Page 67 of Controlling Chloe

Killian pulls out his phone and starts tapping on the screen.

“Maybe we need to bring Andrei in on this. If anyone can find out what’s happening in Russia, it’s him. He was livid that girls were being kidnapped from his country,” Kieran says.

Declan runs his tongue over his top teeth and glances at Alessandro, who gives a slight nod.

“I want extra guards on the property while he’s here. Cali, Scarlet, and Chloe aren’t to be in the house while he’s inside,” Declan says.

Patrick, one of our long-time men who is standing guard near the doorway, nods and gets to work on his phone.

I pull up the GPS app and check my girl’s location. “Chloe’s at school until late this afternoon. Cali and Scarlet can go to my house so they can finish the project we started.”

“Fine, but I want at least a dozen of our guys there with them,” Declan says. “I don’t think Andrei or Nikolai want to start any problems, but after what we’ve been through with the Russians recently, I’d like to take extra precautions.”

“Definitely, brother. Thanks for including Chloe in that,” I say, smiling at him appreciatively.

He nods. “She’s family. Always has been. Always will be.”

Kieran and I exchange glances, and I know my best friend is as thankful to Declan as I am.

“Any word from Cage?” I ask.

Grady clears his throat. “Only that he hasn’t found Ronald yet, and he’s sending a couple of his associates to Russia to see what they can find out. Hopefully Andrei has some men over there who can assist in the effort.”

“Andrei and Nikolai will be here in an hour. Let’s get the girls ready to go and meet back here after.” Killian strolls toward the door and swings it open.

It only takes a few minutes before Cali and Scarlet, their arms full of stuff, are ushered out the front door by Declan and Killian. I follow and get into the SUV that will take them to my house. I want to see their faces when they find out what I’ve done for Chloe.

Once we’re inside, I lead them to the room right next to my office. “Are you ready to see it?”

Scarlet glares at me. “Oh my gosh, stop trying to be dramatic, and let us see. We’re dying here.”

Killian chuckles, and I roll my eyes, but I push open the French doors. Cali, Scarlet, Declan, and Killian all look around the room.

“Uncle Bash, this is…this is so amazing. Chloe is going to love it. Can I be here when you show her?” Cali asks, swiping at her eyes as tears fall.

I grin and go to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “No. But I’ll have her call you and tell you all about it afterward.”

The girls huff, but they’re beaming.

“Tell Patrick where you want everything, and he’ll hang it. I don’t want you two smashing your fingers with the hammer,” I warn.

Cali rolls her eyes. “You act as if we’re total klutzes.”

“Baby, you stubbed your toe on the carpet this morning,” Declan says.

“Oh my gosh, Daddy. You’re being dramatic,” she scoffs.

Raising an eyebrow, he grins as he embraces his Little girl. “Am I? I’m pretty sure there’s a Care Bears bandage on your big toe that proves I’m not because despite there being no blood, you were sure you were going to die if I didn’t put one on you.”

“You really didn’t have to call me out like that, you know. I’m your wife. You’re supposed to be on my side,” Cali argues.

Declan leans down and kisses the tip of her nose. “Oh, baby, I’m always on your side. I’d tear this world apart for you. But I’ll also call you on your shit when you’re being a brat.”

She wraps her arms around his waist and huffs. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t you guys have some place to be? We have stuff to do here.”

After we’re practically pushed out of my own house, we return to Declan’s right as Andrei and Nikolai pull up.

The air is thick with tension as the Russians and the Italians glare at one another. Alessandro and Andrei shake hands before Declan leads everyone into a large boardroom.

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