Page 7

CHAPTER 7

CILLIAN

I have no idea what the hell I’m doing with this girl, but I can’t get her out of my mind. The next day, the need to see her again hits me harder than anything else.

Every logical part of me says I should walk away, but I can’t seem to stop myself from getting my phone out and sending her a text.

Cillian

Good morning, leannan.

Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with me? Why did I just do that?

I stare at the screen, waiting for her to reply, but nothing comes.

I shouldn’t have sent it. She probably thinks I’m some desperate idiot.

Shit. I wish I could take it back.

“Where did you disappear to last night?” Fionn’s voice causes me to stuff my cell back in my pocket. He assesses me curiously. “What the hell was that about?”

“What? Nothing.” I march over to the coffee machine in my father’s kitchen, pouring myself a cup and pretending I wasn’t just staring at my cell, hoping a girl texts me back like I’m in high school all over again.

I really should get back to my place now that the meeting with my family is over. The last thing I want is for them to start questioning me. I don’t need them to know about Dinara. Not until it’s something to tell them about.

“Are you hiding something on your phone?” He narrows his eyes.

“I’m not hiding shit. Get off my back.”

“That definitely sounded like a whole load of bull.”

Great, here comes Iseult.

My sister pushes her crimson hair behind her shoulder, lowering into the chair in front of the island while staring at me with a smirk. “So, is it a woman? Or a man? We’re a judgment-free zone. Right, Fionn?”

“Right, sis.” He grins, throwing a palm on her shoulder while standing beside her.

“You’re both fucking crazy.” I take a sip of coffee, almost burning my tongue off.

“Oh, look, our bro met someone and he’s being all shy about it.” She casts me a coy, teasing glance.

Iseult may be second to youngest of the five of us, but you would never know it. She lives to give us hell. But we let her get away with it. We all feel for what she’s gone through. Not only did that prick Sergey Marinov burn our mother alive, but he kidnapped Iseult when she was younger and tortured her until she got away.

The only silver lining is that she killed him. My only regret? I didn’t get to do it first.

“I didn’t meet anyone. What the hell, guys? And don’t you have a husband to get back to?” I ask her, knowing she has to fly back home to New York.

“Distance is good. It’ll make his heart grow fonder.” She grins. “Now tell me about her. Will you be bringing her to family dinners? Can I scare the fuck out of her?” Her grin widens.

“That wouldn’t be nice, Iseult.” Fionn shakes his head. “You wouldn’t want to scare off his future wife.”

“Shit, man. You two are annoying together.”

He throws an arm around her. “We work well as a team.”

I mutter a low curse. “It’s no one. Now lay off.” Finishing my coffee, I drop the mug in the sink. “I’m going to Caellach to work out. Don’t bother me.” I hit them with an irritated glare.

“You won’t even give us her name?” Iseult throws a hand in the air, laughing with Fionn as I start to head out.

“Fuck no.”

“See, I knew it was a girl.” She laughs while I shake my head, fighting a smile.

Pain in the ass or not, I’d kill for each one of them.

I step outside the house and make my way toward the towering mansion that houses Caellach, the school my father established years ago to train the next generation. Once inside, I take the elevator down, retrieve my keys, and scan one of them over the doorknob. Each key holds a chip inside.

The moment I enter, I head straight for the workout room, where recruits and trainers are already busy. Just as I’m about to grab a bar to add more weight, my phone pings from the floor.

Shit, maybe it’s her.

Anticipation shoots through me, and I hate it because I’ve never been this damn juvenile over a girl.

Dinara

Hey, morning. How’s your day? Sorry I didn’t see your text before.

See, she didn’t see your text. She wasn’t purposely ignoring you, psycho.

Cillian

Spent it thinking about you.

Dinara

I may have done the same. Thinking about you, I mean. Not myself. That would be weird.

Cillian

Did you just admit you were thinking about me?

