Page 21 of Craving Vengeance

I opened my mouth to tell her that she was safe here but couldn’t find the words, my throat constricting against my will. A huff of frustration left me as Gianni and Dmitri pulled me into the kitchen, Valentyn standing in front of me as his hand caressed my neck. “Breathe, baby. You’re not breathing.”

“What, yes-” I slumped against the counter as I realized I wasn’t, Gianni and Dmitri each massaging a hand as Valentyn continued running his thumb up and down my neck. “Fuck. I-”

“No talking. Just breathe. They’re fine. We’re fine. It’ll all work out, so long as you keep breathing. Just like that. Good boy.” Valentyn leaned in to place a chaste kiss on my lips, making me feel even worse that I couldn’t hold it together like the fucking children out in the living room. “Stay with me, Rhys. I can see those wheels turning in your head, the ones telling you that you have to be stronger. You don’t. God, you’ve been through so much and you’re doing so well.”

His praise was helping draw me out of my head as my breaths returned to normal. “Sorry.”

Gianni chuckled. “That doesn’t require an apology.”

We stayed there for several moments, my men huddled around me, building a cocoon of safety and protection from the outside world. “Rhys, several things have to change. Our timeline has moved up and we need your help.” I nodded as Valentyn pulled away, his hand sliding down to caress my hip. “It seems both your sister and Chester have figured out that the program we left them was botched. On purpose. We don’t have much time.”

“Fuck,” I mumbled.

Dmitri immediately added. “Yes, but we’re not trying to overwhelm you. We can find another way—it might take some time and if you’d rather go to a safe house with your niece-”

The horror of trying to get accustomed to yet another place but one without them in it had me cutting him off. “Why do you guys keep trying to get rid of me? I just… it’s a bit of a learning curve but I don’t want to go anywhere. I really like you guys and I don’t, I can’t, um… I’ll miss you,” I said pitifully, unable to come to terms with the real emotions swirling around in my head. It was too soon to say those words and if they didn’t reciprocate them, fuck, I’d just keel over and die.

We all shared a bit of laughter but Valentyn promised to share more details once the kids were settled. I stayed perched on the counter as my men pulled together what looked like lunch, sandwiches, and whatever other snacks the house was stocked with. Gianni cut Paval and Tia’s into little triangles, the resulting squeal as he stepped into the living room telling me that they loved it.

I wasn’t all that hungry but my stomach protested anyway. Without thinking, I reached for the sandwich closest to me, Valentyn grabbing my wrist to stop me. “Sweetheart, that one has cheese.”

I stared at it for several moments, wondering if I was ready. I wanted to be. God, I wanted to be. Instead of listening to the pesky voice in my head that told me I would always be chained by my demons, I contemplated the strength I’d need to reach in and take a healthy serving. Dmitri moved in front of me, pinching off a small piece and placing it on his tongue before looking at me. It was kind of strange if I thought about it long enough but I was also tempted.

Giving in, I leaned in and let Dmitri kiss me, his tongue pushing into my mouth as the taste of cheddar cheese, ham, and garlic aioli exploded on my tongue. I waited for the inevitable panic and memories of a man who no longer existed but they didn’t come. Instead, I was only met with Dmitri’s insistence as his hands fell to my waist, fingers digging into my hips as he dragged me closer, his cock rubbing against mine until I was whining for more than he was offering.

Too soon, he pulled away, leaving me with a mere wink as he scooped up the sandwich and hovered it over a plate. I hesitated and then nodded, my men gifting me wild smiles in return. I didn’t miss Valentyn mouthing ‘good boy’ just before I exited the kitchen to eat with the others.

Chapter sixteen

RHYS

Paval was content with his pillows, Tia finding comfort smashed against my side as I scarfed down an early lunch. I thought about getting a second sandwich but knew that I was at my limit for the day. There were too many things going on for me to try and brave all of my fears at once. Tia squeezed my hand, looking at me, her bottom lip trembling before she glanced over at Paval.

“Will I get to see Mommy again?”

I knew she was going to crack eventually, but god, that’s not the question I thought she was going to ask and it broke my heart that she realized some bit of the danger we were in.

I put down my plate and pulled her into my lap, forcing myself to smile to ease her worries. “Of course, Tia. We’re just laying low for right now but I’m sure we can find some games to play and then we can go look at the Eiffel Tower. How does that sound?” The lies felt like ash on my tongue.

She searched my expression for several seconds and I knew she was trying to find the lie in my words. I always told her the truth and I hated that today I had chosen the easy way out. Her smile brightened as she threw her arms around my neck. “You promise?”

I nodded, holding tight. “Yes. You and Paval should start planning for all the things you want to do. Maybe this weekend we can do some of them.” If our timeline had moved up, that would mean that by the end of the week, all of this would be over or we’d be moving again to another safe location.

Tia squeezed my hand again. “Daddy was going to come see me but now I can’t see him anymore.”

My body tensed beneath her before I forced myself to relax. A frown slid onto my lips as I turned her around so that we were staring at each other. My men were working throughout the house, gathering information, making calls, and setting up the day for when we’d meet with our contact at Hawk International. They had demanded that I bring the program but I was currently focused on the two children that were helping me avoid my feelings.

“Tia, what are you talking about? You see Ernest all the time.” God, I had fucking forgot about that man. How deep was he into all this shit?

“That’s not my daddy.” Horror flooded her expression as she looked around hurriedly and then back at me. “Oh, I wasn’t supposed to say that.”

I lowered my voice, not wanting to alert the others just yet. “Tia, explain what you mean. Ernest isn’t your dad?”

She shook her head. “No. That’s what the man on the phone said. I heard him and Mommy say the same thing. I wanted to talk to him but Mommy hid her phone.” Tia sighed, flopping onto the couch. “I found her phone though and I called him. I wanted to meet him.”

This girl was only six years old and already sleuthing through information she didn’t understand. The fact that Owen had made contact with his daughter was terrifying enough, but the fact that she would never truly know what happened – or the fact that I had had a hand in killing her father? The thought tore at me as I tried to keep my smile, placing her beside Paval and telling her that I’d be right back. She nodded and dove into the pillows, forgetting my existence as I made my way to the bedroom, trying to calm my nerves.

I passed Dmitri on the way, giving him a small smile. “Can you watch them for a minute? I just need something.” He didn’t answer as I kept moving, hating the way my voice wobbled.

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