“Ah,” Kira says. “A bit similar to my own name, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Tell me, what are your troubles in paradise?”
This time, I’m the one to initiate the silence, because I’m not sure how to respond or if I want to have a discussion about this. I called Sergei to inform him of the potential issues that might arise because Clyde is starting to get smart, not to discuss my love life with a woman who’s rumored to be a psychopath.
“I won’t force you to tell me,” Kira says after several moments. “But I was once an incredibly well-respected psychologist in the States. I am capable of giving good advice.”
“Weren’t you acriminalpsychologist?”
“The line between loving someone and killing them is surprisingly thin, believe it or not. Both are often rooted inpassion. Besides, I have a superior understanding of the human mind and emotions. However, if you don’t care for what I have to say, I won’t waste my time on you.”
“No,” I say, a tad too quickly. I clear my throat. “Um, perhaps I’d benefit from hearing such a well-respected woman’s perspective.”
“Good save,” Kira says. “Give me the premise of the situation in two sentences.”
I take a moment to think my words over carefully. “I have a growing attachment to Mira, and I believe she’s growing fond of me as well. However, she sees me as a criminal, and her experience with criminal men in her life has been life-threatening.”
“I see,” Kira says. “Well, the solution is simple.”
I bite back a laugh. “Would you care to impart your knowledge onto me?”
“Since you asked so kindly, yes,” she agrees. “Be consistent. In your moods, in your actions, in yourreactions. If Mira’s been traumatized at the hands of a criminal man, I believe it’s safe to say she’s used to instability. Offer her stability, stick with it for the long haul, and you should be fine. Do with that advice what you will. Now, I believe I’ll return Sergei’s phone to him so the two of you can chat.”
I stiffen. “Return—I thought you said he was in the shower?”
“I lied,” she responds simply. “Hewillbe needing to go to the shower soon since he should just be finishing up with his favorite toy in the basement.”
I don’t have the guts to ask exactly what she means by that. I have an inkling that bytoyshe might actually meancaptive.
I hear the faint echo of footsteps, and a few moments later, the phone changes hands.
“Dorian?” Sergei says, sounding a tad perplexed. “Ah, Kira got a hold of you, did she? My condolences.” Kira says something in the background; Sergei chuckles and gives a muffled response. “It’s late for the both of us. What is it?”
“Mira’s stepfather,” I say, still reeling from the advice I got from Kira. She’s right, consistencyislaughably simple, and it’s preciselywhat I’d wager Mira requires to settle. “Clyde Brenner. He’s asking her to arrange a meeting between your boss and his.”
“And his boss would be…?” Sergei questions calmly.
According to the report Connor compiled, “Wagner. Carver Wagner.”
“I’ve never even heard of him,” Sergei says, sounding mildly bemused. “What does he run?”
“He has a county in Pennsylvania locked down with his connection to the sheriff. Carver runs drugs, taxes people who work or live on what he considers to be his territory, and has a few strip clubs. He’s small-time, completely inconsequential.”
“Hmm,” Sergei hums thoughtfully. “And how did this Mr. Wagner come to know about youorme?”
My blood thrums at the implication behind his words. He’s hinting that Mira might’ve had something to do with Clyde poking around, that she might’ve passed on information, which is fucking ludicrous.
I’ve seen the scars on her body. I’ve held her after she woke up from a nightmare. I saw her earliertonight, when she was so dissociated from the world it genuinely frightened me. The placid, empty look in her eyes is something that’s going to haunt me for some time to come. I commit myself to ensuring that, if I ever catch her in that state, I’ll pull her out of it. We’ll deal with her problems together—they’ll beourproblems.
“I say this with the utmost respect for who you are and all you’re doing for me,” I start carefully, “but don’teverfucking question Mira’s loyalties. They may not completely be mine,yet, but they sure asshitdon’t lie with the man who nearly killed her on several occasions.”
A low chuckle escapes Sergei. “Point taken. You’re growing into a man, Dorian.”
I feel my eyebrows inch up. “I wasn’t aware I was a boy beforehand.”
“I was a boy well into my thirties, until I met Kira. I might’ve had money, power, and influence before her, butshemade me into a man. I look forward to watching the same transformation take hold in you. Onto the little problem; I assume it’s in your plans to exterminate Clyde?”
“It’s now pretty high up on my to-do list,” I affirm. “If Carver makes himself into a nuisance, I’ll take care of him, as well.”
“Good,” Sergei says. “Get your legion on it. I want all of you to take care of this as a team. If you want them to accept the shifts in your life, they need to continue being part of your dealings. Connor and Seamus have towantto protect your girl just like you do, though perhaps not with the same vigor.”
