Page 29 of Double or Nothing
“I have a special connection with her,” I argue. “That’s got to be worth something.”
“I realize that, and so do I,” Kit replies. “We both have good, solid relationships with Jade, but it’s not like the one she has with Vulcan. What they have is fire. Their connection was instant and explosive. I’ve been watching the two of them together from the very beginning. You didn’t want to see it, so you didn’t.”
“Those types of physical relationships usually burn out fast, though,” I argue. “If their attraction is mostly based on chemistry, it might be a passing thing.”
Kit shrugs. “Maybe, though I doubt it. Jade is good for Vulcan. I’m hoping she can get through to him and help him heal a little. We’re all going to lose Vulcan eventually if he can’t get a grip on himself. Last night was the scariest fucking thing I’ve ever gone through, watching him put a gun to his head.”
“Same here,” I admit. “I’m glad he showed up last night. I was worried about him being out there all alone.”
“We all were,” Kit says. “When he pulled up on his bike, Jade ran outside to greet him. He picked her up, and they headed straight for her bedroom.”
“How did you end up there, too?” I’m curious about how Kit was drawn into the threesome.
“Jade asked Vulcan if I could join them and he agreed,” Kit replies. “I was grateful they included me, and I didn’t need to be asked twice. And you shouldn’t either. All you’re doing is torturing yourself.”
“Is this sharing arrangement a permanent thing?” I ask, still unable to grasp how Kit went along with it so willingly.
“All I know is that I’ll be Jade’s steady rock as long as she wants me,” he says. “I’m not going anywhere and if she needs me, right here is where I’ll be. I’ll look after her and protect her the best I can. You’re all my family now and I’ll do anything I can to keep it that way. We want you to be a part of this. Don’t cause problems. We have enough to deal with already.”
“I appreciate that,” I say. “I really do. It’s just weird, and it was a shock, that’s all. I would’ve gladly married her, anytime, anywhere.”
“You’re not the only one,” Kit replies, his tone turning serious. “But that’s not happening for any of us, so get your head back into the game. You’re the smart one in the group and we need you. The Russian mafia will be after us soon, and you can’t be moping in the corner, sulking over hurt feelings. Or what could’ve been.”
He’s right.
I drain the rest of my coffee and wash out my coffee cup in the sink. “You’re absolutely right, and I apologize if I came across as an asshole,” I tell him. “Protecting Jade and keeping an eye on Vulcan needs to be our top priorities.” I lean over to slap Kit on the back. “Thanks, buddy, for giving it to me straight. I needed that. You’re not just Jade’s steady rock, you’re mine, too. When my head gets twisted up, you’ve always been able to help me put it back on straight.”
“Anytime, brother,” he says, smiling at me. “You’d better go get those donuts out of the car before Jade comes back. She’s liable to slap me if I hand her another spinach drink for breakfast. You saved the day.”
Five minutes later, we’re all back in the kitchen, stuffing our faces with glazed donuts as if nothing has changed. Except for Kit, of course, who is eating healthy granola instead.
Kit was right about us being a family. Sometimes families aren’t born, they’re made. Together, we’ve made this one and by God, I won’t be the one to tear it apart.
14
JADE
“Isuppose you’re not interested in a spinach drink after gobbling down those three donuts?” Kit asks, arching his eyebrows at me.
He’s standing at his usual spot at the kitchen counter, chopping up vegetables to blend. After Vulcan and Seven helped me finish off the donuts, they both dashed off to work, leaving Kit and me alone.
“Were you counting?” I tease. “The donuts were small, so don’t accuse me of being a binge eater. Though I can be, occasionally, if I’m starving. And no thank you on the drink. I’m stuffed. Are you sure I can’t talk you into a donut? They’re delicious, and I saved one for you.”
“I try not to eat sugar,” Kit says, shaking his head in disapproval of my eating habits. He hits the button on the blender when I grin at him and reach down to pinch a bite off the remaining donut.
“Fine,” I say. “More donut for me.”
My cellphone vibrates, a metallic whirring that reverberates against the smooth granite countertop. The text is from Natasha asking me to meet her in a neutral meeting location. I hastily type back a reply, asking her to give me an address, and then confirming I’ll be there.
Kit looks up from his blender, his forehead furrowing into a thoughtful knot. “Who are you texting?” His deep voice barely cuts through the loud noise of the blender’s whirring blades and crushed ice.
“Natasha,” I reply, lowering the cell phone. “She wants me to meet her somewhere to talk.”
“Alone?” he questions, a protective edge lacing his tone. “No chance. I’m going with you.”
“And if you’re tied up with work when she wants to meet? How do you guys manage to hold on to your jobs when you’re constantly shadowing me?”
“If I’m at work, then one of the other guys can accompany you,” he says, his tone firm. “Or Leroy. We’re sticking close to you until we’ve taken care of Igor. Plus, Natasha isn’t entirely trustworthy. Don’t forget, she threatened you with a knife and kept you captive in Platinum. That alone is enough to warrant us tagging along when you meet her. We can’t take any more chances.”
