Page 30 of Shielded Secrets

Iknew it.

I freaking knew it.

This promise of security and protection came with a stipulation.

Of course the Baranov family wasn’t going to let me in and accept me as one of their own to protect and take care of. My friendship with Eva had been my first “in” with them, but even that wasn’t a strong enough bond to warrant these men and soldiers putting their lives on the line to keep me safe.

Rurik had. Last night, he’d volunteered to save me from my attacker and follower. Without anything being agreed upon between us beforehand, despite the fact that I hadn’t even seen him or talked to him for a couple of months, he’d taken it upon himself to act as my defender.

Since he’d shown me that he’d been wishing to be with me for a while, so much so that he’d utteredfinallywhen I gave him my virginity, I had at least the start of a hunch that he cared for me more than as a friend. It seemed implied that we’d already had aconnection that ran deeper than a fling or mere acquaintances, friends who’d met each other through friends.

But it couldn’t be something as deep as love. Or blood. I was just… me. Still a nobody, but with the impression that I could be someone worthwhile to the Baranov organization. I now had this prospect of mattering to this band of criminals—should I agree to work for them.

“I’ll be right back,” Rurik said after this meeting over breakfast seemed to be concluded.

Oleg Baranov hadn’t pressed me to answer him right away. He was a perceptive man, noticing right away how stunned and lost I was with his offer of a commitment to his family.

“Think about it over the weekend,” he suggested before calling for his men to follow him into the study.

I nodded, vaguely aware that I’d moved my head at all.

The offer to spy for a Mafia family just wasn’t something that happened every day. These were not ordinary circumstances to digest. But then again, nothing about my life had ever seemed ordinary or normal. Just hard. Difficult. A constant struggle and loss of belonging.

Rurik had gotten up to go with his boss but not before checking in with me. “Kelly?” He held on to my upper arms and ducked to be more at my eye level. “Did you hear me? I’ll be right back.”

I blinked, wanting to nod and let him know I didn’t need to be babysat in this enormous mansion. I was a guest, of course, but also maybe a potential employee?

“I’ll keep her company,” Eva said, coming up to sit at my side.

“Go on. Go on,” Irina urged him, shooing him with her hand for him to go with the others. “We’ll sit with her.”

“I…” I swallowed, wishing my throat wasn’t so dry. “I don’t need to be supervised,” I muttered once the men had left.

“But you do look like you need to scream. Or vent. Something.” Eva winced as she studied me, insisting that I get up with her and follow her out of this lavish dining room.

“I just need to…” I shrugged as I walked. “I need to think.”

“About taking up Oleg’s offer to spy for him?” Irina asked, walking with us until we reached what looked like a lounge area or living room, but so huge. The couch they led me to sit on was the softest surface I’d ever touched. So cushiony, so soft. Eva slapped a small throw pillow on my lap, and I immediately hugged it. She did the same with another small pillow, also sitting with her legs crossed. It was so simple, so familiar. We’d done this the few times we’d talked at her apartment—like what I imagined “normal” twentysomethings did when they had girl talk and stayed up late just talking and sharing.

Irina didn’t grab a pillow but sat back and propped her feet on the coffee table. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

Eva smirked at her as I scoffed. “Not that big of a deal? Yes, it is. Unlike you two who were born into this life, I’m an outsider. I’m a normal citizen. I’d be making a huge jump to the criminal side.”

Irina shrugged one shoulder. “Oh, big deal. You’re an ‘innocent’ who’s going into cahoots with the ‘bad guys’.” She blew a raspberry.

I never said I was innocent.If anyone were to mention the name Matthew O’Malley, she’d rethink tossing out a comment like that.

“I bet it would feel like a big leap, but it’s not like we’re another species,” Eva said.

“I know that, but my God, there’s no going back once I’m in.” That was what got to me the most.

“And why would that be bad?” Irina asked. “Seriously. Look around you. You were treated to a night with complete security of soldiers and guards keeping this place secure around the clock. You didn’t struggle sleeping with a worry about anyone bothering you or breaking in, right?”

I nodded.

“We have chefs, house staff,” she added. “No worries about expenses or making sure your loved ones have what they need. When Vik brought me here, Oleg also saved my brother.”

“And if you want to have the freedom to finish school, there are options,” Eva said.

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