Page 41 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"What do you want, Kevin?"

"Kiera, I need to talk to you." Kevin tries to step inside, but she blocks the doorway with her body.

"I told all of you I needed space. That includes you showing up at my apartment uninvited."

"This is important. Can I please come in?"

She stares at him for a long moment, then steps aside with obvious reluctance. "Fine. But make it quick."

Kevin enters, and Kiera closes the door behind him, throwing the deadbolt. They move into the living room, and I adjust the audio to pick up their conversation more clearly.

The older protective brother launches in to a renewed attempt to get her to move in with him for her safety. When that doesn't work, he suggests she move out of state, or even the country. Like hell that's going to happen! But Kiera doesn't seem remotely interested and tells him that she's not going anywhere. She's not going into hiding because of some idiot out there.

Kevin sighs, running a hand through his hair. There's a pause, and I can see him gathering himself for something. "There's something else you need to know."

"What?" Kiera's arms are crossed, her body language defensive.

"It's about Jack."

My entire body goes still, every sense focused on the audio feed at the mention of Kiera's cop brother.

"What about him?" Kiera asks.

Kevin hesitates, then says quietly, "He's been investigating Emil Nikitin. Privately."

My jaw clenches so hard, I hear my teeth grind. The fucking idiot was warned to stay away and not investigate me or the family. He's going to get himself killed.

"He's looking for evidence," Kevin continues. "He wants to put the man away before he can hurt you or get you involved in his Mafia business."

For the second time tonight, Kiera's face drains of color. "Is he insane?"

"When it comes to our little sister, there's nothing any of us won't do to keep you safe."

I watch Kevin leave on the monitors, see him walk down the hallway and disappear into the stairwell. The exterior camera catches him getting into his car and driving away. Kiera locks the door behind him and leans against it with her eyes closed. She looks exhausted, scared, and angry at her family for not respecting her boundaries.

But all I can think about is what I just heard. Jack's investigating me. My expression hardens, and I feel that familiar coldness settle over me, the one that comes before I make difficult decisions.

Something has to be done about Jack, but what? I can't just eliminate a cop. That brings heat I don't need. I've done it before, and it is possible, but it's a mess. Jack is a straight shooter. There's no paying him off. Plus, he's Kiera's brother and somehow, I don't think she'd appreciate my sending her brother to his grave. But I can't let him continue, either.

But first, I need to deal with the immediate threat.

I pull out my phone and call Luca. "Send some men to look around Kiera's apartment to see if the bastard left any clues."

"On it," Luca responds.

I pour myself another vodka and settle in to wait. The minutes crawl by. I watch Kiera curl up on her couch, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She's fighting sleep, jerking awake every few minutes to check the window and front door, but exhaustion is winning. Eventually, she stops fighting it, her breathing evening out as she finally succumbs.

I watch her sleep and think about all the ways I'm going to make whoever scared her tonight regret being born. It had to be the same guy who took a shot at her outside her apartment. The asshole missed the first time, so now he's surveilling her, finding out the weaknesses and risks and how best to make the hit successful.

My fingers wrap around my glass so hard, I'm surprised it doesn't shatter from the pressure. There's no way in hell I'm going to let the asshole near enough to see her again, much less harm her. This is my fault, and while I feel a little twinge of guilt, it's not enough for me to back out of my plans to make her my wife. Unfortunately, she'll likely always be a target since she's connected to me. It's the way of my lifestyle, but that's what security and security measures are for. That's why it's imperative that I get her moved into my estate where she can have the best protection.

Finally, after what feels like hours but is probably only forty-five minutes, Luca returns. I can tell from his face before he even speaks that it's not good news.

"Well?" I keep my voice level, but my hands curl into fists on the desk.

Luca shakes his head. "Nothing, Boss. No footprints, no fingerprints, not a fucking thing to show he was there. The ground was undisturbed. Not even a bent blade of grass."

I stare at the frozen image of the face on my screen.