Page 31 of Kaid's Empire

He nods frantically in agreement. “You're right, he has been blackmailing me, not just me but most of his soldiers. That’s how he recruits, he threatens our businesses, our families.”

I nod. “I know this, but here’s the thing, you're all stupid enough to believe his threats. You all could have come to me, to my brothers, and we would have kept you safe, we would have made sure your businesses and families were safe. So, tell me why I should bother to keep you safe now?”

He pauses for a moment. “Because I can help you, I can tell you where Vitali is, I can tell you where his main base is,” he stutters desperately.

I shrug. “I already know where his main base is, we’ve always known. I also know that it’s a roux, a place to make his enemies believe that is where he is. I also know where he is right now. See, when you have someone that wants you dead, it is smart to always know where they are.”

“Please, I will do anything. I will serve under you, anything I know I will tell you,” he begs. And there's the ass kissing, the begging, and soon it will be the tears. It’s predicable and it’s tedious.

“I know his plans,” he blurts, getting my attention.

“Go on,” I encourage.

He smiles, a little relief that I am listening to him. “He has an insider,” he informs me. I look to Mikhail; he raises a brow at me. “He… he has a solider on the inside, that’s how he got into the club, that’s how he is planning his next attack. It’s big… he is planning on taking you out.”

“He's always planning on taking me out, what is so different this time apart from him having someone on the inside? Which will fail because I will find that person and kill them,” I point out.

The man shakes his head. “It’s different this time. I don’t know all the details of why it is, but it just is. He is bringing war to you and the ones you love.”

I laugh. “The ones I love? It may have missed your attention, but all my loved ones are dead. I work alone.”

His facial expression changes, and a smile spreads across his face. “That’s not entirely true, is it, oh mighty Pakhan?”

My spine straightens and my fists clench. “Who the fuck are you?” I growl.

“There is one very important loved one you care about, one person that you are trying to keep hidden from our world. A beautiful brunette, with an exceptional rack.” He smiles, licking his lips.

My fist connects hard with his jaw, whipping his head to the side. He laughs and spits blood on the floor. “I am a loyal solider to Vitali, and your time is up as Pakhan. He will kill you, but not before he makes you watch as he kills your love, your weakness.”

I pull out my gun and fire, shooting him right between the eyes. Fire pumps through my veins. “Mikhail, get this shit cleaned up and find the fucking rat!”

Twenty-Three

Theia

“What about this one?” Allegra holds up a full-length black halter neck, sequinned dress, with a high split.

“I like it, but is it too much for the party?” I ask.

“Too much for the prince of Monaco’s party?” she says, raising her brow.

“Fair enough. I wish you were going to be there; I am a little nervous, I've never met royalty before. Well, I once as a child gave princess Anne a bunch of flowers when she visited our school, but I don’t think that really counts.” I shrug.

Allegra laughs. “You will look beautiful, and believe me, if Aleck and I were important people then we would be there, but we are not. You will only get one minute with the prince, his people efficiently allocate one minute per attendee at these events. He will do his duties, greet people, and that will be it. You don’t need to panic,” she assures.

“Okay.” I breathe, pushing past my nerves.

Allegra hands me a glass of champagne. “Have you had the talk with Kaid yet?” she asks.

“What talk?” I ask.

She smiles softly. “Just of who he is, what’s his job, about his life…”

I shake my head. “No, he hasn’t told me. He said that he needs me to fully believe in him and trust him. I guess when you start something with someone you think they're just a normal guy, but to then have them keep you against your will… the trust will take a little while to come.” I laugh.

Allegra laughs. “He is right, it’s a lot to take on, and as much as I don’t agree with the whole kidnapping you thing, I do understand it. Plus, you’ll get there. In fact, if I were to guess, I would say you're already there, you're just withholding it.”

I bite my bottom lip. “There is just a lot of Kaid to take,” I admit.

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