My grin widens, and the young seventeen-somethings glance at me like I’ve grown an extra arm. I’m never what one would call cheery. When I zero them in with a laser-focused glare, they dart their stares away, shuffling to return to their workouts.

Dinara

I did, but I won’t tell you in what capacity because all you’d do is gloat.

My mind fills with dirty thoughts, and blood rushes to my dick.

Cillian

It isn’t fair to make a man think about you like that when you’re not close enough to touch or taste. And shit, do I still taste you on my tongue.

Dinara

Are you always this vulgar at nine in the morning?

Cillian

I am now, love.

Dinara

So, what’s your full name? I think I should know that, since you wanna take me out and all that. What if you’re a serial killer?

Cillian

And how will knowing my full name help exactly?

Dinara

It won’t. But I think I should know the name of the man who may or may not end up killing me.

Cillian

I promise, if I wanted to kill you, I would’ve done it by now. There are so many other, far better things I’d rather do to you.

Dinara

I bet that’s what all serial killers say.

Cillian

I guess you’ll find out soon.

Dinara

I’ll make sure to bring my gun.

Cillian

I don’t think you’re supposed to warn serial killers about weapons you might have.

Dinara

I’m sorry. This is my first encounter with one.

Cillian

That’s okay, baby. We all make mistakes.

Dinara

I don’t make mistakes. I’m perfect.

Damn, I can’t stop grinning like an idiot.

Cillian

You ARE perfect.

She doesn’t say anything for almost a minute.

Damn, did I scare her off?

Too bad. It doesn’t matter either way. I’m gonna get to know everything about her. It already feels like I’ve known her forever.

Cillian

Any particular place you’d like to go tomorrow? And make it good. Wouldn’t want to embarrass myself when our grandkids ask where our first date was.

Dinara

You’re being quite presumptuous.

Cillian

There’s a difference between being presumptuous and being right.

Dinara

I can’t figure out if you’re crazy or charming.

Cillian

Whatever helps you agree to our date.

Dinara

I thought I didn’t have a choice.

Cillian

You don’t. I was just trying to be a gentleman. But I think you like it better when I tell you what to do. Isn’t that right, baby girl?

I know I’m right. I saw how her body reacted when I took control.

It takes her a few seconds to answer.

Dinara

Surprise me. Now tell me your name.

Cillian

Cillian Quinn. And yours?

There’s no chance in hell she’ll find anything about me online, so giving her my name doesn’t worry me at all.

Dinara

Dinara Matrovskaya.

That sounds Russian. Though as long as she’s not a Marinov, I don’t care. She could be just about anyone…except one of them.

Cillian

Pretty. Where should I pick you up?

Dinara

Landon Park, right by the entrance at 6. Don’t be late.

Cillian

Wouldn’t dream of it. See you then, a ghra.

* * *

DINARA

You ARE perfect.

Those words swim in my head, playing on repeat. I’ve never quite felt perfect, always finding fault somewhere. I’ve never been the smartest or the prettiest in the room. Sometimes I don’t know when to keep my mouth shut, like when my father…

Those thoughts send an ache to my chest. I should’ve done something else. I should’ve called Konstantin and asked for help instead of going into the room and trying to help her myself. What did that even accomplish? Nothing.

I shake my head, frustrated with myself for thinking about him again. It’s why I gave Cillian my mother’s last name, something I’ve always done. The thought of being tied to my father makes me sick. Konstantin gets it and hasn’t pushed me on it. He knows how broken I was after my mother’s death—though, of course, we never spoke of it.

In this family, we just accept things. Everything…except betrayal. That, of course, can’t be tolerated. But murder? Perfectly fine. Makes sense, right?

As I pick up my coffee at the breakfast table, my mind drifts back to the conversation with Cillian, my fingers itching to pick up that phone again and read over our exchange.

“What’s got you smiling this morning?” Konstantin pulls me from my thoughts, taking a bite of his blin.

Tatiana glances at me with a curious look. Was I really smiling that much?

