“Problem?” he queries. His entire demeanor changes, morphing from the lighthearted tease to the well-learned strategist who’s very good at putting together solutions and has used his skillset to earn the favor of a remarkably dangerous man.
“Mira’s stepdad, Clyde, called her. He requested she set up a meeting between Sergei and his own boss.”
Seamus blinks slowly. “Thatisa problem. Do you need solutions, or do you already have one in mind?”
“I’m going to run this situation through Sergei,” I say. “He’s already aware of Mira; I’m sure Connor also sent him the report he put together on her.” The full background check came through today, and I read it while Mira was baking in preparation for girl’s night. Seeing the evidence of what Mira’s been through, whatClydeput her through, made my blood boil. “Sergei’s the one who told me to choosehow I wanted to keep Mira and follow through—he’ll want to stay updated on progress, and he’llcertainlywant to know if his name is being dropped by a thug with relations to Mira.”
“Have a plan first,” Seamus advises. “Sergei won’t like it if you come to him without a plan, or at least the start of one.”
“My plan is quite simple, and it hasn’t changed,” I tell Seamus simply. “I am going to kill Mira’s stepdad, and I will happily kill anyone associated with him, as well. He deserves to die for what he’s put her through, what he’s done to her.” Killing Clyde has been on my to-do list since the night I saw Mira’s scars; now, it’s just moved higher on my list.
Seamus shrugs. “Fine, just don’t sound dumb in front of the boss. He hired us because we’re smart, capable, and agile; he won’t want a bumbling, revenge-driven mess on the phone with him.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I say, a bit sharply. “Worry about yourself.”
“I can worry for both of us,” Seamus says, eyeing me. “Be careful you don’t isolate yourself, Dorian. Connor and I have had your back for years. That girl in your room has been here for less than a week. Don’t let her take over your life.”
“I’m not angling to let her take over my life, I’m aiming to integrate her into it,” I tell him. “When you meet the one for you, you’ll feel the same way. I’m not trying to shut you or Connor out, but the fact of the matter is that my priorities have shifted to include her, not to exclude you.”
Seamus’s lips thin, but he nods. I’m not sure how he feels about what I’ve said; his face gives little away.
“Do what you need to do, then,” he says. “Let me know if you need me, mate.” He walks away.
I watch him leave, something stirring inside of me. Worry over our friendship, perhaps. Seamus has become a brother to me in the last years; he’s had my back and saved my life so many times, I’ve lost count. Likewise, I’ve had his back and protected him.
I have no desire to alienate him. I am not actively trying to allow Mira to come between me and my legion. I want her to join it, even if not in full capacity.If only my roommates would make that a simpler endeavor for me…
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Dorian
Shaking my head with a sigh, I head to the kitchen so I can make my call in private. While it’s true that Sergei will want me to have some semblance of a game plan on how to address the issue I’m about to bring to him, I think he might be a touch more forgiving than Seamus might assume, simply because my current problem revolves around Mira. Sergei’s obsession with his wife is legendary; he kidnapped her when he was incarcerated in the States several years ago and brought her to Russia with him, then spent the next months making her fall in love with him.
If anyone can understand how frazzled I’d be over Mira’s abusive stepfather trying to get her back under his control, it’s Sergei. He’d lay waste to entire countries to keep his wife safe or make her happy.
I give Sergei a call while putting away the cupcakes in the kitchen. He doesn’t pick up, which makes my heart drop to my stomach, but he calls back a minute later. Sergei made it clear from day one that my legion is his personal pet project; he’ll delegate many things when it comes to business, but for whatever reason, he wants to maintain a close relationship with me, Connor, and Seamus.
“Dorian.” The voice that greets me is markedly unexpected, because it’s afemalevoice. I imagine only one person in the world hasthe ability to pick up Sergei’s phone in lieu of him, and that would be his wife, Kira.
“Mrs. Novikov,” I greet, trying to mask my surprise. “I’m sorry to disturb you—”
“No disturbance at all.” Her voice is pleasant, almost like a melody, but something about it is off-putting. There’s an eerie flatness to her words that reminds me very much of Sergei. “And, please, dispense with the Mrs. Novikov nonsense. I only took Sergei’s surname because he won a bet.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask precisely what bet could have possibly culminated in the woman who tamed Sergei doing anything she didn’t want to do, but I manage to refrain. I don’t know Kira, so I don’t have the liberties to ask any errant questions.
“My apologies,” I say, fighting to keep my tone even. “If Sergei’s otherwise occupied, I’ll call back at a better time—”
“He’s in the shower,” Kira says mildly. “The water’s just shut off, so he’ll be out soon. Tell me, what is it the two of you have been discussing during your late-night chats? Or the early morning ones…or any of the ones in between. I often find him stepping aside to take a call from you or one of your…legionmembers. I always mean to ask him directly, but distractions persistently arise.”
I bite my bottom lip, unsure of what to do or say. If Sergei hasn’t told Kira anything about my legion, I assume that’s because he doesn’t want her to know. While that doesn’tsoundlike Sergei—from my understanding, he tells his wife everything—I won’t risk getting cut off by saying something to her that I shouldn’t.
“I hope you won’t have me killed for saying this, but I can’t disclose anything without Sergei’s permission.”
A long, thick silence stretches between us. I’m almost tempted to reach for the knife block to cut through it. I’m half-afraid that mywords have somehow earned me a direct ticket to the afterlife, but then, Kira speaks.
“Verygood. Sergei will be pleased with your loyalty.” Kira laughs, sounding vaguely amused. My building anxiety rushes out of me in a stream, and I suppress an audible breath of relief. “You really don’t think I know everything that goes on with my husband’s dealings? I help orchestrate half of them.” She sighs. “You’ve been having trouble with a woman recently, yes? Miranda?”
I nearly flinch at hearing Mira’s full name. I’ve only ever known her by Mira, and the name suits her. “Yes,” I say slowly. “She prefers to go by Mira.” I’m not sure why I add the last bit, but I can’t help myself.
