“I know. But you have to understand,” I stroke a hand down her hair, “I wouldn’t just die for you, sweetheart. I’d go to hell for you. Killing is my job.”
She gasps and then her mouth finds mine, the kiss hot enough to burn the building down.
To my left, I hear a throat clear.
Fuck them.
I slowly finish the kiss and then lift my head.
Katarina looks up at me with wide green eyes, the picture of seductive innocence. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I still want a weapon.”
“Going to hell isn’t enough to convince you to let me protect you?” I have to be honest, my pride is a bit hurt.
But Rush crosses over to us, pulling a small pistol from his breast pocket. “Here. This should do the trick.”
Katarina takes it from his hand, opening the chamber, and checking for bullets, before she deftly closes it again. “Thanks.”
I frown, because she clearly knows her way around a weapon, and likely she’s right. She should be armed.
Rush takes a seat across from us.
As the youngest of my brothers, I’ve always considered him a child. But what I see before me now is a man.
He scowls as he runs a hand through his dark hair.
Our family holds a secret, like many do. My mother and father separated for a few years. In that time, she had my brothers Killian and Ryker with another man.
When my parents reconciled, they agreed to keep the secret, and they had Rush in their attempts to reconnect.
It was mostly a failed attempt.
The marriage remained intact, but they led separate lives, until my father finally drank himself to death.
But when I took over the dukedom, Rush was still in primary school.
Now, in his twenties, the dark look of worry that pulls out at his brow makes him look older. Harder.
“What have they decided?”
“They’re talking about dividing us and creating a diversion down on the second floor, while you and Katarina remain up here.” His frown tells me he doesn’t like the plan.
“And what do you think?”
His eyes widen in surprise.
I rarely ask his opinion. In fact, of all my brothers, he’s the one I speak to the least.
But it’s time to test the youngest Smith. “I don’t like it. I think we are, as we have always been, strongest together.”
I dip my chin in acknowledgment.
It’s a thoughtful and intelligent answer. “I agree.”
He cocks his head, his brows lifting like he’s surprised.
“What are you talking about over there?” Triston calls.
“Rush and I agree that we should stay together.” I kiss Katarina’s forehead, before I stand, setting her back down on the couch. I start crossing toward my brothers.
