soft whimpers of the baby pulled my attention away from my soon-to-be husband… Even in my thoughts, those words were bitter, carrying with them the weight of resentment and impotence.
“She’s beautiful,” I said, my voice surprisingly tender as big brown eyes found mine from the safety of her father’s arms. Valentina. She was a unique mix of Evangelina and Derek.
“Thank you,” Eva said with pride.
Not surprised in the least, Derek hadn’t bothered with a response.
“We should get going,” I said, tilting my head toward an angry gray sky and motioning toward my waiting car. “The clouds are about to break open, and I just got my hair done.”
Derek took Evangelina’s hand and led them forward. Kai hung back, as if waiting for me to move as well.
“This doesn’t have to be weird,” I said, glancing over my shoulder as I started for the car. “It’s simply a business. I get what I need, and you…”
“What do I get?” he bit back as he fell into step with me.
I stopped and turned toward him, leveling him with a cautionary glare. “You clear your brother’s debt. Is that not the goal?”
Kai had a perfectly angular jaw, and I didn’t miss the tension on his face behind the trimmed beard. “Most people pay their debts with currency, not in exchange for marriage.”
“No one is forcing your hand, Kai Cain. As far as I know, you’re here of your own will. Am I right?” I didn’t take a step, noteven as the heat of him neared my back or when he whispered close to my ear.
“Well, seeing as my brother is a little indisposed at the moment, what choice did I have?”
Denying the spark of electricity that sizzled across my skin at his proximity was pointless. So I allowed my eyes to close for several moments before twisting to face him, our bodies brushing, yet neither of us seemed bothered by the lack of distance.
“There’s always a choice, Cain. Whether the outcome is a favorable one is irrelevant.”
His gaze lifted beyond me, a subtle shake to his head. I didn’t have to venture a guess as to who was on the receiving end of his silent communication. Derek would be stupid to try anything. He’d be dropped on the spot. My only regret would be the collateral damage of his wife and child caught in the crossfire. I was a bitch. True enough. But I didn’t murder the innocent, let alone children.
“Well? I guess this is the point where you make that choice.”
Blue eyes lowered to meet mine, the corners narrowing into suspicious slits. “That decision was made the moment you and your people came calling.”
