Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
All three men tensed up.
The Butcher and The Beast were not exactly well received by any of us. Where we all had to pass some kind of test and show our loyalty, the other two had gotten picked out of a hat.
I knew what Ivan was doing.
Even though we knew next to nothing about either The Butcher or The Beast, that didn’t mean Ivan was in the same boat. He never shared his information, he just worked with what he had, and that’s what made him one step ahead of the game. I intended to keep him that way.
The Butcher smiled. “It’s so good to see you boys, looking all grown up.” She winked at the room and then her gaze turned to me. “We’ve got to go.”
I didn’t take orders from her, not in my territory, but if she could get me out of a fucking dinner, then I was more than happy to go. Grabbing my jacket, I nodded at each of the men, and then left the room.
“Do I even want to know what that was about?” The Butcher asked, as we walked to the elevator that would take us to the underground parking.
“Our wives.”
I didn’t think she would understand but at her shrug, I was a little shocked.
“Makes sense. They’re in town for a little bit, why not have all the Bratva wives get together? They’re all close, or at least they try to be, seeing as they’re all in the same boat.”
“The same boat?” I asked.
“Yeah, wives to Brigadiers. In case you haven’t noticed, that is an intense gig. Death threats, acts of violence, weird, stoic men, who they have to kind of decipher whether they’re loved. You know, you guys.”
“I’m not stoic.”
“Well, you’re not exactly a bundle of fun and joy, are you?” she asked.
The last thing I wanted was to be having a conversation with this woman about my charming personality.
“Do you think Niamh would like to get to know them?”
“Depends, do you think Niamh should get to know them?”
I didn’t want to tell her about her choice. If Niamh made the choice to leave, then no. The less she knew about the Bratva, the better. If she stayed, then the more she became part of my world, the better.
“I don’t know.”
I saw The Butcher roll her eyes. “What is your problem?” I asked.
“I don’t have a problem, but I wish I could be saved from gossiping men, and all the chitchat that seems to be going on around me.” The Butcher stepped forward and pressed the button on the elevator, bringing us to a halt.
“Why?” I asked, tense and ready to grab my gun.
“Have you ever considered taking your head out of your ass, and maybe giving Niamh a reason to not leave?”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” And now, I was bored with this topic.
I went to reach for the elevator “stop” button to restart it, but The Butcher grabbed my arm and then twisted it, attempting to keep me from it. There was no way I was having her take control. I reached for her throat, and at the same time she took mine.
We fought until we were both trapped against the back of the elevator. I didn’t squeeze her neck, nor did she mine, but the threat for both of us was there. The Butcher was trained, no doubt about that. But—and this was a big fucking but—so too was I. I didn’t imagine many men would come off quite so lightly as I was in this situation.
She didn’t look impressed.
“Seeing as we’re at a little impasse right now,” The Butcher said, “I will make it clear for you, because I happen to like Niamh, and you know what, I don’t mind you at all either. I know you’re a man who doesn’t feel love. You’re a killer. Talking to another person who had no choice but to do what you had to survive. Where your first kill came at a young age. I get it, okay? Connecting and all that crap, it isn’t exactly easy. But, you clearly have feelings for Niamh, and if you don’t, then you need to take another long, hard look in the mirror, because for a guy that has no feelings for a woman, you’re not acting like it. Now, let’s move back, let go, and get our shit together.”
I glared at The Butcher, but I didn’t want to be standing in an elevator getting nothing done. We pulled apart and she went to press the button, starting up the elevator once again. Slowly, I stood by her side, and the elevator made its last descent, opening into the parking lot.
Stepping out together, we headed to my car. Several of my men were already prepared in a backup car. They knew the drill, especially with The Butcher in tow.