Page 80 of Brutal Reign

I blink slowly, memories reshuffling in my head. His words from earlier float back, something about my old boss doing what he was told.

“Darren. It was you who roughed him up! You were the reason he gave me time off and a raise.” I shake my head as it all falls into place. “The car service. The grocery store prize. All of it was you, wasn’t it?”

He doesn’t deny it, and that’s confirmation enough.

My throat tightens with unexpected emotion. “Why would you do that for me? I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I,zhena moya. Not everything in this world makes sense.”

“What did you call me?”

One corner of his mouth tips up in a smile. “My wife.”

My pulse stutters and I deflect, needing to avoid whatever this dangerous feeling is building between us.

“You look like you need a change of pants,” I say, glancing pointedly at the obvious wet spot on his jeans.

“Couldn’t help it. You drenching my hand like that was the biggest fucking turn-on. Worth blowing a load in my pants.”

Pavel’s filthy mouth sends another bolt of heat through my already oversensitive body. I need to put some space between us.

I tuck my hair behind my ears. “Uh, we should probably get out of here before Kin comes looking for us.”

Yarik took him outside, but who knows for how long.

Pavel cracks the door, peers out, then nods. “Coast is clear.”

We slip out like teenagers sneaking past curfew, padding quickly up the stairs, feeling a little giddy. My legs are unsteady, my body still humming with aftershocks from that mind-numbing orgasm.

At the top of the stairs, I pause outside my bedroom while Pavel continues toward his.

“Hey,” I call softly. He turns, eyebrows raised in question. “Thanks again for playing with us.”

He shrugs. “Most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

Kin’s finally asleep, sprawled across his bed like a starfish, one arm flung above his head. I listen to his steady breathing for a few minutes before I reach for the tablet on my nightstand.

I’ve put this off for days, though I’m not sure why. It’s not like I can test their security system without raising red flags. Really, I have no choice but to message Uncle Chen and hope the encrypted server he set up for us is enough.

But I can’t wait any longer. Not after today.

Not when Pavel calling me “my wife” in Russian made me melt. Not when watching him squeezed behind that couch with Kin, both of them grinning like idiots, made me think impossible thoughts about what being a family might actually feel like.

My head is a mess, and that’s exactly why I need to contact Chen before I forget that this man helped orchestrate my father’s death. Before I start believing the chemistry between us means something more.

And God, before anyone notices the small ways Kin is beginning to resemble his father. He’s already tall for his age, and his left eyebrow has the same slight arch as Pavel’s. Maybe it’s not enough for others to notice, but I can see it clearly.

That fear haunts me every time I see them together. The way Pavel’s face softens when he talks to Kin. The protective instincts I can see forming. If he ever connects the dots, he would never let us leave. Worse, he would want Kin raised in this world of violence and crime. My son would become another Syndicate soldier.

I can’t let that happen.

I open the browser and navigate to what looks like a fitness blog called “Healthy Living Today”. To anyone monitoring, I’m browsing workout routines. But by clicking on specific exercise images in the exact sequence, a hidden chat interface opens behind an encrypted connection.

My heart picks up speed when I see there’s already a message waiting for me.

Hope, I’ve been worried sick after your voice message. I’m hoping you and Kin are safe. Tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen. I swore to your father I’d look after you, and I won’t go back on my word. -C

Relief floods through me that he’s still willing to help.