Page 38 of Fergus

Fergus had never wantedto hit someone on their arrogant nose quite as much as he now did Nikolai Volkov.

The bastard was enjoying himself far too much. At their—but mainly his—expense.

Thank God, Thea didn’t seem in the least in awe of the mocking Russian bastard.

The opposite, in fact. Her gaze was amused as she steadily returned Nikolai’s stare.

Fergus had never experienced jealousy before he met the adult Thea, but he was definitely feeling that emotion now in regard to the slightly older Nikolai.

The other man might be happily married, but he was also handsome as fuck, and Nikolai also knew how to turn on the charm when he felt like it. Now that he had decided he liked Thea, that charm was very much in evidence.

Linus was grinning at them all like a fucking loon, obviously enjoying this situation immensely.

His brother held up “don’t look at me like that” hands when Fergus glowered his displeasure at him.

Fergus turned back to Nikolai. “Did you find anything about the tattoos I described in my message?” he prompted briskly.

Having finished eating what salad had been left in the bowl, the Russian turned on the stool to look at him. “They were, as you and Declan thought, the loyalty markings of the men employed as Lev Yegorov’s bodyguards. And yes, now that I have finished the salad, I would very much like a cup of coffee, thank you for asking,” he added lightly.

Fergus glared his frustration, knowing the other man’s pointed remark was meant to make him aware of how lacking his manners had been since the other man arrived. After all, he had asked for Nikolai’s help, not the other way about.

“Hi, Thea.” Linus, obviously tired of being ignored, now stepped forward to thrust his hand out toward her. “I’m Linus, Fergus’s much younger brother.”

Fergus scowled. “Six years isn’tmuchyounger.”

“Well, it’s a lot closer to twenty-four than forty-two is,” Linus taunted.

Fucker!

“Nice to meet you, Linus.” Thea shook his hand briefly. “I’ll make us all some coffee,” she offered. “I worked as a barista to help me through my years at university,” she added chattily as she poured the coffee beans into the top of the machine and then poured the filtered water into the reservoir. “But then, with your skills, I’m guessing the two of you already knew that.” She turned on the coffee machine before turning to give both Linus and Nikolai a pointed glance.

Linus nodded. “Guilty.”

“I also know that you did so because you refused to accept any financial help from your stepfather,” Nikolai confirmed, completely unabashed by the fact he’d obviously done more than investigate the origin of the tattoos Fergus had asked him to. “But does Fergus also know that it was due to you that your mother dropped her attempt to blackmail him ten years ago?” he added conversationally.

Fergus’s eyes widened, and he could tell by the way Thea’s gaze became accusing as she looked at the Russian that what Nikolai had just said was the truth.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

“Did you really do that?”Fergus prompted Thea, a frown lowering his brow.

She shrugged as if the subject was of little importance. “I’d rather not?—”

“I spoke to Jessica Morgan’s lawyer a short time ago.” Nikolai ignored Thea’s glare. “Once I had explained my interest, he very kindly told me exactly why Jessica Morgan backed off.”

Fergus guessed “explained my interest” meant something far more sinister. Lawyers didn’t just go around breaking their clients’ confidentiality arbitrarily. Especially at seven o’clock at night.

But the fact that Nikolai had done so successfully with Jessica Morgan’s lawyer was testament to the fear and awe in which all of London’s residents held the Russian Wolf.

“He remembered Jessica Morgan and her daughter very well,” Nikolai continued mildly. “He told me that Mrs. Morgan’s daughter had told him you couldn’t have been the father of her unborn child because Jessica Morgan was incapable of having any more children after she gave birth to Thea. He also told me that he had agreed to find someone to represent Thea if she chose to challenge her mother’s claims in a court of law.”

Thea continued to stare at him. “Those were private conversations…”

Nikolai nodded. “Indeed they were, but they are also ones that your mother’s lawyer felt he could confide in me.”

“No doubt threatening him helped,” Fergus muttered.

“No doubt,” the Russian drawled, unabashed. “But it is also the truth, is it not?” He looked at Thea.

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