Page 16 of Beautiful Trauma (The Irish Rogues #5)

M y pulse pounded like a marching band in my head as Andrew maneuvered like a Formula One driver through the city traffic.

After stealing a glance at my watch, I grimaced.

With everything that had transpired in the last few days, the last thing I needed was to be late for our meeting with Korolovas.

It hadn’t taken long for our IT department to trace the hit to a shell corporation with ties to Dare’s future father-in-law, Danill Korolova.

It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together about why they wanted intel.

Once he had confirmation, Callum had called Danill to set up a meeting to see the best way to move forward.

The last forty-eight hours had been a fucking nightmare.

I’d like to say it was because of my guilt about letting Mya dupe me and the repercussions to my family.

But the truth was I’d spent most of the time relieving my time with Mya in my office.

When I closed my eyes, I could still taste her on my tongue or feel her tight walls pulsing around me.

It wasn’t just the physical parts that haunted me–it was the emotional connection. Despite betraying me, I couldn’t bring myself to despise her. No, my feelings were far from that. I was still fascinated by her. I still wanted to see her again–to truly get to know her.

Nothing had been unearthed about her identity. Unlike me, my brothers had no desire to know who Mya really was. Their only interest was smoothing things over with Danill. In the vast Koralova empire, I’m sure she was just one of many women hired to seduce men for their secrets.

In the end, she was just a ghost who remained haunting me.

After screeching up to the curb, I barely let Andrew put the SUV in park before I flung open the door and started sprinting to the building. I’d just stormed into the lobby when I literally ran into Isla with Rian strapped to her chest in one of those contraptions.

“Oomph,” she muttered while Rian squealed.

When I extracted myself from them, I gave her an apologetic look. “Christ, I’m sorry, Isla.”

“It’s okay.”

Peering down at Rian, I reached out to rub his cheek in greeting, but Isla’s hand blocked me. When my gaze shot to hers, a look of horror was etched on her face.

“What’s wrong?”

After glancing left and right to make sure no one was listening, she pointed to my neck. “Blood spatter,” she replied in a whisper.

Fuck. I side-stepped her to stare at my reflection in the elevator. With a grimace, I started wiping away the blood I’d missed. A hand with a damp handkerchief appeared before me. Shane, Isla’s bodyguard, gave me a tight smile. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

While I wouldn’t have given two shits for the Korolovas to have seen the blood, it was about the others who lived in the building. Although we owned four floors, we worked hard to keep up legitimate appearances.

After handing Shane the handkerchief, I forced a smile to my face. “It’s all your husband’s fault,” I joked.

As Isla cradled Rian’s head in her hands, she eyed me with concern. “I didn’t know it was you taking over the enforcing.”

I shrugged. “I was glad I could help.”

She shook her blonde head. “We both know that’s not a healthy way for you to express your emotions.”

Five years ago, when I’d been sinking in a quicksand of emotion over my involvement in Maeve’s rape, I was desperate for someone to talk to.

Since traditional therapy was out of the question for a man like me, I’d reached out to Isla since I felt we were unified in trauma.

Hers was from losing both of her parents in a car accident.

My skin shrank over my bones at Isla’s appraisal. Clenching my jaw, I replied, “I can’t do this right now. I’m late for a meeting.”

“I’m here when you need me.”

I nodded at her. “Thanks, Isla.”

She gave me a sad smile. “Take care until then.”

“I will.”

My chest tightened as I whirled away from her. After smacking the button for the elevator, I watched her reflection disappear out the front with Shane right behind her. After stepping inside, I tapped the 4th floor.

As the elevator lurched upward, I took a few deep breaths. There was no way in hell I could look rattled to my brothers. I also wouldn’t give Korolova the satisfaction.

When the door opened on our office space, our secretary, Laurel, popped out of her seat. Holding my hand up, I said, “I know, I know. I’m late.”

“It’s okay. Korolova is five minutes out, and the others are waiting for you inside.”

“Thanks.”

Before I could open the door to the office, it flung open revealing a red-faced Callum. “Where the fuck have you been?”

“Nice to see you, too,” I replied, as I side-stepped him into the office. Quinn and Dare sat beside each other at the large mahogany table.

“This is an important meeting,” Callum challenged.

Giving him a pointed look, I said, “I was taking care of another enforcement case for Quinn.”

Quinn furrowed his brows. “What case?”

“Shaunessey.”

“I told you he was on the back burner for now.”

“I had the time, so I decided to take care of it.”

I ignored the shared look of concern from Dare and Callum. “You shouldn’t have done it,” Quinn protested.

“I made it to the meeting, didn’t I? So get off my dick.”

The muscle in Qunn’s jaw clenched. “I’m not talking about the fucking meeting. I’m talking about you losing yourself in torture,” he gritted out.

“If you’re going to act this way about it, I’ll stop helping you out.”

Quinn’s brows slashed down. “Are you even listening to yourself?”

Dare nodded. “He’s right, mate. This isn’t like you.”

A knock at the door silenced our argument. “Yes?” Callum called.

