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“No, you’re one of the most intelligent women I’ve met, but yes, you are vulnerable. Plus, you’re my cousin and I was tasked to take care of you so that’s what I’m going to do whether you like it or not.” He sucked in his breath, cursing after issuing the statement.
His words finally sank in and I sucked in my breath, trying to keep my temper from flaring out of control. When I finally released the deep breath, I narrowed my eyes. “First of all, you’re my second cousin and…” Hold on a minute. I was floored by what he’d just said. “What did you say?”
“Fuck,” he hissed. “You heard me. Your parents made certain that I be put in charge of you.”
This was ridiculous. “Put in charge of me? That’s ridiculous. I’m twenty-four years old. I don’t need a babysitter.”
He looked over my shoulder and I’ll be damned if he didn’t home in on the glass. He stormed toward it, yanking the bottle into his hand. “I know you don’t drink bourbon, but I know who does. That fucking Russian. You did not spend the night with me. Tell me you did not.”
I resisted the urge to tighten the sash, instead planting my hands on my hips and lying my ass off. The funny thing was that the bourbon was mine, but only for cooking purposes. As if that mattered right now. “I did not spend the night with him. Period.” Technically, I wasn’t lying. I hadn’t spent the entire night with him. A fleeting thought stifled my breathing. What if Kirill remained in the bathroom? Oh, dear God. I knew exactly what would happen. Or maybe I didn’t. Would Kirill pull out a gun?
He rushed toward me so fast, I was taken aback. “Then what is this doing here?”
“You have no right to ask me who I keep company with. Now, I need you to leave.” I pointed toward the door, feeling more awkward than I’d ever felt around him. Rian was protective, caring. He’d only met me once before I’d decided to move, yet he’d offered me a job even before I’d left Pennsylvania. Still, I refused to tolerate being told what to do.
I thought for certain he was going to toss the bottle against the wall given his Irish temper, but he slowly lowered it to the table, taking several deep breaths. When he walked toward me, I resisted budging from where I was standing. It was past time for me to take control of my life.
Maybe I was far too vulnerable. Damn it. I had to end things with Kirill before… Jesus. There were no good scenarios. None.
“Candy, I know you’re eager to make your way in this ugly world. I was exactly like you when I was your age. However, there are dangerous men out there who will take advantage of your generosity and kindness. I have no intention of telling you how to live your life, but I can be concerned. That’s what families do. We care. We watch out over each other. And if necessary, we intervene in order to prevent damage or disaster. I don’t want to see you go down a bad path.”
His words almost gutted me except I sensed he continued to believe he could be my overlord. “What path is that?”
“Getting involved with the Russian Bratva will only lead to pain. Whether physically or emotionally, it doesn’t matter. That man will crush you after he’s finished enjoying whatever twisted experience he believes is owed to him. I suggest you keep that in the back of your mind as you’re making adult decisions.”
Goddamn, the man could infuriate me more than most, yet I couldn’t ignore what he’d told me. Kirill was demanding and forceful. What would he do if I dared to try to stop seeing him? I watched as Rian headed toward the door, cursing under his breath. Still, my gut told me that the Bratva had a beef with Rian’s father. He was certainly a formidable man.
“I’m curious, Rian. What business relationship has the Walsh family entered into with the Bratva?” I knew within seconds I’d hit home, his body tensing.
He didn’t bother turning around, only tilting his head so I could see a portion of his face. “I’ll give you one last recommendation. Stay in your lane.”
My lane? What the hell was that supposed to mean? When he slammed the door, I jumped, closing my eyes briefly. Things had just gone from really bad to insufferable.
