Page 25 of Devil’s Candy

Killian’s lip curls over his teeth, but he turns to Angel, who gives a slight jerk of his chin in the affirmative.

A muscle tics in Killian’s jaw, but he takes out his phone and pushes a button.

“Win,” he rumbles into the phone before he puts it on speaker. “I’m with Angel and his brothers. Sver⁠—”

“What has that fucker done now?”

“Well, currently he’s sitting across the table from me asking to hear the voice of Katarina or Sasha in exchange for information of how Vinnie Morelli is attempting to double-deal us.”

I can hear Win’s molars grind through the phone. He has every right to hate my guts. The fact that he forgave me enough to still marry my daughter is a point in his favor and one I will return at some point.

“And you called me instead of Ryker?” Win asks. “You know my history with Sver.”

Killian sighs. “I thought Katarina to be the better choice in terms of the women, even if Ryker would be more inclined to negotiate with our least favorite Russian.”

Win grunts his acknowledgement. There is a long pause as he considers and then he calls out, “Katarina, my love, how was your day?”

I can hear the tap of high heels grow closer. “It was fine. Good. Help me take these heels off, would you?”

Even the request makes my chest unwind. A woman does not ask a man to take anything off of her body if she does not trust him. “Of course,” Win answers easily.

“The luncheon was a success, we raised an amazing amount of money, but I’ve just been talking for hours. Can we have dinner in the suite tonight instead of the dining room? I just want to be with you and no one else.”

“Dinner in the suite sounds perfect. Did you end up connecting with Sasha?” Win asks, doing a masterful job of allowing me to hear about both my daughters.

“Yep. On the way to the benefit. She gushed the entire time. Ryker is so perfect. She doesn’t have an ounce of morning sickness. I had no idea Sasha would ever talk that much. If I didn’t love her so much, I’d think it was disgusting.”

I can’t help it, my head drops to the table, my chest tightening with emotion. My daughters aren’t just safe, they’re thriving. It makes me ache to know it.

Mostly good.

But a small part… I wish I could participate in their joy.

“How about I run you a bath?”

Katarina groans. “That sounds perfect. Thank you.”

The line clicks dead, but I don’t need to hear more.

“Satisfied?” Killian asks.

I nod into the table.

“Now, tell us what you know about Vinnie.” Angel leans forward, his chair squeaking as I pick up my head.

“Marco, Candy’s ex-boyfriend, was a dealer for Vinnie. Vinnie came here five months ago looking for Candy, trying to pump her for information under the guise of dating. She didn’t remain hidden. They knew where she was and they were just waiting for the right moment to use her. Vinnie was a setup all along to try to gain access to you.”

“How much do they know?” Angel growls.

“Not much,” I answer honestly. “Because of Candy’s loyalty to you, she applies herself to knowing as little as possible. She doesn’t have information, so she can’t give it out. A fact I can confirm firsthand.”

Angel’s face spasms and I know he knows the truth. She held the line for him all this time, and he didn’t reciprocate.

“But between Vinnie not being able to get any dirt on you, and you besting his father, he’s decided he needs a new, bigger partner. He went behind his father’s back and made a direct partnership with their Columbian contact.”

“That little motherfucker,” Rock spits. “I’m in on the killing him plan.”

“You’re always in on that kind of plan.” Axel glares at his brother.