Page 16 of Wraith (Deviant Assassin #1)

Kiera

“ S tupid FBI agent, with his stupid gorgeous face. Mostly, though, it’s those large, tattooed hands.

I want to run my hands through his longish blond hair while I stare into his hot as fuck whiskey eyes.

” I turn Johannes’ head so the light from the basement window shines on his remaining blue eye, making it seem to glow.

“And that sinful smirk he wears? Like he gets off telling me what to do. I can’t even think about the way the bastard tried to command me, made me want to ride him right there in the interrogation room. ”

I sigh in frustration at my instant attraction to agent Wilder.

It’s a first for me and it’s damn scary.

I had to stop myself from burying my face in that spot between his neck and shoulder.

The rich, seductive scent of sandalwood making my lady parts stand up at attention when he first walked in the room.

Fucking asshole.

“What do you think?” I say before ripping out a bite of my sub with my teeth, chewing in thought. “Should I fuck him out of my system and forget him? I mean, the things he could do to me with those hands…”

With a shrug, I balance what’s left of my meal on his face, then prod the opening in his broken neck to see if it indeed feels the way it looks, like a skin sack filled with blackberry jam. Making me wish I had made a PB and am definitely not at all jealous that Wilder has a date.

Burying the annoying impulse, I switch gears to the more immediate task of indulging in some cake and ice cream.

Just the thought is already making my mouth water.

I snag a bag of chips off the counter and tear into them while making my way back to the house with Fi.

As I step into the living room, I’m hit by a whirlwind of energy. Crue and Cassius tear through the space like twin tornadoes, their joy obvious. The table holds stacked presents, balloons bounce off walls, and laughter reverberates off every surface, filling the room with life.

“Look at Boo!” Cassius hollers, his face lit up with excitement as he points at our ferret.

Boo is in furry heaven as the life of the party, strutting around with the tiny party hat and mini feather boa I convinced him to wear after an intense negotiation—mostly comprising me begging and Boo hissing.

Now, he waddles around like a mini version of Felix, looking thoroughly unimpressed but absolutely adorable.

Crue snorts with laughter, practically doubling over.

“He looks like a diva!” he shouts, and Cassius’ laughter joins his, a sound so infectious a grin spreads across my face before I can help it.

My bemused smile stays in place as I watch the kids, still holding onto the leftover feathers from Boo’s boa.

“I think Boo’s the one who’s going to end up in charge around here,” I say, tossing a feather at Crue, who dodges it with a grin, his eyes sparkling.

Cassius suddenly gets a serious look, his eyes wide. “You think Boo knows it’s his birthday too?”

The question, so innocent and full of genuine curiosity, tugs at something deep in my chest. But then Crue’s face falls, a look of guilt flashing in his eyes. My heart sinks. I thought today was going so well.

“What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?” I ask gently, trying to keep the worry out of my voice.

Crue glances at Cassius, and as their eyes meet, Cassius’ expression falls too.

I hate seeing that look in their eyes. For the last month they’ve been with us, we’ve all tried so hard to make them feel safe, to show them they’re part of a family now.

Even a fucked-up family beats no family at all.

Today is the first time I’ve seen them really act like kids, like they believed there was a chance for happiness. And now, this.

Cassius rolls his lips between his teeth, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“We don’t want to hurt your feelings, Kiera.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I hadn’t expected that. I quickly grab each of the twins’ hands and pull them over to the couch, my mind racing.

“You could never hurt my feelings, so don’t concern yourself with that,” I say, trying to sound reassuring even as doubt gnaws at me. “Now, tell me what’s going on.”

Crue pats my knee, a slight gesture that seems more for his comfort than mine, and says, “This past month has been the best of our lives, Kiera. But we’re…”

Cassius, as usual, jumps in to finish the thought. “Worried it’s all going to go away and we’ll be left behind again.”

How did I miss this? I’ve lived with these same feelings most of my life, too. What made me think I could take on caring for a pair of street kids? I’m a killer, not a nurturer.

