Page 30 of Dangerous Liaisons
Taking that as her signal to leave, she slipped out of her chair, her heart heavy for both of them. As she made her way to the door, she paused for a moment, pressing a hand to Xavier’s shoulder in a comforting gesture before continuing to exit the building.
Hunter settled into the chair across from him. “Listen, I know this thing with her feels good, but you have to understand the risks involved. She has ties that could pull us in a million different directions if things go sideways.”
“I get that, but it feels different with her. I haven’t felt this way about a woman since Cassie died.”
Hunter leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Caring about her doesn’t change the reality of our situation. You’re putting yourself—and her—at risk by getting involved. We’ll be dragged into something we can’t control.”
“What do you want me to do? Walk away? Pretend none of it happened?”
“I’m not saying that, but we need to tell the others about this at Church. I’ve got no other choice. They’ll want to weigh in on this. I don’t want you blindsided when it happens.”
“I can handle it.”
“And if they’re not on board with your decision? What then, Zay?”
Xavier sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve more than proven myself to this club time and time again, but I care about Isabella too much to turn my back on her. I trust her, and you should, too.”
“It’s not about trust; it’s about the consequences.”
“What if this was Ava, and you were in my shoes? Are you telling me you’d walk away from a chance to be happy again because of the risk?”
Hunter’s face softened, the hard edge of concern still there but mingled with understanding. “You know I wouldn’t. I’d fight for her, no matter the cost. But you need to be ready for the fallout. I won’t be able to help you if it all goes wrong.”
“Then help me now figure out how to make this work. I can’t do it alone.”
The weight of the moment shifted, and his president seemed to relent, a hint of a smile breaking through. “Alright, but you have to promise me that if it gets too dangerous, you’ll listen to reason.”
“I can do that.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
From the size of the crowd, Crimson Bar and Winery was going to be a massive success. Isabella noted the members of the Crimson Legion positioned around the room in various roles, glad they were zealously active in making as much profit as possible. It turned out to be an excellent investment based on the trays of drinks floating around the place and endless orders of food coming from the small kitchen. Sergei sat next to her at the table Hunter had reserved for them. He wasted no time ordering a drink for her, but nothing for himself, his gray eyes scanning the room. Whilesatisfied with what she saw so far, she knew him to be slower to trust. While her plan to partner with the MC was initially been met with resistance, he recognized her authority and was willing to do anything to ensure its success.
Nikolai had purchased the winery for her as a wedding gift, aware of her love for wine and the detail that went into every step to procure the perfect blend. He teased it was their retirement plan, a little corner of the world just for them away from the cold reach of Russia. She shook her head at his ambitions, aware deep down that he would never escape the call of duty his family required.
Catching sight of Ava with Hunter at the bar, it didn’t surprise her that Becka stood there beside them with another biker by the name of Maverick. Known by the nickname Shadow, he was a ruthless killer, the count he took pride in, showcased in numerous small skull tattoos all over his body. She had done her research on the sisters. Born as Charlotte and Jennifer Bennett in the small town of Duluth, Minnesota, Charlotte began a life of crime as a thief at a young age to provide for her sister; a path that escalated to organized heists and high-stakes fraud. After a short prison stint, she moved to Echo Valley, California. Her sister had followed soon after graduating college, leaving their past behind, including their former names and social security numbers.
These days, none of the contacts Sergei placed on the woman could report her doinganything illegal outside of the occasional speeding violation. Hibernation seemed a more fitting description than retirement. Surely that lull in activity couldn’t be contributed to meeting Hunter. He was well aware of who Ava was and what she was capable of, yet it hadn’t stopped him from falling in love with her.
“That concerns me.”
She followed Sergei’s gaze to find him watching Kira from where she sat on Eddie’s lap near the bar. She wanted to roll her eyes but maintained a straight face. “I allowed her the night off, Sergei. I saw no harm in it.” Even then, Kira continued to survey the surrounding area with her full attention never on the biker, not that he seemed to mind.
“You will have a talk with her about her duties.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” Isabella huffed. “Several of my men are here, including the two standing behind us, not to mention every member of the MC inside these walls. No harm will come to me. I do not need to remind you that I am the one who decides on what orders she obeys, not you.”
“Forgive me,” he grunted. “I am only thinking of your well-being.”
“I appreciate your concern, but there is no need to worry. She has been a loyal aide to our family for many years. I have never doubted her commitment. One night of celebration will not change that dedication.”
As if sensing something was off, Kira roughly patted Eddie on the cheek and rose to her feet. He smiled butdidn’t look away from his conversation with another member. The action of him slapping her on the ass as she walked away would have amused Isabella had Sergei not grumbled beside her.
“Perhaps she is not the only one that should relax every once in a while,” Isabella muttered into her drink.
“My state of relaxation is not a subject up for discussion, little bunny.”
Her eyes could have rolled and disappeared into the back of her head at that point. She drained the rest of her wine and slid the glass toward him. “I request a refill,” she said, flashing him a small smile. “Please, svarlivy volk.”