Page 112 of Kings of Violence

He removes his mask and snorts, not looking at all like he believes me, but he glances at Silvano instead of challenging me.

It makes my unease return, just a bit, because he’s so reliant on a man who had been an enemy of our family for so long.

Silvano removes his mask, revealing his handsome features. His blue eyes pierce into me, the way they had the first time I’d properly met him.

“It’s good to see you again,” Silvano says with a strained smile. “Though I do wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Yeah,” I say, removing my own mask. “I… Thanks for helping. I know it’s a big risk and all. Konstantin doesn’t really see you as a threat, so I don’t really know what’s going to happen.”

“Konstantin,” Kyran scoffs. “You mean Voronkov?”

Something in my stomach twists, and I say quietly, “Yeah.”

I catch Silvano staring at my breasts. And here I thought he was a gentleman—and gay. I’m about to tell him off, when I realize he isn’t staring at my breasts. He’s staring at the brand, where the cardigan has fluttered loose.

Kyran follows his gaze, and his eyes go wide with first disbelief, then rage. Even as I try to cover it back up, he grabs my wrist, pulling the cloth back.

“You’re hurting me,” I say for the second time that evening — first with Konstantin, and now with my own brother.

He relaxes his grip slightly, but his voice is sharp as he demands, “What the fuck is this, Sierra?”

“What the fuck does it look like?” I retort.

Silvano places his hand over Kyran’s. “Calm down. This isn’t the time or place. If you want to take it out on somebody, save it for Voronkov.”

Kyran’s nostrils flare, but he lets me go when I jerk back away from him.

“I need to get out of here,” I say. “I got caught.” It hurts my pride to say, but if Konstantin, Nikolai, and Yuri have a chance totrack me down… “Please tell me everyone’s safe?” My voice cracks. “Ma, and Carol and Amanda and Tom?”

Kyran nods immediately. “Yeah. Carol and Amanda and Tom moved to live with Carol’s parents out of state. Ma…” He grimaces. “She’s being stubborn.”

“We’ve got constant security on her,” Silvano interjects. “Even if she won’t accept our help, we’re keeping her safe.”

“I don’t understand why she won’t accept your help at all,” I say irritably. “I know, I know, everything with Neil, but she doesn’t have Pa or Sean to keep her safe anymore..”

Something I don’t understand crosses Kyran’s face.

Well. Something I don’t understand at first.

But I know my big brother, and even though the expression is almost immediately gone, I still caught the flash ofguilt. “Wait,” I say, watching Kyran closely even though my question is directed to Silvano. “What am I missing?”

“An entire conversation,” Silvano says with a long sigh. “We did try reaching out over Christmas, you know. Your mother was… well, unpleasant.” He gives me a rueful smile. “And your brother didn’t mince his words either.”

“I’m aware,” I say harshly. “Ma was a mess afterward.”

“Yeah, well, so was I,” Kyran shoots back.

The admission startles me into silence. It’s not like Kyran has ever been big aboutfeelings.

“You could have been nicer to her,” I mumble, but I regret the words almost instantly.

Silvano’s expression hardens, too, losing some of the elegant charm. “I don’t think we need to rehash that mess. Why don’t we discuss what we’re doing now?”

“Getting the fuck out of here before Kon—” I catch myself this time. “Before Voronkov finds us. He’s not above starting a fight here to…” I swallow hard. “They’re gonna want me back.”

Kyran snarls at that, his eyes going back to where the brand is beneath the cardigan. “Too fucking bad. He doesn’t get to have you.”

“This is going to cause a lot of trouble.” Silvano rubs his brow.

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