Page 13 of Tangled Souls

“We haven’t been hiding her away,” Huck tries to defend us.

Hendrix doesn’t look at all impressed with Huck’s bullshit. And we all know that is exactly what it is—bullshit.

“Okay,” there’s no judgement in Hendrix’s tone, “you’ve been taking your time and getting to know her. But the fact is thatbefore she met the four of you, she was active within the community. She spent time volunteering with various charities and helped to organize charity functions.” He shrugs one shoulder as if he’s not asking us to knowingly put our woman in danger. “I’m not saying you wrap her in neon or anything, I’m just suggesting that she goes back to business as usual.”

I’m shaking my head before I’ve even given myself a chance to process his words.

On the surface, I can appreciate the fact that he’s making sense. But my heart is pounding in my chest, and my gut is twisting uncomfortably.

Putting our woman out there, into the world, while knowing Mikhail is looking for any opportunity to weaken us, to hurt us? It doesn’t feel right.

I clench my hands together in fists and fight my instincts to hurt Hendrix for even suggesting such a thing.

Baker sighs, the sound labored and filled with regret. “You know our woman is not going to allow us to keep her locked away in some tower like she’s a fucking Disney princess,” he points out.

Unhelpfully.

I shoot the man a look which has made more than one man piss himself before. He’s not the least bit affected by it. And that only pisses me off more.

“That doesn’t mean we use her as bait,” I roar the words.

They might be right about this, and I know Oaklynn would probably go along with it, but that doesn’t mean I need to like it.

When I get my hands on Mikhail, I’ll finally be able to put this all to rest and move forward. That cockroach has been a problem for far too long.

It’s past time for him to die.

CHAPTER 5

BAKER

My tablet gives a soft ding, alerting me that Oaklynn is on her way up in the elevator. Even though I’ve been thoroughly entertained by Kirill on the verge of losing his mind, I’ve been watching our wife’s progress since she left the house. Even though I’m surprised about her coming to see us, I’m still beyond thrilled.

After spending so much time with her since the wedding, leaving her at home this morning came as a shock. I’m addicted to everything Oaklynn. Her soft skin. The way she smells, like vanilla and cinnamon. Every smile she gives us which I collect like raindrops.

I’m damn glad she took it upon herself to come in and see us. There was no way I was going to be able to make it all day without a moment with her. Maybe she was having just as much of a problem as I was.

Honestly, even with this pissing match between Kirill and Hendrix going on, I was thinking about ways to slip away for a little while to go and see our woman.

Now, I don’t need to.

As Kirill tries to calm himself down, not liking the idea ofusing Oaklynn to smoke Mikhail and his bastard goons out of hiding, I stand and stride out of the room. No one’s paying attention to me; they’re all waiting for Kirill to vault his desk and wrap his hands around Hendrix’s throat.

I’m hoping he can get his shit together because Oaklynn would be pissed. She considers Kirby and her men family. She would rip pieces of Kirill’s flesh from his body if he hurt Hendrix. Kirill would let her too.

The man is soft for our woman.

Not that I have much room to talk. I’m just as bad if not worse.

She just has that kind of effect on us. There isn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do to make our woman happy.

When the elevator starts to open, I watch Betty sit up a little straighter. For the last few months, she’s been better. She’s been focusing on her job while not throwing her half nude self at us. I don’t trust it and I’m not the only one.

Oaklynn’s smile is fake as fuck when her eyes land on Betty. I have to swallow down a chuckle, glad I stayed just behind the reception desk and Betty has no idea I’m here.

“Oaklynn,” Betty’s voice is saccharine to the point that it makes my gums ache.

Our woman, our queen, stands tall. Her shoulders are pulled back and her chin held high. Her gorgeous hair is down in soft waves falling around her shoulders and down her back. She’s wearing a dress which hugs each one of her curves while also being professional and polished. Everything about her screams luxury and I love it. The deep green color is gorgeous on her and would make anyone looking at her think of money.

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