Page 39 of Reign of Psychos

“The vacation’s over. I need you back in London this evening.”

Dad sounded angry. No change there, but for once I didn’t care about his precious feelings. Not that I ever had.

It was surprising he’d lasted this long before ordering me home. My non-appearance for Christmas had irritated him, but Ekaterina always kept him busy, so he hadn’t said too much. My absence at New Year’s Eve had been noted, too.

“I’m busy.” Busy doing Thea if I had my way.

“Don’t push me, Kyril. I’m not in the mood for your bullshit.”

“College starts in a week,” I pointed out, even though I had no intention of returning. Earning a college degree was a waste of my time. I wasn’t academic. Never had been. Not like Cassian and Milo, who found studying easy.

He blustered down the phone, unhappy at me pushing back.

“Your stepmother wants to see you. She missed you at Christmas.”

I laughed, which pissed off my father even more.

“Get back to London or that whore you’ve been seeing will be dealt with.” With the warning still ringing in my ears, he slammed the phone down.

Fuck. He knew about Thea. Hardly surprising given we’d stopped hiding, but still. It was a concern. He obviously didn’t know about the baby, though, or he wouldn’t have threatened her.

The mother of my baby was precious, even though she wasn’t a sanctioned bride. Unlike some mafia families, I wasn’t expected to take a wife approved by my father. He didn’t care who I married or fucked as long as I produced a male heir.

We weren’t religious. Not like the old families. If my father set foot in a church, God would probably smite him down.

The only reason he’d married Ekaterina was because she insisted. She was desperate for him to put a ring on it, and he was too far up her pussy to see the only things she wanted were money and power.

Leaving Thea went against every instinct I had, but it was time my father knew the truth. I had no intention of staying in London while Ekaterina playedhappy families. Ifotetswanted me to remain his son and heir, that bitch needed to go.

I was done pretending she hadn’t abused me. Made my life hell. Done things to me no stepmother should.

Her days were numbered.

“Dad has threatened to deal with Thea if I don’t go back to London.” Cassian and Dario both threw concerned looks at me, but I shook my head. “He won’t do anything for now, and once he knows Thea is the mother of my baby, she’s safe.”

“You’re going to tell him she’s pregnant?”

“I have to. It’s the only way to make sure he doesn’t touch her.”

“And what if the baby isn’t yours?” Cassian asked carefully, not wanting to trigger my temper. But I smiled.

“It is mine.”

“How can you be so sure?”

I waved my hand dismissively. “Because the dates align.” Until we did a paternity test, I couldn’t be 100% sure, but my gut told me this baby was mine. And if it wasn’t, the next one would be.

“We should all leave. It’s safer if we stick together,” Dario said, moving on from the baby issue. I got why he’d want to change the subject. He was probably jealous I’d put a baby in her first.

A small smirk escaped as I sipped my coffee. I caught the frown when he noticed, and my smirk grew. Served the asshole right. I no longer hated him, but we weren’t friends either. The only reason I let him stay was the fact he could protect Thea, and he’d righted a lot of wrongs when he helped me rescue her and Verity.

“The girls leave for school tomorrow,” Dario pointed out. “We could head off straight after.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Might be wise. I’m uncomfortable relying on Declan’s hospitality. We already owe him way too many favors for my liking.”

“I agree. I’m not convinced he’s helping us out of the kindness of his heart.”

Cassian was right. Declan was a businessman. He never did things for free. Yes, Eden was Thea’s friend, and he didn’t want anything to happen to her for that reason, but he’d gone above and beyond since agreeing to provide the resources I needed to rescue Thea.

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