Page 20 of Torn Souls

I can’t help but grin and shake my head. “Oaklynn has no idea what is coming her way,” I mutter.

Baker meets my eyes, and his stone façade cracks, a grin growing on his face. “You’re not wrong, brother,” he teases.

I roll my eyes and then direct my attention back to my brother as he downs the last of his vodka and slams the glass on his desk. He takes the measure of each of us for a moment before he nods, finalizing our plan and what we’ve discussed.

“Looks like we have a woman to claim without selling our souls to the likes of Richard Chambers,” amusement dances in Kirill’s eyes with his proclamation.

I scoff, “Sell our souls? What is left of them?”

“Good question,” Huck fires in my direction while pointing at me.

“I’m always up for an abduction,” I offer up only to get glares from the other men in the room. I hold my hands up in surrender and bark out a laugh. “What? If we stole her out from under his nose, then we wouldn’t have to pretend to take his deal. She’d still be ours. We’d still be able to give her the freedom she so clearly craves.”

Kirill shakes his head, but he can’t hide the way the corner of his mouth twitches with amusement. “No,” he shakes his head, “I think it’s a better idea to have Chambers think he’s fooled us and take the deal. He’s the kind of man to let his guard down in favor of greed and pride.”

“Then we’ll just need to convince Oaklynn we aren’t just using her like her father,” Huck’s voice is thoughtful. He sighs, “I’m not sure it will be an easy task.”

“Maybe not,” I offer, “but if she’s anything like I think she is, underneath what is expected of her, she’ll see the truth quickly.”

“Don’t underestimate the need to survive,” Huck whispers. He points out, “You don’t know what he is holding over her head.”

I sit up straighter in my seat, anger filling me and making me want to blend into the darkness and track down Chambers right now. “We’ll eliminate all threats to our woman.”

Kirill nods, the safe movement filled with pride. “Richard can think he’s getting what he wants,” he offers up to the room, “but I’m going to wait a few days. I don’t want to seem too eager. He’s expecting us to play his game, but he has no idea what the rules really are.”

After I stand and give a nod goodnight, every step toward my room is heavy. We have a plan. I try to find solace in it, but the thought of harm coming to Oaklynn before we can get her to safety has my gut churning.

If Chambers were a smart man, he will protect his daughter with his life. But I already know he’s not bright enough to do so.

Not when he not only walked into the demon’s lair without a second thought but invited that darkness into his life with open arms. He’s going to be in for a surprise when all dust clears.

I can only hope that the only blood left on the battlefield is that of our enemies. If our woman is hurt by what is coming for us, I’ll burn the world down to avenge even a single drop of hers spilled.

CHAPTER 7

BAKER

Walking into the large security office, I watch the men who are watching the monitors for a moment. They’re focused on their job and barely glance my way. Before I can turn to leave, movement at the camera covering the lobby reception catches my eye.

My heart starts to pound in my chest when I realize what I’m looking at. Without realizing it, I step closer to that monitor and the man watching it moves to the side to give me the room I need. I’m shocked to see Oaklynn Chambers standing at the reception desk.

Sierra is sitting there, her back straight and an air of haughtiness about her as she shakes her head. Oaklynn raises her chin with her hands clasped together in front of her body. I narrow my eyes as I take her in.

Something is wrong, but I can’t put my finger on it.

I don’t acknowledge anyone as I turn and sprint down the hallway and toward the elevator. Even though it makes no difference, I press the down arrow button over and over again while shifting from foot to foot.

Just as I’m about to say fuck it and run down the stairs theelevator doors open. I’m just as insistent about the lobby button as I was about the down arrow. I’m almost bouncing on my toes, the need to get to Oaklynn and find out why she’s here is riding me hard.

The moment I step into the lobby, I hear Sierra’s voice. It’s high, nasally, and makes me cringe. “Like I’ve already said,” she practically sneers, “I can’t send you up to Mr. Volkov’s floor. You don’t have an appointment. He’s a busy man.”

I close the distance to the receptionist desk and find Sierra staring at Oaklynn with a curled lip and hatred in her eyes. I’ve never hit a woman nor been tempted before, but Sierra is pushing my buttons.

The possessive need to protect and shield Oaklynn doesn’t surprise me. Ever since I met her two nights ago, I have wanted her. There is no doubt in my mind that she would fit in my arms perfectly. She could nestle against me and be held perfectly safe and sound.

“I understand Mr. Volkov is a busy man,” Oaklynn tries to keep her voice calm and even, but I can see that she’s about at the end of her rope with this woman. “I’m not asking you to simply allow me upstairs, all I’m asking is for you to call his office to find out if he has a moment to speak with me.”

“He doesn’t,” Sierra spits back without even considering Oaklynn’s request.

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