Page 154 of Kings & Queen

Why were they here? Why did Christopher think they would hurt me? I needed clarity and reached out to hug Ivan. But he was more concerned about my safety atthe moment, so he positioned me behind him again, before Sebastian once more pulled me to his side.

Sophia, who was full of surprises today, shocked us all once again when she spoke. “Konstantin, what are you doing here? How are you related to Kinsley? I don’t remember you having a brother.”

“Wait, you know this man?” Christopher asked, as all of us stood there dumbfounded.

“Yes, we went to school together,” she said, as if it were common knowledge.

“It is a long story,” my grandfather finally spoke.

I kept staring at Konstantin. He looked so much like my father, and I wanted to touch his face. Sebastian hugged me, almost as if he knew somehow.

“I believe there may be a misunderstanding going on here,” Sophia said.

“No misunderstanding, just a sick old man who wants to align his only living granddaughter with someone who would treat her as a slave whore,” Alek sneered.

Mikhail rose to his feet. “You listen to me, young man, she is my sem’ya.”Family. “Moy.”Mine. “If you think I had anything to do with what happened to Misch…I’m sorry, Kinsley’s disappearance long ago, you’re wrong. I would never sell her to another,” he hissed.

Confusion set in as I tried to piece it all together. “Wait, you guys think he’s the Mask? Why? I’m so confused. Are you?” I asked, suddenly afraid. He didn’t sound like him.

“My child, no, I didn’t kidnap you. As I said, the story is a long one. One I’d love to share with you. At one time, Owen Taylor was my best friend. He was charged with watching over your father as a child, and you as well.”

“Yousent Owen to rescue me?” I pushed my way through the guys.

“Yes, he was charged with finding and rescuing you. Once I determined that the little girl buried with my boy was not biologically his, I knew you were still somewhere. It took us two long years to find you.”

He took the photos that were on Christopher’s desk and handed them to me. My knees buckled, but Nik’s arm immediately wrapped around me, supporting my weight.

“I’ve got you, malyshka,” he whispered in my ear as I shuffled through the photos of me as a baby, a toddler, and a small child.

“I have more back home of your father,” my grandfather murmured, his voice becoming emotional.

“I propose we all sit down like adults and discuss this situation,” Christopher said, ever the diplomat.

“Yes, dear,” Sophia exclaimed, sensing the change in the room. “Perhaps over drinks, Konstantin, Mikhail?”

I continued shuffling through the photos once more.

“Kinsley, why don’t you go change?” Christopher murmured, and I flushed, realizing I was practically naked in front of everyone.

Nik took the photos from my hands and put them on the table, pushing me toward Alek, who took my hand and led me out. He didn’t say a word until we were in my room. He held me for a few minutes, calming me, and pushed my hair back.

“You okay?” he whispered as I took a deep breath and nodded. I would be okay now that they were here. “Go change,” he said.

I went to take off Sebastian’s jacket, but my robe had come loose, and Alek halted my steps. He stared wide-eyed before pushing the material to the side. Cocking his head, he sucked in his breath.

“Kitten, what are you wearing?” He licked his lips, and desire raged in his crystal blues.

“It’s a long story, but in essence, it’s for you.” I sighed, my face filling with heat.

“For me? I need to hear this story,” he said, pulling on the straps in the front and hauling me against his body as he pushed the robe off my shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

He nuzzled my neck, kissing it lightly as his hands traveled down my back and then gripped my ass. “Fuck. Get dressed. We need to have this conversation with these men.” He released me, then thought better of it and hauled me back into his embrace. “Just put something on over this. Don’t take it off. I want that privilege. Or hell, maybe I’ll fuck you while you’re wearing it,” he said.

“Yes, Master,” I replied, blushing. I turned to walk toward the closet when he grabbed my hand once more and pulled me toward him.

“Wait, stay for a minute longer.” He kissed me, his fist wrapped around my hair. His tongue slid into my mouth with an urgency that made me shiver. I moaned, savoring him. Breaking away, he muttered, “I’ve missed you so much.” And then returned to taking possession of my mouth. Eventually, he sighed and pulled back, rubbing my nose with his. “Go.”

I walked into the closet, found a pair of jeans, and pulled them on. I couldn’t wear a regular T-shirt with this outfit, so I grabbed the new hoodie I’d added to the list of things Marcus picked up for me, and threw it on.