Now it’s just me in the SUV, the city humming around the vehicle. Tension coils tight in my shoulders. This is risky—sitting here in the open, even in shadows—butnecessary.
This is due diligence. I can’t afford blind trust, not with everything at stake. My brothers trusted the wrong people once. I won’t make the same mistake.
The days of going in all guns blazing are over for me. I have to accept that as frustrating as it might feel.
Minutes stretch.
I check my phone—no messages from William yet.Good. He’s probably still processing, ass throbbing, mind spinning. I smile again at the memory of him standing there so perfectly displayed, tears in his eyes but pure submission in his body. He’ll text back eventually.
Or better—he’ll wait for my next command like the good boy he’s becoming.
Then, the bar door opens. A couple of men exit, laughing, but no sign of Padraig yet. I drum my fingers on the console, eyes scanning the street.
Every passing car, every shadow makes me tense.
This life never lets you relax. Not fully. Not even after claiming a sweet Little in a library and leaving him quivering in his obedience.
But that’s the point, isn’t it? William is the softness I never thought I’d allow myself. A bright spot in the blood and shadows. He represents everything my world isn’t: innocent, intellectual, tender. And the way he melts under my dominance…fuck.
It’s addictive and I don’t want a detox.
Padraig emerges after fifteen minutes. He walks casually back to the SUV, slides in, and pulls the door shut.
“Well?” I ask.
“They’re in there,” Padraig begins. “Both of them. Drinking, talking low. Zorin’s loud when he wants to be, bragging about a recent shipment. Antonov is quieter, but his eyes never stop moving. They mentioned Viktor once. Sounded respectful, but there was an edge. Like they’re waiting to see which way the wind blows. Honestly, I couldn’t say for sure.”
I nod slowly, digesting it. “Anything that screams trouble?”
“Nothing concrete. But they don’t trust easily. Feels like they’re playing their own angles.” Padraig starts the engine. “We good to roll?”
“Yeah,” I say. “Take us back toward the warehouse district. I’ve got calls to make.”
As we pull away, I lean back and close my eyes for a second but open them before my brain runs away with itself.
The city lights streak past again.
I smile in the dark.
William has no idea yet about who I truly am—and the same can be said for the city’s other pakhans.
But he will soon, and so will they…
Chapter 9
William
“Quick, quick,quiiiick,” I splutter, breathlessly fiddling with my key in the door, trying to open it as fast as I can.
And the second the door to my apartment clicks shut behind me, I’m already kicking off my shoes and peeling off my sweater. My hands shake with urgency. I don’t even turn on the main light, just the soft glow of the small lamp in the hallway.
Clothes drop in a frantic trail behind me as I head straight for the bedroom: jeans, briefs, t-shirt,everything.
I know what I’m doing.
And I know I need to do itright now.
By the time I reach my bed I’m completely naked, skin flushed and tingling, my freshly punished bottom still radiating heat with every step.
