Page 7 of Tangled Souls (Bratva Souls Duet #2)

BAKER

My tablet gives a soft ding, alerting me that Oaklynn is on her way up in the elevator.

Even though I’ve been thoroughly entertained by Kirill on the verge of losing his mind, I’ve been watching our wife’s progress since she left the house.

Even though I’m surprised about her coming to see us, I’m still beyond thrilled.

After spending so much time with her since the wedding, leaving her at home this morning came as a shock. I’m addicted to everything Oaklynn. Her soft skin. The way she smells, like vanilla and cinnamon. Every smile she gives us which I collect like raindrops.

I’m damn glad she took it upon herself to come in and see us. There was no way I was going to be able to make it all day without a moment with her. Maybe she was having just as much of a problem as I was.

Honestly, even with this pissing match between Kirill and Hendrix going on, I was thinking about ways to slip away for a little while to go and see our woman.

Now, I don’t need to.

As Kirill tries to calm himself down, not liking the idea of using Oaklynn to smoke Mikhail and his bastard goons out of hiding, I stand and stride out of the room. No one’s paying attention to me; they’re all waiting for Kirill to vault his desk and wrap his hands around Hendrix’s throat.

I’m hoping he can get his shit together because Oaklynn would be pissed. She considers Kirby and her men family. She would rip pieces of Kirill’s flesh from his body if he hurt Hendrix. Kirill would let her too.

The man is soft for our woman.

Not that I have much room to talk. I’m just as bad if not worse.

She just has that kind of effect on us. There isn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do to make our woman happy.

When the elevator starts to open, I watch Betty sit up a little straighter. For the last few months, she’s been better. She’s been focusing on her job while not throwing her half nude self at us. I don’t trust it and I’m not the only one.

Oaklynn’s smile is fake as fuck when her eyes land on Betty. I have to swallow down a chuckle, glad I stayed just behind the reception desk and Betty has no idea I’m here.

“Oaklynn,” Betty’s voice is saccharine to the point that it makes my gums ache.

Our woman, our queen, stands tall. Her shoulders are pulled back and her chin held high.

Her gorgeous hair is down in soft waves falling around her shoulders and down her back.

She’s wearing a dress which hugs each one of her curves while also being professional and polished.

Everything about her screams luxury and I love it.

The deep green color is gorgeous on her and would make anyone looking at her think of money.

Betty’s eyes narrow into a glare which would make a lesser woman tremble. But our woman doesn’t even flinch. Instead, the smile on her face becomes wider and predatory.

She can smell blood in the water and Betty has no idea.

“Betty,” Oaklynn tsks and shakes her head in disappointment. “Kirill,” she purrs his name, knowing full well that Betty isn’t allowed to use it, “was very clear with you. Wasn’t he?”

I can hear how hard Betty swallows. Maybe she’s finally recognizing the danger she’s in, but I doubt she’ll be smart enough to heed it.

“I’m not sure what you’re referring to,” Betty tries to deflect. Poorly.

“It’s Mrs. Volkov to you, Betty,” our woman’s voice drips condescension.

I’m here for it. Before I step out and make my presence known, I reach down and adjust my rock-hard cock in my pants. It’s a problem I’ve gotten used to since Oaklynn has come into our lives. There’s nothing to do about it other than bury myself deep inside our woman.

Maybe Wolfe and the guys can leave so we can enact one of the fantasies I’ve had since the first time Oaklynn walked into Kirill’s office. Bending her over the expensive as fuck desk Kirill has is something I will make happen at some point.

I can only hope it’ll be today.

Betty clears her throat and nods. “Of course, Mrs. Volkov. I apologize.”

Even though she’s trying to sound contrite, I can hear the bite in Betty’s words. It sets my teeth on edge. We’ve been keeping an eye on her, but my gut is telling me we need to look closer.

A woman like Betty doesn’t spend as long as she’s worked for us trying to get into our pants and give up as easily as she, seemingly, has. It would be so much easier to just kill her, even though we don’t like harming women.

If she’s a threat to our peace, to our heart, to the woman who makes us whole, then you better believe her life will be forfeit. Nothing will save her from me. Or any of us.

When I take a step out of the shadows, Oaklynn’s brown eyes snap up to meet mine. I don’t see any surprise written on her face and I can’t help but smirk. There’s no doubt in my mind that she knew I was there the entire time.

Fuck, I love when our woman puts on a show. And when it involves her making a power move? I’m a goner.

“Little Bee,” I growl and hold my hand out for our woman to take. It’s been far too long since I’ve touched her.

Betty spins around in her chair so fast that the momentum takes her too far and she has to grip her desk and turn back toward me. Her eyes are big and full of fear. When I give her a cold look, it’s clear she knows I heard the entire exchange.

Her days are numbered. Even if the worst she gets is being fired.

“Baker,” Oaklynn’s voice is husky as she steps closer and slides her hand into mine.

My eyes close automatically and I take a moment and soak up the way it feels to be touching her again. Her hand is so small and delicate. And when my large mitt is wrapped around it, I’m reminded of just how gentle I need to be with her.

Except when she’s naked and writhing for us. Then our woman becomes eternal fire, one with a burn you only have the option to welcome and revel in.

“Were you watching my progress from the time I left the house?” There’s a flirtatious deliberateness in her voice and I can’t help but smile.

Sometimes the performance is necessary.

The information Oaklynn just gave Betty is vast, but I doubt the woman will look beyond her own selfishness to see it.

“Of course I was, wife. How could I not?” I use our joined hands to pull her closer to me and wrap my other arm around her waist, anchoring her to me. “I missed you,” I murmur just for her.

