Page 62 of Daddy's Reluctant Queen

I take a deep breath and lean back in my chair.Play it cool, Titus. You lose it and you’ll lose them.“Do you two think you deserve that kind of prize?”

Cyrus tilts his head slightly, a little of his hair falling into his face. Cyril’s eyes harden.

“She’s a fine piece of ass,” I tell them. “Best fuck I’ve had in years. How likely would you be to share something like that with your brothers?”

Cyril looks like he wants to respond, but his lips tighten into a thin line. Cyrus just says, “It’s not about how good or bad she is in bed, sir. It’s about solidarity. It’s about showing the rest of us that you’re still man enough to lead this Bratva.”

I stand up. “And you think I’m not man enough?”

He lifts his chin up and answers, “I’m only saying that your image is as important as your words to the rest of us… sir.”

I should take his head right now. Shoot him between the eyes and decapitate him and put his head on a pike on my front lawn as a warning to anyone else who wants to try me.

Ignat speaks up. “Let’s not gloss over the reason you’ve been asked to come here. You’ve confirmed that there is dissension in the ranks and yet you deny being the ones to fan the flames. If you two are not responsible for these rumors, then maybe it would be in your best interests to find out who is spreading them.”

Cyrus glances over his shoulder at him, but Cyril glares back at me, stock still, ready to strike.

“Yes, I think that’s a very good idea,” I say. “Bring me the ones spreading these lies, or I’ll be forced to believe that you two are the ones who are actually responsible. You two are dismissed.”

They both leave. As soon as they’re gone, Ignat says, “That did not go the way I’d hoped.”

“No, it didn’t. We should start fortifying our forces. Find out who is loyal to me and use them. I want to be ready when those two decide they want to come at me.”

Ignat stands and says, “Yes, sir.” He stops at the door. “Also, if I may make a suggestion. It might be a good idea to move Luka out of this house… and perhaps Sofia as well.”

“They’re not going anywhere. They’re safer with me than anyone else in the world.”

“Yes, sir.”

21

SOFIA

Things definitely look different around here.

There are more Bratva around in general. On the grounds, in the house. They all seem to be meandering about.

Titus hasn’t locked my door since he had his meeting the other day, but with so many of his men roaming around, I kind of feel the need to. At least at night. I don’t think any of them would touch me, but one never knows.

It makes me wonder if the jig is up. Does everyone know about us? At the very least, no one knows about his son. His door has been locked at all times and anytime I’m with him, Titus has asked me to keep him in his room.

Something is definitely up around here.

I guess I’m not all that surprised after what happened with Adam. I broke down and he was there to comfort me. So was one of his guys. That couldn’t have looked good.

And yet, of all the things that Titus could have done about it, killing me doesn’t appear to be on the menu. I suppose I should be grateful, and I am, but I’m also racked with guilt about Adam.

This morning, I asked that breakfast be brought to me. I’ve been in my room ever since, watching them walk the front yard from my window. Something is definitely, definitely up.

I wish I had someone to talk to about it. Someone to mull all this over with. At least my dreams are getting better. That first night was hell. The only reason I got any sleep at all was because I was crying so much and that wore me out enough to drop off.

Adam just didn’t deserve what happened to him. And I’ve got nobody to blame but myself. I can’t even really blame Titus. That would be like blaming the snake for biting me.

“Sofia?”

I look over and Titus is standing in my doorway again. He never knocks. It’s annoying. I walk away from the window and sit on my bed.

We haven’t had sex since Adam was killed. He’s kept his distance from me for the most part except to check in with me from time to time, make sure I’m eating. As strange as it is to say, I miss being with him.