“Nothing. Just thinking about something funny Natalia said.”

Every time I lie, I worry Konstantin will see right through me, but he doesn’t press the issue and goes back to his breakfast.

I still don’t know how I’ll make things work with Cillian. If the date goes well and we continue to see one another, I’ll have to be honest with Konstantin. Maybe I should just tell him. I have no idea what the right answer is.

“And you, Tatiana?” He shifts his attention to my sister, while Gregory stuffs half of a blin into his mouth. “Any plans today?”

“My friends invited me to see a movie later today. Can I go?” Tatiana cuts into a piece of her toast, the table filled with all the food we could ever want.

“Of course you can. The driver will take you where you want to go, and Anatoly will go with you.”

“Awesome! Thanks.” Her grin grows.

She’s completely used to having a bodyguard, like we all are. Our protection is of utmost priority to Konstantin, especially with our father around.

We continue our breakfast while my mind returns to Cillian, thinking of last night and the fact that I’m no longer a virgin. I still can’t believe I did that. But I have no regrets. In fact, I can’t wait to see him soon so we can do that all over again.

As my cousin glances at me every now and then, I start to wonder if he knows something. Then again, he seems to know everything, so keeping secrets from him isn't exactly the smartest move.

I push aside the uneasy feeling in my gut, and once we're finished, Tatiana and Gregory are the first to excuse themselves, leaving the grand sitting room.

“Dinara.” That commanding baritone stops me dead in my tracks just as I rise to my feet.

Shit. He knows.

Of course he does, you dumbass!

He’s gonna tell me to stop talking to Cillian.

“Yes?” I clear my throat and offer a small smile, trying to mask the unease brewing inside me.

“Are you alright?” His dark brows draw together, and a tight knot forms in my stomach as I settle back down.

“Yes, of course.”

Coffee. I need more coffee. Or alcohol. Yes, definitely alcohol.

“I never got to ask you how the party was last night. Any problems I need to concern myself with?”

My stomach tightens. “Nope. I had a nice time.”

I definitely didn’t let a hot stranger fuck my virginity out of me. Absolutely not.

“Good, good.” He takes a long sip of his black coffee, his eyes narrowing, and it’s like he’s slicing my insides, carving out each organ to see what he can find. “You know you can tell me anything, right? Anything at all.”

“Of course!” My voice cracks, higher than I intended.

“Very good.” He nods, a faint smile briefly flickering across his face. “I may be older, but I remember what it was like to be your age.”

Just tell him, Dinara! If he finds out you’re lying, he won’t forgive you.

Once you betray him, there’s no coming back. I’ve seen him kill men for less. Not that I think he’d kill me for this, but he may not trust me afterward.

Huffing out a breath, I close my eyes momentarily before staring right at him. “I met someone there. I wasn’t gonna say anything because honestly, I don’t even know if it’ll go anywhere or if I can even date him, considering who we are, so I?—”

“Dinara.” He raises a palm to stop me, his expression deadly serious, and a lump forms in my throat.

This is it. He’s gonna tell me to end it, and I’ll have no choice.

“You’re free to date anyone you want. I’m not your father.”

I exhale sharply, and he scoffs.

“You don’t have to be nervous around me, dorogaya. I’m not going to kill him.” His smile fades, his features hardening. “Unless he gives me a good reason. Understand?”

I nod.

“I just ask that you’re careful and that Boris accompanies you anywhere you go. That’s all.”

I’m so beyond relieved. “He asked to take me to dinner tomorrow. He’s gonna pick me up at Landon Park.”

He leans back, eyes narrowing. “Who is this man? What is his name?”

He’s definitely going to start doing his 411 on him, which is fine. I’d rather know if I should stay away from him now before I start to like him more.

“His name is Cillian Quinn.”

“Hmm.” That’s all he says, his expression unreadable.

Was that a good hmm ? A bad one? Does he know him?