I suck.

“Blood doesn’t always make a family. Sometime we make our own family, and that’s what Tini, Fi, Boo and I have done with the two of you.

” The boys glance at each other then back at me.

Fi and Tini move over to the couch, each one wrapping an arm around a boy.

“We’re what’s called found family and he fact we chose each other proves that we will never give up on being a family. ”

“Ever?” Cassius asks.

“Never ever,” Fi and I say in unison.

“Then we’ll try to remember that. We’re so happy you guys threw us a party,” Crue says, glancing around at Fi and Tini, his eyes glistening.

“Yeah,” Cassius agrees. “This is the first time anyone has done something like this for us.”

The sincerity in his voice nearly undoes me. Ironic, considering this is the first birthday party I’ve ever thrown.

“Well,” I start, trying to keep my voice steady, “I did some digging into your lives and found out that today is your birthday…” I take a deep breath, knowing what I’m about to say is going to shock them.

“…And we have another surprise for you. It’s too damn cold and wet to be living outside. It’s time you two moved in officially.”

A wariness darkens their eyes, but I knew this would be an issue and already figured out a work around.

“Kiera, we are grateful for everything you’ve done, but we aren’t ready to move in with you,” Crue says.

“Yeah, I get it. Which is why we turned the old mother-in-law house into your place. It gives you privacy while still allowing you to be close.”

Their heads snap toward each other, then back to me, then to Fi and Tini, and finally back to each other.

“Are you sure?” Crue asks, his voice small, almost afraid to hope.

“Seriously?” Cassius asks simultaneously, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Fi and I decorated it for you. It already has two bedrooms a kitchen and a bathroom.” Tini says softly as she pulls Cassius into a hug.

He lays his head on her shoulder, his expression stunned, gobsmacked. I force a smile, trying to keep the atmosphere light even though there’s a knot tightening in my chest. These boys deserve happiness, safety, family—and I’m determined to give that to them, even if I don’t know how.

The room falls into a strange, quiet lull as everyone processes the revelation.

Crue and Cassius still finding it hard to believe this is really happening, their expressions flickering between excitement and disbelief.

Tini continues to hold Cassius close, her presence calming, while Fi runs a hand over Crue’s hair, making it stand on end.

Cassius lifts his head from Tini’s shoulder, his brows furrowed. “You’re sure?”

I exchange a glance with Fi and Tini, trying to find the right words.

“Well, if it will make you believe me, I could always adopt you both?”

Crue’s eyes well up with tears, and he quickly wipes them away, not wanting to cry in front of everyone.

“I don’t know what to say,” he whispers, his voice cracking.

Fi squeezes his shoulder, his tone gentle but firm. “We also set up a trust fund for you two. You’ll never go without again.” A wicked grin curls up one side of his angelic face. “Personally, I think mt last name is way cooler than Kiera’s though.”

Tini smiles warmly at Cassius, brushing a stray tear from his cheek as she laughs at Fi’s attempt at a joke.

The boys look at each other, their connection deeper than words. There’s an unspoken agreement between them, a shared understanding they’re not alone anymore.

Cassius speaks up, his voice small but steady. “We’re happy to be here. To have you all.”

Crue nods in agreement, though there’s still a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

“Yeah… It’s just a lot you know?”

Tini rubs his back soothingly. “It’s okay to feel weird about it and to take some time to decide if it’s what you want.”

“You’re both in charge of your own destinies. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

A small smile tugs at the corners of Crue’s mouth. “Yeah, I guess that’s not so bad.”

Cassius’ smile mirrors his brother’s, the tension in the room slowly lifting. “We’re in!”

His exuberance breaks the last of the tension. I chuckle, the sound lightening my own heavy heart.

The boys finally relax, their fears slowly melting away as the reality of their new life sinks in. They’re safe, they’re loved, and they’re exactly where they belong.

And as we all sit there, the weight of the past lifting just a little, I realize that maybe—just maybe—I’m not as bad at this nurturing thing as I thought.