I was so wrong.
Chapter Twelve
~ Unusual ~
Soren
I feel rough this morning. The kind of rough that has nothing to do with lack of sleep and everything to do with the look on Kit’s face last night when he called me a monster.
I went straight to my study, leaving Selina and Armen to handle the comfort I’ve never been any good at. I don’t know hushed words or soft reassurances. So instead, I buried myself in the boring, legitimate side of my world for a couple of hours… taxes, inventory logs, supplier contracts for the four car dealerships I actually run across the city. They bring in decent, clean money. Not enough to fund this estate, but enough that no one asks too many questions. People know they can get the best vehicles from my lots, whether it’s a luxury ride or a reliable everyday car. It’s all inclusive, legitimate, boring, and exactly what I needed last night.
Now it’s breakfast. I’m sat at the head of the long table with a large black coffee steaming in front of meand a plate of pancakes and bacon that Lorraine’s team somehow decided I needed. I don’t question it; I just eat.
Ray’s seated to my left, already halfway through his own plate.
“Make sure the two new imports arriving today get signed for and inspected properly,” I tell him, voice still a little rough. “I want eyes on every panel and every serial number. No mistakes.”
Ray nods without hesitation. “Already have two guys waiting at the dock. I’ll go down myself after breakfast and double-check the paperwork. You want them brought straight to the main lot or the secure warehouse?”
“Main lot for now. Keep them visible. Makes people think we’re just another successful dealership.”
“Got it, boss.”
I turn my head slightly toward the other end of the table. “You two know what you’re working on already.”
Sam mock-salutes with a grin. “Yes, boss.”
Luke just throws me a shit-eating wink and a lazy salute of his own. I shake my head… those two are cocky as hell, but they get shit done, so I let them have it.
Ralph walks in then, nodding once. “Morning.”
Behind him, Armen appears, still looking half-asleep but never missing a chance to perform. “Good morning, degenerates.”
I roll my eyes. “Sit the fuck down, Armen. It’s too early for your theatrical bullshit.”
Armen laughs brightly and drops into his usual seat next to Ray.
A minute later, while I’m taking a sip of coffee and scanning the morning newspaper, Selina comes barrelling in like a ray of unwanted sunshine. “Good morning, boss!”
Before I can react, she leans over the back of my chair and wraps her arms around me in a quick hug from behind.
I freeze. “When the fuck did I give you the impression that I wanted to be touched, Selina?”
She giggles, completely unbothered, and releases me. “Sorry, boss. Just appreciating you.”
I eye her as she slides into her seat. “I ain’t fucking you, Selina.”
She chokes on her sip of water. The entire table bursts out laughing. Ray mutters “Jesus Christ” under his breath while shaking his head.
Selina recovers, still smiling. “Boss! Just… after last night, I realise how good you’ve always been to all of us.”
I grunt. “Don’t get sentimental, Selina, or I’ll make you spend the day cleaning guns.”
She shrugs, still cheerful. “If you want me to clean a few guns, I can handle that.”
I grin, slow and sharp. “Allof the guns, Selina.”
She laughs. “Or…hear me out… Idon’tdo that, and I go take Aria down to the shooting range instead. She needs to get better with the Glock 19. Her grouping is still sloppy at twenty-five yards.”
