Page 29 of Scarred Ruin

“That makes good sense.” My other soldier sounded convinced.

I turned, glancing at Kristoff who cocked his head as if suggesting I pay close attention.

“What else? I can tell there’s more.” I knew my men too well, especially my brother. They’d requested this meeting after learning from another captain of my interest in the bald man.

I’d need a name soon or I’d fucking kill him myself based on that alone.

“You know a deep dive is a good idea.”

There was absolutely no reason for me to become irritated at Sergei’s suggestion, but I felt my entire body bristling even before I responded. “She is the architect on a project that I have a significant amount of money invested in. Nothing more.”

Roman cursed in Russian under his breath.

“I suggest you be very careful with your choice of words, Roman.” He knew when I was at the very end of my rope, which I was. Another surprise.

“You’re right. Ms. Dayne is the architect on a very large project that will take months of preparation even prior to breaking ground. That means you will be spending an extraordinary amount of time with her. Even if you heed my warning and decide on cutting her out of Mina’s life, she’ll still have access to the most powerful man in the city if not the state.”

Kristoff offered a heavy sigh, his expression one of full amusement.

“Stroking my ego, Roman?” He was, although there was more than a basis of truth to his words.

“I have a different suggestion. Get to know Miss Dayne more than you already have.” Sergei waited for backlash.

She’d all but made it clear when leaving my house that while she’d agree to work on the project, there wouldn’t be anything but a strictly professional relationship. I’d been pissed at first before asking myself why. Common sense would say even a single night of intimacy would complicate things.

While that enraged my already raging libido, the logic held.

“And if she doesn’t enjoy my company?”

Roman dared laugh. “You? If there is one thing I know about you, brother, it’s that you are charming when you want to be. If our concern is incorrect, then you can consider her a guardian angel and nothing more. Unless of course, you’re finally tempted into enjoying life instead of going through the motions. And no, I am not stroking your ego, but perhaps you need a handler regarding this woman. A better recommendation would be for me to talk with her. Up close and personal.”

While I was attracted to Isabel, very much so, I’d made the determination that not only was I not ready for anything other than a casual fling, but that my daughter wasn’t ready as well.

However, my brother’s insidious and offhanded comment about talking with her pushed me to an edge he normally would avoid. His way of ‘talking’ with someone either left them bloody or dead.

“Unacceptable.” I slammed my glass down on the desk, grabbed my jacket, and headed for the door. Neither my men nor my brother would control my life. Not under any circumstances. “She is not to be touched. Do you understand me? Do all of you understand very clearly what I’m telling you?”

Kristoff swirled his drink while his eyebrows knitted together. “I’ll speak for all three of us, Pakhan. Yes, we do understand.”

Sergei shook his head. “Think about it, Maxsim. Remember how many people you have counting on your leadership.”

His words fixed themselves in the back of my mind.

“I’ll consider it,” I gritted out with an ache forming in my jaw from how hard I’d been clenching it.

“What about the deep dive?” Sergei just had to throw out one last thing.

Being uncertain about a decision was as far removed from my personality as anything else. All because a woman’s beauty and her behavior had caught me off guard. “Handle it.”

I made the decisions and would continue to keep up my guard.

Especially when a beautiful woman was involved.

* * *

Isabel

A long time ago, I remembered overhearing my father tell my mother I’d been given too much freedom and that women in his household were meant to be seen and not heard.