Nate

My stomach churned. He was talking about Sabrina. The word was out about her, which made the threats swirling around us infinitely more complex. Dmitri wasn’t just playing a private game anymore—he’d opened up the table. If the Irish knew, then so did everyone else.

I hadn’t heard about a bounty, but I wouldn’t put it past Dmitri to offer serious cash for anyone who could bag her and bring her to him. I’d have to keep her close, under lock and key. Despite the crush of dark thoughts, I kept my poker face. “What I have is my business. If Dmitri feels somehow slighted and wants to run his organization into the ground over it, that’s his downfall.” I drummed my fingers slowly on the desk. “I’m more than happy to help him accomplish that goal.”

Colum stayed silent for a few beats, the earlier tension slipping back into the room through the crack under the door. After a while, he said, “Messy. I don’t like messy.” He shrugged. “But things always are when a woman is involved.”

He rose, the others following his lead. “We’ll reopen this discussion again soon.”

I didn’t like the heavy-handed way he ended the meeting. He needed to know who had the big swinging dick in the room, and it wasn’t one of the guys from team Lucky Charms. “You know, Colum. Once I destroy the Russians and take all their shit, I’ll be even bigger.” I stood and walked around my desk. My height gave me an advantage as I stared the old boss down. “I’d become the largest game in town by far. So, instead of worrying about others trying to take me down, maybe the real worry should be that I won’t be happy with most of the playing board. Maybe the real worry is that I’ll take it all.”

His eyes narrowed, all hint of amusement gone. Despite his façade, he was a shrewd man. One that knew how to play the game.

“Let me show you out.” I gestured toward the door. The dismissal was clear.

Colum shuffled out, followed by Angus and Leary.

He paused in the foyer and turned to me. “I’ll tell you what. Though we can’t seal the deal right now, I’d like to do a little exchange to show my good will.”

I liked his new tone—deferential, but not kiss-assy. “Exchange?”

“Yeah. One of your guys for one of mine.” He glanced at his son. “Angus is a huge asset to my organization, and he’ll give you a good idea of what we bring to the table. Let him stay here for a few weeks, get the lay of the land, and maybe I could reconsider helping with the Russians. No promises, though.”

I turned my focus to the son. “You cool with that?”

A frown ticked at the corner of his mouth. “I’m not sure—”

“Oh.” Sabrina stood halfway up the stairs, book in hand, wearing nothing but a white bikini. She dropped down another step, her breasts jiggling, her mouth-watering body on full display to all the assholes below. “Sorry. I thought the meeting was finished.” She slid her gaze to mine, a sly smile playing across her lips.

She must have wanted another spanking. But she couldn’t hide the slight puffiness around her eyes. She’d been crying just like Peter said. The regret socked me in the gut and danced with the jealousy already tangoing there.

“Nice to meet you, young lady.” Colum stepped forward and held out a hand, luring her closer.

Sabrina hesitated, but then walked down the steps and shook. “Sorry,” she said again.

“Don’t be. We were just finishing up. I’m Colum. And you are?” He knew damn well who she was.

I stepped forward, cutting in front of Colum and blocking his view. “This is my—” My what? My ward, my sort of niece, my new obsession, my spankbank superstar? “This is Sabrina.”

“It’s my pleasure, Sabrina.”

“Thanks.” She had to look over my shoulder to meet his eyes. “I was just on my way to the pool. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Don’t you have a t-shirt or something?” I hissed.

Her light blue eyes found mine. “I have lots of them.” With that, she sauntered off toward the back hallway, her plump behind swaying in the bikini bottoms that cut up her ass cheeks in a small rectangle.

Spanking. Oh my god, the spanking I’d give her.

“Nice to meet you.” Colum called after her.

“Lay off.” My voice was low as I turned back to him.

He smiled. “I can see why she’s such a bone of contention. Now, Angus, about the swap. I think you’d do well to—”

“I’ll stay here. Sure.” Angus’s gaze was glued to the hallway where Sabrina had disappeared. “I’m sure I could learn a few things about going legit, so I’m in if that’s what Da wants.”

Oh, fuck no. I didn’t need this horny schoolkid around Sabrina. But I couldn’t turn down the olive branch from Colum. Blowing the deal between us wasn’t an option, especially when I might need to lean on him for help against the Russians. Would it blow the deal if I punched the ginger in the mouth for looking at my girl?