Page 43 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
“Yair doesn’t do this for the money.”
Her body tensed against mine. “Then why do this?”
I moved my fingers lower on her hip.
“Control. Balance. Our world is complicated. You take whatever balance you can find. This is his.”
She didn’t respond, but settled into me like she knew I wanted the contact. We chilled until it was time for my brother to get in the ring. When his fight started, Yair didn’t waste time. His opponent was bigger and heavier, but that didn’t matter. Yair’s advantage had never been strength.
It was his precision and patience. His ability to break a man down before the fight even really started. The first few minutes were just that, testing the guy and studying him. I knew the exact minute Yair saw the opening.
A solid jab to the ribs. A hook to the jaw. The crowd exploded and his opponent staggered back, shook it off, and came in swinging wide. Yair dodged, pivoted, and anticipated the next move before it even happened. His body was controlled and his movements were focused.
Baylyn was quiet, watching the rawness of it. The energy was wild as hell so my grip on her waist tightened to keep her grounded.
“This is what he does. He takes his time, breaks them down, and then…” I paused until it happened.
The knockout. A perfectly executed hook. Yair didn’t gloat or raise his fists. He just walked off and the crowd went crazy again but I was already pulling Baylyn toward the back exit. She didn’t stop me or question why I wasn’t waiting for my brothers until we were outside on our way to the car.
“You’re not going to say anything to them?” she finally asked as we reached my car.
I unlocked the doors, opening hers first. “Nah, I don’t need to.”
She studied me with her brows pinched. “Why not?”
“He didn’t need me here. I was just showing you more of my world. This is a part of it.”
She slid into the passenger seat. I shut her door and rounded the front of the car before I got in the driver’s side staring at how good she looked being my rider.
“What now?” I asked hoping we were on the same page.
I could see the wheels turning in her head and the silent choice she was making. After a minute, she lifted her chin and gave me the answer I was hoping for. “Your house.”
I tossed my chin, started the car and shifted into drive, pulling out of the lot praying like hell she was cool with what I had planned.
I pulled into my driveway,watching Baylyn out of the corner of my eye.
She was quiet but not uncomfortable, just aware.
And anxious as hell…
I killed the engine and got out, walking around to open her door. She hesitated for half a second before taking my hand. I led her inside making sure to maintain a connection because she was nervous. The second we were inside I knew I fucked up.
She belonged here…
Baylyn stood in the center of my living room, arms crossed loosely over her chest with her weight shifting from one foot to the other. I could tell she was nervous and not just from being at my place but from being alone with me. I dropped my keys onto the console table near the door, then walked toward her, stopping inches away but still close enough that I could see the rise and fall of her chest.
She could have all the time she needed…
“You good?”
“Yes.”
“You sure? You look like you want to bail.”
Her eyes lifted to mine. Her expression was steady but her pulse was thumping erratic as hell. Her pretty ass was about to freak the fuck out.
“I’m not going to bail.”