“Yeah, he seemed nice and respectful.”

“Ochen horosho.” Very good. He nods thoughtfully. “Do tell me if anything changes, and I will personally take care of it.”

“Of course.”

Let’s hope it never comes to that. The last thing I need is for my new…whatever he is…to be murdered by my family.

“I did want to show you something if you’re up for a drive,” he adds.

“Oh?”

“It’s your birthday gift.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything else. The shopping spree and new gun were plenty.”

Yes, he did get me a gun. A Glock forty-five, much lighter than the last one I had. In this family, if you don’t know how to protect yourself, you’ll get killed. I learned how to shoot when I turned ten.

His elbows drop to the edge of the table as he leans in, his tone growing darker. “You took my side against your father. That will always mean a lot to me. You understand?”

I shrug a single shoulder. “It wasn’t a difficult decision. You’re giving me too much credit. I’ve always hated him, and you know it.”

He flips his hands in the air. “We don’t get to choose our parents, unfortunately. We make do with what we have. But I promise I will always protect you three with my life.”

“I know that.”

I curl my fingers on my lap, not wanting to think about him gone. I love him like a brother. Imagining a world without him is painful.

“Now enough of this talk, yes?” The small smile returns to his face. “How about we go so I can show you the surprise? I think you’re going to like it.”

He pushes the chair back, getting to his feet just as Ludmilla, the head housekeeper, walks in to clean up after us, the sides of her eyes crinkling as she smiles.

I follow him, not able to venture a guess as to what he got me.

“We’re going to go for a little drive. Not far, maybe twenty minutes.”

“Okay…”

Completely puzzled, I follow him out to the foyer, exiting through the heavy door, where a car is already waiting for us. One of his drivers opens the SUV door, and we slip inside. Silence lingers between us until he finally breaks it.

“Has Roman reached out recently?”

The question sends my mind spiraling. I don’t want to think about my older brother or the cruel messages he sends just to wound me. I read them, let them cut deep, then delete them. Yet for some reason, I can’t bring myself to block him. Maybe some part of me feels like I deserve the punishment for betraying my own family.

But my father never deserved my loyalty. He doesn’t deserve Roman’s either. My brother has always been tangled in his web, swallowing his lies like oxygen and playing the obedient puppet.

Like believing it was my father, not Konstantin, who was the rightful heir to the Bratva.

After Sergey—Konstantin’s father—died, Dad convinced himself that leadership should have passed to him, ignoring the fact that Konstantin, as the eldest, was always meant to take the throne. When Natalia’s father, Nikolai, sided with Konstantin, my father’s resentment only deepened, twisting into something ugly.

I told Konstantin everything. Every poisonous word my father spread, every delusion he clung to. And when Konstantin offered us a place in his home shortly after Mom died, I didn’t hesitate. I chose our freedom. We were finally out of that hellhole.

If Roman still wants to stand by a man like our father, that’s on him.

Mom deserved better. We all did.

Roman’s last message flashes through my mind, sending an involuntary chill through me.

You think you’re safe with him? You’re not, Dinara. You never will be. When you least expect it, I’m gonna make you pay for betraying Papa, and that asshole won’t be able to do anything to stop me.

I shake off the cold fear creeping up my spine. He’d do it if he could. I wonder why he hasn’t tried yet. What their plan is. They definitely have a plan, and I know Konstantin knows more than he’s telling me.

“Dinara? Did you hear my question?”

“Oh, sorry.” I fling a loose strand of hair away from my face. “Uh, no, he hasn’t contacted me for a while.”

I realize I just lied, and if he doesn’t forgive me for that, then I’ll have to live with it. But I don’t want him to know. There’s already too much conflict between him and my father. I don’t want to add more fuel to the fire.

“If he does, make sure you let me know, yes?”

I nod. “Of course.”

“Very good.” He stares straight at me, a sharp and intense scrutiny, as if he can see straight into my soul. “I will never let anyone hurt you.”

