Page 30 of Chasing Kit

“Come sit.” Kit tugged Sky toward a seat. “I got you a latte.”

“Did you?” Sky’s grin didn’t reach his eyes. He sat, but his attention was still on me. “So, why is Dad’s man here if Dad doesn’t know you are?”

“My name is War, use it.” My voice was low and flat. “And I’m here for Kit.”

“War,” Sky said, his tone thick with sarcasm. “So very sorry.”

He knew my name, and had used it on more than one occasional visit before. He was being a smartass, and his attitude should have irritated me, but it didn’t. I was used to men like him, the kind who thought they were better than me.

“Sky.” Kit frowned. “Stop it. War’s been helping.”

“With what?” Sky’s eyes softened, but I didn’t trust his expression. “You didn’t tell me anything. You said you were here and wanted to see me, and not to tell Dad. What’s going on?”

“We shouldn’t talk about it here.” The last thing I wanted was for someone to overhear us. St. Loren’s criminal enterprises had ears everywhere, especially the Sabbatini Famiglia. They were resourceful and refined in their methods. If they knew Derek Uhlig’s son and bodyguard were in the city, they’d have someone watching, waiting. Derek had given up on Sky, but Kit was treasure to anyone who wanted to wave a pawn piece in front of the boss.

Sky cocked his head, a smug smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. “Are you afraid?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Of what?”

“Sky . . . .” Kit’s frown deepened. “Do you know about Dad?”

“About what? His casinos? His games?” Sky shrugged.

“Games? A casino? How do you know about all of this?” Kit demanded.

Sky glanced around, a smirk playing on his lips as if he enjoyed the risk.

“Enough.” My voice was a low growl that cut through his smirk. I leaned forward, my shadow falling over him. “This conversation is over. Now. There are eyes everywhere.”

Sky didn’t flinch, but his smile tightened. “I know the Sabbatinis,” he stated, a flicker of pride in his eyes. “We’re safe.”

My spine stiffened, an uncomfortable alertness prickling through me. I gritted my teeth. “How do you know them?”

“Wait, who are the Sabbatinis?” Kit asked, his voice quieter this time. Thank fuck. I didn’t need another Norse Lords situation.

Sky waved his hand at me dismissively, and I snatched his wrist in a hard, relentless grip. He glared at me, but I’d looked into the eyes of men who could actually kill me. This spoiled brat was harmless.

“You talk to me, not Kit. How the fuck do you know the Sabbatinis, Skyler?” Something cold and operational gripped at me, resembling the same stillness that had come over me in Afghanistan when a situation turned sideways and there was no room left for hesitation. Kit was at risk, and I wasn’t going to back down, even if Sky was his brother. The Sabbatinis weren’t the type of people to mess with.

Sky’s gaze slid slowly to my fingers gripping his wrist before rising to my face. “Release me. Now.”

“No, I don’t think I will. Not until I get answers,” I growled back.

“Skyler, War, stop it.” Kit was ignored.

Sky’s smirk was pure arrogance. Before I could counter, the café door slammed open. Two men, large and suited, moved toward our table with the fluid economy of predators. My hand was on my Glock before I was even fully on my feet, my mind already calculating angles of fire.

“Stop!” Kit screamed, raw fear in his voice.

Sky raised a hand, and the men froze midstride. The café erupted into chaos as patrons dropped to the floor or scrambled for the exits. The spell of normalcy was broken.

They moved like professionals, strength contained in expensive suits. They were bodyguards, same as me. But they weren’t Derek’s men, which meant they were trouble.

“Explain. Now.” I glowered at Sky, remaining on my feet, muscles tense and alert.

Staff scattered, hiding behind their counters, while customers fled.

“You’re right. We should move somewhere more private.” Sky rose effortlessly, his movements graceful and smooth. He sauntered toward the door before I could respond and a shaking Kit rose to follow.