“Morning,brat.”
Viktor looked up from the paper he was reading. “It’s too early for this shit.” He ran a hand through his hair and yawned.
“Agreed.” Dimitri yawned himself and led Viktor into the little area designated for food. “I didn’t realize that Sara Jane’s staying here until she texted me this morning. She’s running a little late, so I told her we’d be on the terrace. Hungry?”
“Starved.” Viktor wasted no time in filling up a plate. Dimitri smiled his dimpled grin at the morning clerk who was checking on the guests in the small dining area, distracting her from the fact Viktor was not a guest. She batted her eyelashes at him in return, giving him her come hither smile.
The woman was beautiful, rich auburn hair and green eyes that promised so much, but for the first time in his life, it did nothing for him. He wasn’t the least bit interested. His dick even stayed quiet. This was new.
“Hey, you.”
Sara Jane startled him, and he turned around, bumping into her. “Sorry.”
“You’re pretty.”
Dimitri looked down at Sara Jane’s little girl and grinned. She was a beauty, her front tooth missing, her blonde hair pulled back in some kind of braid.
“You’re prettier than me.” He tweaked her nose. “I’m Dimitri. You must be Delia.”
“I am.” She had a sing-song voice.
“Well, Delia, how hungry are you?” He held out his hand, and she shyly took it. “I think we should go find some food before my brother eats it all.”
“He wouldn’t.” Her eyes widened, and she took his hand, pulling him along behind her. “There’s too much food!”
“Viktor can inhale it all, I promise.” He ignored Sara’s laughter and bent down to whisper, “We have to feed him enough so he doesn’t eat us!”
Delia’s little gasp was loud enough to catch Viktor’s attention, and he turned around, a piece of bacon hanging out of his mouth. He glanced down at the kid who hid behind Dimitri’s legs.
“You’re horrible,” Sara Jane whispered.
“Nah, I’m pretty. Delia said so.”
Viktor hurriedly ate his bacon and set his overly full plate down. “Morning, ladies. I’m Viktor.”
“You talk funny.” Delia peeped at him from behind Dimitri’s legs. “Are you really going to eat me?”
“Eat you?” He shot Dimitri a look filled with the promise of pain. “I don’t eat little girls, only grown-ass men who are pretty.”
“Language.” Sara Jane came to stand behind Dimitri. “I try not to cuss around her if I can help it. She mimics everything these days.”
Dimitri watched his brother’s face carefully. He saw the instant lust flash in his eyes before he locked down his emotions and his face went blank. Oh, this could be good. Damn shame he wasn’t going to be able to watch the fireworks over the next few weeks.
“Sara, this is my brother, Viktor, owner and operator of Kincaid Security Corp.”
“Kincaid Security and Investigations,” Viktor corrected him. “We changed the name of the company when Kade signed on.”
“Sorry, I forget. It’s been KSC for so long, it’s hard to remember a new name.”
“KSC? Like KFC, the yummy chicken place?” Delia slid around Dimitri’s legs so she could get a better look at Viktor. “You make chicken?”
“No,malyshka. I take care of people who need help. I protect them.”
“From bad people like my daddy?” Her gray eyes turned serious, and Dimitri’s gut clenched at the pain bleeding out of them. So little to have gone through so much. It wasn’t right.
Viktor squatted in front of her, his expression as serious as hers. “Yes, from bad people like your daddy. I’m here to make sure he can never hurt you again.”
“You won’t let him come back?” She twisted the end of her braid. “I don’t want him to come home. He hurt me.”