The intention of his words makes me feel even safer.

We drive in silence for the rest of the way, reaching a set of black iron gates with a security booth to the left.

“Ah, we’re here.”

“Where is here , exactly?”

A half-smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as we drive through a private residential area, passing mansion after mansion. What is this place?

When we stop in front of a light gray house—smaller than his, but still enormous—he turns to me. “This is your new home, Dinara. I hope you like it.”

“Uh, what?” I let out a laugh. “I live with you.”

Clearly, he’s joking.

“You will always have a home with me, but I thought since you are a woman now, you should have a place of your own.”

My eyes nearly pop out of my head. “You’re serious?” My gaze darts between his amused expression and the towering house in front of me. “This is too much.”

“Nonsense.” He waves it off. “Come on, let’s take a look inside.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

Emotions tighten in my throat. He didn’t have to do this for me.

“A thank-you would suffice.” He smirks.

“Spaseba.” Thank you.

We approach a pair of security guards at the entrance, who greet us as they open the door.

Inside, a few housekeepers move about the foyer, one polishing the small glass table at the center with fresh orchids resting inside a vase, while the other dusts off the mirror and the sketched fashion art pieces already adorning the walls. Everything is sleek, contemporary, and somehow…so me.

A glistening chandelier hangs from the cathedral ceiling, drawing the eye upward. I can’t help but wonder what I’m supposed to do with such a giant home all to myself.

“Mr. Marinov, Ms. Marinova.” One of the housekeepers comes over, wiping her hands on her apron as she approaches.

“This is Sonya, your head housekeeper. She’s Ludmilla’s friend.”

“Yes. Hello.” She nods, her blue eyes glistening as she smiles, a few gray and black hairs sticking out from her almost perfect bun. “Anything you need, you tell me. I’m here to help. So is everyone else.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go see the rest of the house,” Konstantin says, leading me toward the staircase and turning into a pristine gray-and-white kitchen.

A man stands at the stove in a white jacket, and when he turns, the tips of his mustache curl upward.

“This is Lenny, your cook.”

“Ms. Marinova, it’s a great pleasure to meet you.” His heavy Russian accent matches Konstantin's.

“I chose him just for you,” Konstantin adds. “He’s one of the best chefs in Russia.”

Lenny’s face pales for a moment before he recovers and smiles at me. “Yes, when Mr. Marinov told me he would bring me to America to cook for his family, I was honored. Truly honored.”

“Only the best for my family.” Konstantin's jaw tightens, and Lenny nearly trembles.

What’s going on here?

“It’s nice to meet you.” I extend my hand, and he shakes it with a slight shudder.

“You as well, Ms. Marinova. I will get back to making lunch for you both.”

As he turns back to the stove, we head for the doorway. When I glance back at him, something unspoken passes between us.

Konstantin is already several steps ahead, so I quickly catch up, pushing any lingering curiosity about the chef to the back of my mind.

“Do you like the house so far?” Konstantin asks. “If not, I can always get something more suited for you.”

“Are you kidding?” My eyes grow wide. “This place is amazing.”

He tilts up his chin. “I’m glad you like it. I’ll have all your belongings moved in shortly. Ludmilla and the other girls are already gathering them as we speak.”

All alone in this big house? I’ve never lived without my siblings before. I’ll admit it’s a little scary, but I’m sort of looking forward to the freedom.

“Are you okay, Moya milaya?”

“Yes, sorry. I’m just a bit nervous, I guess.”

“Of course. But don’t worry. You can come by whenever you want, and Gregory and Tatiana can come here anytime they please.”

“Thanks.”

His mouth twitches. “You’re a woman now, and you should learn how to be on your own. That’s important, you understand?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Maladets. Let’s go see the rest of the house.”

“Okay.”

Maybe Konstantin has a point. And now that I have my own place, I can do whatever I want. And the first thing I want to do is invite Cillian over just so he can fuck me in every single room.