The Soldier (Chicago Bratva 4)

Maybe it was just that it came on the heels of Kayla’s unbelievable acceptance of my patricide, but I’ve never felt so… open. My armor got knocked off last night, and it feels like I don’t even need it.

I send Kayla out of the shower, so I can wash myself. When I come out, she’s naked in the room, holding my phone. “Dima says they’re outside?” She turns the screen around to face me.

Well, fuck.

“Should you be reading my texts, slave?”

She’s unfazed by my stern tone. “No, sir. Why are they here? Can I meet them?”

“I told you, we have some business to take care of.”

She folds her fingers underneath her chin and bats her eyelashes. “Please? I’ve been dying to meet your housemates. Who’s here? Both twins?”

I don’t know how the fuck she even knows I live with twins. Oh yeah—Sasha, of course. Really, what I didn’t know was that she had any interest in my housemates at all.

“Yes, the twins. And Oleg.” Gah. I run a hand through my hair. There’s no harm in her meeting them, I guess. I don’t know why it makes me break into a sweat. I liked keeping Kayla to myself, I guess. Keeping our relationship in the dark. In a hotel room. Where the outside world can’t find us or affect us.

But it seems Kayla craves something different.

“You have ninety seconds to get dressed,” I tell her, mostly to watch her scurry around while I pull on a pair of black jeans and a dark t-shirt. Wouldn’t want to get blood stains on lighter clothes.

She’s ready before I am, dragging a brush through her hair quickly as I open the door.

“Just for a minute. To meet them. We’re not hanging out.”

“Okay,” she says brightly.

Something shifts in my chest. This girl.

I take her downstairs and outside where I spot a white passenger van with familiar plumbing magnets on the doors. “Over here.” I take her hand, and we walk across the street.

Nikolai climbs out of the driver’s side when we approach. “Wait...is she coming?”

“No, you dumb fuck,” I tell him as I reach out to shake his hand and thump his shoulder. It’s a rare show of appreciation on my part, and Nikolai recognizes it by thumping me back.

The other two guys pile out of the van.

“Kayla wanted to meet you guys.” I rest my hand on her lower back. “This is Nikolai.”

“Nikolai! Great to meet you.” She throws her arms around his neck.

“Don’t touch him,” I growl.

“Sorry, I’m a hugger.” She releases Nikolai and goes for Dima. “You must be Dima!” Another hug. This is Kayla in normal company. An adorable, friendly girl from Wisconsin who hugs people she’s never met before.

It’s so far from my world I feel like I stepped into a colorful rom-com movie instead of the darkness and shadows that make up my life.

“Seriously,” I mutter, grinding my teeth. “Do you want me to have to kill my own brothers? Don’t touch him.”

Kayla forgets to be my obedient slave. She ignores me completely.

“So this is what Pavel’s like in love,” Dima deadpans as he accepts my handshake and shoulder clasp. “Even meaner than he was alone.”

“Yeah, love doesn’t look good on you, bro,” Nikolai agrees.

Kayla even gets a hug out of Oleg, our giant, silent enforcer.

Un-fucking-believable.

“That’s Oleg,” I explain as the big guy bends down and gives her a half-hug with one giant meaty arm. “He doesn’t talk.” A month ago he probably wouldn’t have moved, but he has his girlfriend Story now, and she has changed him completely. Where his silence was like a weapon before, now he attempts to communicate more. We’re learning sign language, and he’s joining conversations. He gives her the sign language salute now, which means hello.

“I guessed as much. I used to live with Sasha,” she explains, even though they knew that. “And Pavel’s not mean.” She returns safely to my side, and I unclench my fists.

“Agree to disagree,” Nikolai quips.

“All right,” I say, tugging her backwards. “Let’s get you back to the hotel.”

“Can you guys stay for dinner?” Kayla asks brightly.

“No,” I snap. “They can’t. They’re heading back to Chicago. Say goodbye.”

Kayla lifts a hand and waves. “Bye guys. Nice to meet you.”

I walk Kayla back across the street and through the front doors of the Four Seasons. “Be good. Enjoy the spa.”

A furrow creases between her brows. “Are you guys going to—”

I stop her with a finger on her lips. “Go upstairs, malysh. I’ll see you when I get back.”

She hesitates a moment, like she’s going to argue, so I raise my brows. “Yes, sir.” She lifts her face for a kiss. I brush my lips over hers. The darkness of what I’m about to do already shrouds me, makes me want to keep my distance from her. To not sully her brightness with what I am.