I missed this, spending time with my chosen family in situations that don’t require weapons or stain removal. I think the break is valuable for morale. It helps to center us. Remind us what we’re fighting for.
I’m just refilling my glass when my phone rings, a call from my personal security team coming through. The sound visibly sends every member of the room on edge, reaching for their weapons. The air tenses with thick anticipation.
“What?” I answer, cutting to the point.
“Sorry to bother you, sir. We have a Ms. Donahue downstairs asking to see you. She refuses to leave the premises?—”
“Send her up immediately. Provide her security on the ascent.” I interrupt the call instantly, thrill and worry hitting me in the same slap. Cassandra’s here? Is something wrong?
“Ivan,” I shout, summoning him over at a jog. “Why didn’t whoever’s on watch inform you that Cassandra left her house?”
“Shit,” he says, digging his phone out of his pocket and flicking off the silencer switch. “Sorry, Boss. She left about forty minutes ago in her car. It says that she’s?—”
The elevator doors slide open, revealing my girl standing amidst nearly the entirety of my downstairs security team.
“Here,” Ivan finishes, trailing off as he and the rest of my men gaze toward the beautiful brunette stepping into the room.
“Menace, what’s wrong?” I rush over to her.
“Nothing. Sorry, I didn’t realize you’d have company.” She quickly does a survey of all the highly tattooed, heavily armed Bratva men lining my living room. “Can I talk to you privately?” she says, gazing up at me with a look of fierce determination.
“Of course. Let’s speak in my office,” I say, leading her down the adjacent hallway. Wisely, everyone pretends to go back to their poker game, averting their curious gazes.
When we reach the room, I click the door shut for privacy and settle back against it, taking a moment to appreciate the view. Her dark curls curve around her pale face, perfectly offsetting those grey-blue eyes. She’s wearing leggings that hug the curve of her ass, and her hip pops to the side in a stance of such conviction you’d think she was going into battle.What I would give to run my fingers through her hair again.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your party.”
“Cass, you are always welcome. Hell, I would’ve driven to you if you had texted me.”
Her cheeks heat with the prettiest blush. I hope she does it again.
“I’ve come…shit, I don’t know what I’m doing here,” she trails off, her arms curling around herself in discomfort.
I hate to see her fight dissipate so quickly.
“Sweetheart, I’d give you anything you asked for. Please tell me what you need so I can help,” I ask, stepping closer.
She seems to steel herself before looking back up at me, and when she does, that fierce resolve is right back in her gaze.
“I want you to teach me to shoot,” she rushes out.
My eyebrows scrunch up in confusion. “Are you in trouble? What’s going on?”
“No, I’m not, I just—yes or no, Mikhail?”
“Yes,” I answer, nodding my head. “Of course. I told you I’d give you anything.” My brows remain pinched as I examine the little enigma before me. I’ve never known a safe, happy person to ask for a gun. There’s definitely something more going on here, and while I’ll happily embrace any reason to be closer to her, a piece of me twinges with curiosity at the request.
I reach into the back of my harness and set my handgun on the table.
Not even thirty minutes later,I’m leaning back against the desk, an expression of pride settled on my face as I watch my girl lock the slide back of my handgun like a pro. When the click resounds through the space, her gaze peers up at me for approval. Those blue-grey eyes nearly bring me to my knees.
“You’re a natural, Menace,” I murmur, enjoying her preening expression at the words. “Check the chamber.”
Her finger slides into the narrow slot where the magazine would sit, before pinching her eyebrows together. “Empty.”
I nod, sliding the magazine across the table. When she assembles it without the slightest hint of apprehension, I can’t help the smile that lifts my lips. It’s my first in weeks.
“Like I said. A natural.”
