Page 10 of Doubts & Fears

She charged to her feet, her hands flying to her hips. Fire burned in her eyes. “Here? I can’t stay here. I’ll stay in Skagit.”

“No, you’ll stay here,” Ivan said again, this time more firm.

The air grew charged with the tension between them, a clash of wills filling the room. With gazes locked, their silent battle unfolded.

The fire chief cleared his throat. “Well, I understand your desire to be elsewhere, but there are certain procedures and considerations we must adhere to.” His voice carried a hint of unease. “It really is best if you stay.”

The fire chief made eye contact with us and rose. After apologizing once more and promising to keep in touch, he left.

“I’m not staying here,” she exclaimed.

“I distinctly remember hearing you say the night of the fire that you weren’t safe. Care to explain why you felt that way?” I asked, gearing up.

Shrugging her shoulders, she huffed, “Did I say that? I don’t remember. I mean, it’s not like I wasn’t under stress at all.” Her sarcastic tone did nothing to defuse Alek’s growing ire. He was working himself up once more.

“What about the package you received? And before you try to act as if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’ll remind you that you sent a picture to Marcel. So it’s not up for discussion. You’ll stay put,” Alek declared.

A myriad of emotions played across her delicate features. The primary one was raw and stark fear, and it momentarily seized her. It was as if a hundred memories bum-rushed her. Unsurprisingly, she was quick on her feet and masked it. She scrambled for an answer. And she didn’t disappoint.

The package had been bothering all of us since that night. Who would send her something like that? I knew both Ivan and Alek were wondering the same thing. Her willingness to discuss it despite it causing obvious discomfort was slightly promising.

Innocently, she looked at Alek, batted her lashes, and spoke in a breathy voice. “I thought it was a peace offering from you. It seemed like your style, it being a collar and all.” Sneering, she added, “Just a word of advice, sometimes less is more. It was a bit hideous, if you ask me.”

His lips curled in silent response. The tension in the room escalated as her sharp retorts flew like arrows, each one aimed with precision at Alek.

“Good to know. You would have preferred something a bit more delicate?” Alek tried to keep his tone light. No doubt remembering what Marcel had suggested.

“Yeah, I was pretty sure my blade on your cock sent a clear message about how I’d feel wearing your collar, delicate or not. But hey, live dangerously, die dangerously.” She shrugged.

Her gaze locked with his, and in that moment, her words cut through the tension like Ivan’s blade. I turned my head away to hide the amused smile that tugged at my lips. I fought to suppress a sputter of laughter, emanating a cough out of sheer amusement.

“Jesus, did she really get the slip on you again? I don’t recall hearing that story. I’m scheduling you for the gym,” Ivan said with a disgusted look.

“Oh, someone keeping secrets from the Squad, tsk-tsk. You might want to go over anatomy with him, Blade. His femoral artery isn’t too far off from his cock. Maybe next time I’ll just plunge first, and then tell him how I really feel. Lucky for him, he won’t have to listen for very long before he bleeds out.”

Her audacity and ability to meet Alek’s antagonism with a perfectly timed dose of sarcasm struck me as equal parts remarkable and comical. She’d managed to verbally slap the Reaper and maintain her ground. I was impressed. The little shit was baiting him.

“Let me be clear with you. I did not send you that package. So your ass is staying here until we can determine your safety. What else was in the box?” he demanded.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Alek’s question hung in the air. The atmosphere shifted alarmingly as all the fight left her body. I wasn’t the only one to notice. Something else was in the package that frightened her. What could it have been?

Her gaze flashed to mine before she stood abruptly. “Can we be done now, please?” Her shoulders slumped, and stark vulnerability replaced the armor she’d worn so fiercely moments before.

Without a second thought, I moved closer and took her into my arms. She visibly relaxed and sighed. “Breathe, baby.” I stroked her back. “You don’t have to answer right now. We can try again later.”

Seconds ticked by as she snuggled into me. I met Alek’s eyes, and a flicker of gratitude greeted me. It was a silent exchange, a shared understanding that we allbared a level of responsibility for her. After a few minutes, she pulled away, and I called our footman.

“Gerald, could you please take Kinsley to the kitchen? She hasn’t eaten in days. Mrs. Patterson will get you something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” She folded her arms.

“I know you’re reeling, but you need to eat.”

“Or what, Nikolai?”

“Damn it, girl,” Alek exclaimed. His patience was so thin right now I wanted to smack him upside the head.

Angrily, she turned toward him. “No, damn you, this is all your fault.”

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