Page 55

“I trust the Kings,” she says. “Everyone in this room. Completely. It’s time to tell them.”
What the actual hell?
I watch as Tatiana searches her sister’s eyes for some deep, dark secret. Then she nods. One stiff jerk of her head granting Natasha permission.
And when Natasha turns to look at me and Quinn, her eyes are almost apologetic. “I probably should have told you both a long time ago. I’ve wanted to for…well, since before the wedding.”
I scowl, casting Killian a questioning look as I realize my foster brother has been keeping secrets from me as well. I have no room to judge. And I don’t hold it against him, but I’m curious if he’s carried the burden as heavily as I have.
“I’m the assassin my father utilized for years to maintain our hold on Manhattan without any territory wars.”
If my jaw could physically drop any lower, it would have hit the floor. And I slowly take in Killian’s petite wife with new eyes as I let that nugget of information sink in.
Beside me, Quinn releases a shocked gasp, her eyes growing impossibly wide, making her look all the more innocent. “Okay,no wonder you’re a badass,” she gushes after a pregnant moment of silence.
Tatiana laughs, her eyes shining with new affection for Quinn as she takes in Killian’s sister.
Natasha smiles as well, her chin tucking softly toward her chest in a surprising display of humility. “Thanks, Quinn,” she says. Then her eyes cast to me, turning serious as they grow imploring. “Ihavethe experience to kill Lucian, and I more than anyone, deserve the opportunity. He killed my father.” The last she says almost in a whisper, and my heart twists to see the deep sense of loss in her eyes.
No child should have their parents ripped from them like she did. And I fully understand where she’s coming from. But I can also sense the tension rolling off of Killian in waves. And I know without a doubt that he wants me on his side in this. Because she’s the woman he loves. And as close as we are, I know he would rather I risk my life than she risk hers.
In his shoes, I know I would feel the same. And I involuntarily glance toward Quinn as I think about what it would feel like to let her walk into Lucian Agosti’s house with the chance of never coming back out again. I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t be strong enough.
“I’ve done it before. I slipped in just last night,” I point out, searching for a strong enough reason that it should be me.
“But how many men have you killed quietly? Taken out without anyone noticing before you slip away?” Natasha counters.
Behind his desk, Killian sighs. He places his elbows on the glass surface and closes his eyes as he massages his temples. Because he knows the answer.
“None. But I’ve probably killed more men than you,” I try.
“Unlikely,” Tatiana quips with a smirk.
“Killian?” Natasha says gently, drawing his gaze.
And he looks a decade older as the worry settles into the lines of his face. “You can’t promise me you’ll succeed,” he says, his voice low and pained.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Killian! Lucian is not you.” Natasha hollers. “I mean, look at you! Could anybody kill you but me?”
The room goes deadly still and silent as my mind registers her words as if they’re rising to the surface of murky water. But before I can say anything, Quinn steps forward.
“I’m sorry, what? Did I just miss something, or did you just say you tried to kill my brother?” she asks, cocking her head with a level of attitude I rarely see in the youngest King sibling.
“It was one time,” Natasha says, holding her hands up.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Killian objects. “I recall besting you way more than one time, love. And as long as we’re talking about your track record counting toward your qualifications to kill Lucian, I think each one should count.”
Tatiana barks a laugh as she shakes her head, then everyone freezes as I shove out of my chair so quickly it skids backward.
“You came for Killian?” I ask, stalking slowly toward Natasha. And to her merit, she doesn’t even flinch.How did I not notice?I have this house rigged to the eyeballs with security precautions. I put our best men on shifts to ensure no one can break in because I know how many people want to kill Killian after they meet him. And yet this tiny wisp of a Russian managed to slip past all my defenses.More than once?
“Easy, big guy,” Tatiana warns, rising from her chair to pull Natasha back a step.
But the younger Sokolov sister stands her ground, tipping her chin up defiantly.
“Lance,” Killian commands, calling me off.
Not that I would ever lay a finger on Natasha. And it stings that he thinks I could. Then again, I imagine he doesn’t want totake any risks with her. The man’s so madly in love, he fell for a woman who tried to kill him. Crazy bastard.