Page 48 of Vicious Addictions

“The kind the boss needs to know about.”

“That’s going to be tricky.” Remus scoffs. “Uncle Victor drove back to Kent early to help prepare for Mina’s birthday this weekend.”

“Then I guess that’s where we’re going,” Felix rebukes, giving Remus a dirty look before heading toward the door.

I throw fifty quid onto the counter and quickly follow Felix out the door.

To my bitter chagrin, the twins invite themselves to come along with us.

“I know someone who’s going to be thrilled with this little impromptu visit.” Rolo snickers to his twin.

I glance over my shoulder with a frown and ask him, “Who are you talking about?”

“All that schooling for what? Nothing. You really aren’t the sharpest tool in the shed, are you, Yank?” Rolo shakes his head in contempt.

“Oh, I don’t know, Rolo,” Remus counters. “I think he might be smarter than we give him credit for.”

Instead of hurting my brain trying to figure out Remus’ riddles, I give him the finger and turn my attention back to Felix. Whatever has him so riled up must be important. Felix wouldn’t confront Victor at his family estate if it weren’t.

By the time we arrive in Kent, it’s well past midnight, but thankfully, the boss is still awake, playing chess with Mina in the library.

Mina’s gray eyes light up as we walk in, but they quickly dim when she senses the tension we bring.

“This can’t be good,” she mutters before moving her chess piece on the board, and from what I can see, just two moves away from calling checkmate on her father.

“I hate to interrupt you at home, Boss, but it is imperative that we discuss…business,” Felix explains vaguely before setting his sights on the boss’s daughter. “Mina,” Felix greets, his voice noticeably smoother. “You look lovely this evening.”

“Thank you, Felix. How lovely to see you again.” Her smile is small, but I catch the faint pink dusting her cheeks.

Was Rolo talking about Felix earlier back at the bar?

Is she actually happy to see him?

I’m not sure why, but the thought of Mina possibly being genuinely happy to see Felix catches me off guard. But when her gaze shifts from him to me, something in her gray eyes softens, making the small knot in my chest loosen.

Crane sets his chess piece down before standing up from his seat.

“I’ll talk with the boys, and then we’ll finish the game, sweet pea.”

“That’s okay, Daddy. Looks like you’ll be busy for a while.”

“We can keep you company, cousin,” Remus offers with an endearing smile—a sharp contrast to the manipulative bastard I know him to be.

“Yeah. I mean, how difficult could chess even be?” Rolo jokes before plopping his ass on the seat in front of her.

Unlike her cousins, I don’t have the option to sit out this meeting in favor of playing chess. However, a part of me is envious that the twins can shrug off their responsibilities to spend time with Mina.

I shoot her a little smile before following Crane and Felix out of the library and into his office.

Crane settles into his chair behind his desk, his expression unreadable.

“Alright, lads. What’s so urgent it couldn’t wait until morning?”

Felix remains standing as he begins to debrief his boss with tonight’s findings.

“Our Russian friend got his hands on some intel I thought you should know about.”

Crane’s eyes darken. “I didn’t know we hadfriendsin the Bratva.”

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