Page 28 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"Right. Stupid question." He leans against the doorframe. "Want me to come with you?"

"No. Stay here. Keep the men looking for the shooter. I want answers by tomorrow."

"You'll have them."

I head for the door, then pause. "If I'm not back in two hours, send someone to check on me."

Luca grins. "Think her brothers are going to kill you?"

"I think they might try."

The drive to Kiera's apartment takes twenty minutes. I park on the street, not bothering to hide my presence. Let her brothers see me coming. Let them know I'm not sneaking around.

I'm here to claim what's mine.

The building's just as shitty in the evening as it was this morning. Peeling paint, cracked steps, the smell of garbage from the alley. I hate that she lives here. Hate that this is what she can afford, that she's been making do in this dump when she should be somewhere better.

She will be. After tonight.

I take the stairs to the second floor, my footsteps echoing in the narrow stairwell. When I reach her door, I can hear voices inside. Male voices. Her brothers.

I knock three sharp raps. The voices stop and footsteps approach the door. It swings open, and I'm face-to-face with Jack. The cop. He's tall and broad-shouldered, with the same dark hair as Kiera. His eyes are hard, assessing. Cop eyes.

"Nikitin." His voice is flat, unwelcoming.

"Jack." I keep my tone neutral. "I'm here to see Kiera."

"She doesn't want to see you."

"Let her tell me that."

We stare at each other for a long moment. Behind him, I can see Kevin standing in the living room, arms crossed.

"You need to leave," Jack says.

"I need to talk to Kiera."

"About what? About how you're a fucking mobster? About how you put a target on her back?" Jack's voice rises. "She could've died last night because of you."

My hands curl into fists at my sides. "Which is exactly why I'm here. She's not safe."

"She's got us."

"You're not enough."

Jack's jaw clenches. "Get the fuck out of here before I arrest you."

"On what charges?" I smile, cold and sharp. "I'm just here to see my fiancée."

"She's not your fiancée."

Before Jack can respond, Kiera's voice cuts through the tension. "Jack, let him in."

Jack turns, and I see her standing in the hallway leading to what must be her bedroom. She's wearing jeans and a sweater, her hair pulled back. No makeup. She looks tired, with shadows under her eyes.

She's still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

"Kiera," Jack starts, but she shakes her head.