Clients might think they’re ‘better’ because they can afford and need personal security, but if they really were, they wouldn’t rely on us to keep them safe. Wouldn’t trust us with their lives.
Real power is subtle, not flexed. Confidence in yourself, something that you don’t feel the need to prove to the masses.
My brother doesn’t get that, still feels like he has something to prove. And I hate that he’s convinced it’s him against the world, doesn’t trust that I’d have his back enough to even factor me into the equation like I’m nothing to him.
I was four when he was taken. Useless. But I’m not a little boy anymore, and I’ll protect my family to my dying breath; whether he wants me to or not.
“Damn, who’s the hottie?”
I follow his gaze, my heart skipping a beat before doubling down.
Kiara.
She’s absolutely stunning.Barely any make up, but she doesn’t need it. Between the vibrant purple hair and simple, yet extremely flattering silver and white dress that plays up her curves? She’s the most beautiful woman in the room. An angel dressed like sin, and much to my frustration, every other soul here has taken notice. How could they not? This place is filled with entitled bastards looking to blow their money on pretty things to rub in their enemy’s faces.
Kiara’s laughing at something the guy next to her says, and I try to be as discreet as possible as I dig my nails into my palms behind my back, adopting a military pose to hide my reaction.
I’m not stupid; I did my research after that day in the clinic. Killian Sterling, Kiara’s brother and a doctor at Mercy Med. He must have brought her as his plus one, seeking donations for the hospital. But I don’t think he realizes that this isn’t the charity auction it was pitched as.
It’s a networking event for rich and powerful mysts. Ones that have something of value, namely, the black market variety. But also have plenty of experience taking advantage of ‘charity’loopholes for tax breaks. It’s not a benefit for people supporting a worthy cause, it’s a front.
Seeing the head of Titan Industries, a man that’s made his money not from oil like he claims, but as an arms dealer, approaching my mate is enough to make me crack. Breaking away from my client, I storm over and gently grab her upper arm, pivoting her to face me. “Baby, you need to leave.Please.”
She frowns at me, but before she can utter a word, her brother interrupts. “Excuse me, but who the hell are you? And where thefuckdo you get off talking to my sister like that? Get your hands off her.”
Before I can ream him a new one for being stupid enough to bring his sister into a den of vipers, Sinclair catches my eye and nods to the men around him, silently commanding me to do the job I was hired for. Seething, I return to my client’s side, who doesn’t hesitate to scowl at me for shirking my duties. I’m supposed to be his shadow the entire night. Not only do the Sinclairs have several items on the auction block tonight, but their family is worth a fortune. They weren’t blessed with the powers to secure their position, so they outsource. If I can prove my capabilities tonight? It’ll secure the company an annual, multi-seven figure contract. I can’t blow this.
Still… I can’t help my gaze from constantly drifting back to the most vulnerable treasure in the room.
Chapter 26
Kiara
“Killian, I’d love to hear more,” a gorgeous woman absolutelydrippingin diamonds says suggestively, placing a hand on his shoulder, and I silently encourage him to pimp himself out for a hefty donation. Who knows, maybe it’s exactly what my brother needs to realize it’s okay to put his own needs first for a change. If he had a mate and bondgroup of his own, he’d be too distracted to be mad when he finds out about mine.
It’s actually pretty impressive the way he turns her down and stillmanages to secure a check for the hospital. If I had those skills, I wouldn’t currently be living out of my office.
“How the hell do you do that?” I demand in a shocked whisper.
Chuckling under his breath, Killian wraps an arm around my shoulders and guides me away. “Plenty of practice. How do you think those extra sweets always ended up on our plates growing up? Somebody had to charm the kitchen crew.”
“I…” I thought they just took pity on us because our parents died. But now that he mentions it… half of the compound was comprised of orphans. The elders took in various mysts fromorphanages across the world, people nobody would miss or come looking for. Most of the mimics came there for refuge from abusive situations. Even though the majority ended up forming bondgroups and having families, we were actually part of the minority that was born and raised there our entire lives. But I was so caught up in grieving the loss of our parents and ignoring all of the pitying comments about my brother being saddled with raising his defective little sister, hiding out in the far reaches of the tunnels away from the village, I didn’t see it until now.
“Damn it, Kills.” I blink away watery eyes, refusing to embarrass him here of all places. “You really are the perfect brother.”
He gives me a strange look, searching my face for a long minute. “Damn, how much of that champagne have you had? I’m far from perfect, Kiara. If I was, you wouldn’t be putting yourself down so much lately. I’m not sure I like what Mercy Ridge is doing to your headspace. Where’s the Kia that pissed off the entire village by stealing all the meat for dinner to feed the basilisk that had been tormenting everyone for weeks? You tamed that monster in five seconds flat and convinced it to nest down in one chamber so we could add wards to keep it contained. Or how you single-handedly doubled the phoenix population that was on the verge of going extinct?Youare perfect, my sweet, mildly infuriating baby sister, and anyone that says otherwise can suck rocks.”
“Kick rocks,” I mumble, correcting him automatically.
“Nope, suck ‘em. Dirt, piss, bird poop and all. People really underestimate how much bacteria they touch daily. Honestly, it’s amazing more people don’t die going for walks in that cesspool you call nature.”
He takes advantage of my laughter to guide us across the room. “Now, I’ll hear no more of this ‘woe is me’ nonsense. You are Kiara Sterling, and you’re a fucking badass. Anyone would belucky to have you in their life, and the fact you’ve forgotten that seriously pisses me off. I taught you better than that.”
“You have to say that shit, you’re my brother.”
“Oh, really? Challenge accepted.”
Ignoring my protests, he leads us to a small group of people drinking and laughing, beelining for one man in particular. “Mr. Montgomery, fancy seeing you here.” Bringing me up to speed, he elaborates, “His personal menagerie, from what I hear, is one of the most remarkable collections in the country.”
