Page 22 of Kissed By Shadows

“Shared account, baby,” I tell her, chuckling when her mouth opens in realisation. “Plus Rowan showed me the bank statement. What did you spend a small fortune on from Amazon and Nest?”

“Books and knitting supplies,” she answers easily, settling back into the sofa, her eyes closing again. “I’ve got to have something to occupy my time while I’m your captive.”

My dick fucking jerks at the idea of holding her captive, preferably naked in my bed, wet and waiting for me.

“I could think of a few ideas,” I purr, watching as her whole body shudders. Looks like her mind went to the same place as mine. Filthy little Princess.

“I…” she trails off, a frown marring her perfect brows, and I stop massaging, my forehead creased.

“What is it, sweetheart?” I ask, the endearment slipping off my tongue and feeling so right. Seems like my brother isn’t the only one developing an obsession.

She exhales loudly, still not opening her eyes. “It’s just, yesterday with Nikolai, that was my first time, and then what happened with you and Hunter last night… Good girls don’t sleep around.”

My brows raise as her meaning suddenly becomes clear, even if her words aren’t. “You’re slut-shaming yourself.” Her entire body is tense once more, flinching when I say the words. “Look at me, Princess.” Slowly, her head turns, her hazel eyes suddenly all I can see, and I get lost in their swirling depths for a few seconds. “It’s not wrong to explore things sexually with multiple people, and saying there are different rules for men and women when it comes to how many sexual partners is allowed is some kind of prehistoric bullshit.”

There’s a deep crease in between her eyes. “But won’t it be like cheating on him?”

The question leaves me stunned for a moment, then I remember that when Hunter had us look into Iris, back when she was helping Willow after the night that is a mystery to all bar Willow herself, Nikolai came up as someone who Iris spent a lot of time with growing up. It’s clear that it was more than the fucked-up deal her father made, at least for her. White-hot rage fills me at the idea that it might have meant nothing to him, although I remind myself that Hunt told us about the mysterious message he received last night and his suspicions that it was from the Russian.

“You’re not together now, are you?” I gently ask, unclenching my grip which had tightened on her feet.

“No, I mean, how can we be if I’m here? And even if he did say he’d come for me one day—” she cuts herself off, eyes widening in horror at her clear slip-up.

“Wait, did he bring you to us, sweetheart?” I question, already guessing that he did. It would tie in with the message that Hunter received.

“Shit, I’m not meant to tell you,” she replies, shoulders slumping in defeat. “Guess that ship has sailed.”

“Tell me what happened.” Movement behind her in both the kitchen and hallway doorways tells me that my brother and Hunter are listening in too, but I don’t make her aware of their presence. I’d only tell them later anyway, and I don’t want her clamming up.

Sighing, she looks at her hands, which are toying with the blanket in her lap. “He snuck me out of the house when everyone was asleep, we took the garden exit and walked for fucking ages.” She pauses, licking her lips. “Then about five minutes away, he stopped, telling me that he couldn’t come any closer. A–and then he walked away.”

I watch as a single tear falls down her cheek, my hands clenching around her feet once more.

“He let you fucking walk here alone?” Hunter seethes, stalking into the room, and Iris jumps, twisting in her seat to gaze at him with wide, watery eyes. “I’ll fucking kill the bastard for that.”

“It wasn’t safe for him to come to the estate, and it wasn’t safe for me to stay there,” she snaps, the fact that she immediately jumps to Nikolai’s defence telling me that there are still some strong feelings there. So we can’t, in fact, just kill him, even if I agree with Hunt. “And I couldn’t stay with him. I think, maybe, I was only promised to him for one night, and if Sergi got hold of me…”

My jaw flexes, knowing exactly what the leader of the Bratva in London would do to a pure soul like Iris. I’ve heard the stories, the tales of all those poor women he brings in to fulfilthe depraved needs of his men before selling them to the highest bidder.

“He won’t get his hands on you, I’ll cut them off first,” Rowan states as he walks towards us, coming around and crouching in front of her. Then he takes her hands in his, opening her clenched fingers, and I feel my eyes practically bulge from my skull when he places one of his favourite knives into her palms. “I’ll teach you how to do it too, then we can carve him up together, Little Lamb.”

Her eyes dart up to his, her fingers closing around his offering, and then she’s launching forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and making him rock back, only his fast reflexes saving them both from toppling over.

Personally, I would have given her shoes, jewellery, or taken her shopping as I know she’s into her fashion. But my twin, the one who doesn’t acknowledge most people’s existence, has not only given her the means to get things that make her happy and will keep her occupied but also now means and a promise to help her take her revenge and be able to defend herself.

Shit. Who knew my brother had such game?

CHAPTER TEN

“MORALLY GREY - NATION HAVEN EDITION” BY APRIL JAI & NATION HAVEN

IRIS

Hunter and Rowan leave not long after I tell them about Nikolai, Rowan’s knife growing warm in my palm. It has a black metal-shaped handle with a switch on the side. I push it up, jumping when a black blade springs from the end.

“Let’s put that away for now, Rambo.” Roman chuckles, gently taking the knife from me and pulling the switch down so the blade goes back into the handle. Then he places it on the coffee table before turning to face me, taking my hands in his. “So, I thought I could make you breakfast while you have a shower, then we can watch that film you like,Memoirs of a Geisha?”

“Okay, sounds good,” I reply, getting lost in his chocolate-brown eyes. They’re full of mischief, reminding me of Shakespeare’s Puck fromA Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thatworks well for these guys because Hunter is definitely Oberon, the overbearing bastard. I’ll need to think about Rowan, he feels too dark for any of the fairies.

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