Page 14 of Tangled Souls

Betty’s eyes narrow into a glare which would make a lesser woman tremble. But our woman doesn’t even flinch. Instead, the smile on her face becomes wider and predatory.

She can smell blood in the water and Betty has no idea.

“Betty,” Oaklynn tsks and shakes her head in disappointment. “Kirill,” she purrs his name, knowing full well that Betty isn’t allowed to use it, “was very clear with you. Wasn’t he?”

I can hear how hard Betty swallows. Maybe she’s finally recognizing the danger she’s in, but I doubt she’ll be smart enough to heed it.

“I’m not sure what you’re referring to,” Betty tries to deflect. Poorly.

“It’s Mrs. Volkov to you, Betty,” our woman’s voice drips condescension.

I’m here for it. Before I step out and make my presence known, I reach down and adjust my rock-hard cock in my pants. It’s a problem I’ve gotten used to since Oaklynn has come into our lives. There’s nothing to do about it other than bury myself deep inside our woman.

Maybe Wolfe and the guys can leave so we can enact one of the fantasies I’ve had since the first time Oaklynn walked into Kirill’s office. Bending her over the expensive as fuck desk Kirill has is something I will make happen at some point.

I can only hope it’ll be today.

Betty clears her throat and nods. “Of course, Mrs. Volkov. I apologize.”

Even though she’s trying to sound contrite, I can hear the bite in Betty’s words. It sets my teeth on edge. We’ve been keeping an eye on her, but my gut is telling me we need to look closer.

A woman like Betty doesn’t spend as long as she’s worked for us trying to get into our pants and give up as easily as she, seemingly, has. It would be so much easier to just kill her, even though we don’t like harming women.

If she’s a threat to our peace, to our heart, to the woman who makes us whole, then you better believe her life will be forfeit. Nothing will save her from me. Or any of us.

When I take a step out of the shadows, Oaklynn’s brown eyes snap up to meet mine. I don’t see any surprise written on her face and I can’t help but smirk. There’s no doubt in my mind that she knew I was there the entire time.

Fuck, I love when our woman puts on a show. And when it involves her making a power move? I’m a goner.

“Little Bee,” I growl and hold my hand out for our woman to take. It’s been far too long since I’ve touched her.

Betty spins around in her chair so fast that the momentum takes her too far and she has to grip her desk and turn back toward me. Her eyes are big and full of fear. When I give her a cold look, it’s clear she knows I heard the entire exchange.

Her days are numbered. Even if the worst she gets is being fired.

“Baker,” Oaklynn’s voice is husky as she steps closer and slides her hand into mine.

My eyes close automatically and I take a moment and soak up the way it feels to be touching her again. Her hand is so smalland delicate. And when my large mitt is wrapped around it, I’m reminded of just how gentle I need to be with her.

Except when she’s naked and writhing for us. Then our woman becomes eternal fire, one with a burn you only have the option to welcome and revel in.

“Were you watching my progress from the time I left the house?” There’s a flirtatious deliberateness in her voice and I can’t help but smile.

Sometimes the performance is necessary.

The information Oaklynn just gave Betty is vast, but I doubt the woman will look beyond her own selfishness to see it.

“Of course I was, wife. How could I not?” I use our joined hands to pull her closer to me and wrap my other arm around her waist, anchoring her to me. “I missed you,” I murmur just for her.

Her brown eyes are full of understanding and a yearning that I feel down to my soul. “I know,” she whispers, “I missed you too. It’s why I’m here.”

I don’t bother looking at Betty again; I don’t need to. Oaklynn doesn’t look her way either. I should not hike up our woman’s skirt and press her against the wall.

But it’s fucking tempting.

Oaklynn gives my hand a squeeze as she teases me, “Whatever you’re thinking will have to wait for later.”

There’s nothing that could wipe the grin off my face. I wiggle my eyebrows at her comically because there’s no reason to try and hide what I was thinking. Her laughter makes it feel like I’m soaring.

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