Page 38 of Kane
And mine to cherish.
When I finally pull the young man’s briefs back up and tuck him under the covers with Twist beside him, the black mood is still there, but it’s tempered by a purpose I’ve never felt before.
I lean down and brush my lips against his ear.
“Be good while I’m gone,” I whisper. “I expect you right here when I return.”
He nods sleepily, already drifting. “Yes, Daddy.”
I change into a fresh black suit, strap on my holster, and head for the door.
The city waits below… full of blood and opportunity. Tonight someone will pay for touching what belongs to the Kamedov family. And later I’ll come back to my sweet Little waiting obediently in my bed.
Having William doesn’t make me weak.
It makes meunstoppable.
Chapter 12
Kane
Fuck. I know this kind of place.
Maybe too well.
Maybe from too many wild nights…
The downtown bar is one of those dimly lit places that smells of old whiskey and stale blood. I push through the heavy door and spot Padraig immediately at a corner booth, two glasses of vodka already waiting. His face is grim. Good. He knows the weight of tonight.
I slide into the seat opposite Padraig. The leather is worn, cracked like everything else in this city. I pick up the glass, raise it, and Padraig mirrors the motion.
“To Kruchev,” I say, voice low. “A loyal soldier. May he rest while we make them bleed.”
“To Kruchev,” Padraig echoes. “A good man. Loyal. A fighter.”
We toss the vodka back in one smooth motion. The burn is clean and sharp, exactly what I need. I signal the bartender for another round.
Padraig leans forward once the fresh drinks arrive. “His body has been taken care of. Our funeral director has him. Closed casket… the damage was…bad. Arrangements are moving fast. The family, his wife, has been notified. Two kids too.”
I nod once. “Make sure they don’t pay a single fucking penny. Full coverage from the family fund. Widow gets the usual pension plus extra. Kids too. I want them set forlife. Tell them it’s from me personally. And tell them I will visit soon enough, when we bring his killer to justice.”
“Already on it,” Padraig says. He hesitates, then adds, “This wasn’t random, Kane. Single shot to the head, execution style, right in our territory. It’s a warning shot. Same people who took Milo and Loren is where I’d be putting my money. They’re testing the new pakhan. Seeing if you’ll crack.”
I swirl the vodka in my glass, staring into the clear liquid like it holds answers. The rage that lives permanently under my skin flares hot. “I agree. They want us distracted. Weak. Bleeding resources on revenge while they plot to carve up our territory.”
I drain the second glass and set it down hard enough that the table rattles.
“It’s time,” I say. “Set up a proper meet with Viktor, Ivan, and Kirill. No more casual talks. No more feeling each other out. We sit down like men who own this city and we make a plan. We find my brothers’ killers. Eliminate every last one of them. Then we make sure no one ever fucks with the Kamedov name again. Full alliance if they’re serious. Blood pact if that’s what it takes.”
Padraig studies me for a long moment, then nods. “I’ll arrange it. Neutral ground. Heavy security on all sides. I’ll make the calls tonight.”
“Good.” I stand, tossing cash on the table. “Keep me updated. And Padraig… watch your back. They’re coming for all of us now.”
Padraig gives me that half-grin of his. “Always do, pakhan.”
I leave the bar and step into the waiting SUV. The city rushes past as we drive back toward my apartment, but my mind is already shifting gears.
Kruchev’s death is fuel. Every drop of blood spilled on my watch only hardens me. And waiting for me at home is the one soft thing I’ve allowed into this brutal life…
