I glance at Seamus. “Pretty serious, and extremely private. Everything that’s said here needs to stay here.”
Asher gazes at Seamus for several moments, trying to get a read on him. Seamus folds his hands into his pockets and adopts a neutral expression, meeting Asher’s stare unflinchingly.
“You trust this posh boy?”
I nod. “Oddly enough, I do.”
“Fine,” Asher says. “Let’s go upstairs. You kids want coffee?”
“Please,” I say, following him up the staircase. We emerge into a hallway; he leads us to the first door on the left, which is a small sitting room connected to a kitchen. Asher disappears to make the coffee while Seamus and I take seats on a faded grey sofa in front of a coffee table.
“Evidently, you’ve been acquainted with quite a few dangerous men in your life,” Seamus says thoughtfully. He nods at the kitchen. “That one puts me to shame.”
“You have no idea,” I say grimly. Asher is brilliant, disciplined, andverygood at killing people. He’d have killed Clyde and Carver years ago if he weren’t severely outnumbered. Unlike many vets I’ve crossed paths with, Asher’s emotions do not outweigh his common sense.
Asher stalks back into the room, holding a tray with a French press, several mugs, and a cup of creamer. He sets the tray on the coffee table, drags an armchair across from us, and takes a seat.
“What’s this about?” he asks.
“First I need your word that you take everything said here to the grave,” I request.
He nods. “You know I’d never betray you. You have my word of honor on your mother’s memory. Now talk, and kindly explain pretty-boy’s presence. You here to get my blessing or something?”
I spend about half an hour filling Asher in on my situation. He takes everything I say in stride; doesn’t flinch when I gloss over my time as Dorian’s guest and the danger surrounding him. The only time he shows any outward reaction is when I mention that Dorian works for Sergei Novikov. Then, he has plenty to say.
“SergeifuckingNovikov?” he repeats, disbelieving. He looks to Seamus. “The fuck does the Russian Bratva boss want with some American college students?”
“He’s expanding business,” Seamus responds smoothly. “He’d like a few footholds in America. My legion caught his interest when he was looking into some problems at Greywood for an old acquaintance of his.”
“Owning Russia isn’t enough? He needs to come here?”
“Of course Russia isn’t enough—he also owns Eurasia,” Seamus says with a charming grin. In the blink of an eye, his expression turns serious. “He has contacts and teams in every corner of this world. Of course he’d want to assemble a trustworthy force in the United States, as well. Are you truly surprised?”
“No,” Asher mutters, shaking his head. “Everything I’ve heard about the man suggests that he’s a power-hungry tyrant. Naturally, he wants to expand the empire he’s built. My question is what does that mean for the safety of American citizens?”
“The answer is quite simple: they’ll be safer.” When Asher gives Seamus an incredulous look, Seamus goes on. “My boss doesn’t condone some of the most harmful illegal activities going on in the underbelly of this country. Do you have any idea how many trafficking rings there are in America?”
Asher grunts. “A lot.”
“Quite right, and as Sergei moves forces here, he aims to dismantle every single operation—one by one. He will not accept the skin-trade in any of his territories. Carver is a partner to a rather large trafficking ring, so naturally, Sergei will use this opportunity to eliminate him and destroy his operation.”
Asher looks at me with a sigh. “You justhadto get caught up with gangsters, didn’t you?”
The faint note of worry and condemnation in his tone makes me practically shrivel beneath his gaze. His scrutiny is well-deserved, but it’s not like I had much of a choice. I wasn’taskedif I wanted to bewith Dorian. I’ve settled and I’m finding that I’m quite happy with him, that I care for him deeply, but this lifestyle and these connections weren’t my choice.
“We aren’t gangsters,” Seamus says, his voice hard. “I’m part of an elite, small legion with stellar men who I’d trust with my life. Mira was pulled into it because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but she’s now dating the most exceptional man in our legion.”
“Your legion consists of three people, yes?” Asher says, challenge in his gaze. “That doesn’t sound like a legion to me, it sounds like a gathering of boys playing at being men. With a boss who’s giving them far too much fucking power.”
“My legion might be small, but it’s certainly not made up of boys,” Seamus says, quiet fury in his voice. “It’s comprised of men who will die for each other, who have bled for each other, and who are committed to protecting innocents. That’s how we banded together in the first place. Now, instead of shaming Mira for something she can’t control and attacking me for my decisions, why don’t you tell us whether or not you’re willing to help. If you’re not, I think we’re done here.”
Asher looks at me again. “Tell me the truth, sweetheart. Are you with your man of your own volition, or do you need a rescue? Don’t fear pretty boy over there—I can take care of him with both eyes shut.”
“I’m here of my own free will,” I say immediately.
Things might havestartedwithout my consent, but now, I don’twantto leave Dorian. I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave him. “Carver’s late wife threatened to put me and Mom to work in a strip club—which was probably code for trafficking. Carver always looked at me weird, and Clyde nearly killed me or got me killed more times than I can count.” I gaze deep into Asher’s eyes, letting him see thetruth of my words. “Help me get out from under Clyde and Carver’s thumbs. I wouldn’t be here if you couldn’t trust my legion.”
“Yourlegion?” Asher repeats, eyebrows raising. “Have you been indoctrinated?”
