Page 105 of Serpent & Saviors

He hesitated for a second. His gaze flickered to the girls, his expression tight, almost pained. Then it settled on Kinsley. She was begging him with her eyes.

“It’s a nay for me, Mouse,” he said with reluctance. “The things we’ve got planned, it’s not a place for any of you. It’s too dangerous.”

Kinsley’s expression fell, as did her shoulders. Pasha’s jaw tightened as he turned to Tori. Sorrow filled his eyes. He turned away and caught Isabella’s gaze. Something passed between them, and something in it made his breath hitch.

Everything fell into place exactly as I predicted it would. I stood. “I’m an aye,” I announced, casting the tie-breaking vote. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I moved toward the door, deciding that Bash needed my attention more.

The look he shot me before storming out said it all. He was beating himself up. He was supposed to walk her to school that morning. The confession had transformed him into that teenager once more.

“Thank you,” Isabella said, grabbing my arm.

She understood. I kissed her on the forehead.

“I’m proud of you,” I murmured into her hair.

My girl needed this closure, and one of my jobs was to ensure, within reason, that she got it. Hell, I’d hand it to her on a silver platter. If it helped Kinsley or Isabella in any way, it was just an additional bonus.

“I suggest the three of you sit your asses down so we can go over details,” Alek growled as I walked out of the room.

Isabella sat on the edge of her bed, tying the laces of her boots, her expression unreadable. We were meeting up in her room first. The meeting had gone exactly as Andy said it would. I adjusted my ponytail and then smoothed the fabric of my T-shirt. Our eyes met. Isabella’s flickered with anticipation and the same quiet determination I had coiling in my chest.

The sound of movement in the hallway caught my attention, and I knew before I looked who it was. The scent of honeysuckle wafted through the open door. Kinsley swept into the room like she was arriving at a gala charity event.

The gown was sleek, elegant, and absolutely ridiculous for what we were about to do. Black, at least. I’d give her that much. But the high slit up her leg, the way the fabric hugged her curves—not what I imagined crew attire would look like.

Isabella let out a loud, exaggerated groan, dragging both hands down her face. “Seriously? For fuck’s sake, Kins.”

Kinsley blinked, feigning innocence. “What?”

“Did you not get the dress code memo?” she sputtered, looking as dumbfounded as me.

I glanced at Isabella, whose expression was somewhere between despair and murderous frustration, then back to Kinsley, who seemed far too pleased with herself.

“You know for a hundred percent certainty that the only black I own is dresses or lingerie. I only wear lingerie for three men, well technically two, one prefers me naked, but I digress. And trust me, this is perfect. I like to call this the ‘vengeful justice’ look and it comes with stilettos, among other things.”

Her hands smoothed down the black material of the tight fitted gown. In her hand, she indeed held a pair of six-inch stilettos that were more appropriate for a date out on the town. I couldn’t help but chuckle. The silly girl had somehow found a way to make light of the situation we were in, and I wasn’t mad.

“You could have borrowed something from either of us. Have the guys seen you yet? How the hell is Alek going to concentrate with you looking like that?” Isabella huffed, putting her hands on her hips.

“Don’t you worry about him. Technically, it’s Ivan’s night and, well, all I can say is he approved.”

She made her way over to the full-length mirror, turned sideways and threw her hair back with flair. Isbella threw her hands up, muttering under her breath about unbelievable…dramatic…I may have even heard a ‘why do I even bother?’ And Kinsley dramatically swept the material back through the slit.

“Oh, and look.”

Sitting perfectly on her thigh was not only a shiny blade, but some other type of gadget. Isabella’s eyes narrowed, and I gasped. Declan came bounding through the door.

“Ooh, Mummy, look Auntie Kins has a pretty dress on.”

Kinsley quickly moved to cover her accessories and turned around. She held her arms out, and Declan ran into them. Isabella met my eyes and sighed. He had taken to the two girls much like the men in this house. Thrilled to be the center of attention.

“Where are you going? Who is taking you out tonight?” Declan asked Kinsley.

“We all have plans for tonight. You’re staying home with Mrs. Patterson, remember?” I reminded him.

“Yes, I know but, you should change, Mummy. You too, Auntie Bella.”

“Well, I suppose Mummy has a gown or two, but I don’t own any, kiddo. And your Auntie Kins is the one actually overdressed for the evening,” Isabella said, rolling her eyes.