Laurel poked her head in the room. “The Korolovas are here.”

“Send them in.”

We rose from our seats in anticipation. The office door opened, and the Korlovas began to file in. Of course, Danill was first. A sour expression framed the notorious pahkan’s face. Behind him came his heir, Dima.

To my surprise, the next person was a woman. At first glance, I thought it was Annika. Although I’d never met her in person, I’d seen her in some pictures Dare had.

When she glanced up and her gaze met mine, her steps faltered. A myriad of emotions swirled in her blue eyes.

And then it hit me that I had seen that face before, but it hadn’t belonged to Annika.

It was Mya.

As I stared at her, I searched her features for the woman I’d been with. The chestnut hair that I’d buried my face in was now platinum blonde. The dark eyes I’d been staring into when I came were ice blue.

The realization had me sucking in a harsh breath. Danill immediately zeroed in on my moment of weakness–a gleam burning bright in his eyes. “I don’t believe introductions are in order for you and my daughter, Mila.”

At his audacity, a low growl echoed through Dare, but my face remained impassive. “While I met Mya, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure with Mila.”

A lecherous smile curved on Danill’s lips. “Oh, I think you have in more ways than one.”

My gaze flicked from him over to Mila. Although mortification tinged her cheeks, her fists clenched at her sides. “It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Korolova.”

Danill chuckled. “Such a gentleman you are. I don’t think I’d have it in me to be polite to the woman who had played me for a fool.”

“Enough!” Callum blared. He jabbed a finger at Danill. “I think it’s time we got down to business.”

With a shit-eating grin, Danill swept his hand to his chest. “My apologies. I never imagined Mila’s presence would be so polarizing.”

“I don’t recall extending an invitation to anyone but you and your heir,” Callum replied.

“And why should I not include her when she’s already so involved in the situation? I mean, we wouldn’t even be here today without her intel mission. I’d be back in Philadelphia with Darragh still ignoring my calls.

Dare flashed a shark-like smile at Korolova. “If you had wanted to know my business, all you had to do is ask. At least then, maybe your daughter wouldn’t have whored herself out for intel.”

At Mila’s gasp, I whipped my head around to glower at Dare. “Watch your fucking mouth!”

While Dare’s jaw dropped wide in shock, Danill roared with laughter.

“It always comes down to pussy, doesn’t it, boys?

Men lose their minds over it. They break apart friendships and even brotherhood, all for pussy.

” Grinning at Dare, he countered, “Men even walk away from lucrative alliances because of it, right?”

Callum’s jaw clicked as he tried to rein in his rage. “Sit down.”

The amusement slid from Danill’s face. “No, Mr. Kavanaugh, I believe you will be the one to sit down.”

“Excuse me?”

“You might’ve called this meeting, but I’m going to lead it.”

“You’re overstepping, Korolova,” Callum choked out.

“And I have every fucking right to it for my daughter and my alliance being betrayed!”

Callum’s expression became menacing. “You took it too far when you hacked our computers and drugged my brother.”

“The alliance between our families is dissolved.”

Dare snorted. “After all your bullshit, you’re fucking right it is.”

Ignoring him, Danill stared straight at me. “You will take the new marriage contract that has been brokered.”

As the blood slowly drained from my face, I proclaimed, “I will not marry Annika.” Although I shouldn’t have, I glanced at Mila to gauge her reaction. Relief flickered in her eyes at my declaration.

“You misunderstand me. There isn’t a contract between you and my daughter.” With a look of disgust, Danill added, “Trust me when I say I don’t want another one of you dirty Kavanaugh bastards tied to my daughter.”

“Then who exactly is the contract with?” I demanded.

“Brian Byrne.”

A collective gasp of shock echoed around the table at the reference to our cousin.

For almost a century, the Byrnes had been running the underworld in Dublin.

Our mother, Orla, had been a Byrne, and her marriage to my father from Belfast had united a stronghold in both the North and the Republic of Ireland.

Mam’s oldest brother, John, had led the clan for years, but now his son, Brian, was in charge.

At what must’ve been our questioning expressions, Danill said, “Brian has agreed to an alliance with Annika. A Korolova alliance with the Byrnes will open up another European base for our shipments from Russia.”

“If you did another alliance without us, what the fuck was the point of this meeting?” Dare demanded.

“To remind you of your family’s weakness. I’m privy to so many of your secrets now, all because of a woman.” Pointing a finger at us, Danill said, “And if you ever try to betray or disrespect me again, I’ll sell those secrets to the highest bidder.”

Korolova’s words cut me to the quick. Our family was weak because of me . It was first because of my compassion and then because of my cock that Mila had been able to take advantage of me.

Danill jerked his chin at Dima and Mila. As they rose to their feet, his gaze locked with mine. “Brian is expecting you in Dublin tomorrow.”

Since I was forced to comply, I didn’t argue with him. I couldn’t argue with him. They had us by the balls because of me.

Just before the door closed, Mila threw a fleeting look over her shoulder. The tragic expression on her face caused my chest to ache.

I was truly and thoroughly fucked.