Her brown eyes are full of understanding and a yearning that I feel down to my soul. “I know,” she whispers, “I missed you too. It’s why I’m here.”

I don’t bother looking at Betty again; I don’t need to. Oaklynn doesn’t look her way either. I should not hike up our woman’s skirt and press her against the wall.

But it’s fucking tempting.

Oaklynn gives my hand a squeeze as she teases me, “Whatever you’re thinking will have to wait for later.”

There’s nothing that could wipe the grin off my face. I wiggle my eyebrows at her comically because there’s no reason to try and hide what I was thinking. Her laughter makes it feel like I’m soaring.

I open Kirill’s office door and step aside so Oaklynn can enter first since I know no one poses a threat to her inside this room. No, the only thing which might be a danger to her is the overload of testosterone.

“Oh,” Oaklynn’s voice is light, “it seems like there are some big emotions going on in this room right now.”

When I step in behind our woman, Kirill’s jaw has gone slack. He’s frozen in place where he’s standing behind his desk. His hands are planted on the top, his large frame looming across the surface and towards where Hendrix is sitting.

Maxim doesn’t even try to hide his reaction as he snickers.

Oaklynn’s gaze is locked onto Kirill and I’m sure she’s read the room effectively and efficiently. The way her eyes are narrowed has warning bells going off in my head. There’s no doubt that she’s not impressed by his behavior and the stance he’s taken.

I also know our woman isn’t going to outwardly call him on his bullshit. Not right now at least.

She moves through the office with a grace which has my dick throbbing. She’s so damn sexy and I almost can’t stand it. The moment she rounds Kirill’s desk and places her hand on his shoulder; he straightens and relaxes.

I watch as her lips move, but I’m not close enough to hear what she’s saying. The next thing I know, Kirill is sitting in his chair and pulling our woman down onto his lap.

“You came right on time,” Wolfe’s voice is filled with amusement.

Oaklynn shoots him a look that is unamused with a side of sassy as fuck. I have to take my seat again, just to hide how much our woman being here has affected me.

She makes a humming sound as she melts back against Kirill, forcing him to put all his attention on her. It’s amusing as hell to watch the way he calms down.

“I came here for a reason,” Oaklynn informs the room.

“Not just to see us?” Maxim teases with a smirk.

“Well,” Oaklynn flashes a big smile his way, “it’s a nice bonus.”

“ Solnishko ,” Kirill’s voice is a low rasp, “what can we do for you?”

“I’ve been contacted about a charity event.

” She makes eye contact with Huck, Maxim, and me, probably trying to gauge our reactions.

“They’re having a fundraiser soon and would like me to sit on the organizing committee.

While I’ve never worked with this charity before, they know I’ve been involved in various events in the past.” She sighs and rubs her hand up and down Kirill’s arm.

“I think they also want the Volkov name backing them.”

“What’s the charity?” Kirill inquires.

“Heart and Home. Their goal is to provide affordable housing for people who need it. I’m sure part of why they want me to help is because of the realty arm of Volkov Enterprises.

” She glances at him and bites her lip before squaring her shoulders.

“I’d like to get involved. I used to do a lot in the city to help people, but I’ve fallen down on that in the last two months. I need to get back to it.”

Kirill runs his hand through his hair and heaves a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea.”

Oaklynn narrows her eyes at him, and I can see the fire ignite inside of her. She’s not going to back down and she sure as fuck is not going to allow to be told no.

“Well,” Hendrix claps and stands up while motioning for Dominic and Wolfe, “I think that’s our cue.” He locks eyes with Kirill and gives a slight nod. “Let us know how and if we’re needed for support.”

I try not to bristle because I’m more than capable of making sure our woman is safe, but I know it’s coming from a good place. That doesn’t mean I won’t take the opportunity to land a punch if I get the chance.

Hendrix doesn’t hesitate to walk around the desk and kiss Oaklynn on the cheek. My hands clench in response, but then Dominic and Wolfe do the same. When Wolfe, my brother, smirks and winks at me, all I can do is flip him off.

These guys have become family to our woman. I can’t kill them even though they might as well have the reaper looking over their shoulder at the moment.

Once the door is closed behind the guys, Oaklynn stands up and moves away from Kirill. His mouth drops open, and his eyes go wide.

She rounds on him, her voice ice cold and dripping venom, “Just so I’m clear, I wasn’t asking for permission.

I thought it would be nice for me to come down here and include you, but I was not asking for your approval.

” She stands up straighter, indignance written all over her.

“I will be going to the meeting, and I will be helping to organize the charity event. Whether you support me or not is on you.”

Kirill stands up and yanks Oaklynn against his chest. “I’ll always support you,” he growls. “I just want to keep you safe.”

Oaklynn’s smile is soft as she nods. “I understand, but I won’t just be put in a new prison. Just because it’s gilded doesn’t make it any less of a cage.”

“Oaklynn,” he whispers, his voice filled with pain, “I never want to do that to you.”

“Prove it,” she challenges him.

He takes her mouth in a brutal kiss. It’s all need and desperation, desire and want. They’re both breathless when he pulls back, a soft smile on his face. Even though Kirill is struggling with the idea of Oaklynn being out in the city, he wants to make our woman happy.

I stride closer to the pair and grip our woman’s hips to turn her toward me. The kiss I give her is softer, gentler, but no less fierce. I want her to feel the love I have for her.

“Love you, Little Bee,” I murmur against her lips.

Then Maxim and Huck pull her between them. They take her mouth one after the other, claiming her again just like Kirill and I have.

My gut is screaming at me as a feeling of deep dread settles there. The idea of our woman being out there makes me sick, but she needs this. I’m not going to be the one to take it away from her.

I’ll just have to make sure our woman is safe. Always.