Promise to Keep (Vow To Protect 2)

I enter my office, and Kai closes the door behind him. “I thought you could use some work. A few things have piled up. Maybe you can take care of them, and I can take a break for once.”

I snort and remove my jacket and my shirt. First, a shower and shave. Once I feel more like myself, maybe a solution will come to mind. Even if it’s a pretty fantasy… there are no solutions to your wife having taken part in your mother’s murder.

Kai throws his long frame into the chair opposite the desk and pulls a few files to the edge. “I’ll be here when you’re done cleaning up,” he says, already absorbed in whatever he’s reading.

I scan the cuts and bruises on his face, and a fresh wave of guilt chomps through my gut. He’s always here for me, even when I forget myself and beat him for his loyalty. But I can’t apologize. I don’t apologize.

The guilt feels heavier by the second. I head into the bathroom, finish stripping, and quickly shower. I took one with Valentina, but at the time, I didn’t finish taking care of my usual needs. Especially cleaning up some of the stubble on my chin.

The orgasm I’d had, marking her with my cum, hadn’t been satisfying in the least. It had felt more like a punishment than a pleasure. I consider taking myself in hand, but I don’t want to leave Kai out there waiting while I beat off. And besides, fantasies of Valentina fill my head, but I don’t feel comfortable with them, not while things are broken between us.

What’s worse is, I don’t know if they ever can be mended. Not after what she revealed and what I’ve done to keep her safe. The council has me in their crosshairs; the bullet is loaded, and they are simply waiting for the final breath before they pull the trigger. When they take a shot, they usually hit the mark dead on.

I have no intention of being their next hit. Nor will I allow Valentina to get on their radar any more than she already is.

I shove thoughts of their assassins coming for my wife out of my mind and finish dressing. Once I’m presentable, I step into the office and survey the stack of papers across the desk. Kai has his own office here, but it looks like he’s been using mine for a while.

“What’s all this?”

Kai waves the folder toward the files. “Security updates, hiring forms, more security updates. With these fucking hackers running around, we have to outrace them to keep everything secure.”

I sit in the chair and grab the closest file. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You are ‘these damn hackers,’ and I bet you design something that will keep everything safe.”

Despite the heavy weight of his gaze on me, I keep my head down, reading the file. After arguing with him for months, he's probably shocked that I’ve said something encouraging.

“I don’t have time for that shit. It’s not my job to chase down teenagers who are too caught up in their own ego to get an actual job and avoid jail time.”

I simply nod and snap the folder shut. As he said… it's a detailed document about installing security scanners to keep weapons out of the casino. “What about the fight ring? Adding anything new down there?”

“No, it’s unnecessary with the security on the entry doors. We’ll just hire out more guards to monitor those entrances. Besides, anyone coming to a fight knows to expect a little bit of danger. In fact, some of them show up for that edge. Stupid bastards.”

There’s a soft knock on the door, and I lock eyes with Kai.

“Come in,” he calls.

The door opens slowly to reveal a small woman with killer curves and long loose curls which brush her hips. My mind rebels as she draws closer.

“Sir, you called for me,” she addresses Kai.

He meets my eyes purposely this time. “She’s for you. I thought you might want to blow off a little steam.”

I grit my jaw and clench my fists on top of the desk. “What the fuck makes you think I’d want another woman? I’m married.”

He glares and leans over to brace his elbows on his knees. “Yes, but shit is crazy right now. You might want to take some of that rage out on someone else…”

The woman flinches beside Kai. Her eyes meet mine, worry etched in every line.

“I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t worry about what he’s saying.”

Kai huffs and shoves off his knees to stand. “You need to get yourself under control. If you won’t beat the shit out of me to do it, use her. I paid her well enough that she’ll be happy to accommodate any request.”

Even though he’s staring at me, I don’t doubt his message is for her.