Page 53 of Tangled Souls

I’m in awe of her.

When Wolfe stands up, he looks at the way the rest of us are clenching our jaws or hands and nods with a knowing glint in his eyes. “The team working tonight is waiting at the warehouse. Dominic and Hendrix are watching over them,” he confirms with a smirk.

Yeah, I’m sure they’re just watching over them.

All three of the former military men turned mercenaries love Oaklynn like a sister. They would light the match we’d use to burn the world down for her. That’s just how it is.

I’m so fucking glad our woman has a family at her back now.

Maxim looks defeated, but I know what he needs. He needs to be useful because he already feels like he’s let our woman down.

Kirill looks like he’s on edge. His energy is feral and combustible. It reminds me of the night Adam approached herat the Heart and Home meeting. When it comes to Oaklynn, he’s no longer the stoic leader who doesn’t get rattled.

He’s a loose fucking cannon. One we need to contain.

“Kirill,” I call to him and wait until he looks at me. His eyes burn with an uncontrollable wildfire. “I’m going to go to the warehouse with Maxim and Baker. You’re going to stay here and take care of our woman.”

He narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything. It’s clear he’s not happy about it, but I don’t think he’s going to fight me on it either. Not when she needs him and he needs her.

When I look at Oaklynn, she gives me a small nod. Is it gratitude or understanding?

Either way, I’m up and headed toward the front door knowing the guys will fall in line with me. Maxim’s too mired in guilt and it’s time for me to step up and get this shit done.

It’s time to see if we can get any answers. Mikhail should never have been able to get into the building, let alone that close to our wife. But he did and now heads will roll.

CHAPTER 20

OAKLYNN

Kirill is pacing back and forth in the living room. He reminds me of a lion trapped in a zoo. You’re told that the enclosure is big enough, but when you look into the animal’s eyes you can see the truth. Only the entire Serengeti will be enough room.

“Kirill,” I keep my voice soft as I call to him.

He turns toward me and for a moment it’s like he’s looking right through me instead of at me. But then he focuses, and all his intensity is directed at me. It’s almost too much and my breath hitches.

His steps are long as he closes the distance between us. Even though I can almost taste the danger in the air, I don’t flinch, and I don’t move away. All I can do is wait and see what happens.

“I need you to be honest with me,Solnishko,” he murmurs, “how are you feeling?”

“I’m good,” I promise him. “It’s you I’m worried about right now.”

He rears back like I’ve slapped him, and his eyes widen slightly. “Me? Why are you worried about me?”

“You look like you’re about to lose your shit,” I explain. “I understand staying back and babysitting me isn’t exactly ideal.”

His hand shoots out so fast that it startles me when it wraps around my neck. “Staying with you is an honor. I’m not here to babysit you,” his words are insistently rasped. “I’m sidelined because the guys knew that I wasn’t going to be able to keep a lid on my rage. Losing control would only make things worse, even if it would feel good in the moment. Dead men can’t spill their secrets.”

“But youwouldrather be at the warehouse to find out exactly who or what the weak link was in tonight’s coverage,” I push.

Kirill looks away, unable to deny my words. It’s written all over his face anyway.

It’s almost funny how he’s wearing his heart on his sleeve right now. Kirill is such a stoic man. He prides himself on keeping his emotions locked up and being unreadable.

But at this moment, when he’s still caught up in being scared for me, he’s showing me everything.

“I love you, Kirill,” I murmur.

He snaps his gaze back to mine and his shoulders relax. It’s small, but it’s enough.

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